Phil Edwards wrote:
Paul K. would seem to me to be an exception. From what I can tell he's at APC because they have a strong Crypt group and he pretty much stays to that and the physiology/emersed culture sub-forums.
I don't know if I have the energy to moderate another forum. Recently I got an automated email message from APC warning that my number of posts had dropped below some certain level and reminding me that moderators should stay more active. I also have the feeling that many people in the hobby have advanced way beyond me, and that I have contributed about all I can. I also have the feeling that I am spending too much time on APC and not enough on my neglected tanks and dying plants :-(
I was originally drawn to APC because (1) In a forum setting you can post pictures, and (2) Forums are much more organized around topics than mailing lists. I have seen APC get huge with thousands of subscribers and its own dedicated server. It takes a lot of organization to run APC. You need programmers, and you need a lawyer. With Art Giacosa, APC has both in one person, but even Art relies on mpre specialized programmers. All the planted tank forums have their own aquascaping competitions, their own photo albums, their own illustrated plant directories, their own shrimp forums, their own algae forums, their own beginner's forums, their own equipment forums, their own clubs and societies forums, etc. Some planted tank fourms already feel challenged by others. I have seen APC fend off an agressive challenge from, as I recall, Plantgeek. All the planted tank forums have to identify and kick out the roving trolls, spammers, and just plain nuts.
If AGA is really serious about starting up a forum, I believe it has got to find its own niche where it does not directly compete in all aspects with other planted tank forums.
There is one area---experimentation---that I suggested that APC set up a forum on, but got no interest. This is also an area where I feel I can still contribute something. I would be interested in moderating a forum for people interested in doing experiments on aquatic plants.
-- Paul Krombholz in sunny central Mississippi _______________________________________________ AGA-mcm mailing list AGA-mcm@thekrib.com http://lists.thekrib.com/mailman/listinfo/aga-mcm