Recently, Somebody Somewhere wrote these words
>
> >3. That forum will probably founder if there is no pretty direct link
> >between the experts who currently populate the list and resist the
> >forum(Like myself), and the potential user who would be the lifeblood
> >of a forum. That also relies on us instructing them with patience.
> >Fine if I'm being paid for it (I could use a job). But otherwise
> >there'd be a limit.
>
> There are only 500 people here. That is only a very small fraction of
> the people busy with electronics.
>
> The Chipdir sites still have about 60000 visitors per month (used to
> be more) or about 3 visitors per minute.
>
> >4. There has been very little mention of the competition. What other
> >mailing lists do people sit on? I'm on one general linux list besides
> >this. I would like a more active hardware list as well. Any
> >suggestions? What other forums do people use?
>
> I have tried to keep an overview of this over the years, but it's far
> from complete:
>
> http://www.chipdir.nl/ml/ - general and miscellaneous subjects
> http://www.chipdir.nl/ml/proc.htm - processors (Motorola!)
> http://www.chipdir.nl/ml/pic.htm - PIC mailing lists
>
> >The best use of the archives I have seen is when my prospective
> >son-in-law wanted my e-mail address, and he lives in Italy. He
> >googled for the expression "Declan Moriarty" and found it in the
> >chipdir archives. I think archives are hugely overrated and largely
> >redundant. Electronics is simply too varied - too many parts. There
> >are very interesting design discussions, enginneering standards, and
> >hairsplitting over engineering correctness, but otherwise they are
> >redundant. Who cares if I wanted data on an STK7138 chip two years
> >ago?
>
> The archives should be edited into FAQ's but that would require a lot
> of volunteers and a lot of their time. I have done it for a couple of
> subjects in the Chipdir, but it's a lot of work.
Far better to add new data - for instance: more chips; fpga tech pages;
package information (Including smt packages)
>
> What we could consider is setting up a Wiki (public encyclopedium)
> about electronics.
>
> I have studied Wikipedia for the past years. In fact I persuaded the
> people on the appropriate mailing list to start using wikipedia.org
> instead of wikipedia.com.
Thw Wiki idea presumes someone has all afternoon. I want to get this
mail handled in under 30 minutes a day, and at the same time have a
resource to call on. A wiki is just too slow. Because the users add it,
you only know what they have bothered to write up. Nobody will think for
you on a wiki. They have a purpose for newbies - that's it, imho.
>
[SNIP]
>
> >A forum will be rated and reccomended only if it produces quick
> >results for a lazy generation.
>
> Yes, using Google etc.
>
> And by the way, you may dislike your Declan offspring, but they will
> learn and make choices relevant to their own situation and they will
> take over our world later and when you're lucky they will take care of
> you in your old age.
If things continue as normal, the next generation will take over. That
said I agree with nothing else above. But you are not going to steer me
off into religious/philosophical/metaphysical debates.
>
> >And websites (Including forums) are in the business of selling
> >advertising. That's the bottom line.
>
> What is wrong with selling advertisements to keep the data free for
> the visitors? Just don't click on the ads or even use special
> ad-filter software and the other visitors who are 'stupid enough' to
> click on the ads will pay for your free access to the site and BTW.
> the people clicking on the ads and buying the products don't mind.
> They want those products. It's a win-win-win-win situation: visitors
> get the data for free, clients find the products they want,
> advertisers get clients and the site owner gets paid.
My point wasn't that anything was wrong with earning money, my point was
that you are not being businesslike. Here's a bit of feedback:
Your parts page discourages buying. Buy some stock and offer parts and
parts bundles on the same page "This week's offers". I can supply you
with some on sale or return if you like. Do that forum, list the 500
members of the chipdir as being 'on' it, and link it to the mailinglist.
Redesign your front page - it's too long and things get missed. Cut it
to about 5 links
Research a chip (pinouts)
Find a Source for a chip (Your pitiful stock, Questlink etc)
Find the manufacturer (Logos, prefixes)
Learn about Electronics (Tech pages)
Contact an expert (Mailing list, Forum)
Design Pages (Howto & maybe wiki if you love them)
Stick in a few images. The younger generation doesn't use lynx. You are
not going to get your advertising from the console freaks chewing
matchicks, mumbling regular expressions in their sleep, and arguing over
vim vs emacs. The kids want to see cool java or flash, frames and
movement. What you have should be regulated to a "Text-only version".
The effect on my kids on entering your site is that they think they
have gone back in time. And lose that 'gay' yellow colour.
Don't rely on contacts, and I am sure you have plenty of them. Because
things change, people don't stay still forever, and life moves on. If
this impacts negatively on your income, the world doesn't care, but you
will. I was spread out in many trades here, and suddenly I've seen one
door after another close. Lucky I don't need that much, but the writing
is certainly on the wall for my game here unless I open a few more.
--
With best Regards,
Declan Moriarty.
--
Author: Declan Moriarty
INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Fat City Hosting, San Diego, California -- http://www.fatcity.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To REMOVE yourself from this mailing list, send an E-Mail message
to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (note EXACT spelling of 'ListGuru') and in
the message BODY, include a line containing: UNSUB CHIPDIR-L
(or the name of mailing list you want to be removed from). You may
also send the HELP command for other information (like subscribing).
