> > Writing up the steps made me realize how glad I am to have InfoMagnet on
> > order :-)
>
> In my mail this immediately followed two items from Eric in response to the
> person looking for extremely tight list security.  One person wanting
> absolutely no outsiders and then someone who can't wait for new software
> that will allow him easier access as an outsider.
 
I suppose if you look on the darkside, software that helps access Listserv
lists does make it easier to abuse our lists.  On the other hand, it
increases access and can decentarlize control of knowledge.  Furthermore,
I didn't come across anything in the InfoMagnet demo that I couldn't
otherwise do with our regular listserv tools.
 
I don't consider non-subscribers to my dozen or so lists to be
"outsiders."  In fact, one of our lists is a database with no
subscribers.  For most of these lists, the archives are turned on.
I'd be happy for subscribers and non-subscribers to dig through and
see whether there are any treasures in there.  As for our confidential
lists, we either have the archives set to private or we don't archive it
at all.
 
While I oppose those who would abuse Listserv subscription lists, I
applaud software that makes it easier for more people, including my
students and me, to take advantage of the goldmine of resources built up
on Listserv lists.
 
I'd go one step further.  I hope that InfoMagnet-search-type software is
developed so that the Listserv goldmine can be accessed through the World
Wide Web.
 
Don Soucy
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