Hello ...

This message has been prompted by something we read in
http://www.cs.ubc.ca/spider/edmonds/usenet/ml-providers.html

        "To find a Listserv sponsor, write up a
        draft proposal which describes the list
        you'd like to create and mail it to
        [log in to unmask]"

So ...

* Learning Stone already exists - since May 1998.

* It is a mailing list with a multi-disciplinary membership
  drawn from people who work with stone. Members include
  sculptors, stone-carvers, masons, quarry-workers,
  geologists - artisans, academics and students.

* The membership is international - mainly in North America
  and Western Europe, but Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia and
  South America are also represented.

* The basic premise of Learning Stone is that people from
  different disciplines and cultures can learn from each
  other's experience and knowledge, and benefit from
  personal and professional contact.

* Learning Stone is currently hosted by eGroups.com - a
  'free' web-based ad-supported MLM, which we have outgrown.
  We originally chose eGroups because we wanted a vehicle to
  test our ideas, recruit subscribers, and develop
  guidelines for discussion and interaction. We have
  produced our 'prototype', and now need to move up to a
  professional MLM. eGroups is OK as far as it goes, but it
  doesn't go very far, and we believe that it has become an
  obstacle to further development and growth of the Learning
  Stone group.

* Learning Stone currently has 150-160 members. It is not,
  and was never intended to be a high-volume list. It is
  rigourously moderated, and gets about 10 postings per
  week. We think that a realistic upper limit would be about
  4 times current levels - if we work for it!

* Learning Stone was initiated by the Portland Sculpture
  Trust (a not-for-profit organisation in the UK), but has
  always had an independent existence - it is run for the
  benefit of its subscribers. The owner/moderator is not a
  mailing list novice (10 years+ experience).

* We believe that we have shown that Learning Stone is a
  viable and useful resource. Will anyone take us on please?

Contact: "Rick Crust" <[log in to unmask]>

Thank you ...



-------------------------------------------------------------
Portland Sculpture Trust News & Information
* Email
    [log in to unmask]
* Learning Stone WWW
    http://ds.dial.pipex.com/diversity/stone/
* Learning Stone Mailing List
    [log in to unmask]
-------------------------------------------------------------