Synoptic History of the X-lists
1984: Creation of an X-list to maintain communication with scholars (ex-people)
who had worked in Southern California, at the host laboratory.
1984-1994: Growth of the X-lists into a 400 member community with special
interest groups each corresponding to a different list (e.g.; X-comp for
the group interested in computers; X-lit for the group interested in
literacy; X-act for the group interested in Activity theory).
1994: Re-structuring of the X-lists into five lists and switch to an automated
LISTSERVER system with FTP (File Transfer Protocol) possibilities for the
retrieval of materials from the archive. Reduction of the size of membership
to the lists.
1995: An additional list called xpractice is created (an x-mas gift). It is
designed to support activity for the collaborative writing of a chapter for
the 1995 Handbook of Psychology.
Summer- 1995: All lists except xpractice, xorgan (the organization list) and
xwork are closed for the Summer for an un-precedented official vacation.
--WEB site technology is brought up for discussion as a possibility for
the future growth of the x-lists.
--The decision is taken on x-organ to re-open the lists in the fall
under a new name -x- journal- both to build and make explicit the
relationships between activity on the lists and the quarterly journal,
published by the host institution.
Affiliated lists:
In the present study, ten, subsequently five and six lists were
observed. These were one of a kind in that they were all hosted by one
institution based in Southern California with a shared and stated purpose. The
flow of on-line communication, however, sometimes included forwarded messages
pertinent to the on-going flow of activity, gleaned from other electronic lists
such as the Dewey and Pierce lists, whose overlapping membership and scholarly
foci created a loosely defined form of affiliation. Similarly, during
observations new lists were created by members of the x-lists, such as the
Vygotsky list, and the XCSA list in the Federal Republic of Germany, whose
founder, an old-timer on the x-lists, posted humorously:
"[...] Our local list here in Hamburg is called: XCSA- where X stands for the
affinity with the xfamily and CSA means: Completely Serious Amusement. There is
another Deutung of the list, wherein our trust and hope is expressed: Cross
Country Social Attraction. Well, well, well; no excuses for a long message and
greetings from Hamburg: Arne"
(Raiethel, A. May 10th, 1994. xlchc "RE: Is list self-study insane". xpractice
72/13)
Francoise
Francoise Herrmann
fherrmann who-is-at igc.apc.org
http://www.wenet.net/~herrmann