On Jan 19, 2026 10:05am, Ogg wrote to Mike:
Hello Mike!
** On Saturday 17.01.26 - 12:33, Mike wrote to All:
The forum has been around for about 21 months now and aims to bring
together information and data about this wonderful hobby under one roof.
Around 25,000 clicks per month show that it's at least being noticed!
What's wrong with having the same info and "bring together information" right in the technology that it aims to promote? ie. via echomail.
Nothing wrong with a web-forum interface for messages, but then export/share those messages in echomail here or via FTN.
--- OpenXP 5.0.64
* Origin: Ogg's Dovenet Point (723:320/1.9)
Dear Ogg
Theoretically, that should be doable, but unfortunately not with my level of knowledge! I can only refer people to contacts in the FTNs on the forum and,
if necessary, provide the required software. As I already wrote to Phigan, I don’t see the forum as competition, but as a possible starting point for those interested.
Whether it ultimately works also depends on the acceptance of the sysops in
the FTNs. As long as many see a forum as the enemy of the hobby, it will of course be harder for the initiator to present and explain the hobby in all its splendor and diversity. A lot has happened in almost 40 years of BBS history!
After I started trying a BBS again almost 3 years ago, and maybe because of
the kind of person I am, I tend to try to look at things from all sides and observe at the same time. During this time, I have seen FTNs and BBSs come and go. Whether it was due to a lack of acceptance, because the sysop had given
up, or unfortunately had passed away, or because the same topic started to be covered simultaneously on different commercial platforms which had inevitably led to the FTN becoming extinct on this topic.
So if I can no longer reverse a development, I should try to align myself with it and present information there as clearly and visually as possible, and ideally also consolidate it in one place. The visitor can then decide for themselves whether and how they might use it. We don’t just want to appeal to the 50-70+ year-olds, but also draw the younger generation’s attention to this hobby; at a place where they would search (Google for example).
I am concerned that 'we' may further isolate ourselves through our stance, since there is no agreement on how the hobby can be presented in the best way.
On the other hand: Why not support this project for a while with as much unity as possible? What do you have to lose? A simple example: If 250 people could spend 5 minutes of their time each week to introduce a new feature (hardware
or software), upload a program, or help solve a problem. Then even more people would become aware of this forum as a possible first point of contact for this hobby. The possibilities are truly diverse!
In any case, I do not see myself at all in the role of a traitor to the cause, but rather take a different approach to the solution!
... Platinum Xpress & Wildcat!..... Nice!!!!
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v7.0
* Origin: Global Chaos BBS, The Home of the Nets and Files (723:800/50)
þ Synchronet þ CAPCITY2 * Capitol City Online