0-=> Quoting MICHEL SAMSON to SCOTT ADAMS <=-

 MS> About "Telegard Multi-Node List" of November 10 and previous
 MS> posts: 
 SA> We had many folks who would help...  It's not much fun anymore...
 SD> ...yet you don't want to consider going telnet to get users.
 SA> Telnet is NOT the solution.

 MS> The average posting frequency, during the last five months,
 MS> doesn't even reach one message a day and i can see why you'll quit as
 MS> moderator!

     Well its ...many reasons.  I've done it for years.  Its not like
     this echo NEEDS a moderator.  Its just if I disconnect that
     job I can maybe dislink other things and when i do need to
     close down I can.  Its just one step closer.  Its like on my
     bbs.  I'm deleting various old doors that aren't used.  Its
     a monthly process a game or two a month.  Its sorta a step
     closer to it.  I don't want to close but eventually I feel
     I may have to.  After 20 plus years its harder and harder to
     do things in the bbs area.  (BLah blah blah excuses :))

 MS> It's not so clear how newbies happen to discover our hobby and
 MS> much less what can make them turn into long-term users in the 21th
 MS> century, i am not even sure why some of those who already are haven't
 MS> switched to a completely different activity...  I joined a few HTTP and
 MS> NNTP forums in which one can seek help and hope to get it but there's a
 MS> catch:  threads are very short-lived and participants often compete to
 MS> post an answer to an anonymous guy who simply disapears after he got
 MS> his free on-line tip!

     Yep.  Its harder and harder to keep new users.  

 MS> Memory serves little else but egos in most TelNet-free places i
 MS> was able to visit so far, is that really a coincidence?  I think BBSers
 MS> will be better keep what makes their hobby unique and develop what they
 MS> have.

     I'm not bashing telnet.  I'm just saying most sysops assume that
     if their dead boards suddenly go to telnet they'll have 100 plus
     callers a day.  Overnight.  Its not a solution.  If a board
     is dead for one reason its likely will be dead in telnet.  Maybe
     bad sysop or lack of sysop or good bbs design ..etc...etc..

 MS> I hate to write this but the author of SynchroNet done exactly
 MS> that by creating his own 32-Bits ZMoDem driver lately:  TelNet file
 MS> transfers never worked 100 % flawlessly and someone decided to change
 MS> it, at last!

     :)

 MS> Memory isn't specific to BBSing and not even moderation but i
 MS> found out the competition isn't less abusive than some of our own
 MS> SysOps...  A few users like me will lurk around as long as the balance
 MS> hasn't tilted, i'd welcome guys who will try to add some weight in the
 MS> BBS plate again. 
 MS> Who knows:  fix it (or renew it) and the BBSers might stop
 MS> quiting! 

     Yep.  I'm a coward.  At least in the area of closing down.  I know
     I should.  I know the last 3 years have been a hard one and a
     major decline in every area of cyberspace.  But I'm still too
     stubborn and chicken to close down.  :)  After 20+ years I'd
     go insane without it.  

     But someday...I'll have to...

... "I'm needed HERE." - Franklin  
--- Fringe BBS