I haven't anwered your straw poll since I'm still abivalent on the issue. I would imagine that could be the case for many of us. It does seem to me that there is a difference between a server that offers space to more than one project (whether it's genealogy, history, whatever) and a server that is set up to only serve one sub-project within a larger project. Rootsweb, usgennet and skyways all serve several types of projects and websites. Rootsweb and usgennet for genealogy-history. Skyways is a public service of the KS State library. Friends of IAGenWeb is set up to only provide web server space to one project, IAGenWeb. In the first instance, it seems to be nothing more than the server offering the space on their web server just as our individual ISPS offer to us as a part of us signing up with them. Whether it's funded by donation or is free, I don't see a problem. The hosts have an agreement with the individual projects that can be terminated when the appropriate notice is given according to their agreement with the host. In the second instance, isn't the state project more or less locked into remaining with that particular web group/host/sponsor? What happens if the volunteer tecnical support people leave? What happens to the Friends group if the State project decides they don't want/need them and move elsewhere? Are there plans set up for either instance? Connie (still thinking.....) George Waller wrote: > Fellow S/ACs, > The following is an email I received today which makes me think > twice about what has gone on with KSGenWeb (?), TNGenWeb, > PAGenWeb and IAGenWeb. Please read it then I will add some > more comments. > > >George: What this seems to me is all these folks are saying that no > >state can have their own server unless ONE person agrees to pay > >for it. That's a pretty big expense for one person. > > >So that pretty much leaves everyone having to use Rootsweb, > >doesn't it? > > >What Iowa is doing seems to me to be the same thing Rootsweb > >used to do when they asked for donations. I don't see the difference > >here. > > Sounds sensible to me. The results of the straw poll of the past few > days is hard to analyze. A reasonable number of respondents said > that they felt IAGenWeb was not acting in the best interest of > USGWP. But that was before some found out that other states had > already started soliciting money. Another reasonable number of > respondents said they had concerns about putting all our resources > on Rootsweb servers and that soliciting funds should be considered. > > Several mentioned changing the bylaws. > > This is my latest thinking. We (the USGWP) should not encourage > states to start their own servers, but if they do so they should take the > strictist care to not mess up on soliciting funds. However.... we should > amend the bylaws to say that CCs/LCs/TCs may NOT solicit funds for > whatever reason; including using their own server. > > I won't ask a straw poll since the great plurality of SC's and ASC's did > not respond to the last poll which leads me to believe that there is not > a lot of concern about this subject. > > Respectfully, George