I don't see this as an interesting difference at all. Almost all 
[larger] vendor-supplied products in the library world have their own 
discussion lists that are limited to people that use/license their 
products. We even see this with Open Source products such as Koha. 
Although I do not use AquaBrowser, unlike almost all other library 
specific-software of this magnitude I understand that AquaBrowser does 
not have a user group (formal or informal). There currently is very few 
ways (no way?) for users of this product to converse with each other and 
share ideas.

There are numerous reasons for wanting to share information on a closed 
list that can range from not wanting to spam a larger community with a 
"how do activate a widget in product A" to asking questions/sharing 
information that for whatever reason you don't want to or can't share 
with the whole world (e.g. non-disclosure agreements, public relations 
concerns, privacy concerns, not wanting your name in open archives 
attached to something, etc.).  In fact, in some cases you may not even 
want the vendor on the list the way some Voyager systems administrators 
created a list that excluded Endeavor (and now Ex Libris) and 
non-systems people at Voyager sites. This made people feel much more 
comfortable asking questions that maybe they would otherwise be 
embarrassed or reluctant to ask.

I applaud Kathryn for taking the initiative to organize the AquaBrowser 
community by creating the AquaBrowser Libraries Group. From what I 
understand from people that use the product this is something that is 
overdue for the community.

What the library technology world needs is more people like Kathryn that 
try to build community to help each other with whatever software product 
they are using. Sure, in a perfect world maybe everything would be 
completely Open but that is not reality. People that take initiative 
should be praised. They should not be met with snarky comments.

Edward

-----Original Message-----
From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask] 
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>] On Behalf Of
Barnett, Jeffrey
Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2009 9:05 AM
To: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] AquaBrowser Libraries Group

Good point Ed, but I think by the phrase "Licensed sites only" the
intent of the AquaBrowser discussion _is_ to exclude open source.
Interesting difference...

-----Original Message-----
From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask] 
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>] On Behalf Of
Ed Summers
Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 9:19 PM
To: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] AquaBrowser Libraries Group

You should also feel free to discuss AquaBrowser on here too ... the
code4lib discussion isn't limited to opensource software.

//Ed
- Hide quoted text -

On Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 4:32 PM, Kathryn Frederick
<[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
 > Please excuse cross-posting.
 >
 > I've set up an AquaBrowser Google Group to share tips and post
 > questions. If your library uses AquaBrowser, please consider joining.
 > This group is restricted, email me at [log in to unmask] 
<mailto:[log in to unmask]> and I'll
 > send you an invite.
 >
 > Licensed sites only, please.
 >
 > Thanks,
 > Kathryn
 >