Re: Unmoderating the list

["Karen Randall" <krandall@rdrcpa.biz>]

Hi Dennis,

I only saw this this morning, as I have been in Europe for the last 3 weeks.
Of course we don't want you to feel obligated to anything you are not happy
to do anyway, so don't worry about it.  There is no doubt that in terms of
size and membership, the AGA is "small potatoes".  But if you look at how
far we've come in 15 years, with a small handful of dedicated volunteers, I
think it is remarkable.

I also think that your points are interesting, though as a non-computer
person, I wouldn't begin to know how to go about improving them.  I have
cc'd this to the BOD, so that they can see your comments.

The one comment I _can_ address is the one about member numbers in regards
to the status of TAG in color.  I don't know who made the comment, or in
what context, as I have been away for several weeks.  But I do know that
membership numbers and color TAG are closely linked.  I strongly believe
that both need the other.  Our members have been overwhelmingly positive
about the new color TAG.  We want to be able to keep providing a high
quality, visually attractive publication FOR OUR MEMBERS.  There is
absolutely no other reason to even produce a magazine.

So yes, we do want to encourage more membership (as well as get more
advertisers) so that we can keep TAG in color.  But the end goal is to grow
the organization into one that is more visible in the hobby, and can do even
MORE for our members.  I am sure you are aware that there are great
economies of scale, and in terms of printing costs, we are just wavering on
the edge of "being there".

I hope that answers that part of your post somewhat.

I'm sure that Erik would agree with you that it would be nice for AGA to be
more "visible" on the web.  But please remember that AGA and the KRIB are
only linked because Erik was nice enough to offer to house us there. The
KRIB started as a small project meant for Erik's personal enjoyment and
"blossomed" from there in cooperation between MANY hobbyists, from those
from the old usenet newsgroups, up through the APD and AGA joining too.  I'm
also sure that everyone who has access to it would prefer that it was easier
to "search" for information more easily.

But Erik, like you, has a "day job" that take up a great deal of his
time.<g>  On top of that, he also works tirelessly on numerous AGA projects,
as well as being our rudder at the moment.  I don't think there is any doubt
that a firm that was paid to take all these pieces and redesign a completely
new website and and interface system could improve on it.  But I'm sure you
know better than I the number of hours it would take, and how much it would
cost!  We can only ask so much of our volunteers, and then we get back to
the old money thing, which depends almost entirely on membership size.  It's
a constant balancing act, one we're doing our best to manage.

If you think you have the time to invest in helping to improve the website,
I suspect that Erik would welcome your input.  If not, we'll have to live
with the one we have until/unless another volunteer comes along who can
invest the time and expertise needed.

As I said in the beginning, we welcome your input.  We are always open to
new ideas.  Unfortunately, what we'd LIKE to do has to be balanced with the
amount of volunteer hours people can put into the organization, and the
amount of money in the treasury.

Thanks for your thoughts,

Karen

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dennis Sheridan" <dilvish@pacbell.net>
To: <krandall@rdrcpa.biz>
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2003 7:13 PM
Subject: Unmoderating the list


> Hi, Karen.
>
> Not that it will matter an iota, I think, but I'm going to withdraw
> as moderator for the AGA list. As you may remember, I only
> volunteered in an effort to help grow the list. Since that time I
> have learned a few things as well as getting a better picture of the
> current landscape. You may also remember my background, which is
> business oriented in the computer press. My experience has been
> totally devoted to acquiring market share and drive subscriptions.
> With that in mind, I ask you to understand this is how I arrived at
> my perspective.
>
> The AGA list is virtually invisible on the web. In fact, a Google
> search can find only one instance of it being quoted, and that on
> the APD list. thekrib hosts the list, but has no link or reference
> to it that I can find. All thekrib does in point back to the AGA.
> The TAG magazine makes no reference to the list, and in fact has a
> column devoted to reprising messages from the APD.
>
> Then there is the 'institution' or the current 'establishment', if
> you will, on the APD. I have issues with some of the cretins, er,
> hobbyists, on that list and looked forward to building a different
> community. One that wasn't so closed and.. well, cliquish..  Given
> the particular mindset there, building a good community to compete
> with them will take far more time and effort than I can spare on a
> voluntary basis. Of course, it would also be impossible without
> addressing the issues above.
>
> I also have serious problems with thekrib, which is presented in a
> disorganized and outdated manner.  Not that I mean to criticize Erik
> in any way. He deserves enormous credit and congratulations for what
> he has achieved there. But my background has been about providing
> information in a coherent, up-to-date, and easy to find fashion. My
> salary depended upon having an enviroment that was favored over the
> cometition's. My  FAQ, White Paper, Resource, etc. areas were
> totally different both in presentation and style. Frankly, I can't
> imagine how anyone can find the exact info they are looking for ther
> e when the only thing they can do is scroll through a screen full of
> old newsgroup messages..  I was thinking about seeing whether you
> guys might be interested in updating..  but, again, the scope of the
> work is just too great and time-consuming on a volunteer basis.
>
> Finally, I was somewhat disturbed by a comment from another member.
> I was told that the AGA only wants to have enough subscribers to
> publish the TAG in full color. The implication being that there is
> no interest in growth or increasing the subscription base
> particularly. I have no idea concerning the validity of the remark,
> but just the fact that it exists and is a perception among the
> community is enough for me.
>
> So, you can see given my perspective and background I am ill-suited
> as a moderator for you. And, as I said, just as well probably.
> Traffic has subsided and nothing I seem to say provokes any comment.
> Virtually everyone who chirped up last month has disappeared again.
> I suspect you need one of those 'good old boys' from the APD to keep
> things going.  Anyway, thanks for the opportunity and good luck to
> the AGA and the list. I'll surely be lurking there and if I have any
> questions or comments to make, I'm sure to post them to the AGA list
> first, for whatever that's worth.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Dennis
>
>


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