Bob, You raise an excellent point. I wonder what the reason is for this apparent inconsistent policy? I suspect it is because the SIGs are made up of volunteers trying to do what is right for the HP 3000 community, where Interex as an organization is trying to further it's own cause. As I said, Interex's stated mission statement is for the betterment of their members, not necessarily the entire [HP 3000] community. But, to continue to exist they must provide value added services to their membership. The Internet has been carving away some of their mainstay services. Technical information from magazines is replaced by online technical articles as well as competing trade magazines. Shareware/freeware software is available directly from the people writing it rather than from the CSL and swap tapes. Users can "meet" on Usenet/list servers/chat rooms. There were probably many members who paid their dues simply for the CSL and Interact subscriptions but no longer do so. As for whether the SIB should be open to everybody, as long as the SIB is not the sole method for HP to obtain enhancement information then I won't lose any sleep over it being a members only ballot. On the other hand, if it were open I would certainly vote. Doug. Doug Werth [log in to unmask] Beechglen Development Inc. Director of Technical Support Services Cincinnati, Ohio Voice: (513) 922-0509 Fax: (513) 347-2834 From: Schlosser, Robert (Contractor) <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >Doug > > You make the point that two previous ballots have been posted recently >by their respective SIGs. Are the SIGs not a part of Interex, and yet they chose >to ask all users their opinion. This has set a precedent for Interex to do the >same thing, ask all users. > >Bob Schlosser >Harris Corporation >Melbourne, FL. >(407) 727-5893 >