Dear Ginny - I think we should give our presenters a choice, but require, as
you suggest, that they bring some minimum number of copies.  The choice may
be consistent with your diskette idea, or may simply be to require everyone
to bring a single diskette version of her paper that others may copy on site
to their own diskette, laptop etc.  We could actually have a couple of desk
top computers set up one of the rooms (the exhibitors' room?), perhaps staff
the computers with some of the young people who want to earn some extra
cash, and charge a modest copy fee.  Actually, all the papers can be loaded
on the computers' hard drives, given numbers, and we can have a sign in
sheet for those who want electronic copies.  Just leave your diskette and
pick it up at your convenience.  Nim

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Virginia Maurer (MAN) [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Monday, October 02, 2000 2:36 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      papers, diskettes
>
> I need some reactions from people who are most likely to be
> interested in this question -- which is likely to be the subscribers to
> this list.
>
> At the Baltimore meeting a couple of people suggested that we try
> some better way to handle the on-site distribution of papers. That is,
> our current procedure is that everyone brings 25 hard copies
> (minimum) to the paper session and distributes them to the
> audience. This is, of course, never the exact number needed. Then
> each of us accumulates papers, reads some of them, is attracted to
> the rest, and then realizes in horror that they won't all go in the
> suitcase. Then they go into the trash can in the hotel and we try to
> remember to e-mail the author for a copy. Or we forget it and go
> home and start teaching.
>
> Would this work? Every presenter brings ten copies of the hard
> copy paper plus 15 diskettes containing the paper. Those who really
> want hard copy -- or who use an operating system that is impossible
> to use with the author's diskette -- get hard copy. Everyone else who
> wants one gets a diskette. Additional diskettes could be made.
> Untaken diskettes can be reused.
>
> One obvious drawback is the risk of viruses, but if the author brings
> the diskette he or she is likely to be careful not to infect colleagues.
> Those who do not trust the fates can take hard copy.
>
> Another drawback is that perhaps not enough people can get hard
> copy. Is ten the right minimum number?
>
> Finally, some people may not want to bring the paper in electronic
> form, in which case they can bring 25 hard copies.
>
> I won't make a major change like this without a good deal of input.
> What is your reaction to the idea?
>
> Ginny Maurer