Re: comp.sys.apple2 yahoo group

["Michael J. Mahon" <mjmahon@aol.com>]

Sean Fahey wrote:
> "Michael J. Mahon" <mjmahon@aol.com> wrote in message
> CcidnQFpH9GYP6jeRVn-rQ@comcast.com">news:CcidnQFpH9GYP6jeRVn-rQ@comcast.com...
>
>
> > It's not "growth" that's the problem.  It's splintering an
> > already small community into shards that are even more likely
> > to be sub-critical mass.
>
>
> I'm all for people trying to start more Apple II sites and resources. It may
> seem like there is a division of resources, redundancy, etc. but I take it
> as we're not keeping all our proverbial eggs in the same basket - we aren't
> overly dependant on one resource, or susceptible to it's loss. Instead of
> redundant effort, we have redundant backup.
>
> I also believe that users will go where they feel most comfortable or get
> the most value. Niches or SIGs form where people would likely be
> non-participants elsewhere. I also believe that unless a site or resource
> offers something special or unique not found anywhere else, or is REALLY
> good at what it does, then people won't use it, and it will die off. All
> that survival of the best, free market jazz etc.
>
> I'll use A2Central as an example. Eric never planned on it being the center
> of the A2 Universe - and whether it is or not isn't my point - just FYI, the
> site gets a lot of traffic so it's safe to say it's popular. Someone could
> make a bigger better site, add the same type of content plus a few
> value-added features and then suddenly, A2Central would be rendered
> obsolete, insignificant. A2C would have to either adapt, expand to survive
> or fade away.
>
> We can talk about community all day - because we are all here (or there)
> united by our common interests - but aside from a really dedicated core,
> most users are fickle and go where the "gettin' is good".

I'm largely in agreement with what you've said, with a few
qualifications...

Of all the Apple II "watering holes", CSA2 seems the least likely to
vanish without a trace.  It is widely known, much used, fully archived, 
and does not depend on anyone to make an expenditure for its continued
existence.

I acknowledge that many "internet newbies" are not aware of Usenet
newsgroups, and that they may find other forums more accessible.

But the vitality of a community is dependent upon its members staying
in touch, reading and communicating.  As the number of "communities"
increases, this becomes more onerous for anyone who would attempt to
keep them in communication.  I'm sure that there are many isolated
pockets of Apple II interest out there, thinking that they are the
only ones interested in the platform.

A stable meeting place, with a large community of users, is in all
our best interests.  Stability is most likely to come from distributed
support (like Usenet) rather than individual support (like most others).
And a large community is most likely to come from widely "marketing"
a few stable locations than from name-dropping many unstable ones.

Obviously, we can all do what we wish.  I was just pointing out a
potential dilution downside for all of us.

If we were a huge community (of thousands, say), then multiple
"narrowcasting" sites would be useful--like the "programmer",
"marketplace", and "emulation" newsgroups.  But I note that
with the current interest levels, even some of these are
relatively quiet.

-michael

Music synthesis for 8-bit Apple II's!
Home page:  http://members.aol.com/MJMahon/

"The wastebasket is our most important design
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