[WEB4LIB] RE: Decline in Web4Lib message volume

[Robertson, James]

I want to echo Grace's comments about searchable archives.  Many times I search the archives (whether Web4Lib or other ones) -- or the web in general -- for the question and answer before I post.  If found, the post never happens.
 
         --Jim Robertson, NJIT library

	-----Original Message----- 
	From: web4lib at webjunction.org on behalf of Grace J. Agnew 
	Sent: Wed 1/26/2005 4:52 PM 
	To: Multiple recipients of list 
	Cc: 
	Subject: [WEB4LIB] RE: Decline in Web4Lib message volume
	
	



	I've noticed a decline in quantity on most lists.  I suspect this might
	be the result of a proliferation of specific lists or possibly
	indicating that people are moving to newer technologies. There's
	probably also some "list fatique."  I suffer from this, myself.  I took
	the bold step of unsubscribing from most of my lists, and I haven't
	really missed them.  When I have a specific question or need, I search
	the archives for the most relevant lists.  Most of the lists I subscribe
	to now are "update" lists that announce conferences or that something
	has been added to a website that I am interested in.  CNI_Announce is
	one of the most useful of the announce lists I subscribe to.
	
	One of our faculty members returned from ALA Midwinter and set up a blog
	on a public blog site to share her findings and invite contributions
	from others who attended ALA.  I suspect we will start to see list
	traffic decline generally as blog usage increases.  Web4Lib remains one
	of the most, if not the most, useful list I subscribe to, though!
	
	Grace Agnew
	
	
	Drew, Bill wrote:
	
	>I see it as a case of quality versus quantity.  When this list started,
	>it was because of the need for a separate list dedicated to the World
	>Wide Web and Libraries.  The need is still there. This list is keeping
	>going instead of dwindling down to nothing like PACS-L has.  That list
	>is now nothing more than a vehicle for occasional announcements.  It is
	>unfortunate because it filled a very valuable niche and could still be
	>valuable if it hadn't been choked to death by too many restrictions.
	>Roy Tennant and the Web4Lib board have done an excellent job in gently
	>keeping us on topic without choking the list to death.  Keep up the good
	>work.  I was one of the first to subscribe to Web4Lib and I hope to see
	>it continue for many years to come.
	>
	>Bill Drew
	>drewwe at morrisville.edu
	>
	>
	> 
	>