Re: A2Central News

["PZ" <skierpaul@yahoo.com>]

Michael J. Mahon wrote:
> My only regret is that when we provide "more forums" for a2 folk, the
> community is actually chopped up into finer pieces.
>
> I will check out the new venue, but a part of me regrets that we aren't
> forming fewer, larger communities rather than more, smaller ones.
>
> Nothing personal--but do you see my point?

While I agree that we need not fragment the community further, I don't
see A2 Central offering message boards a step in the direction of
fragmentation.

First, with Syndicomm closing their doors, I anticipate seeing most of
those users migrating to the moderated format of A2 Central, and not
Usenet.  Those who frequent both outlets will continue doing so.  This
won't be a split-up of users, just a migration.

Likewise, I see increased activity in forums like CSA2.programmer since
I doubt that there will be a need for 2 seperate programming forums on
A2central.  This will essentially be a merger of 2 excellent Apple II
programmer message boards.  (I'm speculating here, since I don't know
the true details)

CSA2 may see an increase in activity since there will be more exposure
to it via its availibility on A2 Central and exposure to former
Syndicomm users.  There's gobs of Apple II users out there who have no
clue that Usenet exists, however these are users which find the
A2Central site due to the fact that so many web pages and search
engines point to it.  Its difficult to steer people in the direction of
CSA2 unless you direct them to google groups first.

There will always be great discussions on CSA2 because, as far as I see
it, I don't envsion people "leaving" usenet for A2central, instead I
see them adding the extra "global quickscan" of the messages there when
they go to the site to check up on the latest A2 News.  Also people use
Usenet for other things than reading CSA2, CSA2 is a natural inclusion
if you're a fan of the Apple II, so readership certainly won't be lost.

- Paul