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Date:         Fri, 19 Nov 1999 09:29:34 -0500
Reply-To:     Dick & Janette Smith <varieze@ASCENT.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dick & Janette Smith <varieze@ASCENT.NET>
Subject:      Re: The List
Comments: cc: arbosch@ra.rockwell.com
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;

List Members, I received a lot of mail over the past 24 hours and I'm pleased to say that it was about 50/50 and as it should be. First let me say that I was as pleased as anyone about Ken's new addition and I always at least started to read each and every message that came down to me. My only concern was that we start with birth announcements and where does it end. How about birthdays or maybe illness in the family or the kids soccer championship? I sat down last nite and took a long deep look at the messages that I had received reading some several times over and my final conclusion was that none of you were wrong and neither was I. It is a matter of how each sees the list. I see it as a list for the stating and working with facts pertaining to the VW buses. Throughout many of your messages, maybe 25%, one factor kept creeping into the conversations and that was it is not a list but a community. Of this I couldn't agree more as a portion of the messages that I have kept detailed not the buses themselves but the use of them such as camping. Being a long time camper of some 50 years I loved hearing first hand reports of new places to visit along with their good points and their pitfalls. As I see it, and correct me if I'm wrong (Ha! Ha!) the list dates back to a time when it was the best technology available for the purpose. In your messages I kept hearing, community, community, community and you couldn't be more right, all of you. What is needed is not an outdated text based list but an on-line virtual community that everyone can participate in. It should have an opening page that is accessible to all of the general public that searches out Volkswagen or VW buses. From there it should be passworded for access to members only. The opening page should state your purpose for existing and a short description of the remaining pages giving the public an opportunity to join your community. The remaining pages could contain such things as a calendar for birthdays, anniversaries, etc and a board for upcoming events. It could also have a members list that a person could put as much info about his or her family as wanted. The dealers and venders could have a board with their businesses listed with telephone numbers, email links, web page links, etc. There could be a members chat room as well as a standard E-mail based list as you now have. There could be a board that was for camping experiences along with one for your favorite camping recipes. This would help to include more spouses and you might even set up something for the children. This is a direct quote from a member to be known as Alan "We - you, me, and all the rest - are part, not so much of a list, but of a fluid, dynamic community. This community is made up of individuals. " I'm not positive but I think that it was Bulley who wrote that the list was like my hometown and that I had the opportunity to chose who I might invite to my home and I say that the list is like have every person show up and then having to chose who may and who may not enter my home. Me I'd rather go out into the community, make friends and then chose who and when. I personally throw down a challenge to the members of your list, that being "Please come in from the dark ages and see the light of your future and of your COMMUNITY. Make this not a list of a few but the future of all those persons world wide who wish to enjoy the pleasures of others sharing a beloved experience. I shall check back from time to time and see what progress, if any, is made. For the sake of the group I hope it is much and soon. And, last but not least, a www.*****.org shouldn't cost anymore than JERRY does over a period of time. Thanks for the memories.

Dick & Janette Smith Norwich, NY KC2AOC Retired 85 Westy Vanagon GL "Sally Ann" "No One May Step Twice In The Same River"


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