Dear Vendors-

I am saddened to hear that some of you have been made to feel unwelcome on
the HistoNet.  Any person or group involved anywhere in Histology, or for
that matter any scientific discipline, should feel welcome here.  And what I
mean by welcome involves not just reading messages and replying personally,
but also to address the questions raised to the whole group. 

HistoNet is a participatory group.  The very premise on which it was based
is the free exchange of information.  If we do not have this participation,
we have nothing.  

But we also have a multitude of personalities and interests.  There will
always be some who find a way to jump all over any poor soul who may step
over some imaginary line.  But please keep in mind that most of us are
professionals who realize that we need new information on a daily basis just
to keep up with the new technology available and necessary to do our jobs.
Technology that you as a group have been developing to answer our needs.

If you have any information relevant to any question on the HistoNet, I
personally invite you to answer. If someone doesn't like that you replied,
please forward the objection to me.  I will be happy to remind ANYONE of
what we are all about.  Just because I didn't ask the question does NOT mean
that I don't need the information;  more likely it just means that I will
need the answer next week.  

Several very general parameters have been stated regarding vendor conduct on
the HistoNet.  As I understand it, replying to any question with information
about a product you carry is highly encouraged.  (In point of fact, I have
seen many of you provide information not only on your own products, but even
that of other vendors.  Every time I see this I try remember who has
provided this information;  you will be getting my business whenever
possible.)  The "don't does" are common sense: Don't send out unsolicited
information, and don't criticize the competition.  The first don't I have
seen only rarely; I don't remember seeing the other at all.  Basically,
civility and common sense should be your guide.

But civility and common sense should apply to the rest of us as well.  And I
have seen various degrees of lapses here from our members.  I truly hope
that everyone really thinks before sending anything critical over the
HistoNet.  I truly hope that our archive will not reflect displays of
rancor. We are diverse group with many different opinions, and any one of us
may end up stepping over the line.  Who has not been tempted to fire off a
quick reply to an issue that just punched our buttons?  But ALL of us need
the information you vendors so generously supply.  If you have been offended
by anyone on the HistoNet, I personally apologize. I also apologize if I am
offending anyone right now.

I hope that any of you who have stopped replying openly will reconsider.
The vendors have helped make the HistoNet what it is in many ways.  I do NOT
want to lose what we have.

Sincerely,

Joseph A. Saby, BA HT
Diagnostic Pathology, Pathology & Experimental Toxicology
Parke-Davis/Int. Pharm. Res. Div. Warner-Lambert
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Phone: (734) 622-3631
Fax:     (734) 622-5718
e-mail:  Joseph.Saby@wl.com