Folks,

I second Grant's comments. We have had detailed,exhaustive discussions
concerning the relative values amongst a variety of spotting scopes and
recommendations about vendors. Where the bottom line is concerned,
getting the best value is welcomed, especially for a
once-in-a-lifetime purchase like a good spotting scope. What is different
about birding trips, particularly those that may go to places you may
only have one or a few chance(s) in your lifetime to visit?. Yes, birdtrip
"vendors" and even birdwatching supplies companies: Some or most of us are
interested in your trips and information. I guess advertisers could go
overboard, but it would be convenient to have access to such relevant
information on our list. I think it's worth a test run.

I recently posted questions, comments, and replies related to
"commercial" trips offered by the U of Maine. While I am not poor, I
will have to plan and save especially for a mid-winter trip should I be
called from the wait-list. Other tweeters' good experiences with the U of
Maine trips cinched my decision to make a reservation. ANY advertiser on
our list would be subject to favorable or negative comment from US! I
would have not known that the U of Maine had such wonderful trips if my
Audubon Society membership had not made my name available to receive a
brochure.

There are always trade-offs, but nuthin' ventured makes you a mere
armchair observer. We cannot stop the evolution of the InterNet; let's
make it work for us.

Maureen E. Ellis, Research Associate
Toxicology Group, Box 354695
School of Public Health and Community Medicine
Univ of WA
Seattle, WA 98195
me2 at u.washington.edu
**************************************************************
On Wed, 16 Aug 1995, grant hendrickson wrote:

> On Tue, 15 Aug 1995, Stuart MacKay wrote:
>
> > What do other tweeters think about advertising birding trips on the list - is
> > it another off-topic subject or something more ? Will the trickle beome a
> > flood. I'm surprised more companies haven't cottoned on to this form of direct
> > marketing !!
>
> I, for one, would welcome more postings on birding trips *in the Tweeters
> area.* As one struggling to learn, such information would be helpful. It
> seems at least as relevant as limericks, etc. As to being too commercial,
> I don't see costs designed to reimburse individuals or organizations
> for expert time as "commercial." Let individual Tweeters be the judges of
> whether or not the fees are reasonable.
>
> Grant Hendrickson
> ghendric at esd112.wednet.edu
>