For those of you who didn't know yet, the "unofficial" e-mail group of HMGS Great Lakes took its first breath of life in the form of an e-mail from Darryl Smith at 7:38 pm on May 1, 2000. The list was started to provide a forum for Great Lakes members to communicate in a reciprocating manner more than once or twice a year. Being a rather new member, and wanting to get to know the guys in the club, I signed up and sent off my first few salvos.

From early observation, the list is very well attended with the Old Guard of Great Lakes and many members that I (again, I am a newbie!) recognize. It seems to me that this is the best way to get out ideas and to contact the board members, as at least two or three members of the GL Junta appear to be regular contributors. What I intend to do with this brief column is to summarize the main "currents" that ebb and flow from the e-group for all of you uninitiated, unwilling or unskilled in the art of the computer. If you have anything you want included in my bimonthly synopses, please e-mail me: DurochD@BASF.COM.

The first month of discussion on the group focused mainly on the unwritten rule that we are a historical-only group. Some contributors argued that the defunct national charter allowed up to 10% non historical games and our own charter allows this also. Good arguments were brought by both sides. It appears that many members have strong feeling either way regarding the inclusion of non-historical games at our events. The new board should clarify their opinion on this item.

The topic of what really was or was not a historical event was also covered in depth by numerous contributors. Some argued that many historically-labeled events were really fictional and where do we draw the line? Again, many strong opinions were generated. As for specifics, many contributors commented on the good time they had at Drums Along the Maumee. The "Panape" game was well received. Some attendees commented on the abundance of Skirmish World War II games. I suggested that this may be a "golden age" or rebirth of this type of gaming.

The first month of the e-group included many events that I term "growing pains," consistent with any new electronic forum. The ability to sit at a keyboard with some anonymity and no fear of emotional response from the rest of the crowd allows many of us to fire off what appear to be heated comments regarding a topic. As a corollary, many messages that are not meant to incite bad feelings actually do, due to the lack of facial expressions, etc. Keep in mind that this e-group is only a small subset of Great Lakes members and that any action would have to be initiated by the board or voted on by all of us.

To join, visit: http://www.egroups.com/invite/greatlakesmembers.