Re: New poll for CAT23-Gchat

Peter J Richardson wrote:
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Michael Cuffaro" <[email protected]>
> To: <[email protected]>
> Sent: Monday, August 14, 2006 2:32 PM
> Subject: Re: [CAT23-Gchat] New poll for CAT23-Gchat
> 
> 
>> There should be another option in this poll:
>>
>>  There are OTHER clubs outside Cat23.
>>
>> I don't think better or worse is the problem - just that there is more
>> competition for a limited fanbase.
> 
> 
> I think it is more than that. Most of the mailing list orientated clubs I am aware of seem to be fading in a 
> similar way to Cat23. I am told however that the web-forum based Redscape club is however continuing to thrive. 
> Perhaps we are seeing the consequences of the switch to broadband.
> 

Cat23 has seen the end of its usefulness. At least thats what I thought 
over a year ago when I quit doing any updating or maintenance or 
dictator stuff. It was originally formed to fill the void that existed 
when the WWW first really came on the scene, just was Worldmasters was 
formed in order to provide a way to introduce groups from the around the 
world to each other. Both goals were achieved and continuance of the 
process is not dependent on either Cat23 or Worldmasters. Both groups 
required a full time dictator who had no remorse about making instant 
decisions and running processes through like an bulldozer.

In a way, we were the victims of our own success. We fled the automated 
systems because of their reputation for low skill, high dropout games. 
We grew like mad, and over the years, eventually ended up with lots of 
the low committment newbies who just wanted to try it out and drop out 
at the first sign of difficulty. We further fled behind invite only 
forums, but clearly the shine has worn off on that as well. How many 
people manage more than a 'meh', over the thought of Diplomacy games any 
longer?

What 'would' be fun would be a Cat23 like forum where a manageable bunch 
of people could engage in a variety of online games. We could play Dip 
games, Risk games, simple real time sims, various rooms for various 
types of chat, some open some exclusive, chat rooms for daytime idle 
chatter, help rooms where we people can get those pesky computer 
glitches solved, fantasy leagues for any sport people care to start a 
league for...