DEVON-L Archives

Archiver > DEVON > 1998-09 > 0905005661


From: John Lerwill <>
Subject: Re: Devon Records for sale?
Date: Sat, 05 Sep 1998 07:27:41


Edgar,

At 03:32 5/9/98 GMT, you wrote:
>Let me start by stating I agree with and support copyright protection. This
>however is not an internet issue any longer. You can now have your
>information/publications on the net / sell it (download to the buyer's PC)
>it's no more at risk than someone photocopying a book. Societies can even
>charge a membership/user fee for access to parts of their website that has
>'valuable' information.
>

What wonderfully good sense! I put this idea to the DFHS' secretary 2 years
ago, and was scoffed at............!

>The issue is one of access and the web is the way to go. Structured properly
>it can increase not decrease income and access. People will have access to
>the information and the organization what gets it to them in the most
>convenient way, at the most effective cost, will get their money.
>
>I say digitize the libraries, archives, and publications etc and charge a
>reasonable fee for access to or purchase of information
>
>Best wishes
>Ed B.
>

..........the problem is more to do with the fact that some societies
remain very insular (rather like Britain's relucatance to enter the
European Common Market and the (football) World Cup until 1950), and it has
not got through to these people that there is an alternative and even
*better* world out there.....

.........it's really down to the DFHS members to stop the rot and use their
AGM to bring in viewpoints and officers that can reflect to-day's needs
(which were always needed but didn't have the technology until the Internet
to implement them...).

Perhaps with the year 2000 approaching, things may change.....or pigs might
fly!!!... perhaps the DFHS is waiting for the quill pen to be re-invented!!

John Lerwill, London, England
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For Devon History and also Research help, please see my webpage
at: http://members.tripod.com/~lerhistor

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