Putting the Parkinsn List online was not meant to replace but to enhance its value and visibility to the world. Barbara and I have thought for years about solutions that could increase our readership..long before Parkinson's became fashionable. Those of you who are battling with Parkinsn 'Information Overload' can set your subscription to nomail and view the list at your leasure while still enjoying the benefits of subscription. The Parkinsn List Online as been added as a link on the Parkinsn's Archive Treasure page at: http://www.ionet.net/~jcott/homepage/archive/patp.html > >Dear John, and the list (and soon the whole world) > > I am just a little concerned. About going public. Yes me, The same me> >that > >asked Parbara patterson why the responses to her survey about> >publishing > >everything to the whole list wasn't published to the whole list?> >Because > >there is a difference, you see. The creation of Parkinsn Online is for listmembers who would like to participate but can't because of the volume of mail and for others who would like the convenience of keeping informed on list threads while traveling or going from office to home. If your concern is for privacy, use the reply button on your email program and email the poster directly. If having Parkinsons is embarassing, do like the majority just read the list and not post. Only the current 200 messages will be viewable...after that one will need to search Simon's archives. The link is at the bottom of the message screen. >I agree that making the PD list available as an open list on the net is not a >good idea. That is a misconception...the Parkinsn list is a set up to accept only posts from subscribers. Even if non-subscriber clicked on the [log in to unmask] mailto: link and tried to send a message to the list..it would be rejected. Having the current 200 messages online does nothing to make the Parkinsn list an open list. The links are there because that is how the software is written...but not how it works. >I have had the feeling that we were all gathered >around a great big round table, sharing feelings, experiences and >knowledge - now I am beginning to have the feeling that we are surrounded by >a huge audience peeking at us. We should have been polled about this The table just got bigger and we widened the door. Barbara and I polled one another before any of this was conceived each of us have the mechanism at hand to pull the plug. We are riding in the 'boat' Parkinsn and it is owned by Barbara Patterson. She is under no obligation to poll anyone when the durability and usability of the list are concerned. The only vote subscribers have is the revolving door. Passengers shouldn't interfere with rowing the boat...just enjoy the ride. >It is true that someone who really wants to read this list's messages >can access them through the Archives, but putting the list online as has >just been done, makes it easily and completely accessible to all Internet >users worldwide. Now anyone doing a search using Alta Vista or other >search engines will have keyword access to our postings - if your name is >included in the text of your message, someone could search for it also. Search engines do not read "file cabinets" but rely on keywords determined by the web designer. Parkinsn Online is a "file cabinet" with no ones name or address mentioned. The focus is Parkinsn...period. Folks like you and me...can find it if they search and will get to see a sample of what the Parkinsn list is about...useless gossip or fact or caring. If they like us...they will subscribe and join us... >If you leave a personal letter open at your desk at work, an >individual who is looking through your desk can find it and read it. This >is very different from your boss opening all your mail and reading every >word, and then passing it around to the rest of the office. You email is scanned everywhere...from the government on down. Do not put into email anything you would not want anyone else to know. The internet is not private..email is not secure unless you encrypt it and the person you send it to has the key to unlock it. Parkinsn Online will not attract thousands or even hundreds..perhaps 50 a day but out of those 50 we will subscribe one or two pwps or caregivers...replacing those who have left unfilled because of our indifference. > What bothers me more than privacy is that every stupid or hasty > thing I wish I never wrote will be that much more available. I do that also...like the long lines in the announcement...:))) But we are just human. >I wouldbemoan with great regret the loss of intimate and casual, yet extremely >informative sharing that I feel inevitably comes with our List beingon-line. The level and quality of the list relationships will be determined by the writers...the ideas and their discussion will just be more accessible. Nothing really has changed only two mechanical things. Putting the persons name who sent the message in the reply line from the listserv and porting the current messages to the web. Embarrassment and denial are common and can't be over come with facts...it takes time to find your peace. If you have to get out of the 'boat' for a while...that's ok we'll have someone to greet you with open arms. In the meantime try the Thread button and click on any message title to read the messages. Links at the bottom of the page are informative and have changed even if you were there last month. 'Friends, Come With Me' John Cottingham [log in to unmask] Search the parkinsn archive online at: http://james.parkinsons.org.uk Search the Parkinsn Archive Treasures on line at: http://www.ionet.net/~jcott/homepage/archive/patp.html *NEW*Click the page ads and use the new search tools*NEW* John Cottingham