RE: OT: net-loss (was RE: attention net-grrls)

9 Jun 2000

      I believe the simple fact that the existence of a "women in networking"
mailing list is being debated in any way, shape or form speaks volumes in
and of itself.............

==========================
Alexander Kiwerski
Senior Network Engineer
Winstar Network Operations - West
Desk: 206-574-3121
Fax: 206-574-3055

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-nanog@merit.edu [mailto:owner-nanog@merit.edu]On Behalf Of
William Allen Simpson
Sent: Friday, June 09, 2000 10:41 AM
To: nanog@merit.edu
Subject: Re: OT: net-loss (was RE: attention net-grrls)

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----

rdobbins@netmore.net wrote:
...
Technology works the same for everyone, regardless of gender, race, creed,
or color; that's one of the beautiful things about it.  Consciously
erecting
artificial boundaries where none need exist strikes me as being laughably
archaic, and ultimately counterproductive.
While technology works the same for everyone, there's no need to join
a mailing list to use technology.  We join a mailing list to learn
and interact with people.   People do not work the same regardless of
<attribute>.

When I've attended meetings, I've seen that the vast majority of
participants are white males.  It seems reasonable to expect that
those without the same immutable characteristics might feel different
or even excluded.

Although several of the outstanding leaders in our field have been
female (kc, Radia, Sally, the Sues of Merit, etc. etc. etc.), those
who desire to follow in their footsteps may very well join together
for mutual encouragement and mentoring.  In which case, joining
another list or organization for "networking" with each other might be
a stimulus to greater productivity.