[MR] : Re: Queen's Corner - Peerage discussion

[David Wendelken]

Unto Lady Glynis Gwynedd,

>In fairness though, my Lord, it has been suggested to several people I
>know that they put up a webpage with their works so the people in the
>south who don't make it up north can get a feel for who they are and
>what they do, otherwise they're likely to get a "no" on the polling.

First, a "no" vote on any one polling means just that.  "No, not today."  It
has no bearing on the next polling.  So what we are discussing is not
whether web publishing is required, but whether it can speed the process.

I'm on record as saying that publishing your knowledge is helpful to getting
awards based upon level of knowledge because it speeds the process.  For me
to know the quality of someone's work, they don't have to wait for both of
us to be at the same event, actually meet AND have time to view and evaluate
the work.  I can do much of my homework at - home - where it's much more
convenient and much less expensive in both time and money.

Prior posters were making the argument that doing a web page was pretty much
a requirement.  It is not required.  A candidate has many ways to choose
from to both share their knowledge and let others evaluate their skill.  Web
publishing is an inexpensive one (assuming access to a computer) and an
effective one.

Prior posters also seemded to find it "a bad thing" that web publishing is
effective.  When you compare it to word-of-mouth, mimeographs, 25 cent
photocopies, even 5 cent photocopies years later, it's great!  The
help-others-to-personal-expense ratio is awesomely in favor of web
publishing.

Web publishing can make things easier for a candidate and those who want to
learn from that candidate.  That still does not make it required.  A
candidate can always choose other paths.  Some will take longer, some will
be shorter.

>And I've been told (or read) that it is a requirement to be published
>in order to get a Pearl.

This is from the herald's page:

"Order of the Pearl: Honors and recognizes those subjects of the Kingdom who
have distinguished themselves by their efforts and willingness to teach
other subjects of the Society the arts and sciences of the period, and/or
their excellence in the arts and sciences of the period. This was formerly
an AoA level, polling order. As of April 1, 2003, the Pearl became a Grant
level polling order. The first Pearl was given to Muirean nic Ruaidhri,
while Atlantia was a principality on April 29, 1977, during the reign of TRH
Alaric and Yseult."

The description does not mention a publication requirement (which,
incidentally, does not necessarily imply a WEB publishing requirement, to
keep the matter on topic).

I am not a member of the Order of the Pearl either.  I would be a bit
surprised if the Pearls REQUIRED publishing (print or web), but not the
least surprised to find they place a premium upon publishing one's
knowledge.  Training classes are ephemeral, training materials have a longer
lifespan.

Some people seem to think it unfair that web publishing can speed the
process.  In any process, some things will speed it along and others will
hinder it.  This is no different.  

Personally, I love the wealth of information that is at my fingertips on the
web and choose to encourage rather than discourage everyone to share their
true knowledge on the web.  

Andras Salamandra