Newsgroups: bit.listserv.pacs-l
Date:         Wed, 29 Jul 1992 11:55:12 CDT
From:         Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <LIBPACS@UHUPVM1.BITNET>
Subject:      Dial in Questionnaire

4 Messages, 105 Lines
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From: MORTON_BRUCE/LIB_AD@renne.lib.montana.edu
Subject: Re: Dial In Questionnaire
i am puzzled by peter graham's comments re meckler.  the market is a great
leveler and resists exploitation.  if there are buyers in sufficient
numbers at a given price then the market is sending the signal that the
product is needed and the price is reasonable.

bruce morton
assistant dean/public services
montana state university libraries
bozeman, mt 59717-0332

internet:  morton/lib@renne.lib.montana.edu
*-----
From: jahb@Lehigh.EDU (JENNIFER A. HEISE)
Subject: Re: Dial In Questionnaire
The Meckler publication lists DIAL-IN, not NET-IN, connections. I know of NO
source currently available via Internet that lists libraries' dialups-
especially libraries with NO Internet service.
I don't like to flame, but find out the facts before you criticize!

Jennifer Heise                           Net: jahb@lehigh.edu
Reference Dept.,                         Phone: (215) 758-3072
Fairchild-Martindale Libraries #8A,  Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015

"You know I don't know so many things, but I know what's been goin' on:
They put in a nickel, and they want a dollar song"

My opinions are my own. No one else would HAVE them anyway.
*------
From: "Bill Drew-Serials/Reference Librar. SUNY Morrisville"
 <DREWWE@snymorva.bitnet>
Subject: Re: Dial In Questionnaire

What and where is avaialble concerning dialup access to libraries?  I don't
believe such a beast exists.  I am VERY familiar with the directories for
internet access but only one of these contains any kind of information (St.
George) about dial up.
>
>I submit to Meckler that they should reconsider publishing this item, or face
>the possibility that they will be considered as among those publishers whose
>interest is wholly in exploiting the market rather than in providing needed
>services at reasonable cost.
>
>--PG, Rutgers University

This message is reactionary at best and confusing at worst.  I suppose I will
be condemned here next year when the book I am writing for Meckler is
published.  I am writing a guide to electronic resources in agriculture.  It is
loosley based on the guide that I maintain on the INTERNET called "NOT JUST
COWS".  The people at Meckler have graciously stated that I can continue to
keep that guide up to date.  I bet that won't happen with Zen and the Art of
the INTERNET.  While I find some of Meckler's publications are of questionable
use in MY library, don't condemn them for providing a valauble service to many
of those that don't have access to the INTERNET and/or BITNET.

 Wilfred Drew (Call me "Bill")   Serials/Reference/Computers Librarian
 State University of New York  College of Agriculture and Technology
 P.O. Box 902;  Morrisville, NY 13408-0902
 DECnet: SMORV::DREWWE  BITNET: DREWWE@SNYMORVA
 Internet: DREWWE@SNYMORVA.CS.SNYMOR.EDU or DREWWE@SNYMORVB.CS.SNYMOR.EDU
 Phone: (315)684-6055 or 684-6060  Fax: (315)684-6115
*-----
From: aa327@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Penny O'Connor)
Subject: Re: Dial In Questionnaire

The issue raised here about Dial In is similar to discussions
about Zen and the art of (the?) Internet. Here and on other
lists the same issues were raised about timeliness, profit motive,
and whether it is worthwhile to publish in paper when similar
information can be found online.

Hold on, folks! you can't assume that everyone coming into the
library has the access or the awareness of online resources that
you have. Publications like Zen in paper form, and Dial In in
paper form, are a bridge to the wider public. They provide
a way to get acquainted. Additionally, they provide good basic
instructions to those who may not have the knowledge to get
into the Internet and FTP something. This information is not
easy to come by if you are not connected to an institution
that provides you with some access and maybe some orientation.
Finally, people and organizations in remote areas, and
individuals and businesses everywhere have only limited
access to the nets, unless they can find out how to get
in via a commercial service, and are paying. Far more potential
users have a telephone plus modem.

The day may come when printed directories to online
services are no longer needed or wanted. This won't happen
until everybody has access.

How did you get into this? Was it by word of mouth? Was it
by reading an article? How did you find out enough to
really get connected online and do anything? If the
print on paper had nothing to do with it, I'll be very
surprised.

Penny O'Connor
Science & Technology
Cleveland Public Library

My opinions are my own.
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU