Marie, thank you for that lovely explanation of usenet newsgroups. Indeed,
you say it well. Despite the complexities involved, many people prefer
newsgroups....My gut feeling is that I prefer Lactnet to remain as an email
group.  This is not to say that it could never be a newsgroup, but as Marie
indicates, we would be much more open to the general public as a
newsgroup..and we would spend a lot of time putting out fires.

Marie stated:

First, virtually anyone can be out there and lurk! This means that our
comments could be read by the informed, the uninformed, and the
opposition. The owner cannot cut someone out the way they can if they are
running a list.

This is not quite true. A Newsgroup CAN be moderated..that is, if Lactnet
went to Newsgroup format (which I am NOT planning, for those new to this
discussion..only hypothesizing)..it could be a MODERATED newsgroup..we would
see every message before it was posted. THis brings with it a whole new set
of problems.

Just a discussion. Anyhow, let's drop this discussion on Lactnet..and bring
it underground. Anyone who want to discuss possibilities of LACTNET being a
usenet group please EMAIL ME PRIVATELY. I will not respond until after 7/29.
I will be unavailable from today through then.

Thanks. The reason to take the discussion underground to private email is to
keep our LACTNET list solely for the purpose of discussing Lactation. Thanks!

Kathleen Bruce

*********************************************************************

Kathleen B. Bruce RN, BSN, IBCLC (e-mail = [log in to unmask])
If you wanna see something cool...try this www page!
     http://www.mcs.com/~auerbach/lactation.html
**********************************************************************