I'll skip my personal sentiments regarding solicitations of donations. However, regarding the Museum in Innsbruck, yes it does exist. Since donating some shells a few years ago I have regularly received the annual report of the museum, a well-done, bound publication of over 100 pages, on high quality glossy paper, providing much information about the museum, its staff, its collections, and its research projects. They are trying to rebuild collections lost in a flood some years ago. They are now housed in a newer and safer facility. They do not demand "gem quality" shells. The material I sent them was an assortment of "seconds" that I would not trade or sell to a collector, yet they were thrilled to receive them. I received a personal letter on museum letterhead from the museum director, thanking me for the donation. As for inappropriate commercial postings by dealers, yes there have been some. However, when you receive such a message, check the sender address and see if it came to you via Conch-L. That would be against the rules. Some dealers however send commercial messages to the Conch-L membership by direct e-mail (not through the list). That does not violate the rules. Paul M.