Dear Readers,

A few days ago the Digest had its second birthday.  We've
gone from 35 subscribers to 545, and we've gone from 170K bytes
per month to over a megabyte per month of messages.  We added
an FTP server shortly after starting the Digest.  Most of this
was done by myself, in my spare time, as a "hobby" effort, using
computers of my own.  However, the network traffic was carried
by my employer's connection to the Internet.

Last fall we added a Web Site (www.foxtail.com), hosted at
a commercial service provider, and arranged for a improved
Domain Name Service so that both the Web site and
FTP site could be referred to as something.foxtail.com.

Last summer Robbie Rhodes started studying the editing process
for preparing the Digests, and eventually started doing most
of the editing.  This freed me up to spend more time with processing
subscription requests, working on the Web site, and spending more
time with my family.  It also resulted in Robbie and I both spending
a lot of time on the phone discussing editing issues.  We live 90
miles apart , so the long distance phone bills have been "noticeable"
to our wives.

In order for Robbie to participate in some of the more "modern"
aspects of the Web, Robbie and I put together a small Pentium
"clone" for him to run Windows and Linux.  With this machine he
will eventually be able to preview all materials sent in and
check out audio and MIDI links on the 'Net.  In fact, it Robbie's
first machine which is capable of displaying a Web page in color.

Over the winter Bob Fitterman donated time to prepare the MMD
Archives, and well organized, indexed method of finding
and accessing previous articles.  The resulting files were too large
for the current site hosting our Web pages.  Since my employer
does not extend its e-mail generosity to Web page hosting, I found
an ISP which supports ISDN dial-on-demand, upgraded my ISDN router,
added another disk to the Pentium BSDI "hobby" machine, and moved the
Web site to that machine.

I also moved all incoming and outgoing e-mail over to the BSDI
machine, which has made a substantial improvement in mail delivery
time for some of our readers.

 - - - -

All of the above activities have become a "noticeable" financial drain
on Robbie and me.  The amount of time spent has also become very
noticeable, especially over the last year.  We've had private discussions
with a number of Digest subscribers as to what would be the best
way to improve the situation.  We were considering converting
the Digest to a "paid subscription publication".  However, many of
our subscribers are on limited budgets.  Even some people who aren't
might leave because they felt it was unreasonable.  The resultant
lowering of participation might reduce the fun and usefulness
of the Digest.

As an alternative, it has been suggested that we ask subscribers to
voluntarily offer their support.  This has the advantage that no one
is excluded from the discussion because they can't afford it or don't
feel that supporting the financially group is appropriate.  To make
the point, several subscribers have spontaneously sent checks to
us in amounts greater than what I would have imagined we'd have set
the subscription rate.  My sincere thanks to those people.  Several
others have sent gifts, some  directly to Robbie,  and some directly
to me.  I regret that I've not previously sent thank-you letters in
response to some of these gifts.  You know who you are.  Thanks!!!

Also, many subscribers have contributed their time and efforts in
preparing various electronic contributions to the Digest.  This
includes articles, music files, images and more.  A special thanks
to Bob Fitterman who put the indexed Archives together.

Its also been suggested that tasteful paid advertising be allowed
in the Digest.  I know that some people feel that "tasteful advertising"
is an oxymoron.

Robbie and I have talked it over, and we've decided to start with
a tasteful campaign for financial support (another oxymoron?).  This
message is the start of that campaign.  Robbie and I have agreed that
we will apply funds received first the cost of equipment and communications
fees, and we'll split any amount over that in an equitable manner
as compensation for our editing and administrative time.

In regards to the time issue, we're convinced that converting the
Digest to an unmoderated List Server is a not a good idea.
We'll continue editing the Digest.

At some later time, I do expect to do some advertising in the Digest
and on the Web page in support of the Digest.  More on that
later.  Those interested placing ads should write to:

	rollreq@foxtail.com

In conclusion, if you want to send financial support for
the Digest, please send it to:

	The Foxtail Group
	P. O. Box 190
	Julian, CA 92036

Checks should be made payable to "The Foxtail Group".

We cannot cash checks made out to MMD or Mechanical Music Digest".

Please also note that I have avoided the word "donation" in the
text above.  Financial support of the  MMD does not qualify as a
a charitable donation under tax law.  The Foxtail Group is
treated by the IRS as a sole proprietorship.  Those of you in the
"business" may be eligible for calling your support a "promotional
expense" --- check with your tax advisor.

Thanks in advance for your support!

Jody

P.S.  I expect that some of you will want to comment on the proposal.
      Although Robbie will be away for a couple of weeks, I'll probably
      run any comments submitted as they arrive.