North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[prcenter@webtv.net]

I generally read this e-list at the web site rather than in my e-mail...

While doing so I clicked on an arrow that took me back to the begining of t=
his lists archives when it was first set up.

I found that the question of membership in NAFEX was addressed. Post #22 is=
 most informative inregard to this issue. Here is some of what was stated fo=
r anyone interested in finding out what the actual policy is.

------------edited for brevity & relevance-----------

     Message 22 of 5542

 From: NAFEX List  <nafex@xxx.xxxx>
Date: Wed Jun 2, 1999 11:39pm
Subject: (Fwd) Re: NAFEX e-mail list converting
[Fairly long.  Sorry.  Hope this answers some concerns.  --Greg] 

As might be expected in a list of almost 150 members, there have been some =
concerns about some of ONElist's policies...
 
... In my article to POMONA I stated that the list would "RESERVE THE RIGHT=
 to restrict this list to NAFEX members."  After extending an INVITATION to =
Home Orchard Society and British Columbia Fruit Testers Assn members, is the=
re an intent to rescind this 
invitation?******* 

     NO. 

This has always been a POSSIBLE position with the NAFEX list.  The extensio=
n of an INVITATION to the Home Orchard Society and the British Columbia Frui=
t Testers Assn was done with the consent of the board of directors of NAFEX.=
  
There is no intent to retract this invitation at this time nor is there any=
 plan to rescind this invitation in the future.  The contributions of those =
society members, and hopefully OTHERS WHO MAY JOIN IN THE FUTURE, has been u=
niformly positive. 
...

It might also help to realize that this list was in part formed because of =
frustration over interest groups on USENET that had been "hijacked" by spamm=
ers and pornographers.

The right to limit membership is something that makes sense in theory, and =
IN PRACTICE WILL PROBABLY NEVER BE IMPEMENTED.  I am proud to say that ALL w=
ho have requested membership have been added to this list. 

 I have set up the archives to only be accessible by list members.  That sh=
ould minimize harvesting by spammers.  

...That sure was long.  I hope it added some reassurance for those with con=
cerns. 

Greg Miller
     Message 22 of 5542      "

-------------------end-------------------

Several points are manifest:

 The list is NOT restricted to NAFEX members. 
Others (including entire ORGANIZATIONS) have been asked to join by invitati=
on of the list administrator with the consent of the NAFEX board.

No intention was ever contemplated to restrict access to groups or individu=
als other than NAFEX members except as MIGHT someday be necessary in regard =
to "SPAM" and "PORNOGRAPHY".

The list administrator expresss pride in regard to the openness and accessa=
buility of the list to non-members of NAFEX and in regard to the "uniformly =
possitive" impact of the contributions from non-NAFEX member list subscriber=
s.

This has been, and as far as I know still is the official policy of the lis=
t administrator and the NAFEX board of directors.

Tom Booth


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