[NLA] a partial introduction

[hforster]

I have lurked on this list for almost two years and I know many of you
have thought "Who is that masked man".   I feel that if I say more about
the issue of return on investment I should at least tell you a little
about me.

Well as you know I am not a part of your adult education team.  I chose
to lurk on this list  for two reasons.  One is because I am doing some
things that are related to your adult literacy problems.  I see a lot of
the ineffective system that is dumping problems on you.  You have given
me great insight to the problems.

The second reason I have stayed is because I am interested in the
internet, its social structures, and its effectiveness in the real
world.  With respect to this I must praise Dave Rosen for what he has
done and say that I intend to continue studying under him.   I feel that
this list is one of the best, if not the best, example of the efficacy
of the internet.

One lesson I have learned is that the best efforts in providing a
community can not succeed if at least a critical portion of the
population of the community is not of the highest quality.  Before I
make some unusual statements (in the future) that I know I am capable of
making I want all of you to know that I am very impressed with your
breadth of skills, your honesty in expressing concern for your cause and
your students, and your sincere desire to face problems and work
together toward a better system.  You all go beyond chatter and
information passing.  Because of your aggregate skills, diversity, and
honesty to purpose you all deserve credit for what you have achieved.
(I know you government people are out there but I want to explicitly
acknowledge you too!)

This is the first and only time that I have completely reversed my
opinion by observing a group interact on the internet.


A happy and successful new year to you all.


Harry Forster.