From: IN%"joseph.stookey@usask.ca" 11-AUG-2006 15:08:14.62 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Has applied-ethology served its time? Hi Everyone, As you have probably noticed there have not been many e-mail messages or discussions on the applied-ethology network lately. There may be several reasons. 1) Maybe the network has served its time and there is no pressing need or perhaps there are better ways to communicate and discuss topics about applied ethology other then using the applied-ethology network. We probably all receive enough e-mail messages such that we silently cheer when all is quiet. Speaking from my personal perspective of being over run with e-mails, lately I take advantage of NOT sending e-mails as often as possible. Maybe we are all in the same boat. 2) The massive volumes of spam and the necessary spam filters are routinely blocking access to applied-ethology and no doubt your own spam filters are probably preventing many of you from even receiving messages. Because applied-ethology is technically a massive mailout, I suspect many of you are on systems that are automatically blocking applied-ethology messages without you knowing it. Which means many of you subscribers will not be reading this message - so how ironic is that? 3) Many of the original subscribers to this network, the academics and professionals, have simply left the list feeling unsatisfied by discussions that for one reason or another were not of interest to them. Many subscribers were so specialized that the diversity of topics or the concentration of discussions on species outside their personal interest drove them away. At one time the applied-ethology network was made up entirely of members of the International Society for Applied Ethology, but today the list has probably switched to predominantly non-ISAE members. That may or may not have changes the volume and content of the discussions. I guess the reasons for the lack of messages and the decline in subscribers could be many, but I have begun to wonder whether the applied-ethology network as served its time? Should we pull the plug? Or should we find new and better ways to make the applied-ethology network more functional and rewarding? I am interested in hearing your comments and just in case you can read this message, but not send a message to the entire group (which seems to be a common problem), then please send your comments to me directly and I can "summarize" the sentiments for the entire list. Cheers, Joe Stookey -- Joseph M. Stookey Professor of Applied Ethology Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences Western College of Veterinary Medicine University of Saskatchewan 52 Campus Drive Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada S7N 5B4 Tel 306-966-7154 Fax 306-966-7159 From: IN%"nabilbrandl@privat.dk" "Nabil Brandl" 11-AUG-2006 20:43:54.79 To: IN%"joseph.stookey@usask.ca", IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: Has applied-ethology served its time? Dear Prof. Joseph Stookey Yes, it is the time to make the discussion group more professional. I propose to split the discussion group into two groups. One for the scientific applied ethology (group 1) and the other for general animal behaviour (group 2). For people, who want to discusse animal behaviour in scientifc terms, they will subscribe to group (1). For people, who want to discuss animal behaviour in general term, they will subscribe to group (2). The both groups are very important for animal behaviour's studies. Best regards and keep in touch Nabil Brandl http://nabilnabil.homestead.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "joseph stookey" To: Sent: Friday, August 11, 2006 11:16 PM Subject: Has applied-ethology served its time? > Hi Everyone, > > As you have probably noticed there have not been many e-mail messages or > discussions on the applied-ethology network lately. There may be several > reasons. > > 1) Maybe the network has served its time and there is no pressing need or > perhaps there are better ways to communicate and discuss topics about > applied ethology other then using the applied-ethology network. We > probably all receive enough e-mail messages such that we silently cheer > when all is quiet. Speaking from my personal perspective of being over > run with e-mails, lately I take advantage of NOT sending e-mails as often > as possible. Maybe we are all in the same boat. > > 2) The massive volumes of spam and the necessary spam filters are > routinely blocking access to applied-ethology and no doubt your own spam > filters are probably preventing many of you from even receiving messages. > Because applied-ethology is technically a massive mailout, I suspect many > of you are on systems that are automatically blocking applied-ethology > messages without you knowing it. Which means many of you subscribers will > not be reading this message - so how ironic is that? > > 3) Many of the original subscribers to this network, the academics and > professionals, have simply left the list feeling unsatisfied by > discussions that for one reason or another were not of interest to them. > Many subscribers were so specialized that the diversity of topics or the > concentration of discussions on species outside their personal interest > drove them away. At one time the applied-ethology network was made up > entirely of members of the International Society for Applied Ethology, but > today the list has probably switched to predominantly non-ISAE members. > That may or may not have changes the volume and content of the > discussions. > > I guess the reasons for the lack of messages and the decline in > subscribers could be many, but I have begun to wonder whether the > applied-ethology network as served its time? > Should we pull the plug? > > Or should we find new and better ways to make the applied-ethology network > more functional and rewarding? > > I am interested in hearing your comments and just in case you can read > this message, but not send a message to the entire group (which seems to > be a common problem), then please send your comments to me directly and I > can "summarize" the sentiments for the entire list. > > Cheers, > > Joe Stookey > > -- > Joseph M. Stookey > Professor of Applied Ethology > Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences > Western College of Veterinary Medicine > University of Saskatchewan > 52 Campus Drive > Saskatoon, Saskatchewan > Canada S7N 5B4 > > Tel 306-966-7154 > Fax 306-966-7159 > From: IN%"gooddog@dodo.com.au" "Gooddog" 12-AUG-2006 01:15:43.34 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "Applied Ethology Discussion List" CC: Subj: RE: Has applied-ethology served its time? Hi all, I would like to see a scientific discussion list for ISAE members come out of this, best regards, Jackie Dr Jacqueline Perkins BVSc hons MACVSc (animal behaviour) BA Research PhD candidate University of Queensland Veterinary Behaviour Consultant ----- Original Message ----- From: "PetSafe Q'ld." To: Sent: Saturday, August 12, 2006 4:46 PM Subject: FW: Has applied-ethology served its time? > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: joseph stookey [mailto:joseph.stookey@usask.ca] > Sent: Saturday, August 12, 2006 7:17 AM > To: applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca > Subject: Has applied-ethology served its time? > > Hi Everyone, > > As you have probably noticed there have not been many e-mail messages or > discussions on the applied-ethology network lately. There may be > several reasons. > > 1) Maybe the network has served its time and there is no pressing need > or perhaps there are better ways to communicate and discuss topics about > applied ethology other then using the applied-ethology network. We > probably all receive enough e-mail messages such that we silently cheer > when all is quiet. Speaking from my personal perspective of being over > run with e-mails, lately I take advantage of NOT sending e-mails as > often as possible. Maybe we are all in the same boat. > > 2) The massive volumes of spam and the necessary spam filters are > routinely blocking access to applied-ethology and no doubt your own spam > filters are probably preventing many of you from even receiving > messages. Because applied-ethology is technically a massive mailout, I > suspect many of you are on systems that are automatically blocking > applied-ethology messages without you knowing it. Which means many of > you subscribers will not be reading this message - so how ironic is that? > > 3) Many of the original subscribers to this network, the academics and > professionals, have simply left the list feeling unsatisfied by > discussions that for one reason or another were not of interest to > them. Many subscribers were so specialized that the diversity of topics > or the concentration of discussions on species outside their personal > interest drove them away. At one time the applied-ethology network was > made up entirely of members of the International Society for Applied > Ethology, but today the list has probably switched to predominantly > non-ISAE members. That may or may not have changes the volume and > content of the discussions. > > I guess the reasons for the lack of messages and the decline in > subscribers could be many, but I have begun to wonder whether the > applied-ethology network as served its time? > > Should we pull the plug? > > Or should we find new and better ways to make the applied-ethology > network more functional and rewarding? > > I am interested in hearing your comments and just in case you can read > this message, but not send a message to the entire group (which seems to > be a common problem), then please send your comments to me directly and > I can "summarize" the sentiments for the entire list. > > Cheers, > > Joe Stookey > > -- > Joseph M. Stookey > Professor of Applied Ethology > Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences > Western College of Veterinary Medicine > University of Saskatchewan > 52 Campus Drive > Saskatoon, Saskatchewan > Canada S7N 5B4 > > Tel 306-966-7154 > Fax 306-966-7159 From: IN%"brigitte_wesserle@hotmail.com" "Brigitte Wesserle" 12-AUG-2006 02:52:31.44 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: Has applied-ethology served its time? Dear Professor Stokey, dear all: as a student of animal behaviour, I find this discussion list a great resource (even though there has not been going on much recently), perhaps even because of the diversity of topics being raised. As I am not yet in a position to contribute much professional insight/experience, I have been more of a listener for most of the time, which provided some great ideas and insights. On the other hand, I have seen this forum as a very open and informal platform where even students can place their questions, and can obtain valuable advice and information - without anybody having to feel obliged to respond if they don't have the time to do so. I do understand, that this list has seen some problems recently; however, I would see it as a great pity if the entire list was to be accessed by ISAE-members only, or if the list was split, and the scientific component was only accessible to selected members. Kind regards, Brigitte Wesserle. (BSc Animal Behaviour & Spanish) -------------------------------------- ----Original Message Follows---- From: Gooddog Reply-To: Gooddog To: Applied Ethology Discussion List Subject: Re: Has applied-ethology served its time? Date: Sat, 12 Aug 2006 17:15:15 +1000 Hi all, I would like to see a scientific discussion list for ISAE members come out of this, best regards, Jackie Dr Jacqueline Perkins BVSc hons MACVSc (animal behaviour) BA Research PhD candidate University of Queensland Veterinary Behaviour Consultant ----- Original Message ----- From: "PetSafe Q'ld." To: Sent: Saturday, August 12, 2006 4:46 PM Subject: FW: Has applied-ethology served its time? > > > >-----Original Message----- >From: joseph stookey [mailto:joseph.stookey@usask.ca] >Sent: Saturday, August 12, 2006 7:17 AM >To: applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca >Subject: Has applied-ethology served its time? > >Hi Everyone, > >As you have probably noticed there have not been many e-mail messages or >discussions on the applied-ethology network lately. There may be >several reasons. > >1) Maybe the network has served its time and there is no pressing need >or perhaps there are better ways to communicate and discuss topics about >applied ethology other then using the applied-ethology network. We >probably all receive enough e-mail messages such that we silently cheer >when all is quiet. Speaking from my personal perspective of being over >run with e-mails, lately I take advantage of NOT sending e-mails as >often as possible. Maybe we are all in the same boat. > >2) The massive volumes of spam and the necessary spam filters are >routinely blocking access to applied-ethology and no doubt your own spam >filters are probably preventing many of you from even receiving >messages. Because applied-ethology is technically a massive mailout, I >suspect many of you are on systems that are automatically blocking >applied-ethology messages without you knowing it. Which means many of >you subscribers will not be reading this message - so how ironic is that? > >3) Many of the original subscribers to this network, the academics and >professionals, have simply left the list feeling unsatisfied by >discussions that for one reason or another were not of interest to >them. Many subscribers were so specialized that the diversity of topics >or the concentration of discussions on species outside their personal >interest drove them away. At one time the applied-ethology network was >made up entirely of members of the International Society for Applied >Ethology, but today the list has probably switched to predominantly >non-ISAE members. That may or may not have changes the volume and >content of the discussions. > >I guess the reasons for the lack of messages and the decline in >subscribers could be many, but I have begun to wonder whether the >applied-ethology network as served its time? > >Should we pull the plug? > >Or should we find new and better ways to make the applied-ethology >network more functional and rewarding? > >I am interested in hearing your comments and just in case you can read >this message, but not send a message to the entire group (which seems to >be a common problem), then please send your comments to me directly and >I can "summarize" the sentiments for the entire list. > >Cheers, > >Joe Stookey > >-- >Joseph M. Stookey >Professor of Applied Ethology >Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences >Western College of Veterinary Medicine >University of Saskatchewan >52 Campus Drive >Saskatoon, Saskatchewan >Canada S7N 5B4 > >Tel 306-966-7154 >Fax 306-966-7159 > > > > From: IN%"zoe@hugegroupuk.com" "Zoe Allman" 12-AUG-2006 12:03:32.67 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca", IN%"joseph.stookey@usask.ca" CC: Subj: FW: Has applied-ethology served its time? Dear Professor Stookey and all concerned, Please can I just add my support to Brigitte's message. I am currently studying Animal Behaviour and although I rarely contribute to the discussions I always closely monitor them. Certainly in my case this discussion group is very valuable, and despite it being quiet recently I would be sad to see it disappear. Many thanks Zo=EB Allman BSc Animal Behaviour=20 University of Chester -----Original Message----- From: Brigitte Wesserle [mailto:brigitte_wesserle@hotmail.com]=20 Sent: 12 August 2006 09:52 To: applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca Subject: Re: Has applied-ethology served its time? Dear Professor Stokey, dear all: as a student of animal behaviour, I find this discussion list a great=20 resource (even though there has not been going on much recently), = perhaps=20 even because of the diversity of topics being raised. As I am not yet in a position to contribute much professional=20 insight/experience, I have been more of a listener for most of the time, = which provided some great ideas and insights. On the other hand, I have seen this forum as a very open and informal=20 platform where even students can place their questions, and can obtain=20 valuable advice and information - without anybody having to feel obliged = to=20 respond if they don't have the time to do so. I do understand, that this list has seen some problems recently; = however, I would see it as a great pity if the entire list was to be accessed by=20 ISAE-members only, or if the list was split, and the scientific = component=20 was only accessible to selected members. Kind regards, Brigitte Wesserle. (BSc Animal Behaviour & Spanish) -------------------------------------- ----Original Message Follows---- From: Gooddog Reply-To: Gooddog To: Applied Ethology Discussion List Subject: Re: Has applied-ethology served its time? Date: Sat, 12 Aug 2006 17:15:15 +1000 Hi all, I would like to see a scientific discussion list for ISAE members come = out=20 of this, best regards, Jackie Dr Jacqueline Perkins BVSc hons MACVSc (animal behaviour) BA Research PhD candidate University of Queensland Veterinary Behaviour Consultant ----- Original Message ----- From: "PetSafe Q'ld." = To: Sent: Saturday, August 12, 2006 4:46 PM Subject: FW: Has applied-ethology served its time? > > > >-----Original Message----- >From: joseph stookey [mailto:joseph.stookey@usask.ca] >Sent: Saturday, August 12, 2006 7:17 AM >To: applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca >Subject: Has applied-ethology served its time? > >Hi Everyone, > >As you have probably noticed there have not been many e-mail messages = or >discussions on the applied-ethology network lately. There may be >several reasons. > >1) Maybe the network has served its time and there is no pressing need >or perhaps there are better ways to communicate and discuss topics = about >applied ethology other then using the applied-ethology network. We >probably all receive enough e-mail messages such that we silently cheer >when all is quiet. Speaking from my personal perspective of being over >run with e-mails, lately I take advantage of NOT sending e-mails as >often as possible. Maybe we are all in the same boat. > >2) The massive volumes of spam and the necessary spam filters are >routinely blocking access to applied-ethology and no doubt your own = spam >filters are probably preventing many of you from even receiving >messages. Because applied-ethology is technically a massive mailout, I >suspect many of you are on systems that are automatically blocking >applied-ethology messages without you knowing it. Which means many of >you subscribers will not be reading this message - so how ironic is = that? > >3) Many of the original subscribers to this network, the academics and >professionals, have simply left the list feeling unsatisfied by >discussions that for one reason or another were not of interest to >them. Many subscribers were so specialized that the diversity of = topics >or the concentration of discussions on species outside their personal >interest drove them away. At one time the applied-ethology network was >made up entirely of members of the International Society for Applied >Ethology, but today the list has probably switched to predominantly >non-ISAE members. That may or may not have changes the volume and >content of the discussions. > >I guess the reasons for the lack of messages and the decline in >subscribers could be many, but I have begun to wonder whether the >applied-ethology network as served its time? > >Should we pull the plug? > >Or should we find new and better ways to make the applied-ethology >network more functional and rewarding? > >I am interested in hearing your comments and just in case you can read >this message, but not send a message to the entire group (which seems = to >be a common problem), then please send your comments to me directly and >I can "summarize" the sentiments for the entire list. > >Cheers, > >Joe Stookey > >-- >Joseph M. Stookey >Professor of Applied Ethology >Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences >Western College of Veterinary Medicine >University of Saskatchewan >52 Campus Drive >Saskatoon, Saskatchewan >Canada S7N 5B4 > >Tel 306-966-7154 >Fax 306-966-7159 > > > > --=20 No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.10.9/416 - Release Date: = 10/08/2006 From: IN%"ZenTrainer@hotmail.com" "Zen Trainer" 12-AUG-2006 15:23:19.54 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "Ethics List" CC: Subj: The list I like this list. There are only a few topics discussed that I'm not interested in and then I hit delete. Maybe the ebb and flow is seasonal? One thing I have always found odd is that this is the only list I can't get as "web only". Normally that is my choice for a list , so that I go to it rather than getting a bunch of emails coming to me. That way I also have access to old emails from members that I want to re read. Whichever way it comes to me though, I like it. Tracy B Ann www.zenpaws.com "The Politics of Dogs" www.radiofreenashville.org http://zenpaws.blogspot.com From: IN%"saluqi@ix.netcom.com" "John Burchard" 13-AUG-2006 12:00:28.75 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "Applied Ethology list" CC: IN%"joseph.stookey@usask.ca" "Joseph Stookey" Subj: RE: Has applied-ethology served its time? Nabil Brandl wrote: > Dear Prof. Joseph Stookey > > Yes, it is the time to make the discussion group more professional. I > propose to split the discussion group into two groups. One for the > scientific applied ethology (group 1) and the other for general animal > behaviour (group 2). For people, who want to discusse animal > behaviour in scientifc terms, they will subscribe to group (1). For > people, who want to discuss animal behaviour in general term, they > will subscribe to group (2). The both groups are very important for > animal behaviour's studies. As someone with "a foot in both camps" (I am primarily an academic ethologist and ecologist who has worked mostly with non-domestic species such as Cichlid fishes, but I also have a long-standing involvement with the breeding and training of hunting dogs and with the training of hawks, and thus with the ethology of domestication and the ethology and ecology of predation; I naively suppose that animal husbandry and animal training fall under the rubric of "applied ethology" ) I would like to encourage continuation of the "mixed" format. Communication among professionals is important, of course, but so is communication between professionals and those non-professionals with a strong interest in the subject. Issues of animal welfare are, increasingly, the subject of intense political activity. Sound decision making rests in the last analysis on having a well-informed public. In this controversial area there is more than enough propaganda to go round, and I welcome any avenue for "trickle down" of sound science instead. I am owner or moderator of several dog-related lists (having to do with sighthounds, with canine genetics, or with tick-borne diseases for example). It seems that any long-established list may have periods of quiescence, and then periods of furious activity when a topic comes up that interests many list members. Might it not be, also, that this is a time of year when many of us are not in the classroom, but otherwise occupied? John -- Dr. John Burchard Tepe Gawra Salukis saluqi@ix.netcom.com http://saluqi.home.netcom.com/ From: IN%"marekova@zmail.sk" "Jana Marekova" 15-AUG-2006 02:20:31.78 To: IN%"joseph.stookey@usask.ca" CC: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" "Applied Ethology Discussion List =?utf-8?Q?=20?=" Subj: Dear Professor Stokey,=20 dear all, I have joined to the Applied Ethology Discussion List a few month=20 ago. I am PhD student and main field od my study is abnormal=20 behaviour of domestic animals and their welafre.=20 I would like to support messages of Brigitte and Zoe. I think it is great= =20 if there is a possibility to discuss about applied ethology. I go through= =20 every e-mail carefully.=20 I like that list and I think it could be a good source of informal but=20 valueable information. Kind Regards Jana Marekova, MVD. University of Veterinary Medicine=20 Kosice, Slovakia ----- Original Message -----=20 From: "joseph stookey" To: applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca Sent: Fri, 11 Aug 2006 15:16:53 -0600 Subject: Has applied-ethology served its time? > Hi Everyone, >=20 > As you have probably noticed there have not been many e-mail=20 messages or=20 >=20 > discussions on the applied-ethology network lately. There may be=20 > several reasons. >=20 > 1) Maybe the network has served its time and there is no pressing=20 need=20 > or perhaps there are better ways to communicate and discuss=20 topics about=20 >=20 > applied ethology other then using the applied-ethology network.=20=20 We=20 > probably all receive enough e-mail messages such that we silently=20 cheer=20 > when all is quiet. Speaking from my personal perspective of being=20 over=20 > run with e-mails, lately I take advantage of NOT sending e-mails as=20 > often as possible. Maybe we are all in the same boat. >=20 > 2) The massive volumes of spam and the necessary spam filters=20 are=20 > routinely blocking access to applied-ethology and no doubt your=20 own spam=20 >=20 > filters are probably preventing many of you from even receiving=20 > messages. Because applied-ethology is technically a massive=20 mailout, I=20 > suspect many of you are on systems that are automatically=20 blocking=20 > applied-ethology messages without you knowing it. Which means=20 many of=20 > you subscribers will not be reading this message - so how ironic is=20 that? >=20 >=20 > 3) Many of the original subscribers to this network, the academics=20 and=20 > professionals, have simply left the list feeling unsatisfied by=20 > discussions that for one reason or another were not of interest to=20 > them. Many subscribers were so specialized that the diversity of=20 topics=20 >=20 > or the concentration of discussions on species outside their=20 personal=20 > interest drove them away. At one time the applied-ethology network=20 was=20 > made up entirely of members of the International Society for=20 Applied=20 > Ethology, but today the list has probably switched to predominantly=20 > non-ISAE members. That may or may not have changes the=20 volume and=20 > content of the discussions. >=20 > I guess the reasons for the lack of messages and the decline in=20 > subscribers could be many, but I have begun to wonder whether=20 the=20 > applied-ethology network as served its time?=20 >=20 > Should we pull the plug? >=20 > Or should we find new and better ways to make the applied- ethology=20 > network more functional and rewarding? >=20 > I am interested in hearing your comments and just in case you can=20 read=20 > this message, but not send a message to the entire group (which=20 seems to=20 >=20 > be a common problem), then please send your comments to me=20 directly and=20 > I can "summarize" the sentiments for the entire list. >=20 > Cheers, >=20 > Joe Stookey >=20 > --=20 > Joseph M. Stookey > Professor of Applied Ethology > Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences > Western College of Veterinary Medicine > University of Saskatchewan > 52 Campus Drive > Saskatoon, Saskatchewan > Canada S7N 5B4 >=20 > Tel 306-966-7154 > Fax 306-966-7159 --- reklama ----------------------------------------------------- Vie=C5=A1, =C4=8Do =C5=A4a dnes =C4=8Dak=C3=A1? Pozri si horoskop! http://horoskop.zoznam.sk From: IN%"lee.mcguire@shaw.ca" "Lee McGuire" 15-AUG-2006 16:36:29.47 To: IN%"joseph.stookey@usask.ca", IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: RE: Has applied-ethology served its time? I've been following this conversation with great interest as it relates to both my passions - animals and behavior. While I am not an academic, a professional nor an ISAE member by any stretch of the imagination, over the years I have learned much from the Applied Ethology list that has a sound science based footing. That information has benefited not only myself but those who live with captive parrots - the main people I work with. Dr John Bouchard made, I believe, the most cogent argument for maintaining the list. Often what the academic knows the professional trainer and the motivated caregiver needs to know to ensure a great quality of life for those who come under their sphere of influence. However, if all the academics opt out then AE may just become another site for non-scientific, unsubstantiated, non-peer reviewed anthropomorphic information. There are already thousands of those mailing lists out there on the web. Another one is not needed. In your initial email you noted the likely problems with spam and/or virus protection software. That is something we are all having to learn to live with in the 21st century. The time of year is certainly another factor as Dr Bouchard noted. Time constraints, level of interest as well as numerous other factors, some mentioned some not, all affect participation but I notice for the most part that those who have replied on-list to your email have been either the committed "non-ISAE" member or students looking to use AE as a resource for continuing education direction. It possible that in itself should provide guidance or give you the answer you seek once other variables such as private correspondence are factored in. Any list can be improved and made more functional, can grow and change with the times but it needs to have a specific vision. Can AE be a polymath list for all areas of Ethology. Possibly, possibly not. But, as Dr Nabil Brandl noted the format can be constrained In any event, while I lament the departure of a goodly number of respected academics, I would still be sadden by the demise of this list. For the most part, over the past 5 years it's been one bright light in an otherwise often dismal firmament. When it hasn't the delete button is available. Lee McGuire ----- Original Message ----- From: "joseph stookey" To: Sent: Friday, August 11, 2006 3:16 PM Subject: Has applied-ethology served its time? > Hi Everyone, > > As you have probably noticed there have not been many e-mail messages or > discussions on the applied-ethology network lately. There may be > several reasons. > > 1) Maybe the network has served its time and there is no pressing need > or perhaps there are better ways to communicate and discuss topics about > applied ethology other then using the applied-ethology network. We > probably all receive enough e-mail messages such that we silently cheer > when all is quiet. Speaking from my personal perspective of being over > run with e-mails, lately I take advantage of NOT sending e-mails as > often as possible. Maybe we are all in the same boat. > > 2) The massive volumes of spam and the necessary spam filters are > routinely blocking access to applied-ethology and no doubt your own spam > filters are probably preventing many of you from even receiving > messages. Because applied-ethology is technically a massive mailout, I > suspect many of you are on systems that are automatically blocking > applied-ethology messages without you knowing it. Which means many of > you subscribers will not be reading this message - so how ironic is that? > > 3) Many of the original subscribers to this network, the academics and > professionals, have simply left the list feeling unsatisfied by > discussions that for one reason or another were not of interest to > them. Many subscribers were so specialized that the diversity of topics > or the concentration of discussions on species outside their personal > interest drove them away. At one time the applied-ethology network was > made up entirely of members of the International Society for Applied > Ethology, but today the list has probably switched to predominantly > non-ISAE members. That may or may not have changes the volume and > content of the discussions. > > I guess the reasons for the lack of messages and the decline in > subscribers could be many, but I have begun to wonder whether the > applied-ethology network as served its time? > > Should we pull the plug? > > Or should we find new and better ways to make the applied-ethology > network more functional and rewarding? > > I am interested in hearing your comments and just in case you can read > this message, but not send a message to the entire group (which seems to > be a common problem), then please send your comments to me directly and > I can "summarize" the sentiments for the entire list. > > Cheers, > > Joe Stookey > > -- > Joseph M. Stookey > Professor of Applied Ethology > Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences > Western College of Veterinary Medicine > University of Saskatchewan > 52 Campus Drive > Saskatoon, Saskatchewan > Canada S7N 5B4 > > Tel 306-966-7154 > Fax 306-966-7159 > > From: IN%"k9.college_napier@xtra.co.nz" 15-AUG-2006 17:53:42.13 To: IN%"applied-ethology@sask.usask.ca" CC: Subj: Has Applied ethology served it's time? Hi there Joe and all, I think I have finally figured out why the list kept bouncing my replies although I was receiving e-mails from it. If this goes through I'll know I solved it. Anyway to the question in the subject line: I certainly support the comments made by Dr John Burchard and Lee Mcguire and another poster I saw whose name I can't remember. From my personal perspective: While I am not a science graduate I certainly learn a lot and enjoy learning from and discussing issues relating to the business of this list with those who are scince graduates as well as my peers who are on this list. As a animal trainers' teacher and owner of two lists of I have at times found it a very valuable resource. I certainly would not like to see it disappear. Nor would I like to see acess to the members of ISAE or those academics on here who freely share the knowledge I need to be restricted by two seperate lists as was suggested by one poster. From my list owner's experience I would like to suggest that having an option of "No mail" but "read at the website" facilities would add a great deal to the list's ability to service the wide cross section of users it does and alleviate some of the problems that have occasioned some hostility at times. This is a way that no one's valuable inbox space needs to be taken up with message threads that are of no interest to them. Regards John L. New Zealand.