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ShareWare OnLine Volume 2 (CMS Software)(1993).iso
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1993-05-01
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Intelec International E-Mail Network
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It is very difficult writing this message to all of you. I'm
deeply saddened about what is transpiring and this message
is one of the hardest things I have had to do in a very long
time. As you all may know, Intelec is one of the most joyous
projects I've ever had the pleasure to be a part of. I have
made many friends here and I will undoubtedly make many many
more as the years roll on. There have been special occasions
ranging from get-togethers to the blessed wedding of two of
our users. And there will be many more memorable events as
time goes by.
But the past 3 years have been *very* financially difficult
for myself and my wife. Shortly after the network was formed
I experienced what many in our membership have, layoffs and
the lack of new jobs left me unemployed for over 2 of the 3
years. I am back in school now, but this period of time has
already taken it's toll on us. We have lost our nest egg of
nearly $30,000 and we are fast approaching a debt of nearly
$40,000. It is long since time for me to take the necessary
steps to try to get our life back on track and one of those
steps is the taking down of Intelec Online. Along with this
comes the saddest part of all for me, resigning as Intelec
administrator.
So while I will continue to be a part of the Intelec Network
from a user standpoint, due to financial burdens and some
pretty severe time constraints, it is obvious to me that I
can no longer function in my administrative capacity. Forget
this, I'll stop with the words like constraints and capacity
and I'll write as I feel.
If the Intelec Network is going to move ahead, as I know it
can, a new administrator needs to be in charge who has the
vision necessary to lead us all through the 90's and beyond.
Several levels of "qualifications" had to be met and after
several weeks of talking to several different SysOps about
this, the choice became crystal clear to me. These were the
levels of qualifications I felt the individual would have to
meet or exceed.
1 Share the same ideas on the goals of Intelec.
In other words, no radical, "network-jeopardizing" ideas
that would be disruptive or damaging to the network and
it's membership. Know what works and know what doesn't.
2 Tend to think along the same lines as Cliff.
Nobody can be my clone, this is obvious. But there's some
proven methods on how to deal with problem situations and
there's a right way and a wrong way to speak to users.
3 Can and will accept Cliff's input.
If I ever see a situation developing that I don't think
is in the network's best interest, I can and will speak
my mind. But I'll do so as I've always tried to do, with
tact and with the sole philosophy of "doing what's right"
and I'll be available should my thoughts be requested.
4 Not shy about saying he's wrong or made mistake.
I have made mistakes as administrator, and undoubtedly so
will the new administrator. But, just as I have owned up
to my mistakes, and reversed decisions to rectify them,
so will the new administrator. He will not be concerned
about losing face, I never did. The "doing what's right"
way of thinking will overcome any negative feedback that
may pop up. It is the only way this network can prosper.
5 Can remain neutral within any Intelec conf.
I've participated in a handful of conferences on Intelec,
Survivor's, Writers, SysOps, and occasionally in NetChat.
But I've never used (or abused) my position within any of
them. Each conference is treated the same under the rules
with no special considerations.
6 Level headed but good sense of humor.
I know I am not a standup comedian and there's a time and
place for humor. I've always felt I've been able to keep
a sense of humor even when "pushed to my limits". Some of
the "former" users knew just what buttons to push but if
the were successful they were removed. It did not ruin my
day but I would never take my mood out on anyone who did
not deserve it. Good nature is necessary to keep an even
keel on how to run this network.
7 Not on a power trip.
There is a lot of work involved in running this network as
he will soon find out. I have never felt a sense of power
in doing this, just a deep sense of accomplishment and a
level of commitment to those involved in making up this
network. There will be NO "I don't care how Cliff did it,
*I'm* in charge now" type of attitude either.
8 Time with the network
There are several SysOps who have been with this network
since the beginning. Some have been on "auto-pilot" since
day one, some have not. And there are even those who have
been "involved" with this network with a lot of time and
energy invested.
9 Time availability
The administrator cannot be someone who is constantly on
the road or out of touch for periods of time. While I've
taken an occasional jaunt to the tropics <NOT> a good co-
administrator can keep things in line in his absence. I'm
concerned about constant absences and subsequent transfer
of authority. This can be disruptive. The administrator
must be available to take & make phone calls on a moments
notice.
10 Hardware and Software
The new host BBS must be capable of handling the transfer
as well. A single node, 2400 bd BBS would have to be out
of the question, obviously. Ideally, multi-node (at least
3-4 nodes) and all high-speed lines (with 16.8 desired).
Also, PCBoard BBS software (no insult to others intended)
would be desired. This would help the transition of host
and allow all regionals to keep scripts in tact. The new
host also needs to run RoseMail to maintain the RoseNet
connections many of us now rely on. Lastly, the new host
system should "mirror" the old host as far as conference
numbers. This too is very important for the smooth tran-
sition so that there's no major config changes required.
A simple change of phone numbers and *maybe* password is
all that should be necessary.
When all is said and done, the best person for this task is
well known to many of you. The person who will be assuming
the role as administrator is none other than Dave Calmer.
Dave meets and/or exceeds all of the above mentioned qualif-
ications. He has my full support and confidence and I KNOW
he will lead this network in the tradition of Cliff Watkins.
This transfer will take place sometime between May 1st and
June 1st. The regional hubs calling me will be switching to
Dave most likely one of the early weekends in May. This will
need to be carefully synchronized but it is really the easy
part of all this. I will continue on as the official admin-
istrator until June 1st to help ensure that the transition
is a smooth one. I have already tried to get in touch with
many of the SysOps via voice calls but getting in touch with
all of them has been difficult. The overwhelming consensus
is support of Dave. I wouldn't place Intelec in the hands of
someone who I felt would not be able to handle it, after all
I still plan on being around!
More on Dave will be forthcoming as I still have more I feel
I need to say on my own behalf. Please don't think that this
is all happening out of burnout. Hardly the case at all. I'm
just facing some serious situations in my personal life and
I'm sure I don't have to tell any of you that these are hard
times we face. I will continue to be around as I would never
abandon my "baby" entirely. I couldn't do that. It has been
asked of me "Can't you still be administrator even if you're
taking your board down"? While this is almost all due to the
financial situation, there are still the problems of finding
time to fully devote to college. I am maintaining a straight
A average but it is a real struggle. I've never had to work
this hard at learning anything. Is the old man losing it? I
don't know about that, but I do know that doing well is very
important to finding work after college is done. But enough
about school, I will deal with that on my own time <g>.
Back to my feelings, Intelec's still and will always be very
important to me. The friendships I have made here are many.
While I have not met nearly as many of you as I would have
liked to, maybe that day will come. Those of you that I have
met, I will cherish those times always. I will miss certain
aspects of this, being a problem solver, a mediator, as well
as the references to "the benevolent dictator". But I look
forward to the many more friendships I will be able to make.
Unfortunately, there are already those "nut-jobs" out there
who are saying that Intelec now has one foot in the grave. I
hardly think this is the case at all. There is a changing of
the guard taking place. As those saying this are involved in
other networks, it clearly shows that they're already trying
to undermine this network. Why shouldn't they? No other net-
work is as successful as Intelec while still maintaining our
claim to fame, friendly. We've disproven the claim that it's
lonely at the top. If the basic principles and fundamentals
are followed the network will continue to flourish.
Again, I have the utmost confidence that Dave Calmer will be
able to run the Intelec Network under the vision, principles
and fundamentals that has made Intelec what it is today.
When I formed this network back in 1989, I'd never expected
these results. But the time was right for a new vision of a
more people-oriented network. I was not an administrator who
wanted to "look" like one. I hope I accomplished this. But
again, this network grew far beyond my expectations and I'm
confident that Dave will continue the Intelec tradition.
I know there will be a flood of mail to me on this matter, I
will try to respond to as many as I possibly can. I will be
closing down the BBS upon a smooth transition to Dave Calmer
and when I move my local users to another local board.
Again, I'm hardly happy about resigning, I have some regrets
but I have many happy memories and I will surely feel like
one of the most fortunate users for having this experience!
Please give Dave the same support loyalty and compassion you
have given me over the past 4 years. He has a big job ahead
of him and nobody knows this better than I. I fully feel he
can handle this task but he needs your help and support to
carry on as I would have liked to.
Now this message will be one heck of a shock to many of you.
Please understand why I am stepping down, it is out of nec-
essity, not desire. And do not view this as a goodbye, I'm
still going to be around, that is a certainty.
To those who have supported me over the past four years, you
have a special place in my heart. You have my deepest thanks
and gratitude and words cannot describe the many emotions I
have yet to express. And you are not getting rid of me that
easy, I look forward to spending more time enjoying the ser-
vice I have helped to provide these past 4 years.
Cliff Watkins
Intelec Administrator