Msg: 269 *Conference*
07-26-91 09:55:51
From: JIM SCHEEF
To : ED DAHLGREN
Subj: REPLY TO MSG #202 (LD ADDICTION)
LD charges are somewhat the same problem we have getting people on to our support fora on CompuServe. I'm a sysop on a forum that supports a database system that runs on just about any processor you can name. We have two problems getting users - the percieved cost of CIS, and a reluctance of the mainframers to use telecommunications. Most of the peopl on our forum are there because they use FOCUS in their jobs and no other reason. They want their management to pay the bills. That is sometimes a tough sell. Our approach from the beginning has been that we must supply value. The user needs information, answers to problems, and if it's there he'll (I'll come back to gender in a moment) come back with his next problem. A BBS like Club100 (which I concider to be commercial, sorry Rick), should be fun, informative, helpful, etc. - and it is. That's why I keep logging on! On the gender issue (continuing my thread with Rick), we have few females on the forum on CIS but the number is steadily increasing. DP (data processing) is a field where women to very well. For whatever reason, there do not seem to be many women who make computers their hobby (and the M100 is a hobby computer, now, for the most part). For that reason, the male/female split here on Club100 will probably not change a lot unless the M100 is marketed to women specifically based on ease of use, etc. I have no idea how one would do that (market the M100 to women), or why given the fact that the M100 is a nitch computer. (OK, I'll get grief for that one. <g>) Oh well, like I said in the other note, this is an interesting topic... Jim