Software Vault: The Gold Collection/Software Vault - The Gold Collection (American Databankers) (1993).ISO/cdr11/inb_9305.zip/INB03

Text File | 1993-06-13 | 14KB | 230 lines

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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