[vsnet-chat 629] Re: ISN future

[Fraser Farrell <fraserf@dove.net.au>]

G'day Mirko,

Your unhappy message seems to have been written in haste.  Before you
decide to jump off the nearest cliff because of recent nasty messages; I
would urge you (and Stefano) to think of the _good_ features and services
of ISN.  Once everyone has calmed down these benefits will be obvious.

You wrote:
   >The next change will be the sospension of
   >the mailing list, because it is not developing its function to
   >alert for suspect SNe and so on... At present ISN mailing list is a
   >chat line !

All you need to do is split ISN into 2 or 3 mailing lists.  Keep one list
_only_ for confirmed new objects (ie: it hasn't moved in two days, it isn't
a known star/asteroid, it doesn't appear on previous images, etc).

Anyone who is annoyed by false alarms can subscribe only to this list.
Maybe call it "isn-alert" ?  But, as I mentioned in earlier message, there
will still be false alarms due to imperfect catalogues.

Have another list for suspected new SNe, misplaced asteroids, satellites in
wierd orbits, stars omitted from catalogues, stars blotted out on
overexposed photos, CCDs with sick pixels, etc....

I also think one list should include "chatting".  SNe hunting is a rapidly
evolving subject, there is not much information in books & magazines (yet),
and a lot of CCD-equipped amateurs and clubs just want to get out there and
find SNe.  When my local astronomy club bought their ST-6, "SN searching"
was the very first project suggested, weeks before the camera was even
delivered.

An ISN "chat" provides a chance to ask questions, discuss techniques and
problems, and develop contacts with other hunters.  You need all of these
things to help improve the science.  100 CCD-equipped hunters who are
networked, and know what they're doing, are a formidable power for
finding SNe. 10000 CCD-equipped hunters working individually at their
various levels of ignorance is frightening... :)


   >Someone else told to CBAT it is embarassing to
   >circulate possible discovery messages on Internet ! I think we
   >forced no one !

You didn't, but some astronomers are very worried about their reputations.
Personally I think anyone who is embarrassed by reporting their occasional
errors should not be hunting SNe.  Or novae.  Or comets...

   >At last, someone external to ISN insinuated that we
   >had the arrogance to confirm SNe like a CBAT numer 2 !!!

(sigh...)  If this person is upset by such messages from ISN, they may
unsubscribe from ISN and use IAUCs for latest news.  Is this same person
also annoyed when VSNET confirms new variable stars?

   >The latest point hurt me very much as I understood there are always
   >persons ready to assault you: they never red the welcome message
   >opening the ISN home page !

Perhaps suggest they do this, when you send the message confirming their
subscription?


   >I confide you I thought to close ISN, but it is not a good thing as
   >most of subscribers are good friends and we want to remain in touch.

PLEASE don't close down!!  ISN is providing a vital service: prompt
notification of possible new SNe.  It has also provided plenty of useful
information - and lessons - about SNe hunting.

Keep me subscribed to the new & improved "ISN version 2"...!


cheers,
Fraser Farrell

http://vsnet.dove.net.au/~fraserf/   email: fraserf@dove.net.au
traditional: PO Box 332, Christies Beach, SA  5165, Australia

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