At 01:19 AM 8/19/2003 -0400, you wrote: >Richard, > >The link that you sent actually goes to the USGWP "non-permission" page. >With all due respect, and knowing that what goes on in Iowa is not really my >affair, I would like to see these proposed budgets, since you offered to show >them. > >Of course, and the budgets won't change my mind on this, I have concerns with >this, as have been expressed by others. My main concern is that we advertise >USGWP and its member state porjects as being "free", and yet, Iowa is, >through a "separate and distinct entity" seeking to solicit funds to pay for >server space, offset microfiche rental fees, copy costs and things of that >nature. However, and this is the most interesting part, no monies go to the >individual CC's who are doing the transcription. To whom does this money go? IAGenWeb doe offer free genealogy information on Internet--as much or more than any other state project in USGenWeb. However, free genealogy information is not free. There are real costs involved in presenting it to the public. Different stat organizations within The USGenWeb Project have found different solutions o the question "Who is going to pay for this "Free" service? On state found the taxpayers willing to foot the bill. Another state found a "sugar daddy" to support their project. Other states have relied on the free space now available from various sources. Iowa decided to develop its own server space. >I think that really flies in the face of the USGWP. I think it is the exact >opposite of our stated purpose. I have serious problems with this, and am >concerned that we may soon see a Friends of the USGWP wherein we are all >forced to place a donation center on our pages. And then we are only >marginally better than the societies who try to control the data for their >own use and benefit. > >Richard Pettys >Second ASC - GAGenWeb Your fears are totally unfounded. What IAGenWeb does is IAGenWeb's business. IAGenWeb, like any other state project, has the responsibility to find a way for its information to be presented on the Internet. We choose independent self-sufficiency. This will be a boon to all members of the USGenWeb Project. For example. RootsWeb recently determined they could no longer support server space for Surname Helper and would discontinue support within a few days. IAGenWeb stepped in to say they would take on the task. the transfer is in progress and RootsWeb has agreed to continue to support the program until IAGenWeb can take over. IAGenWeb will offer this prrogram at no cost to whoever wants to use it. This is how the monies are being used. Your unfounded suspicions are just that--unfounded suspicions. -Isaiah

WOW! Surname helper will still be available. Margie ----- Original Message ----- From: "Isaiah Harrison" <IsaiahH@cox.net> To: <STATE-COORD-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2003 1:04 AM Subject: Re: RE: [STATE-COORD] Mr National Coordinator if you would please answer a few? > At 01:19 AM 8/19/2003 -0400, you wrote: > >Richard, > > > >The link that you sent actually goes to the USGWP "non-permission" page. > >With all due respect, and knowing that what goes on in Iowa is not really my > >affair, I would like to see these proposed budgets, since you offered to show > >them. > > > >Of course, and the budgets won't change my mind on this, I have concerns with > >this, as have been expressed by others. My main concern is that we advertise > >USGWP and its member state porjects as being "free", and yet, Iowa is, > >through a "separate and distinct entity" seeking to solicit funds to pay for > >server space, offset microfiche rental fees, copy costs and things of that > >nature. However, and this is the most interesting part, no monies go to the > >individual CC's who are doing the transcription. To whom does this money go? > > IAGenWeb doe offer free genealogy information on Internet--as much or more > than any other state project in USGenWeb. However, free genealogy > information is not free. There are real costs involved in presenting it to > the public. Different stat organizations within The USGenWeb Project have > found different solutions o the question "Who is going to pay for this > "Free" service? On state found the taxpayers willing to foot the bill. > Another state found a "sugar daddy" to support their project. Other states > have relied on the free space now available from various sources. Iowa > decided to develop its own server space. > > >I think that really flies in the face of the USGWP. I think it is the exact > >opposite of our stated purpose. I have serious problems with this, and am > >concerned that we may soon see a Friends of the USGWP wherein we are all > >forced to place a donation center on our pages. And then we are only > >marginally better than the societies who try to control the data for their > >own use and benefit. > > > >Richard Pettys > >Second ASC - GAGenWeb > > Your fears are totally unfounded. What IAGenWeb does is IAGenWeb's > business. IAGenWeb, like any other state project, has the responsibility to > find a way for its information to be presented on the Internet. We choose > independent self-sufficiency. This will be a boon to all members of the > USGenWeb Project. > > For example. RootsWeb recently determined they could no longer support > server space for Surname Helper and would discontinue support within a few > days. IAGenWeb stepped in to say they would take on the task. the transfer > is in progress and RootsWeb has agreed to continue to support the program > until IAGenWeb can take over. IAGenWeb will offer this prrogram at no cost > to whoever wants to use it. This is how the monies are being used. > > Your unfounded suspicions are just that--unfounded suspicions. > > -Isaiah > > --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.512 / Virus Database: 309 - Release Date: 8/19/2003