Subj : Re: In the future..
To : Nick Andre
From : Tony Langdon
Date : Mon Jun 08 2020 12:44 pm
-=> On 06-07-20 02:23, Nick Andre wrote to Black Panther <=-
NA> I keep reading from those who ponder about Fido's future, about what
NA> the next mailer will look like, the next message format, the next
NA> whatever. What I never read, is what the next *user* will look like.
NA> Pretty certain the next user will not be techie like us.
Yes, from a user's perspective, I agree. Users these days (of any mainstream
service) generally don't have to worry about technical details. When's the
last time you had to configure your browser to use Facebook or Twitter?
(configuring add ons like ad/tracking blockers doesn't count ;) ).
NA> The younger generation that uses messaging and social apps do not care
NA> about Linux, multi-protocol database structures or Wan transport
NA> topologies when using the apps. So, why expect the same for a new Fido
NA> user? Why must new software be the traditional mailer, tosser,
NA> nodelist, editor, etc. Why not just focus on messages?
Well, the software stack should be invisible to users, except for the user
interface, of course. :)
NA> What would be really good is a mobile/tablet app that is so dumbed-down
NA> that it just focuses on messaging. Let the newcomer get their feet wet
NA> with that, and if they actually are techie or want a taste of nostalgia
NA> they can go ahead and experiment with mailers and BBS software.
That would be good to have.
NA> That app would likely be just an extension of someone's BBS or Node,
NA> but could be promoted in a few ways to really give an alternative to
NA> Internet discussion forums. Aftershock is a nice app with potential but
NA> certainly not dumb enough.
Unfortunately, Aftershock has some serious shortcomings under the hood - it's
designed as a point, which is the wrong model. Users who have multiple devices
(e.g. phone, tablet, PC) should be able to switch devices and see the system in
the same state (other than any messages actially being edited on a device).
This is the problem I personally have with both point based systems and NNTP.
You wouldn't expect on Facebook or a web forum to be up to date on one device,
then have to re-mark messages as read on your other devices!
... Do you, Sysop, take this BBS, to be your wedded spouse??
=== MultiMail/Win v0.51
--- SBBSecho 3.10-Linux
* Origin: Freeway BBS Bendigo,Australia freeway.apana.org.au (3:633/410)
