Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!umich!samsung!uunet!willett!ForthNet
From: ForthNet@willett.UUCP (ForthNet articles from GEnie)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.forth
Subject: Feedback to the Forth Interest Group
Message-ID: <752.UUL1.3#5129@willett.UUCP>
Date: 9 Apr 90 01:28:26 GMT
Organization: Latest link in the ForthNet chain.  (Pgh, PA)
Lines: 64

Category 1,  Topic 2
Message 53        Sun Apr 08, 1990
F.SERGEANT [Frank]           at 12:19 CDT
 
  Dennis, Jax, Wil, and all:

  I read with interest Della Street's minutes of last Sunday's  RTC.  Of
course, you have my best wishes in sorting out FIG.  I wanted  to write a few
thoughts that it inspired.

  I was reminded of a Saturday Night Live where William Shatner speaks  at a
Trekkie convention and says (more or less), "C'mon! It was just a  TV show! 
There was no Starship Enterprise, Klingons, phasers, Spock,  etc., just actors
and cameras and makeup."

  So, C'mon, Forth is just a computer language and FIG is just a group  of
people who LIKE it.  The world will keep spinning and politicians  will keep
stealing whether FIG or Forth grow or decline.  So what!  I  don't see we
"should" (certainly I don't) have a sacred mission to save  the world by
promoting Forth or FIG.  On the other hand, I am happy for  Forth & FIG to
grow.

  FIG is my Forth group of choice.  I want it to continue, but not to  "grow
at any cost."  I hope it will maintain its hobbiest orientation.  I consider
the publication of FD to be its most important function  (with the maintenance
of its bookstore second and GEnie 3rd).  So,  publish what you can afford to. 
Please don't even consider dropping it  or selling it under any circumstances.

  I enjoy hearing Jax opinions, including his colorful use of language 
describing FIG's finances.  Still, I sympathize with Dennis's wish to  keep
the language "out of the gutter."  If we were voting, I would vote  for Jax
free use of the "f" word (as well as Dennis's free use of the  "s" word.) 
And, I would vote against the removal of Jax message.   Thankfully, it is not
my responsibility to deal with such matters.   Since it is Dennis's, as SysOp,
I respect his decision.

  I think, without having any inside knowledge, that Jax suggestions  are too
drastic.  No need for the board to resign.  But, I think his  demand for
elections as required by the by-laws is proper. I hope  someone is willing to
run.  I think we should be thankful that the  board members are willing to
serve.  Stay solvent, keep on keeping on,  float like a cork on the tide (in &
out & in & out) of Forth's  popularity, rather than breaking apart like an
arrogant ("it's up to us  to convert the entire world to Forth") Titanic.

  As to the matter of Wil not running next time for the board, I hope  he will
change his mind.  I would rather have his experience and wisdom  and
perspective than to have him replaced by someone who's only  qualification is
that he "believes" wholeheartedly in Forth's  superiority.

  (Speaking of Della Street, I'm reading a new (1989) Perry Mason book  by
Thomas Chastain.  Gertie is still the receptionist.  She must really  be
getting on in years.  And what a coup for Chastain because of the  public
exposure!)

  I want to make it clear that I do not think the board members' views  are
far from my own.  I mean this note as an indication of my support  rather than
as a call for reform.  And, I am in favor of reaching out  for more members
and of fomenting interest in Forth.  But, as an  ongoing, gentle campaign,
rather than as a life or death emergency.

  -- Frank 
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