From: Carrie.Heeter@ibm.cl.msu.edu (Carrie Heeter)
Subject: Re: Online Citation Formats (Was Re: Postings on sci.virtual-worlds
Date: Tue, 13 Aug 91 18:07:06 GMT
Organization: Michigan State University


In article <1991Aug12.171231.11288@milton.u.washington.edu>, smoliar@iss.nus.sg (stephen smoliar) says:

>...I view bulletin boards as
>basically an extended form of electronic mail (which sort of reflects the
>attitude of my operating system).  Similarly, I view electronic mail as the
>same of conventional mail--just delivered through a different medium.  If one
>of my colleagues sends me a letter with an idea I wish to cite in a paper, I
>simply give his name and list it as a "personal communication."  
>...
>At this point I suppose I should raise an issue of courtesy.  I never include a
>"personal communication" citation without first clearing it with the person
>cited.  I, for one, would prefer to have extended to me the same courtesy I
>extend to those who send mail to me . . . even in this extended world of mail
>exchange.  
>
>-------------------------------------------
>
>Stephen W. Smoliar; Institute of Systems Science
>National University of Singapore; Heng Mui Keng Terrace
>Kent Ridge, SINGAPORE 0511
>smoliar%iss.nus.sg@nuscc.nus.sg  (USE THIS ADDRESS;  VARIANTS MAY NOT WORK)

I really disagree that posting an announcement in a public (cyber?) space read
by thousands of unknown others and available in archival format over time
should be considered equivalent to a private letter mailed to someone you know.

Exposure to an interesting idea potentially changes the way you think about that
topic, whether you want it to or not.  The effect is done.  Honor the source with a
citation.  

Tracking someone you have never communicated with directly down, explaining how 
and why you want to cite them, and asking permission introduces a whole dynamic
of approval and obligation which I feel is inappropriate, unnecessary and interferes
with scholarship.

Carrie Heeter
Michigan State University