Hello, All.
An author I like, M. Pax, has an ebook of theirs available for free on several platforms.
https://books2read.com/u/47QZq3
It's a Space Opera style if I'm not mistaken.
Hi Charles! 16 Nov 20 07:06, you wrote to All:
Hello, All. An author I like, M. Pax, has an ebook of theirsEchomail could use a landing page like that with little icons that represent the various echos, and a FAQ on what echomail is and how
available for free on several platforms.
https://books2read.com/u/47QZq3 It's a Space Opera style if I'm
not mistaken.
to participate.
https://books2read.com/u/47QZq3
Echomail could use a landing page like that with little icons
that represent the various echos, and a FAQ on what echomail is
and how to participate.
BBSes have all of the options to do pretty much that. Just not
necessarily pretty buttons.
BBSes have all of the options to do pretty much that. Just notAn upgrade on layout would be good, especially when reading
necessarily pretty buttons.
through the various echos of a network. I think there is only one Sychronet bbs that organizes the echos into categories first:
Technical, Entertainment, Sysop, GeneralChat, etc.. and then all
the echos spanning any of the other networks are featured in those categories. Most BBSes organize by network, and then just list the
echos. A user does not always have a clear idea what echo is for
what. And then they have to look for the same thing in the next
network. The default Sychro webby-thing is a good example. Unless
the user has the habit of using Ctrl-F to look for a string (chat,
food, computer, books, music, etc) they are spending far too much
time looking at a long list, missing something, and give up.
Hello, August Abolins.
On 11/17/20 9:30 PM you wrote:
https://books2read.com/u/47QZq3
Echomail could use a landing page like that with little icons that
represent the various echos, and a FAQ on what echomail is and how
to participate.
BBSes have all of the options to do pretty much that. Just not
necessarily pretty buttons.
An upgrade on layout would be good, especially when reading
through the various echos of a network. I think there is only one
Sychronet bbs that organizes the echos into categories first:
That comes down to the various programs, and the Sysops.
I believe at least several programs have the option for at least short descriptions for the message areas. Whether or not they are used is to each Sysop.
Web interfaces, I couldn't say. I've not really studied them much.
Hello Charles! ** On Wednesday 18.11.20 - 14:08, Charles Pierson
wrote to August Abolins:
An upgrade on layout would be good, especially when reading
through the various echos of a network. I think there is only
one Sychronet bbs that organizes the echos into categories
first:
That comes down to the various programs, and the Sysops. IThe short descriptions can provide good info, but the lists are
believe at least several programs have the option for at least
short descriptions for the message areas. Whether or not they are
used is to each Sysop.
often unstructered, no sensical order. If someone is just
looking for all the potential programming echos - for example,
they would work well all in one short-list group.
BBSes have all of the options to do pretty much that. Just notMaybe. But how are you going to inform the user/
necessarily pretty buttons.
conversationalist that such a thing as echomail even exits when
they probably have it in their heads that BBSing from the 80's
is dead and requires retro computers to access?
There is nothing out that promotes that the othernets of yore
are still viable from modern devices.
Most potential users are reading blogs and forums that cater to
their interest. Ephemeral conversation is often limited to
Facebook - because that is all they know.
If there was a landing page that describes what echomail is and
how to use it (either via the Telegram app, or fTelnet or
whatever interface) then they can be informed about the strange
world of BBSing via their devices too.
I think the messaging component should be promoted first, *then*
the BBS. Not the other way around as it is now.
Telling them about echomail is somewhat useless without them
understanding BBSes are still here and operational, and do not require computers older than they are to access.
A "landing page" would do no more than any current BBS's Webpage now. It would still require a specific search for BBS related terms, so short of reading an article about BBSes somewhere, or seeing BBS and BBS networks mentioned in their favorite social media platform, they wouldn't know
what to look for.
Most potential users are reading blogs and forums that cater to
their interest. Ephemeral conversation is often limited to
Facebook - because that is all they know.
And a landing page found by Google searches won't change that.
If there was a landing page that describes what echomail is and
how to use it (either via the Telegram app, or fTelnet or
whatever interface) then they can be informed about the strange
world of BBSing via their devices too.
That's not going to happen via Googling it.
They will have to see it discussed via blogs, Tweets, Facebook posts, Instagram, whatever.
There has to be something attracting interest first.
I think the messaging component should be promoted first, *then*
the BBS. Not the other way around as it is now.
It goes hand in hand. BBS'S and amateur computer networks have been around longer than Zuckerberg has been alive. You're not buried in advertisements because you did a websearch about headphones once to get someone a gift.
But you can't simply say "Hey kids, you want echomail conferences about almost any topic you can think of?" Without also explaining about BBSes and how to use them.
Area lists are usually Alphabetical by Network, I've noticed.
There isn't much that can be done about that unless you can convince
every Sysop, Software writer, Echolist manager, and who ever else is involved that I might be leaving out to change that.
There is also something in Fidonet called ECHO ADS. It's specific
purpose is to let people know that there is an Echo about a topic. If a sysop isn't carrying a particular echo, a user can either ask the sysop
if they would, or find another BBS that does if the sysop in question doesn't want to.
There is Also Othernet ads, as well as BBS ad's which generally advertise what networks they have.
Much of the BBS and Fidonet experience has to be learned being in it.
Hello Charles! ** On Wednesday 18.11.20 - 19:25, Charles Pierson
wrote to August Abolins:
Area lists are usually Alphabetical by Network, I've noticed.The "better" systems could stand out. People can be steared to
There isn't much that can be done about that unless you can
convince every Sysop, Software writer, Echolist manager, and who
ever else is involved that I might be leaving out to change that.
those. It doesn't have to be every sysop that needs convincing.
There is also something in Fidonet called ECHO ADS. It'sBut the user has to already be in the echomail world to know
specific purpose is to let people know that there is an Echo
about a topic. If a sysop isn't carrying a particular echo, a
user can either ask the sysop if they would, or find another BBS
that does if the sysop in question doesn't want to.
about it.
There is Also Othernet ads, as well as BBS ad's which generallySame thing, as I stated above.
advertise what networks they have.
Much of the BBS and Fidonet experience has to be learned being inI am only suggesting that a few echos that are suitable for
it.
basic conversation would be a good entry point. The user can
discover more echos, what they are and what BBSes are during the converstions.
--
../|ug
--- OpenXP 5.0.47 * Origin: Mobile? Join CHAT here: https://tinyurl.com/y5k7tsla (2:221/1.58)
Hello Charles! ** On Wednesday 18.11.20 - 19:05, Charles Pierson
wrote to August Abolins:
Telling them about echomail is somewhat useless without themOne step at a time. The first step.. join an echo. Then they
understanding BBSes are still here and operational, and do not
require computers older than they are to access.
"learn" the unique terms and further possibilities.
A "landing page" would do no more than any current BBS's WebpageThe page would be a tool. Stas' google search using FUTURE4FIDO
now. It would still require a specific search for BBS related
terms, so short of reading an article about BBSes somewhere, or
seeing BBS and BBS networks mentioned in their favorite social
media platform, they wouldn't know what to look for.
pulled up my "Help" page, first. That probably means that
Google has recognized it gets a lot of visits and is therefore "relevant". I would not dismiss the usefulness of a suitable info-page as quickly as you do. ;)
Most potential users are reading blogs and forums that cater
to their interest. Ephemeral conversation is often limited to
Facebook - because that is all they know.
And a landing page found by Google searches won't change that.I wouldn't be so sure. People seem to think that the internet
*is* google. That's what they use - a lot.
If there was a landing page that describes what echomail is
and how to use it (either via the Telegram app, or fTelnet or
whatever interface) then they can be informed about the
strange world of BBSing via their devices too.
That's not going to happen via Googling it.It worked well with a FUTURE4FIDO search. It can work for other things.
They will have to see it discussed via blogs, Tweets, FacebookSure, that too. Start doing that. ;)
posts, Instagram, whatever.
There has to be something attracting interest first.Pretty icons help.
I think the messaging component should be promoted first,
*then* the BBS. Not the other way around as it is now.
It goes hand in hand. BBS'S and amateur computer networks haveThose things have been around longer. Fine. But new people have
been around longer than Zuckerberg has been alive. You're not
buried in advertisements because you did a websearch about
headphones once to get someone a gift.
not. ;) I don't quite get your meaning on the latter sentence.
But you can't simply say "Hey kids, you want echomail conferencesBut I think that would work. Hey kids.. google "fido echomail"
about almost any topic you can think of?" Without also explaining
about BBSes and how to use them.
and maybe even the keywords "start here" and learn that it can
be a fine alternative to the usual forums and chat sites out
there. THEN, they learn that they are attached to the strange
things called BBSes. And these BBSes can be contacted directly
too.
One step at a time. The first step.. join an echo. Then they
"learn" the unique terms and further possibilities.
First Step: Learn about BBS and Echos.
Then join.
A random websearch isn't getting you there.
"relevant". I would not dismiss the usefulness of a suitable
info-page as quickly as you do. ;)
I didn't dismiss it. I said you would have to know what to search for to find it.
If I knew nothing about BBSes, or Fidonet, why on Earth would I type FUTURE4FIDO in a searchbar?
People seem to think that the internet
*is* google. That's what they use - a lot.
But how are they going to have any idea of what to search FOR?
That's not going to happen via Googling it.
It worked well with a FUTURE4FIDO search. It can work for other
things.
You are purposely missing what I am saying. Without learning about bbs and echos elsewhere, they are NOT going to search for it.
I don't do social media like that.
That's a good way to get a few people to maybe login once.
You need something that actually gets their interest. Google this isn't it. 1000000 clickbait ads do that much.
Here's the thing. I believe many if not most BBS software is fairly customizable. It's up to the sysop to set it up how they like it.
People use the software that they like. You aren't going to see much change there.
There is also something in Fidonet called ECHO ADS. ...
But the user has to already be in the echomail world to
know about it.
That's an entirely separate issue.
I am only suggesting that a few echos that are suitable for
basic conversation would be a good entry point. The user can
discover more echos, what they are and what BBSes are during the
converstions.
And they can't do that now why?
Hello Charles! ** On Wednesday 18.11.20 - 21:34, Charles Pierson
wrote to August Abolins:
One step at a time. The first step.. join an echo. Then they
"learn" the unique terms and further possibilities.
First Step: Learn about BBS and Echos. Then join.
One step at a time. The first step.. join an echo. Then they
"learn" the unique terms and further possibilities.
First Step: Learn about BBS and Echos. Then join.
I deleted everything else for simplicity.
The focus of your posts has been seemingly Google search and landing page to explain echos, BBS, and the like.
I've been saying you need something before that to get people to the
point of even knowing what to search for.
Going through your reply here, you finally acknowledged that you need to get the word out so people know what to search for. That's all that I've been saying.
So we're mostly on the same page, but the focus was different. Good.
Again, my point is How do you join an echo without having learned about BBSes and echo's first?
I'm not actually disagreeing with you. I'm just focused more on the fact that people need to learn about it's existence than on a nice looking web page for them to find when they have learned enough to search for more information.
Maybe once they learn about it, they experience some echo conversations through Telegram. Maybe the get introduced through a BBS's Web Interface, maybe something else that hasn't been thought of yet.
But the simple fact of the matter is that you have to find a way to get people interested, or the rest of it is an exercise in futility.
Sysop: | digital man |
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