DT> Nothing to it. Saying exactly what I'm thinking usually gets me in
 DT> trouble instead though. ;)
Same here.
 DT> That's a selling point as far as I'm concerned. I'm not anti teen, I
 DT> own a couple myself. I just want to communicate with people who've
 DT> lived long enough to be interesting.
I hatched three myself. i am not anti-teen either - I just feel there
is a more appropriate place for things like POISON RULEZZZ!!!
There are a couple of teens here on my board that are really neat
kids. They are participants, bright, witty and they are not afraid to
ask questions. Some are better than some of the adults. (:
I have a screen on my opening - before you even enter your name .. it
says .. STUPIDITY IS NOT A HANDICAPP - Please park elsewhere! I get a
couple dropped carriers a day right there.
 DT> That's the beauty of the BBS community, the wide cross section of
 DT> humanity. Plus a few witty ladies as regulars are a good draw as
 DT> well. Not unlike a couple of real pretty barmaids.
I would give anything for some adult conversation. I get so tired of
flame wars, categorizations, and garbage. That is why I like this
echo. It is friendly (generally), constructive and helpfull.
 DT> So how's your Newbie support ? I take it your board is not a primary
 DT> source of income so is the wife or someone around to walk them through
 DT> any problems they might encounter?
WIFE? Wife? wife?????? No thank you. Single here and parent of a three
year old! That is enough stress, thank you please. (:
I try to help where I can - but I have a low tolerance for idiots.
When some one logs on and leaves a stupid message like - HOW DO I
DOWNLOAD FILES OFF THIS )(*)(*(( BBS? Then you break into chat to try
and help - you ask what communications program they use ... and the
response is ... DUH! I just click on the phone in Windows --- there
has never been a more appropriate time for the ALT-H (Drop carrier
switch).
After 10 years of this - I have really become a jerk, huh?? (:
I help where I can - but they must have at least 1 active brain cell.
 DT> understand it's a thankless job you're doing and appreciate the effort
 DT> and investment involved for the small return you receive. Frankly you
 DT> couldn't run fast enough to catch me and make me do it.
Man, what I would not give for someone to leave a not saying thanks!
Just a note that says - I really don't have a lot to contribute - but
I enjoy your efforts. That would garner them permanent access for
life!
 DT> about 14 regulars, one general message area with no private messages
 DT> and a whole bunch files. The draw for me was all the users were old
 DT> retired guys that made up a wonderful pool of life experience to draw
I have tried to start conversations - seed message areas - it doesn't
work here.
 DT> and went to a point on another board. He told me "Dan, these points
 DT> are the wave of the future. It gives your users all the benefits of
 DT> running a board and none of the headaches."
Still a very interesting concept.
 DT> I've done that. We're just in a hurry to get through the log in.
Hurry? Three or four questions that help me help you? Some login
questionares are stupid. I have already entered my name, city and
phone number -- dont ask me again! But I am more than happy to tell a
sysop what I am interested in and what I am calling for. Just too bad
that they never read them.
 DT> The principle is still sound. My opinion of internet access is this.
 DT> In six months it won't matter if you're the biggest board in North
 DT> America you will not be able to compete with AT&T, MCI, TCI or the
There is no interest here for me in the internet. I have my own domain
for my use - and offer it to the callers.
 DT> Your facing the same problem cable tv did 15 years ago. How do we get
 DT> people to pay for what they always gotten for free? They did it by
 DT> offering a little more than the free off-airs at an artificially low
There is not a whole lot of add-ons anymore. I have stock updates
(hourly), Sports (hourly) Soap Opera updates, lotto winning numbers,
weather, ski reports .. I dont think anyone has ever even looked at
them.
Service is important - but there is a limit to service - when there is
no reciprocal benefit. Some people want service without making a
purchase. Proof of that is the PC industry. There are sooo many people
that dont flinch at buying a discount PC and then calling up a
full-service computer store and asking for support.
Michael Hughes
internet: hu8989mi@meteor.uscolo.edu
Moderator: SINGLE_PARENTING
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