List Review Service v1n06, "WMST-L" (February 10, 1992)
URL: ftp://ftp.lib.ncsu.edu/pub/stacks/lrs/lrs-v1n06
LIST REVIEW SERVICE ISSN: 1060-8192
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Vol. 1, No. 6 WMST-L (Women's Studies) 10 FEB 1992
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Published bi-weekly, when school is in session, by The University
of Missouri, St. Louis Libraries. Raleigh C. Muns, editor.
.................................
SYNOPSIS OF ONE WEEK'S ACTIVITY -
.................................
Name of List Reviewed: WMST-L
Location: LISTSERV@UMDD (Bitnet)
LISTSERV@UMD.EDU (Internet)
Listowner: Joan Korenman
BITNET: KORENMAN@UMBC
Number of Subscribers: 802 users in 13 countries
89% USA ; 6% Canada
Period Monitored: 04 FEB 92 - 10 FEB 92 (inclusive)
Messages Posted: 94
Number of Queries Posted: 13 (14 % of total activity)
Number of Non-queries Posted: 81 (86 % of total activity)
Lines Sent (w/o headers): 2326 (app. 101 screens of 23 lines)
Searchable Archives: Yes
.................................
REVIEW -
.................................
The phrase "drinking from a firehose" has recently been used to
describe communication via Internet and BITNET e-mail lists.
WMST-L is a likely candidate for the prototype list satisfying the
metaphor. WMST-L easily fulfills its charges as set forth by listowner
Korenman. The excellent introductory package, including a fine basic
LISTSERVER user's guide, highlights WMST-L's role as a major resource
for practitioners in the field of Women's Studies. This cataract of
data, however, suffers from its own popularity. So much so that
instructions are given in the introductory package on how to receive a
"WMST-L digest," or a single file of all messages posted on a daily basis.
During the time period monitored, it was found that this recently added
service was sending files which were too big for many users' e-mail
systems. A subsequent message described how to receive packets of files,
rather than one single large file.
The "good" data consisted of such things as responses to specific
questions (e.g., when was the first Women's Studies program in the U.S.
initiated?), requests for bibliographic citations, information about
specific programs, and my favorite, a number of replys to a questioner
looking for films on the theme of family violence. These "good"
responses were timely, concise, and explicit. Other "good" data were
voluntary postings of articles and letters from the popular media of
possible interest to practitioners.
The "bad" data consisted of an annoying number of messages
self-analyzing the list. In fact, in the finest recursive fashion,
there were a couple of messages which complained of the list's
discussion of itself! An example which had me personally rankled
for its irrelevancy consisted of an exchange on the inappropriate-
ness of writing messages all in capital letters.
The "good" data by far outweighs the "bad," and academicians can
benefit particularly by subscribing to WMST-L. A daily reader fast
with the "delete message" key will have little problem filtering out
unwanted messages. The user who is unsure of their e-mail prowess,
however, should keep the directions on how to "unsubscribe" handy.
.................................
SUGGESTED USES FOR LIST -
.................................
1) Curriculum development tool for Women's Studies.
2) Outstanding networking resource for practitioners
in the field of Women's Studies.
3) Rich information resource for specific facts
in the field.
4) Conference postings
5) Job postings
..........................................
BITNET/INTERNET SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION -
..........................................
Send an e-mail message with blank subject line to:
LISTSERV@UMDD <---- BITNET users
LISTSERV@UMDD.UMD.EDU <---- INTERNET users
Message should consist solely of:
SUBSCRIBE WMST-L your_name
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = END REVIEW = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Copying is permitted for noncommercial use by computerized bulletin
board/conference systems, individual scholars, and libraries.
Libraries are authorized to add these reviews to their collections
at no cost. This message must appear on copied material. All
commercial use requires permission.
Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer and do not
represent the views of the University of Missouri, St. Louis.
Copyright 1992. Raleigh C. Muns (Reference Librarian)
Thomas Jefferson Library, University of Missouri, St. Louis
8001 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, MO 63121 (ph:(314) 553-5059)
BITNET ADDRESS: SRCMUNS@UMSLVMA