Okay, let's say we're getting the chance to do it all again, and starting a conferencing system called Grex. But instead of 1991 it's 2004. What would that system look like? Would the doors be left wide open? Would it depend on donations to survive? Could anyone on the net read us? Would we be a charitable 501(c)3 organization? How has Grex done over time? Is it still working?17 responses total.
Yes.
Or rather, "Yes, in spite of some unfortunate/irritating persons with Constant Whining Syndrome and/or Spoil it for Everyone Else Syndrome."
like those jews. more loyal to their country than their conferencing systen,
GreX sucks
Grex pretty much severed its connection to its "free and open" roots after the Valerie/Jep incident, and instead became a personal playground for favored persons. Any attempt to return Grex to its roots, or to create a new system where free and uncensored speech actually means something, has my support. The current Grex never will.
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So why not create your own system? Seems like that would be more interesting than hanging around here complaining about this system.
QED
re 7 Thankfully, there is m-net
Re. 7: Scott, some of us care about the system. We want to take all effort possible to improve it before abandoning it, as if we were Valerie or jep.
REALUGLY< THJAT"S BARELY$ ENGLISh.
SHEEPERSZ" JUST DON'T GET TEH BAD ENGLISH SENCORED
I sort of doubt that what grex was and is - a text-only "teletype" system - the backtalk interface notwithstanding - would actually be undertaken as a brand new effort here in 2004.
I think there would be other differences as well. I don't think the model of an open newuser works as well now as it did in 1991. The party has grown, which is good in the sense that it's not all computer nerds anymore. But it's also bad in the sense that with that expanded audience we get more people who need attention, no matter what that takes, and the bigger audience feeds that attention jones. I wonder, if someday, Grex might want to put a throttle on newuser, making verification mandatory for posting privileges. Keep the conferences readable, as now, in hopes that folks will find the discussions enticing. But to post, the treasurer (or whomever gets the job) needs to know who you are. Sounds harsh? Yep. But it would empower staff where they currently are, mostly, helpless. And it might just raise the level of discussion. If it doesn't kill it outright. ;-) I'm also not sure our charitable 501(c)3 status is necessary at this point? Are we really serving those who couldn't connect if not for Grex? We do still serve a few and that status helps us get our donations. I'm just glad we got it when we did. The one thing that hasn't changed at all, from day one, is that Grex thrives on new arrivals. You can only hear the same people make their same comments so many times before you start pulling out your eyeballs. Slight exaggeration there. But I think most folks understand that it's difficult to be robust and stagnant at the same time. So, I'd like to see Grex remain the same, mostly, but not be afraid of trying new things once in a while. I'd like everyone who is invested in this family to stay but look for ways to get new voices and faces involved as well. I'd like to make sure people are valued but that no one person becomes essential to our survival. And lastly, in the early days staff were architects and builders. Now they are police and custodians. They are tired and feeling obligated and beat-up. I don't know how to turn that around. I just know it's a problem for all of Grex. A big problem. How can we again make it challenging in a *fun* way to be staff on Grex? Anyhow, some of my thoughts on 1991 vs. 2004.
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WHO BEAT UP THE STAFF HERE?>! PUT "EM UP
TROGG IS DAVID BLAINE
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