New lists can be started on the net any time any group or person can
convinve a computer system administrator to support the list with computer
space.  There are several types of list software on the net.  LISTSERV is what
supports MAPS-L.  UseNet is a slightly different system that is administrated
differently than LISTSERV lists.  Some LISTSERV lists are also ported to the
UseNet and are also seen as UseNet lists.  UseNet lists generate files that
are maintained at each computer center node.  LISTSERV lists generate files
that are maintained, usually, only at one computer center.  To keep the space
used by UseNet lists down to a 'reasonable' level, USENET administrators have
tried to limit the number of UseNet lists by making users prove the need for
new lists.  Space problems can occur with LISTSERV lists but they occur at
the individual computer center level.  To set up a listserv list all you need
do is convince a computer center to setup the list.  My biggest problem at
Georgia in setting up MAPS-L was finding the person in the computer center
responsible for LISTSERV lists.  Of course once I found the right person the
real work of getting out the word and maintaining the list began.  As space
for lists has gotten crowded the center has limited the space alloted to back
files.  I assume it is the same with MapHist.  David Cobb would have had to
tell the right computer administrator at Harvard that there was professional
need for a list and that he would maintain the list.  They would then setup
the list and his real work would begin.
     I will be setting up a server and a LAN in the Map Room this summer. I
could get the LISTSERV, or comparable, software, install it on the system, and
run MAPS-L, or another list, off the MAP Room system.  There are lists on this
campus that are run from Departmental LANs.  I will probably not do that
because I do not want to learn and support another piece of software.
     There are good reasons for having a strong general list and there are good
reasons for specialized lists.  Only experience will show what is the right
mix.  I am on several small, very specialized lists, and they are very erratic.
Lists depend on their subscribers much more than they do on their moderators
or owners.  We should be happy we are a semi-serious profession with very few
adherents and not something like, oh say, Japanese animation, where a fellow
netter tells me there are three UseNet lists, each running over 200 messages a
day!  Give MapHist a chance and lets see where current/future technology takes
us.
 
Johnnie Sutherland
Moderator, MAPS-L
University of Georgia