You know, I really do understand people's reluctance to accept that we may just be throwing good money after bad here at Mudcat, because some of you only use this forum.

But for others of us who frequent other forums, there is 1) a discernible difference in the overall tone of conversation between Mudcat and some high quality Usenet forums (alt.music.bluegrass and rec.music.guitar.acoustic are two that spring immediately to mind for me, as I frequent them), and 2) there are other very worthy folk music endeavors, some new and some old, that need our support too, if we are serious about our commitment to the music and traditions, and not just loyalists to Mudcat and Max.

Two come to mind off the top of my head. I'm not sure how actively maintained this site is--the International Traditional Music Society's webpage:

http://www.worldtrad.org/

A new(er) endeavor. Excellent site layout. Well defined "donations" area, 501(C)3 status information, and an outfit that needs financial support to continue to grow (including getting the discussion forums up and running). All and all, a valiant effort on the part of the folks who set up the International Traditional Music Society and it's website. I'd appreciate an update about it from anyone with current information about it.

The other is the Folk Song and Tune Index website maintained by Jane Keefer (the following link is, at last attempt, not working due to problems with her provider):

http://folkindex.mse.jhu.edu/

Jane is seeking a new home for this wonderful database, which has been at it's current site for a number of years. It doesn't seem that she needs funds as much as she needs access to a good provider. The one she has been using has been kind to her she says, but it can no longer keep up and offer the level of accessibility and stability it has in the past.

We should never become totally dependent upon one single folk music resource/forum in cyberspace, just as we should never put all our eggs in one basket in real time. All I'm saying is, hey--I'm awake and smelling coffee, and someone has scribbled this nasty graffitti all over the Mudcat walls, while Rome's fiddlers were...you get the idea.

There are many great sites o the folk community cyber-highway that can use our financial support, our technical expertise, and reliable connections to the folk web community's resources on-line. Maybe it is time we looked beyond our own navels, and spread the riches around. Nothing lasts forever, and it shouldn't. Places come and go, and in cyberspace do outlive their usefulness. Yet the folk phoenix always rises from the ashes. Count on all that being true, even for the beloved (or once beloved, for many of us who have either left or are begrudgingly sticking around) Mudcat. Max, Susan, Dick, clones, et al aren't the only folks who made this place what it is--there have been many, many more--members and guests, named and anonymous, who have made the forum what it is, and what it isn't.

Rant off for now--time to get out of the fry pan and into the air condo.