Re: My favorite Apple II

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

---BEGIN RANTING POST---
I was simply responding to the statement that the two were seperate
entities.  I strongly believe that if Syndicomm never existed, then A2
central would have added message boards a long time ago.  Message
boards are a natural progression, whether or not the author originally
intended it or not.  Its why about every news site on the planet has a
message board or commentary area.  The fact that there is news, creates
demand for a venue for discussion of said news.  In the case of
A2central, the flow of information exchange is crippled due to the lack
of a direct interaction capability among its users (unless you schuck
out the cash.)  One might argue that the world might be a better place
if A2central ceased to exist, since another site might arise to fill
the void with extended capabilities for the benefit of the A2 community
as a whole, rather than for those who still want to pay money to be a
member of club "Genie."  Other online A2 specific message boards have
come and gone; none of which have been able to generate enough traffic
to sustain critical mass since they lack the draw of a central news
site.  A2 central has a lock on the news since most of the big guns in
the community direct their releases to A2central, and don't bother
elsewhere.  (yea, I know, Juiced GS is a seperate entity too, yeah
right.)

To more specifically answer you question, why should they provide them
in the first place?  A2 central should provide message forums because
that site is one of the first places where new or returning Apple II
users end up on the web when looking for help or information.  Yes,
csa2 is a great resource for this as well, however you have to ask your
self, "what fraction of the internet using population know that
A)usenet exists B)csa2 exists and C)know how to get to csa2?"  Besides,
ever try telling someone to find the BINSCII packed system 6.01 disks
on comp.binaries.apple2?

Some questins:  What percentage of the total online Apple II user
population has membership on Syndicomm?  Now, why should the other
portion of that total have to pay to have access to the people who are
the knowlege base of the Apple II community?  For the benefit of the
Apple II community, shouldn't the primary online "hangout" be someplace
that is publicly accessable to all?  (I am in favor of moderation of
turkeys and such, btw.)
---RANTING POST END---

- Paul