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Webmaster's Waffle
by Bill Ritchie: 
writchie@bigfoot.com
THE RESURRECTION?
Well, here we are then, with the first ICPUG on-line Journal - a form of ezine! Much was written in the final ICPUG paper Journal as to why the Group was closing down, and whether or not a future existence in cyberspace would be viable. I saw my name mentioned on quite a few pages of the final edition, and received a mix accolades and criticism. Accolades are always nice to have, and as for the criticism - well if you dish it out you should also expect to receive it.
At the time of writing this, I have no idea as to whether or not the debate on the Groups earlier closure will continue in the electronic Readers Write pages, but personally I feel that we are probably better drawing a line under past events and looking ahead. Of all the reasons and theories expressed in our closing paper Journal who is to say exactly which is right or wrong? In part they probably all had an element of accuracy in them. As for our future in cyberspace, well time will tell, but one thing is for sure - we won't know if we don't try. Even if this electronic Journal fades away, the remains of the Group will continue to hang together as a loose collection of Regional Groups - connected by the Internet. Whatever else happens, we have, at least, carried forward the History of the Group by another stage, and the appearance of this Journal on the Internet is, in itself, History in the making!
One thing is sure, and that's the fact that more and more magazines are going on-line, and that slowly but surely the electronic word is replacing the printed word. Books are now available for downloading on the Internet, and the development for hand held reading devices continues apace. There are advantages to this. Firstly it's greener insofar as it helps to save rain forests - although there is probably some kickback in energy consumption somewhere as the laws of physics will still apply. Secondly consider the advantage of a hand held reading device which may well be able to store something like ten books. For students, businessmen and other people who have to lug books and manuals around that must be a bonus - as well as a potential energy saving. The other great advantage of an electronic Journal (or magazine) is that cross referencing is easy, because everything can be hyperlinked. This will become more apparent in this electronic Journal as the editions continue to build, so if you want to make use of this facility see the short article on:
THE LAST WORD?
One statement, which did rather surprise me, in the final Journal was that made by Tim Arnot at the end of my Communications Corner article. I ended by saying the following:
"Those of you not yet on-line, well now might be a good time to make that move. The ferry has left and you are still dithering on the jetty. It's time to jump now before it gets too far away. In the current climate, a computer without some form of network access is rapidly becoming totally obsolete."
Tim made the following editorial comment:
[That's hardly a fair or even accurate statement. Although there is often a business need for computers to talk to each other (client server applications etc.) in the hobbyist field very few requirements need more that one computer. For most things a C64 is as good as a Pentium II, if less glitzy. A hand saw is obsolete compared to a circular saw but now less used for that. At the end of the day the Web is no more than a glittery bauble that may catch our eye but without which our lives would be no less rich - Tim.]
I have developed a healthy respect for Tim over the years, but we obviously share a difference of opinion here. I stand by my statement - although I do acknowledge that "totally obsolete" was, perhaps, a little strong. Although stand alone computers are useful, I still feel that without network access, even in the hobbyist field, they are becoming disadvantaged. Even the new C64, much heralded in the last Journal, has been designed to offer Internet access. Not only that I also found it a little bit of contradiction some two pages later when Tim replied to a question framed by Brian Grainger. Brian's statement, and question, was:
I, along with many others if the letters of complaint are to be believed, want to know what is happening with the Amiga. Texas Tales and other snippets are the only source of information I have. Where will it come from in 1999?
Tim's editorial comment was:
[www.amiga.com - Tim]
So does the glittery bauble have some uses after all?
Without the Internet Tim would have had the last word on this subject, but as it is I am now able to continue the debate - as indeed is Tim should he so wish. So what do you think? Perhaps, to a certain extent, we both have a point (or indeed points)! I would, however be interested to hear your views. Now this is going to be read on the Internet, so the audience could be slightly biased. Please, therefore, try to be objective in your replies!
Bye for now, and best wishes for 1999.
The Webmaster: writchie@bigfoot.com
