Open letter to the AAO Executive.  

I understand Merv Richter of Eloquent Systems was previously contacted 
directly in writing by the outgoing AAO President -- to clarify to 
Eloquent and Mr. Richter that subscribers have voiced dissatisfaction 
with Eloquent's AAOLIST commercially-oriented postings, and Eloquent's 
not seeming to be willing to respect a line between 
  a) commercial speech / advertising, and  
  b) collegial exchanges about factors in archival work.

Notwithstanding this, it is apparent Eloquent/Mr. Richter are persisting 
with such sends -- leading to a need to address the matter in another 
manner.  

As a remedy to this though, AAOLIST shouldn't face being backed-into 
adopting a moderated format response, because of non-cooperation, in 
reaction to persistent 'over the line' postings from a single source.  

Given this situation, unless the AAO Executive declares a general policy 
distinction re: excepting / rejecting such AAOLIST uses, the List users 
could end up being subject continually to any persons' or organizations' 
single or multiple unsolicited puff-pieces -- on any subject.  

				_______________________

In context, business enterprises, groups, and individuals regularly e-mail 
George Brown College Archives -- the co-ordinates are readily available in 
commercial directories, lists of institutional memberships, etc.  

Similarly, Eloquent/Mr. Richter can also freely tap into these readily- 
available information sources, to build up a commercial send list for 
Eloquent.  


If of no interest here, unwanted senders are simply put on the 'Junk Mail' 
exclude list, and are blocked.  

However, in the AAOLIST instance, to locally block incoming Eloquent
/Richter missives --broadcast through AAOLIST via the Eloquent ListServ's 
subscription-- would mean losing all the other, wanted postings as well 
 -- effectively, an undesired 'unsubscribe'.  
				_______________________

 
In the circumstances, it appears appropriate now that the AAO Executive 
  i) declare a policy covering this situation, and/or to 
 ii) consider the removal of the Eloquent ListServ subscription to 
     AAOLIST, as well as, if deemed necessary, 
iii) otherwise block Mr. Richter's use of the AAOLIST in the manner 
     he has persisted in doing for the purposes of promoting or 
     positioning Eloquent's commercial profile and/or business 
     activities.  

 
Robert Macaulay, George Brown College Archives