Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!iuvax!purdue!decwrl!shelby!eos!eugene
From: eugene@eos.UUCP (Eugene Miya)
Newsgroups: comp.graphics
Subject: comp.graphics
Message-ID: <5948@eos.UUCP>
Date: 9 Jan 90 21:05:39 GMT
Reply-To: eugene@eos.UUCP (Eugene Miya)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Calif.
Lines: 44

15 years ago computer graphics had a "crisis of conscience."
It kicked out the computer graphics which was done by multi-impact line
printers.  What will be next?

In the past, net.graphics, the topics for this group were much smaller,
and this was a more intimate place.  You COULD write "fan" mail to
experts and they would be happy to converse with you.  Not so now with
the explosion of personal computers and workstations, such people get
inundated, and burn out occurs rapidily.  As soon as you have answered
one question it reappears again.  Then there is the fact that graphics
now mean MONEY.  Fewer people are doing it for the fun or research.
We have seen students attempt to solve their homework problems by
appealing to the net.

The NET is not the place for a beginner to learn about graphics.  The net
has no concept of memory (yet).  You can't build upon experience.
It does not have the character for basic work like homogeneous
coordinates, etc.  Graphics in someways are too easy like art critics.

Unix-wizards started out as an ARPAnet mailing list.  It's now 3-4
different groups.  Graphics will envitably go this way as well.  The
quality of the group depends on you, the reader, and the tolerance
(and the lack of) we have for new people coming in: we're still basically
an ASCII group.  There's lots of issues like copyright, etc.

I KNOW that Mark, Rick and the others are tired of the repetitive
postings.  Jef and I and many others have started to institute FAQs
[frequently asked questions] postings, but it takes a bit of work.
The situation is only going to get worse, but there is a difference.
You guys have to make an effort to conserve your experts.  They
represent a precious resource.  Burn them out, and you have no recourse.
You have to learn to moderate yourselves.  Take on mentors.  ASK
by mail, etc.  It is one thing to step on the toes of a beginner [offense],
but another to burn out an expert.   I am not talking kit gloves treatment,
but you have just lost a major net resource.  You guys have to
organize like the wizards did and solve your problems.

Another gross generalization from

--eugene miya, NASA Ames Research Center, eugene@aurora.arc.nasa.gov
  resident cynic at the Rock of Ages Home for Retired Hackers:
  "You trust the `reply' command with all those different mailers out there?"
  "If my mail does not reach you, please accept my apology."
  {ncar,decwrl,hplabs,uunet}!ames!eugene