It can be frustrating, and at times overwhelming trying to personally
respond to every question about player pianos that arrives in the
"in-box".  Many folks visit my site (no where as many as John Tuttle
has) and in turn they ask questions.  Personal answers were taking too
much time and now everyone receives a form letter that is full of links
to a number of different sites including, the MMD Archives and Player-
Care.  Within the form letter there is a natural break after the first
paragraph where comments about their question can be inserted if
desired.  Now it takes only a few minuets to answer the messages and
the response has been positive.

The majority of the web using public are NOT like children who need to
be spoon fed.  Many of these folks are _novice_ surfers who may not
know _how_ to look up the information they want.  Many of them have no
idea the MMD archives exist!  Then there are the MMDers who simply do
not _think_ about looking through the MMD archives before asking a
question, or posting a message.

There is a _very_ alarming trend that has been growing over the past
year: more and more people are reporting that answers to questions
posted on the MMD are being answered privately.  Many of the comments
received about the absent Steinway serial number were private messages.

Some of the info _should_ be included in the MMD so that others who
will use the archives can have the access to the same great inform-
ation; however, it is the responsibility of the writer to have his
comments included in the MMD and some are choosing not to!  The MMD has
suffered because these comments have not been included in the
publication.  Is this the beginning of the end?

The MMD archives are just fine for one who is familiar with the termin-
ology.  This user will have no problem looking under two or three
different headings to find all the postings containing a particular
subject.  Someone who is not as versed in the "Player Language" might
benefit from a more sophisticated search feature.

If you give _extensive_ information about player piano rebuilding most
people will feel overwhelmed at the enormous amount of time, effort,
talent, knowledge, and money that is involved in the proper restoration
of an instrument.  If a piano comes into the shop that someone has
attempted to restore, but failed would you rather they had been ignored
or helped in their search for advice as to what techniques should be
employed?

The web should remain a _free_ environment!  If one thinks people
should pay for information, then go ahead and change the format of the
web site from a free site to a pay site.  The traffic would come to a
screeching halt!  Many of us may have to pay for a commercial web
presence, and it takes a _lot_ of time to maintain a small web site
like Player Piano Restorations Illustrated, let alone a mega site like
Player-Care.

If you start "selling" advice or information, could you not be held
liable if your advice proves to be damaging?  Sorry, but the free
advice sounds better!

If any other web master is having trouble responding to the mass
flood of e-mails each day why not set up a dedicated address just for
the questions and automate the form letter process or a FAQ response.
Presto!  Problem solved, and no attitudes need to be changed or
damaged.

Sam Harris - Greenville, North Carolina
Player Piano Restorations Illustrated
http://www.Geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/9374