ELP Digest      22 April 2011
                Vol. 21 #03

The "See the Show!" Edition

======================

It's hard to imagine but... when I created the ELP Digest email list back in 1991, 
it was pre-web and there were no browsers and no web sites. Back then, maintaining 
an email list for ELP fans to share news, information, and opinions was a 
painstakingly manual task. Yes, I have streamlined things a number of times as 
we've evolved from the early Web and beyond. However, I've been thinking about 
migrating the ELP Digest mailing list for quite a while.

I've been looking for ways to maintain the high signal-to-noise ratio, keep 
Inbox clutter to a minimum, and provide people with more timely options for 
getting the latest new about ELP: the band and the individuals.

As you may have noticed over the past few years, there have been months with 
no Digest mailing. Sometimes, this has been due to the lack of news and 
sometimes it's been due to a lack of time on my part. And, I believe that 
the 'lack of news' often is because people aren't reminded to submit stuff 
to the ELP Digest until they get a new Digest.

So, I've decided that today is as good a day as any to try to evolve the 
ELP Digest and keep it an efficient and thriving place for all news ELP. 
Therefore, I have created a Google Group called "ELP-channel". (Alas,
they don't allow the word Digest in the name.)

So, I am asking all ELP Digest readers to visit the new web interface for 
that group at:

    http://groups.google.com/group/elp-channel

Anyone can read the 'new Digest' there. However, to keep things under 
control, you will have to associate your email address with a 'Google 
account' (or, you can create a new address just to use for this and 
other Google groups if you want to completely separate your Google
groups identity from your email address). I've always maintained the 
list manually and know that most readers want to make this choice for 
themselves so I am not adding anyone's email address to the group 
automatically.

If you want to add a post or a reply completely anonymously (especially 
during the transition period), you can continue to send email to me at:

    elp-digest@reluctant.com

and I will manually create the entry in the group for you (and only 
list your name in the format you request).

As we move to the new format for the Digest, I think there are some 
big advantages to having this more automatic and streamlined. In 
addition to having threaded conversations, the interface allows you 
to choose to receive the posts/replies individually via email, via 
daily updates, or not at all (if you only want to read it on the web).

There will probably be a few hiccups along the way. I thank you in 
advance for your patience with those.

Most importantly, I thank you for your participation and contribution
to the ELP Digest and hope that you'll join me as we make the 
transition to the new format!

See the show!

- John -