"Pilgrim's Progress"

From: Jill Bell godjillab at home.com> on 2001.07.22 at 22:33:25(7080) To the global members of IAS - I would like to propose some changes which are going to come as a result of the 21st Century, and global communications and information systems, the addition of the Eastern Hemisphere as part of the lovers of aroids unit, and many other things that are happening with or without us. +More It seems that the euphemism that Ron used, the "World Aroid Club" was received as a threat to many of you while I understood it to be just a name for where the IAS should be headed. No one wants to change the NAME of the I.A.S., just it's approach to global outreach. The mail system by and large, has been proven to be an expensive disappointment, though the people that are not online will still have to rely on this as a means for delivery, but just think if you could choose your time to view a full color version of the Newsletter and at your convenience choose to print it. This is all inexpensively within our means. This club has actively sought out new membership and continues to take their money. We must give members something of value. For conversation only, why not belong to Aroid-L alone? Because there will be far better benefits by being a member. I firmly believe that a Plant Mart for the members, posted in PDF form with color pictures would help global members fill their collections with otherwise unthought of ease. The club should take a percentage of these monies in my opinion, to pay for hosting this activity, but think of the possibilities! A rose by any other name...well, we're talking aroids here, aren't we? It's what we all have in common. Why not support some of these projects for there are people who are willing to do the work, unless you are one of them, I see no reason to complain. It is with the best of intentions that I write this letter, I have NO political aspirations at all. I just want to be able to find rare plants if I want them, and to converse with people as knowledgeable and progressive as the people on this list, and I want to HAVE A LITTLE FUN! My very best regards to you all, Jill Bell

From: GeoffAroid at aol.com on 2001.07.23 at 01:05:39(7088) In a message dated 22/7/01 23:33:39, godjillab@home.com writes: << I just want to be able to find rare plants if I want +More them, and to converse with people as knowledgeable and progressive as the people on this list, and I want to HAVE A LITTLE FUN! >> Well said Jill, I agree entirely and support any moves in this direction. The society is already good, lets make it great. I also took Ron's statement as a uphemism, not a threat to change names or make new societies. I have met (even if only via the wonder of electronics and almost instant emails) some of the most wonderful, generous and knowledgable folks here and acquired plants I have previously only ever dreamed about. At the same time I have tried to disseminate what seeds/plants etc I have and that surely is what makes all this such fun, making dreams come true and learning something new about the plants we all love. Geoffrey Kibby London

From: StellrJ at aol.com on 2001.07.23 at 22:46:07(7097) In a message dated Sun, 22 Jul 2001 6:33:52 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Jill Bell writes: > A rose by any other name...well, we're talking aroids > here, aren't we? A Titanum by any other name would smell just as foul :) Seriously, though, I think Ron had some good ideas. One misgiving about taking the Newsletter online is that the quality of a printout would differ from member to member, according to the abilities of our individual printers. I would rather be able to count on a published document produced on quality equipment I may not be able to afford. Actually, I was thinking I could save space by saving all my Newsletters to floppy disc; but my floppy disks just tend to die after awhile, presumably from old age....

From: "Ron Iles" roniles at eircom.net> on 2001.07.24 at 02:50:10(7101) Hi StellaJ! (Please is that the name you like to be called?) Should not snails be more for the folks with no convenient on-line facilities, no local internet Cafes, no on-line friends, unable to afford printers? Obviously there are people who NEED hard copy regardless & this is understandable. Would CDRW be good for storing ALL the increasing IAS Member Resources? I understand the resistance to going on-line, it can be addictive & if one is not careful it devours time mean't for other far more important things. But used objectively it is a brilliant TOOL. An incredible convenience, on-line saves time, money, patience & emails get wanted plants so quickly, whereas writing letters can take months or years. It also enables all you good people so eloquently praised by Geoff to do things that really are not possible without. Please, please chaps & chappesses, get on line we can minimise snail. The IAS workers can then divert energies into knowing each other more positively & truly as build our formidable group more & more to represent arguably the most wonderful group of plants on this Planet. And by the way, although I have a CD player & recorders for casual convenience, I prefer fine LPs on valve equipment, mono LPs better than many stereo, having so many noble voices on disc, but best of all I like the best pre-microphone voice records made before microphones. Contrary to what maybe some expect, I am not a with it, should be dead mature whizz kid, (paraphrasing Oscar W.), "I have simple tastes, I just like the the best". Old, or new, the best. For rich rapid word, picture communication, on-line takes some beating. PLEASE read my supplications in the News Editorial. And thank you for the goodness, Jill & Geoff & all the counless others. And while we are at it let's make this forum even more fun, enjoyable & positive, respecting differences & dignities. Lets make it something we can be proud of, not just chat but fine fine debate, bearing in mind that sometimes people are overworked and tired & so don't always see the subtleties. If something is too much too much, maybe that's not what they mean at all. I am privileged to have many friends & d'yuh know some of 'em are even American. Has anyone got Spathiphyllum atrovirens, S. quidiuense or S. lechlerianum? I now have a hybrid with double "butterfly" spathes, beautiful. And a giant with 16" spathe. What about a PPP for exchange? (A PLANET PLANT PLACE) Yours as subtle as a brick, Ron +More Planet Squatter

From: "Michael Pascall" mickpascall at hotmail.com> on 2001.07.24 at 15:24:21(7104) Here in the tropics , floppy discs have a very short life , not lasting more than a wet season if not stored completely sealed . The drives do not last very long either , have gone through 2 so far ! And 2 modems fried by our summer storms , wish I could afford an air-conditioned office! Michael Pascall,Curator,WHYANBEEL ARBORETUM,F.N.Q,AUSTRALIA +More _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

From: "Ron Iles" roniles at eircom.net> on 2001.07.24 at 21:01:16(7109) Michael! Ireland is obviously a very damp place also. There are five ten years old de-humidifiers here so no problem with our digital & analogue equipment but we don't need continous diurnal ventilation. No way could we let analogue archive tapes get moist. A reversed inexpensive dehumidifier venting to the outside air? Maybe air conditioners are just as cheap in Oz? Have you tried CDRW guaranteed 50-100 ys? I mostly chucked little floppies long back. In expensive Ireland printers which would do justice to the IAS Dialogue cost <200 Euros. Living in the wet tropics first consideration would be dehumidifiers, airconditioners & musicalmoztraps. Ron +More ----- Original Message ----- To: "Multiple recipients of list AROID-L" Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2001 4:25 PM Subject: Re: "Pilgrim's Progress" > Here in the tropics , floppy discs have a very short life , not lasting more > than a wet season if not stored completely sealed . The drives do not last > very long either , have gone through 2 so far ! And 2 modems fried by our > summer storms , wish I could afford an air-conditioned office! > > Michael Pascall,Curator,WHYANBEEL ARBORETUM,F.N.Q,AUSTRALIA > > > __________________________________________________ _______________ > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp > >

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