Very historic image from in 1961 (by today's viewpoint) of Western Union's 100th Anniversary in Omaha, Nebraska on October 31 of that year. IMPORTANT...Added Note...Kathleen (middle name "Jill" just FYI) has gotten on my A to get these great photos posted. There are at least 300 more that fit within the Vintage Photos gallery here on ICON. Let me tell you, a LOT of fabulous stuff is in store for you ICON PicturePoster viewers! They will be uploaded a few at a time within every few days or so. NOW, here is the deal. It comes from me and Jill (aka she goes by her nickname a lot). Neither of us subscribe to the ICON Mailing List but we have exposed ourselves to it. Given the status of members continually "kicking the can down the road" and overkilling subjects like PayPal, eBay, fake insulators and other BS....it is totally embarrassing to introduce newbees to www.insulators.info and then have them see the daily stuff posted as above. We *initially* tell them that this is the BEST reference site available to see photos and reference to insulators. Of all kinds. We tell yard sale people, lineworkers, antiquers, etc., in our travels all about ICON and we always leave the site address with them. In two instances feedback was received by us about the negative commentary ruling on the ICON mailing list. Whether or not those two people left ICON is not known. But surely, all of that crap posted DID apparently turn off and them away from this hobby. One asks "how many more people were also disallusioned from ICON because of the negative dialogue that seems to prevail on the daily ICON Digest??" When telling interested others who know little or nothing about insulator collecting we subsequently sorta *hope* they do not subscribe to the mailing list as it now stands. Until at least postings are moderated by Bill for inclusion. From what I understand, about 10 percent of what goes into the ICON Digest is useful collector information. Unfortunately specific topics cannot be searched...only via the PicturePoster... which is the greatest tool within the insulator collecting community. Thus, if you have some good collector reference, then post it within the PicturePoster with the details (keywords are VERY helpful!) so others will always be able to easily search specific topics. Perhaps Wiki, Ask, Google or other search sites might make the connection to specific insulator stuff too, as they already do via ICON ;-) ....minus the Daily Digest. If there are personal disagreements among collectors about insulator and/or the dreaded unrelated stuff then that should be off the Digest, same for the unfortunate plentiful discussions of such. Best to keep that conversation within private e-mails, methinks. I agree. The other Jill M (mine ;-) does as well. Please, please, please! If you want to our hobby to fluorish as our glass and porcelain insulators escape/dwindle from the view of newer (younger) collectors. Okay? As stated, we presently often have second thoughts about referring people to ICON....which we are otherwise very proud to contribute to and be a members thereof. We will continue the photos and related information (as much as we know) so all will forever enjoy ;-) But, please make sure the daily discussion on the ICON Mailing List contains something that our newbee members will not make appear Bill, me (and others within our group) possibly embarrassed about if they opt for subscribing to it. Yup, it has happened as I said in two unfortanate instances as mentioned above. So...how about spending more of YOUR energy and time sharing what you love about this hobby?? There surely seems to be a lot of time and concentrated effort spent within "The Mailing List" that surely could easily be devoted elsewhere. Albeit....better yet (the most!) within the PicturePoster where you share the pleasure with your finds, friendships and everything else that is wonderfully given by God can be shared with everyone else in our hobby and those potentially as collectors? The Lord has granted all of us many wonderful things here on Earth. ICON is one of them. Let all of us use and enjoy ICON. And enjoying all of His wonderful gifts and graces wisely. Thank you. Joe Maurath, Jr. Kathleen (Jill) McLaughlin =============================== |