I had a friend whose name was Meta. She bought a silk Nain. Clearly hers was a Meta-rug, which would have been fodder for discussion on Metaturkotek.com, demonstrating that at least some things are case-sensitive.

Regards, Yon

It's good to have precise minds at work in such an effort.

In truth we considered the problem you raise but decided that the simplest solution would be to declare Turkotek our "meta-board" for the next two weeks.

To do otherwise would require resort to "meta-software" and, as you may have noticed, our actual software doesn't always function impeccably these days.

Are there some "meta-points" that you could share about how you feel how things are going on Turkotek?

Thanks,

R. John Howe

I may be sensitive in some cases, but I never Meta discussion on Turkotek I didn't like.

That is one of the nice things about Turkotek. There is generally something interesting being posted. There is often something one can learn about rugs on the site.

It is a place for people interested in rugs, but not as knowledgable as they would like to be, to go for information. It has stimulated collectors to examine the rugs in their collections and thereby gain a greater appreciation for them.

It provides a venue for discussion that does not exist otherwise. It is almost like being able to discuss an article in a rug magazine without having to wait a couple of months for the next edition to come out with letters to the editor. It is something that has been lacking (and is not truly even possible) in the print medium.

If Turkotek did not exist, it is doubtful anyone would be energetic and insightful enough to start such a website. There have been a few rug "discussion boards" floating around cyberspace over the years, but they have been a victim of numerous problems, from spam to slander to blatant commercialism to the ravings of misguided enthusiasts (but enough about me).

If Turkotek were to disappear, it would probably be just another footnote in the evolution of the electronic medium, but one which would be missed as a place for enthusiasts to contribute to the conversation instead of just absorb it.

Enthusiastically yours,

Patrick Weiler

Since this is the Meta thread, the Big Picture questions should be here.
The Salon is talking about how things are going. What about how should things go in, say, ten or twenty years from now?
By then, Steve will be University President Emeritus and too busy to moderate the board. Jerry will be in the movies, Marvin will be the Surgeon General, etc. Should Turkotek become a subsidiary of a review board of ACOR? Would they have the time or inclination? Will Turkotek be bought by a giant multimedia conglomeration? Will the Aliens take over (Have they already )

Patrick Weiler

Your forecast that I'll be President Emeritus of our university has a nice, ironic ring to it. Just about a year ago I filed a grievance against our president, found my name all over the local newspaper for nearly a month, was supported by a resolution passed unanimously by our faculty senate (the first unanimous action ever recorded by that body), and spent an hour and a half exchanging pleasantries with the university Board, finally settling the matter.

The upshot is that I am off the list of people likely to be harassed by the president in the future, but unlikely to be on the list of possible successors to his office. All of this suits me fine.

Regards,

Steve Price

One thing I've suggested in our "owner-manager" group on Turkotek, is that perhaps someday, we might put out a full-color book entitled:

"Fifty Great Salons from Turkotek."

(don't laugh, color processes are getting better and cheaper all the time)

In this way, I suggested we might both finally be read by folks biased toward print and also achieve a degree of respectability.

Some unkind person pointed out that it is unlikely that we can get folks to pay good money for something they already "have" for free.

Oh well,

R. John Howe