First and foremost, thanks to everyone who has let me know, both
privately and on the SHOE list, that the list is valuable and worth
maintaining. I have been quiet so that others could give their
opinions, but I'd like to let everyone know where things stand.

I am convinced that the benefit of clearly knowing who sent the
message outweighs the value of editing the messages and subject lines.
Putting the sender's name in the subject line just wasn't a clear
enough signal.

Some of you have noticed that the email trails grow longer and longer
as people respond. This is partly a function of your client -- gmail
users, for example, don't see these long trails of previously quoted
messages.

I believe I have been able to edit the header so that the subject line
will show SHOE. We'll see if it works when someone sends a message and
I distribute it. I may have to tinker, please be patient with me.

Finally, I agree with those who think that this list remains a viable,
useful tool for communication amongst historians of economics via
announcing conferences, sharing reviews, and asking questions. I'm
less sure about discussion. There is a clear split in that some of you
want or at least don't mind discussion and others really dislike it.

The various solutions mentioned, such as blogs and discussion boards,
may be good ones, but I am not able at this time to undertake such a
project. I remain willing, serving at the pleasure of the HES, to
moderate this list and block spam, really off topic posts (but with no
quality control), flames (a few you have received messages from me
asking, "Do you really want to say that?"), and inadvertent postings
(which I usually catch, but public apologies to Kevin for missing
his).

If someone wants to start a blog, you could recruit people through
this list. If you want to announce such a start up here, that would be
appropriate. I don't know, practically speaking, what kinds of
technologies are available for discussion or whether the critical mass
exists to sustain such discussion.

For now, let's see if this regime change works, i.e., sender name
clearly displayed, no editing of messages, continued light moderation
with emphasis on self-censorship, and (I hope) SHOE in the subject
line. I look forward to seeing you in Syracuse and we can discuss our
options in more detail. If you have opinions to share, by all means,
both public and private replies are welcome.

Humberto Barreto