We want to reassure readers that, at this point, given the results of the survey we do not plan to eliminate email access. From the start, we were committed to making MTO accessible to as wide an audience as possible. This is especially important because the readership for the kind of music-theoretical discourse published in MTO is relatively small to begin with. Until a clear majority of readers can access MTO via the Web, at least with the text-only browser, Lynx, MTO will continue to be available in both ASCII and HTML formats, and will be delivered through email, gopher, ftp, and the Web.
2. Most respondents did not feel that the elimination of ASCII-only MTO material would be much inconvenience, but at least seven strongly opposed such a move.
3. A number of people were confused by the section of the survey on Lynx (rightly so, be it said; the survey was not worded clearly). Lynx is a software package for Web browsing for use with terminals without graphics capabilities (i.e., the typical email terminal, "VT-100"). It delivers documents relatively clearly, and in the opinion of a number of respondents has been used satisfactorily, if not ideally, for their Web needs. It delivers a document that looks similar to an email message. Graphics and sound files may be saved for eventual downloading to a machine capable of displaying them.
The reason we asked about Lynx is that it may prove useful for those who like email format and are unable to obtain the TCP/IP or SLIP/PPP connections required for Netscape or other graphical browsers. We were not suggesting withdrawal of graphical designs compatible with Netscape, as some Web users feared. Rather, we were exploring the possibility of moving to HTML only, and servicing with Lynx those who were reluctant to abandon email delivery.
The number of respondents unfamiliar with Lynx suggests that an information message about that software should be prepared and distributed. We'll see to that in the near future.
4. Respondents were kind and enthusiastic about MTO services. Many people identified favorite parts of MTO, including articles, dissertation listings, mto-talk discussion, online indices and the SMT database, the recent books section, and so on.
Little was suggested for elimination. Predictably, one or two who did not use gopher or ftp suggested their removal, and there was one suggestion to improve the masthead.
Suggestions for additions included a music theory links page; a music software info/faq link page; provision of full-text search capabilities for the archives; adding a section on conference reviews (e.g. ATMI or CMS); a section oriented specifically to composition; a version of Music Theory Spectrum online; and requests for more help on printing examples and figures. A few of these suggestions are already under consideration, e.g. the info/faq page (including help on printing musical examples), and a full-text search service for the MTO archive. Subscription to Music Theory Spectrum, SMT's print journal, is coupled with membership in the Society. Thus an online version of the journal, if ever implemented, must be by paid membership only. Spectrum is overseen by the SMT Publications Committee, and is now published by the Journals Division of the University of California Press. Any decision about a fee-based, online version must be reached by the Publications Committee and UC Press, and would have to be approved by the SMT Executive Board. The Publications Committee has discussed introducing a page of links to music theory resources on the Web but is concerned about the quality of the linked sites. The sites would need to be reviewed before being linked, and would require periodic monitoring to be sure they continue to meet SMT's standards of quality and relevance.
5. Most comments on the mechanics and content of MTO and mto-talk were favorable. Some suggestions proffered included: more biographical information on MTO authors; providing space in MTO to reply to articles appearing in other journals; presenting graphics within articles more smoothly (in-line images); and adding links to the discussion archives at the bottom of articles (if appropriate). Criticisms included a certain lack of discussion of twentieth-century music; a bias toward word-based articles due to the problem with presenting large and complex graphical images; and frustration at not being able to see and hear examples at the same time. Each of these comments, suggestions, and criticisms will be brought to the MTO Co-editorial Board for discussion and action.
mto-talk comments included consideration of limiting material by any individual author sent to mto-talk within a certain period; watching out for "subject header creep" and monitoring it more closely; and calls for participation from a broader readership.
Thanks again for your feedback. The number of enthusiastic and kind comments we received was heartening indeed! We're pleased that the readership is generally happy with MTO, and will continue to do our best to provide a top-quality journal. For the editors,
Bob Judd
MTO Manager
mto-manager@societymusictheory.org
Replacing Ann as a Co-editorial Board member is Catherine Nolan (Ph.D., Yale University 1990). Cathy taught at the University of Alberta from 1988-90, and since then at the University of Western Ontario (London, Ontario, Canada). She has published articles on the music of Webern and on the relationship of analysis and performance in *Canadian University Music Review*, *College Music Symposium*, and *Journal of Music Theory*. Her principal research interest is the twelve-tone music of Webern, and she is working on a large-scale study of that repertoire. She is also preparing a study of early twentieth-century harmonic theory with support from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. We welcome Cathy to the Board and look forward to working with her.
Lee A. Rothfarb, General Editor
Music Theory Online
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-6070
U.S.A.
mto-editor@societymusictheory.org
voice: (805) 893-7527 (with voice mail)
fax: (805) 893-7194