[MCN-L] NYBG's Google vs. Exchange conclusions for 2008

Thu Apr 17 10:56:54 PDT 2008

We (IT) did somewhat of an evaluation to consider whether to upgrade Exchange or migrate the Google (for email service, not for office-type apps). Clearly Google can do a much better job maintaining physical infrastructure and providiing loads of storage space that we ever could internally. As far as email/caledaring features and capabilities, it was a wash as far as the stuff we find useful here. User Interface? They both stink equally bad.

  Why did we decide it was not ready for primetime at NYBG? The management tools for things we deem critical (user management, user security, forcing password complexity and periodic changes, folder share security, etc etc- ) were just more trouble than it was worth. Has nothing to do with email per se, but as they say, it's the little things that getcha. Maybe next year.

  Patrick Clancy

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Today's Topics:

1. Google mail versus MS Exchange or others (Nancy Pinn)
2. Re: Google mail versus MS Exchange or others (Stan Orchard)
3. Job Posting: Indiana Historical Society Collections Survey
Assistant (Stacy Klingler)
4. Re: Google mail versus MS Exchange or others (Chuck Patch)
5. Re: Google mail versus MS Exchange or others (Leonard Steinbach)
6. Re: Google mail versus MS Exchange or others (Ari Davidow)
7. Re: Google mail versus MS Exchange or others (Chuck Patch)
8. Re: Google mail versus MS Exchange or others (Stan Orchard)
9. Re: Google mail versus MS Exchange or others (Leonard Steinbach)
10. Google v. Exchange, Field Museum, and consulting (Julie Brubaker)
11. Re: Google mail versus MS Exchange or others (Dueker, Peter)
12. Re: Google mail versus MS Exchange or others (Perian Sully)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:07:05 -0400
From: "Nancy Pinn" 
Subject: [MCN-L] Google mail versus MS Exchange or others
To: 
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

We are taking a look at switching from Microsoft Exchange to Google mail
for our email services. I am curious if any of you have made this
switch or have given it any serious consideration. Any thoughts you
would care to share will be appreciated.

Please feel free to communicate with me directly at npinn at thewalters.org
or calling me on 410-246-8339.

Thanks,

Nancy

Nancy C. Pinn

Director of Information Technology

The Walters Art Museum

600 North Charles Street

Baltimore MD 21201

410-547-9000 ext 339

410-246-8339 - direct dial

410-244-5870 - fax 

www.thewalters.org

------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:05:20 -0700
From: Stan Orchard 
Subject: Re: [MCN-L] Google mail versus MS Exchange or others
To: Museum Computer Network Listserv 
Message-ID: <85A89908-8A3C-4A4D-8483-FEE62FDC7923 at mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

I'd love to see any comments here on the list. Thanks!

On Apr 15, 2008, at 11:07 AM, Nancy Pinn wrote:
> We are taking a look at switching from Microsoft Exchange to Google 
> mail
> for our email services. I am curious if any of you have made this
> switch or have given it any serious consideration. Any thoughts you
> would care to share will be appreciated.
>
>
>
> Please feel free to communicate with me directly at 
> npinn at thewalters.org
> or calling me on 410-246-8339.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Nancy
>
>
>
>
>
> Nancy C. Pinn
>
> Director of Information Technology
>
> The Walters Art Museum
>
> 600 North Charles Street
>
> Baltimore MD 21201
>
> 410-547-9000 ext 339
>
> 410-246-8339 - direct dial
>
> 410-244-5870 - fax
>
> www.thewalters.org
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum 
> Computer Network (http://www.mcn.edu)
>
> To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l at mcn.edu
>
> To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit:
> http://toronto.mediatrope.com/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l

------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:59:40 -0400
From: Stacy Klingler 
Subject: [MCN-L] Job Posting: Indiana Historical Society Collections
Survey Assistant
To: "'mcn-l at mcn.edu'" 
Message-ID:
<02815F70499A464CAB1C9299002DDFFD113CE945B6 at exchange.indianahistory.local>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

COLLECTIONS, CONSERVATION, PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND PRESS: LOCAL HISTORY SERVICES
COLLECTIONS SURVEY ASSISTANT
TEMPORARY, PART-TIME
16 MONTHS, MAY 2008 THROUGH AUGUST 2009

About the Indiana Historical Society
The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) seeks candidates for the temporary, part-time position of Collections Survey Assistant in its Local History Services (LHS) department. Since 1830, IHS-an independent, nonprofit membership organization located in Indianapolis-has worked to collect, preserve, interpret and share information about Indiana history through its collections, publications, and programs. For more information about IHS, please visit our Web site at www.indianahistory.org.

About the position
The LHS department serves the needs of local historical organizations throughout the state by providing guidance, training opportunities, loaned resources (mostly publications), etc. The Collections Survey Assistant will assist in the development, production, distribution, data collection, and preliminary analysis of a statewide assessment of collections conservation need for an IMLS grant-funded survey. Complete job description available upon request.

Essential knowledge, abilities, and skills
Applicants must possess a respect for historical research materials and the people working at the local level with regards to collecting, preserving, and interpreting history along with a high regard for history, the historical profession, and the mission of the Indiana Historical Society. Applicants should also have a knowledge of history society and museum operations and management as well as a knowledge of basic collections care practices for heritage collections. The position requires tact, diplomacy, sensitivity, and discretion, and the ability to work and communicate well with a variety of people, including volunteers and staff of local history organizations. Strong written and oral communication skills are also musts, along with experience in developing public presentations and using AV equipment. Position requires flexibility and an ability to order tasks and follow through without close supervision as well as promptness, reliability plus the ability to meet dea
dlines, solve problems, and estimate costs and maintain budget.

Qualifications

Required:

1. BA in history, government, social sciences, museum studies or related field.
2. Excellent keyboarding skills.
3. Excellent working knowledge of database management (Access) and word processing software (Word).
4. Must have automobile, valid driver's license, and willingness to travel as needed and requested by Director, Local History Services.

Preferred:

1. Experience setting up and administering databases.
2. Familiarity with Internet protocols and discussion groups.
3. Familiarity with the Heritage Health Index and PastPerfect database software.
4. At least two years experience working in the nonprofit environment, such as a museum, historical society, or public service agency.

Pay and benefits
The position is budgeted for up to 20 hours/week with a flexible schedule between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday for 16 months from May 2008 through August 2009. Pay offered will be basted on experience and skills; lower end of pay range is around $13.50/hour. Part-time employees are not eligible for group health and dental insurance, but are eligible to participate in voluntary benefits. Other benefits include free parking, staff discount at History Market and caf?, reciprocal benefits at other cultural institutions in Indianapolis.

How to apply
Applications will be accepted until position is filled. Please send a letter of application, resume, and the names, current addresses and telephone numbers of three references to: Susan P. Brown, Vice President, Human Resources, Indiana Historical Society, Eugene and Marilyn Glick, Indiana History Center, 450 W. Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202. Fax: (317) 234-0076.

************************************************
Stacy Klingler
Assistant Director, Local History Services
Indiana Historical Society
Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center
450 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3269
317.233.3110
317.234.0427 (fax)
sklingler at indianahistory.org
www.indianahistory.org/lhs

------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:32:56 -0400
From: "Chuck Patch" 
Subject: Re: [MCN-L] Google mail versus MS Exchange or others
To: "Museum Computer Network Listserv" 
Message-ID:
<639de3630804160632y3206620fkbe3270f7c4983af7 at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I'd be interested in learning what led you to consider this option.

Chuck Patch

On Tue, Apr 15, 2008 at 2:05 PM, Stan Orchard wrote:

> I'd love to see any comments here on the list. Thanks!
>
> On Apr 15, 2008, at 11:07 AM, Nancy Pinn wrote:
> > We are taking a look at switching from Microsoft Exchange to Google
> > mail
> > for our email services. I am curious if any of you have made this
> > switch or have given it any serious consideration. Any thoughts you
> > would care to share will be appreciated.
> >
> >
> >
> > Please feel free to communicate with me directly at
> > npinn at thewalters.org
> > or calling me on 410-246-8339.
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Nancy
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Nancy C. Pinn
> >
> > Director of Information Technology
> >
> > The Walters Art Museum
> >
> > 600 North Charles Street
> >
> > Baltimore MD 21201
> >
> > 410-547-9000 ext 339
> >
> > 410-246-8339 - direct dial
> >
> > 410-244-5870 - fax
> >
> > www.thewalters.org
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum
> > Computer Network (http://www.mcn.edu)
> >
> > To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l at mcn.edu
> >
> > To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit:
> > http://toronto.mediatrope.com/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l
>
> _______________________________________________
> You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer
> Network (http://www.mcn.edu)
>
> To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l at mcn.edu
>
> To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit:
> http://toronto.mediatrope.com/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l
>

------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:43:32 -0400
From: "Leonard Steinbach" 
Subject: Re: [MCN-L] Google mail versus MS Exchange or others
To: "Museum Computer Network Listserv" 
Message-ID:

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

I have been strongly urging cultural institutions, especially those with
minimal or overworked, overstretched technology staffs to give serious
consideration to moving to G-mail under their education/non-profit
organization program. Many colleges/universities have been going, or are
considering going, this route, with Arizona State University among the
leaders in this. (they have been a bit radical in some other technology
approaches as well). The academic sector may prove a good role model in
this.

I wont recapitulate the full apps
programbut the
increased storage capacity, sophisticated spam filtering, easy
access to other google apps , migration assistance, retention of
institutional email addressing, ease of remote access, become compelling
cases for evaluation. Undoubtedly one factor would be the extent to which
specialized features of Exchange used by staff can not be easily replaced.

I have long posited that, generally speaking, the core competency of
museums is not the management of complex systems, but the creative use of
them and that museums should be vigilant in periodically reevaluating where
there time and costs are dedicated.

For some museums, internal email management may be appropriate, but for many
it probably no longer is. In an era of increasing emergence of webware as
an effective application strategy, legacy, in-house systems will come under
increasing scrutiny. I think Email is a start.

On Wed, Apr 16, 2008 at 9:32 AM, Chuck Patch wrote:

> I'd be interested in learning what led you to consider this option.
>
> Chuck Patch
>
> On Tue, Apr 15, 2008 at 2:05 PM, Stan Orchard wrote:
>
> > I'd love to see any comments here on the list. Thanks!
> >
> > On Apr 15, 2008, at 11:07 AM, Nancy Pinn wrote:
> > > We are taking a look at switching from Microsoft Exchange to Google
> > > mail
> > > for our email services. I am curious if any of you have made this
> > > switch or have given it any serious consideration. Any thoughts you
> > > would care to share will be appreciated.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Please feel free to communicate with me directly at
> > > npinn at thewalters.org
> > > or calling me on 410-246-8339.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Nancy
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Nancy C. Pinn
> > >
> > > Director of Information Technology
> > >
> > > The Walters Art Museum
> > >
> > > 600 North Charles Street
> > >
> > > Baltimore MD 21201
> > >
> > > 410-547-9000 ext 339
> > >
> > > 410-246-8339 - direct dial
> > >
> > > 410-244-5870 - fax
> > >
> > > www.thewalters.org
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum
> > > Computer Network (http://www.mcn.edu)
> > >
> > > To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l at mcn.edu
> > >
> > > To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit:
> > > http://toronto.mediatrope.com/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum
> Computer
> > Network (http://www.mcn.edu)
> >
> > To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l at mcn.edu
> >
> > To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit:
> > http://toronto.mediatrope.com/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l
> >
> _______________________________________________
> You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer
> Network (http://www.mcn.edu)
>
> To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l at mcn.edu
>
> To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit:
> http://toronto.mediatrope.com/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l
>

------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:08:56 -0400
From: "Ari Davidow" 
Subject: Re: [MCN-L] Google mail versus MS Exchange or others
To: "Museum Computer Network Listserv" 
Message-ID:
<747cfaf50804160908w5a0a07aewea80a33cf4b2efd6 at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

If you are not using any other features of Outlook (and I am thinking mostly
about the ability to schedule meetings which is a major sanity check in our
small organization--how much more so in larger ones?) than gmail has a lot
of advantages over Outlook. But we have found that our staff hate using
google apps--they simply won't use it as a replacement to office, and that
they reject the overall set of applications (google calendar, gmail, google
apps).

At the same time, I fully agree with the proposition that museums should not
be worrying about maintaining an Exchange server and the like. We outsource
those services (indeed, all IT server, backup, helpdesk stuff) to a local
company. If that is an option, it may fit staff preferences and needs, at
this time, better than using the Google tools (or, to consider a somewhat
more advanced, but still uncompelling free alternative, Zoho).

A year from now, I am hoping to answer this question differently.

ari

On Wed, Apr 16, 2008 at 10:43 AM, Leonard Steinbach 
wrote:

> I have been strongly urging cultural institutions, especially those with
> minimal or overworked, overstretched technology staffs to give serious
> consideration to moving to G-mail under their education/non-profit
> organization program. Many colleges/universities have been going, or are
> considering going, this route, with Arizona State University among the
> leaders in this. (they have been a bit radical in some other technology
> approaches as well). The academic sector may prove a good role model in
> this.
>
> I wont recapitulate the full apps
> programbut the
> increased storage capacity, sophisticated spam filtering, easy
> access to other google apps , migration assistance, retention of
> institutional email addressing, ease of remote access, become compelling
> cases for evaluation. Undoubtedly one factor would be the extent to which
> specialized features of Exchange used by staff can not be easily
> replaced.
>
> I have long posited that, generally speaking, the core competency of
> museums is not the management of complex systems, but the creative use of
> them and that museums should be vigilant in periodically reevaluating
> where
> there time and costs are dedicated.
>
> For some museums, internal email management may be appropriate, but for
> many
> it probably no longer is. In an era of increasing emergence of webware as
> an effective application strategy, legacy, in-house systems will come
> under
> increasing scrutiny. I think Email is a start.
>
>
>
>
>
> 
>
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Apr 16, 2008 at 9:32 AM, Chuck Patch 
> wrote:
>
> > I'd be interested in learning what led you to consider this option.
> >
> > Chuck Patch
> >
> > On Tue, Apr 15, 2008 at 2:05 PM, Stan Orchard 
> wrote:
> >
> > > I'd love to see any comments here on the list. Thanks!
> > >
> > > On Apr 15, 2008, at 11:07 AM, Nancy Pinn wrote:
> > > > We are taking a look at switching from Microsoft Exchange to Google
> > > > mail
> > > > for our email services. I am curious if any of you have made this
> > > > switch or have given it any serious consideration. Any thoughts you
> > > > would care to share will be appreciated.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Please feel free to communicate with me directly at
> > > > npinn at thewalters.org
> > > > or calling me on 410-246-8339.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > >
> > > > Nancy
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Nancy C. Pinn
> > > >
> > > > Director of Information Technology
> > > >
> > > > The Walters Art Museum
> > > >
> > > > 600 North Charles Street
> > > >
> > > > Baltimore MD 21201
> > > >
> > > > 410-547-9000 ext 339
> > > >
> > > > 410-246-8339 - direct dial
> > > >
> > > > 410-244-5870 - fax
> > > >
> > > > www.thewalters.org
> > > >
>

------------------------------

Message: 7
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:20:04 -0400
From: "Chuck Patch" 
Subject: Re: [MCN-L] Google mail versus MS Exchange or others
To: "Museum Computer Network Listserv" 
Message-ID:
<639de3630804160920p6ebfee57y838ee197a5af7302 at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

OK. I held off hijacking the thread until someone else did it for me..

Interesting. During the month(s) our internal systems were down following
Katrina, I set up initial communications among the staff using Google groups
and set up people without personal email accounts on Google mail. While we
later developed an online staff directory that people could personally
update while on the road, it was the initial use of the Google group that
allowed us to get in contact. Although I suspect that there would still be
significant resistance among our tech folk, the truth is that there is
nothing that our institution does with Exchange that couldn't be done in
Google mail, which is another way of saying that no one uses any of the
useful features in Exchange, such as meeting scheduling etc. Or rather, a
handful will and the rest never pay attention to those features which makes

=== message truncated ===

---------------------------------
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