The feedback I am hearing personally and from the mailing list
is that an Internet resource specifically for the Rietveld method
and users is welcome and useful - though we do seem to
be lacking the discussion that other mailing lists have such
as in the VLGM (Very Low Grade Metamorphism) mailing list.
As this mailing has been sited for the lack
of discussion (and unless there is an outcry by subscribers),
would people mind if I post out an RFD (request for discussion)
to create an internet/Usenet newsgroup on Monday? The mailing
list can be linked to the newsgroup for those who do not
have newsgroup access - so no present subscriber will be
disadvantaged. This would allow interactive discussion without
the worries of clogging up mail boxes.
(sci.techniques.xtallography.rietveld)
I have made this suggestion twice before but have not proceeded
due to some negative feedback. However, most of the wonderful
power of discussion groups are lost if people feel inhibitted
to discuss or forward responses publically.
In the case of the crystallography newsgroup
(sci.techniques.xtallography), while it isn't busy,
I don't think it is underutilized in that it has the
level of usage participants think appropriate.
Unless there are quite a few "no" responses to me - expect
an official request to create an internet newsgroup on
Monday.
Cheers,
Lachlan.
PS : Many of the people who administer the newsgroup creation
guidelines still seem to be of the opinion that specialist science
newsgroups are a waste of internet bandwidth. This is the
same situation as when s.t.xtallography was created.
-- Lachlan M.D. Cranswick _--_|\ lachlan@dmp.CSIRO.AUCSIRO - Division of Minerals /CSIRO \ tel +61 3 9647 0367339 Williamstown Rd, \_.--.*/ fax +61 3 9646 3223Port Melbourne, Australia, 3207 v (http://www.dmp.csiro.au/tour/lachlan.htm - Still under construction)