[Rockhounds] netiquette topic

[Kreigh Tomaszewski]

Dennis,

I remember the discussion. I think the primary intent was to provide
context information (country, state, county, city) about a locality so
that list members could decide if the posting was relevant to them. One
of the most common questions seen after a locality is mentioned is 'what
state/country are you talking about?'.

If you are cataloging a specimen into your collection, the locality is
the most important information you have about the specimen, and you want
it to be as detailed as possible. You need to be able to get back to
where you collected it, or to send some other collector/researcher back
to the same spot long after you have passed on.

Your detailed information may need to be passed on to another collector
from a list question honestly asked with a clear personal need for the
data. It would be your call to publish it, be silent, or take the
discussion off-list. Your effort/cost in finding the details is a big
factor in your decision.

Most list postings of localities probably should emulate 'XYZ Mine, near
City, County/Region/Province, State (Country)'. GPS coordinates or
driving directions to the .1 mile are usually unnecessary or
inappropriate. You want to clearly identify the locality, and its
context, to get your question or point across, without opening the door
for looters to walk in and get the location closed.

Kreigh





Dennis Buffenmyer wrote:
> 
> Al Balmer wrote:
> 
> >On Thu, 6 Sep 2007 15:12:58 -0400, "Ted Kowalski"
> ><Ted at crystalgems.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >>So, please please please; be detailed and as specific as you can when
> >>discussing any mineral or rock locality. Assume that no mineral location is
> >>common knowledge and include sufficient location information; for example,
> >>country, state, city, town, county, parish, township, mountain range,
> >>whatever...
> >>
> >>
> >
> >I wholeheartedly agree. Even if it's a secret, and you just want to
> >brag without revealing the location, say so. Don't let us speculate.
> >
> >
> >
> Based on the responses I have seen posted, I suppose I would only have
> to offer defense to the unpoplar idea of not being terribly specific. I
> would agree that when asking info about a particular site to be as
> specific as you are able but.;. I understand that sometimes a person
> doesn't even know enough to properly ask the question.
> I think we all agree that this hobby has a monetary figure attached to
> it, and as such  I can not abide with the idea that I have to publicly
> provide the gps co-ordinates to "the pot of gold".  I have in many cases
> painstakingly researched a locality through use of public forums,
> referances and documentation to find the info I am looking for. This
> only adds to the value of the knowledge gained. To have this info given
> "on demand" seems to take away the value of both the knowledge and the
> hobby.
> I understand the need to keep the traffic to a minimum with a forum such
> as this, but I suspect a question with vague specifics may be addressing
> a more "local to the questioner " audience. Personally; I can choose to
> ignore or respond to any topic I see in my inbox.
> Apologies if I am being "unpopular" just offering defense to those who
> may feel unsupported or who would now not bother to even pose the
> question they were thinking of asking.
> Dennis Buffenmyer