[H-GEN] Vice President's report.

[Robert Brockway]

On Fri, 22 Jul 2011, Noel Butler wrote:

> Likewise, I think it was around mid 90's when I first subbed to this
> list.

Humbug started in 1995 so that would have been pretty early in the piece.

> This is one of the key reasons I never "joined" as a member, the one
> eyed blindness, sarcastic, belittling 'self appointed net cops', who
> some of still remain here today. Too many people over the years have

Interesting.  I remember Humbug being complimented on the tolerant tone of 
the lists.  Those comments are probably still in the archive somewhere.

Eg, it was often noted how we didn't have the Linux vs BSD flamewars 
common on other lists at the time.

I guess your experiences just differ from mine.

By and large mailing lists have become more sedate globally IMHO.  Partly 
a result of the participants maturing I think.

> Also, with the conduct of many on IRC, it is certainly never going to be
> good for membership drives, Want to be a censoring ban/kick -happy nazi,
> join an Undernet or Efnet channel and go for broke.

I can only recall a single individual being banned within the last few 
years.  I can't recall anyone being kicked (except the individual who was 
banned).  I'll let others judge for themselves if that makes the channel 
participants ban/kick happy.

> Unlike SAGE-AU, who price most out of joining, HUMBUG does have very
> good fees, no problem there, similar organisations I belong to charge
> much the same.

I find the SAGE-AU fees to be quite reasonable.  They are tax deductible 
if you're in the industry after all.

> What I see with meeting attendances is simple, Saturdays, afternoons -
> Gen Y would be either recovering from Friday night and/or preparing for

Hell I used to go out, party, attend Humbug, go out again, etc.

(aka "When I was a laad...")

> Saturday night, Gen X have families, those involve family activities,

Yes when I do visit Humbug it is for a shorter period now.

> including kids sporting events, which can be year round, Gen Y and Gen X
> also tend to have personal functions, like BBQ's, family get togethers,
> etc etc etc, this means many can not attend so wont bother joining.

I think Humbug Meta was a step forward here.  If not for the floods it'd 
probably still be going.  Like I said in the other post, I'll catch up 
with Clinton.

> Lastly, if you want people to join, you need to give them a darn good
> reason to join.

Yes I suppose so.  Either that or we can all just pack up and go home.

Cheers,

Rob

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