RE: disappointment

["Thomas R. Holtz, Jr." <tholtz@geol.umd.edu>]

> From: owner-dinosaur@usc.edu [mailto:owner-dinosaur@usc.edu]On Behalf Of
> bert.dol@philips.com
>
> I am sorry if this email, actually a third round request for more
> information, sounds bitter, but I thought this list was about
> helping people out, sharing information and intelligent
> discussion. I know I take the time to read requests for info or other
> questions and do my best to help them out. Most of the time
> somebody beats me to it: my library is at home and not at work
> and often there is an 8 hour difference in time at least :-) If
> my request is not realistic, too much to ask or just plain stupid I
> would also be very glad to hear that. I would hate to abondon
> this project due to lack of information: I know there is enough
> out there. I just need to get it.

Although the list is sometimes a good source of information, it is also a
strictly volunteer phenomenon.  It should NOT be seen as a replacement for
the hard work of real research; it is only a supplement.  Students should
not expect list members to do their homework; scientists should not expect
list members to gather their data; and people in the entertainment buisness
should not expect the list to create their images.

As it was you *did* get several responses: these individuals took time out
of their lives to help you.  In many cases people would actually get paid to
be consultants on such a project, so every time you get free information
this is a gift.

Had you considered the possibility of contacting paleobotanists (and modern
botanists?).  Most of your questions were botanical in nature, and thus
outside the technical experience of even most of the professionals on this
list?

Also, you may want to check out the chapter by Tiffney (on plants of the
Mesozoic) in Farlow & Brett-Surman's _The Complete Dinosaur_.

                Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.
                Vertebrate Paleontologist
Department of Geology           Director, Earth, Life & Time Program
University of Maryland          College Park Scholars
                College Park, MD  20742
http://www.geol.umd.edu/~tholtz/tholtz.htm
http://www.geol.umd.edu/~jmerck/eltsite
Phone:  301-405-4084    Email:  tholtz@geol.umd.edu
Fax (Geol):  301-314-9661       Fax (CPS-ELT): 301-405-0796