North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[david.maxwell@dal.ca]

Deb is in a difficult situation here, as she is constrained in what she can 
say.  Perhaps I can 
clarify just what has happened (as far as I infer it - and it is important to 
recognise that I have 
no direct knowledge at all).  This listserv was created a number of years ago 
by an individual 
who I believe was on the executive of NAFEX at the time.  It is hosted free 
by a fascinating 
consortium based in the university in Chapel Hill, as essentially a public 
service.  It was a 
logical extension of the original purpose of NAFEX - sharing of information.  
This function 
started as a round-robin letter, moved to the Pomona, and finally on to an 
electronic medium 
- a listserv, which had the additional advantage of being absolutely free.  
At some point in the 
past couple of years a decision was made by the executive of NAFEX to cut 
this listserv 
loose, and renounce their parentage of it.  This is entirely within their 
right, but they were left 
with the unfortunate historical fact that the listserv is named "NAFEX", and 
it is not possible 
now to change this name.  But, as far as NAFEX is now concerned, it is not 
their child, and 
they have neither control over it, nor responsibility for it.  

In the meantime, Deb was charged with the responsibility of creating a 
website - and forum - 
which was to be the official instrument of NAFEX.  This she has done with 
most impressive 
professionalism and skill.  But she is left with the unfortunate situation 
that she has been 
asked to create something which seeks to replicate, if not compete with, this 
listserv.  She 
really has created a beautiful website, but she cannot control whether people 
actually use it, 
in preference to, or even in addition to, this listserv.  She is a faithful 
and dedicated servant, 
but ultimately she has no control.   This is not due to any failing on Deb's 
part, but really is 
beyond her control. 

So, bottom line, Deb is the official NAFEX person, and matters dealing with 
NAFEX should 
go to her.  But this listserv, despite the name, has no connection to NAFEX, 
many of the 
participants are no longer NAFEX members at all, and if you have any issues 
with it, it truly is 
outside Deb's bailliwick.

And if my understanding, as expressed above, is incorrect in any respect, I 
would welcome 
correction by somebody who actually knows what they are talking about, (ie. 
somebody other 
than me)

 
> On Tue, Feb 21, 2012 at 9:23 AM, Deb Schneider <debs913@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> 
> > NAFEX does not manage this list and *I* have no ability to fix or
> > help you with the NAFEX listserv.
> >
> > If you need anything done with this list (change your email,
> > subscribe, get help searching archives, unsubscribe) you will need
> > to contact the list owner...not NAFEX and not ME.
> >
> > Sorry folks, but that's the way this works.
> >
> > deb