Perhaps I'm in a fit of ennui, but I've been wondering lately how many of us are experiencing exasperation, weariness, and boredom at the repetition of threads here. I'm not criticizing, mind you...I'm looking for comraderie. I involved in ongoing Y2K prep. I know there will be ever escalating news blurbs about Y2K incidents. I know the government will continue to spin and do what govt. does. There are days I'm eager for the latest, but mostly I need the company of others of somewhat like mind. I also understand that new awakers need to ask questions and often don't know to look more deeply to older threads...I don't mind that. I suppose what I mind is the argumentum ad nauseaum...asking the same questions over just to hammer home a point, or expecting different answers...

Anyone else in this place? What happens after you've settled the internal roller coaster, and still want to keep in touch?

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), February 27, 1999

Answers

Good point Donna. I've been thinking along the same lines lately. In fact since I'm not an old timer, but I am a regular poster, I recently went back and read some old threads I'd missed earlier. Before I ask a question, I try the archives, and often find my answer there, or else get off on a tangent and forget what my question was.

But I too don't mind newbies asking the same old questions. Of course they could check the archives, but sometimes I think they just need the contact, and reassurance of talking with those of us who are more or less finished with preps. (Are you ever really finished?)

I always enjoy your posts Donna. They are interesting and informative.

-- gilda jessie (jess@listbot.com), February 27, 1999.

Roger that, Donna.

As for newbies, most of 'em won't even know what they're looking for. It's uphill even if there were a search engine.

I've been on a couple of moderated lists, with not too many subscribers, that worked out pretty well. Might be an option in this situation -- of course somebody has to bell the cat....

I used to wonder why, when I was five years old (1930 that would be) I decided that I really wanted to see the end of the century. Now I'm beginning to think I know. Not exactly what I expected -- but hardly anything ever is.

FWIW, after all my cognitive dissonances, Sturm und Drang, lying awake nights, realizations, etc. etc., since I bumped into Y2K last May, I still have the sneaking suspicion that much of value will persist. I hope to be part of it to some extent. My six grandchildren certainly will be -- the oldest is 5+.

I'm looking to be vastly surprised....

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), February 27, 1999.

I think it comes down to how people use the technology here. After asking "old" topics a few times (and getting flamed), I learned to not re-hash old topics.

There seems to be two types of users here.

• #1 - Old USENET-style user. Post new messages, and add to old threads for a couple of days, letting old threads die. Works well for folks looking for the latest news.
• #2 - New-style "Greenspun" users, who always check old threads, and only post new questions if there is nothing related in the archive. Threads never die. Works well for deep-thinkers.

I think our "learned elders" here advocate method #2. I prefer method #1, but try hard not to anger/bore people by re-introducing old topics.

-- Anonymous99 (Anonymous99@Anonymous.com), February 27, 1999.

I'll never forget posting my first question: Does preparation ever end?,(it doesn't) and the answers that I received. Been here ever since. I have had similar feelings and thoughts to what has been posted above, and enjoy the 'feeling of not being alone' here, plus the cyber-friendships that have developed over time.

As far as the flame threads and argumentation, if it is a thoughtful and interesting (to me) discussion fine, though I can't even keep up with more than a handful of threads anymore, and try to tell by the title or poster or the number of responses what to look at.

I remember when I was a newbie, the help I needed and received, and try to give some back to them especially. With awareness increasing this forum I think will become even busier.

-- Rob Michaels (sonofdust@net.com), February 27, 1999.

Mind you all, I'm not posting this as something negative about newbies...I have questioned in me why I keep coming back when many times I can say "been there, done that." Perhaps I'm just venting. I come here daily and read ever escalating adrenaline, ever loud bile, and some sane, logical, thoughtful stuff.

I guess I just answered my own question as to why still do it. I'm very connected to those folks I've traded thoughts with for 9 months...it's enough, methinks. More thoughts and comments certainly appreciated.

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), February 27, 1999.

Some of us are experiencing a bit of short-term memory loss as we get older and we can't quite remember if a certain question has been asked or not. Even better, we don't remember if we answered it. I know Vitamin E and gingko help with memory but I keep forgetting to buy them. Anyway, because I'm such an old duffer I don't mind repeated questions all that much.

-- Absent-minded Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), February 27, 1999.

Donna,

For some Y2K is a fresh as today, for others it's "old prep."

I don't even try to keep up anymore, and I just try to "intuitively" decide which threads to dive into.

There are over 50,000 posts on this forum. How can a newbie or an oldie cope with that? Especially without a search engine that would clog the system even further and add to "Server Busy" signals.

A lot of "fresh" news pops everyday and personally I want to see those up at the top. I suggest each of us learn to hotlink the related threads, for the newcomers, and ourselves.

And don't forget the humor threads. They are significant Y2K emotional relief.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), February 27, 1999.

Yep. I agree Old Git and Diane. I've determined that I'm in an over-reactive state and should probably be sent to my room. Further consideration happens after I hit the post response button. Sure sign of burnout. I'm lasting about a week before I need another week off....and here I thought I had my roller coaster under control....Where's the durn elphunt handlers?

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), February 27, 1999.

Whew! Just checked. On all the Greenspun forums:

Total messages posted in last 24 hours: 839

TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000); 60403 messages, latest on February 27, 1999

No wonder we suffer from Y2K burnout!

Diane, signing off for tonight

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), February 27, 1999.

It's not so much the new people asking the same questions, but the sheer volume itself. I swear that on a busy night, one can click on REFRESH once a minute, and a new thread/answer is posted.

It used to be that you could read a whole week's worth of postings in minutes, and I could read at a causual rate...whereas now, if you stay away for a couple of days, WHOA! Information overload! There's more sifting to do as well...the signal to noise ratio has increased.

In spite of all this, I still find this place worthwhile. Sometimes, after reading the news and surfin' around, things go "click" in my head, and I wonder, "Am I the only one thinking like this? Is it just me being paranoid? Is this too coincidental..am I looking too deep in to this? Is it just me?" When I come here, I'm ready to post my latest revelations, and someone has already posted something similar. At first, I go, "DARN"...but then, I realize that I am not the only one who's mind is clicking...somewhat reassuring.

I've been lurking since July, posting since autumn...lots of people have come and gone. I miss some folks, and there are some folks I wouldn't want back...but if they do, I'll live with it. It's the diversity of opinions and perspective on this board is what makes it worth coming back :-)

-- Tim (pixmo@pixelquest.com), February 27, 1999.

I agree with most of the answers here. I, too, have been around a while, and sometimes I just don't wanta hear it!

But I often find an interesting new concept, or an interesting new slant on an old one. I'm making more of an effort to answer others' questions these days, and that has given me a sence of cyber-civic pride. And I agree about the humor threads (or couldn't you guess?). It's there, that we let our hair down and let others see into our true personalities. I have to leave soon for a few days, but I know the first thing I'll do upon returning is to come here to converse with my friends and get the latest news, with commentary by many that I respect.

BTW, I had an ennui coat once, but it wasn't a very good fit.

-- Lon Frank (postit@here.com), February 27, 1999.

Or...for something completely different....

Quoting Ellen Ripley: "I say we dust of and nuke the entire site from orbit."

Gallows humor...ock, ock!

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), February 27, 1999.

Naw, Donna, I don't think you're over reacting. I too have some small amount of heart burn over parts of the format here. I just don't know what wold work any better.

If there were some way to get a few main question/subject threads to stick to the top and let the answer be a seven day window within each question/subject, that might help.

Just about anything else requires elbow grease.

I really like the indentations over on GN.

But most of all I have to agree about the community and humor aspects (all better said by others above). But, if I might add just a few words.....

Sometines my fingers get a life of their own and I don't know where some of those words come from. Somethings come out that I would swear I didn't say. Maybe there is a cathartic thing going on here. I been at this "paranoia" business a good long while now and it's refreshing to see some more nut cases like me (present company excepted, of course).

Besides that there are just some pretty funny people here. Present company included. And... I always enjoy the thought that I have provided countless examples for the kids: I see then by the dozens printing out my posts to take to school.-----To show their psych teacher, to use as real life examples of the aberations they study in class. So, I gotta do it for the children.

I was adding a tag line to a post earlier and without really thinking about it said:

-- Greybear, who has never been one to let seriousness get in the way of frivolity. The laughing is the only thing holding back the crying.

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), February 27, 1999.

I've been here well over a year..time flys when your having fun. Just the fact that we are still here posting and helping and having fun and having frustrations, etc., tells me we are strong people, eager to help, and sometimes not so eager. Sometimes I feel like "what's the use," and then someone posts something of importance and interests, and I become rejuvenated again. This is NOT a boring BB. Given the fact that there are hundreds of posts a week, you pick and choose which one's you want to participate in. For the most part, people are friendly, kind, mean, terrible, gentle, flamers, obnoxious, loving, caring...think how boring it would be if we all thought alike. I have learned much from everyone, that's what makes this place special. I'm in for the long haul......And thanks for putting up with me--and Paul Milne is the voice of reason.......

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), February 27, 1999.

I'm a relative "newbie" to the forum, but the two reasons I like it are as follows: If something BIG breaks nationally, this is the first place to confirm or dissect it. I have enough "news sense" to know a huge story when I see it (the Washington Post article the other day, for example), but you all lend perspective and question the sources quoted and are further able to read between the lines like a pack of lawyers. Also--you do it free from censorship (AKA editorial guidance) with the exception of your peers. (Always remember for that every opinion there is an equal and opposite criticism!) Keep it up. I'll be baaaaaack! God bless and good night.

-- FM (Vidprof@aol.com), February 27, 1999.

Well said, Your Great Grey Wisdomness.

I know what you mean about the fingers taking over sometimes. In fact, they're at it again. Oh no, they're moving up my arms, They, they are at my throat, HELP!!! They are starting to choke, they are....urk.....

The posts formerly known as Lon Frank will henceforth be known as the Hands of Lon Frank. Please do not expect to be continued, the humiliting and degrading lunacy of the previous few days. Please do not adjust your set.

-- Lon Frank (postit@here.com), February 27, 1999.

Donna, Wholeheartedly agree. Have followed this site for around 5 months. Amazing the shear volume increase. Have been so busy trying to prepare versus trying to believe if anything will happen that I just skim this site anymore. Seems like very little advice or input on preparing.

-- lparks (lparks@eurekanet.com), February 27, 1999.

GB, remember when I told you about my dad...well....

Another freaky synchronicity is your posting this:

"-- Greybear, who has never been one to let seriousness get in the way of frivolity. The laughing is the only thing holding back the crying. "

----Cos dad always said...we laugh so we don't have to cry.

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), February 27, 1999.

Yeah, Donna, I have been here since July of '97. Read Ed's book while he had it on line. I can remember when days went by with no new posts!

There are stages to Y2K awareness, as we all well know. What I am understanding now is that, like life, you are never all grown up.

It is lonely here now.

Rather like a quaint vacation spot that you go to year after year and get to know the regulars, and then one day, it is 'discovered' and you go back to a crowded, noisy new world. If your old friends are there, you can't find them and what's more, your place in that world has been blurred.

Those of us who have run the emotional gamut, had the arguements, fought the good fight have no one to talk to anymore, really. And that is unfortunate, because we are still discovering this phenomenon too, we're just farther down the road.

I think we belong in a preparations forum and I take this opportunity to call for one here. After the emotional rollercoaster ride stops, that is all that is left. I can tell you that at this point in my life, I am not any fun at parties, and I really have no interest in rehashing all the old debates.

Been there, done that...

I have idle conversation with no one now. I don't have the time. There is nothing out there that interests me any longer. All that matters, truly, is positioning myself to best protect my family, period. That is where I AM now. I treasure the few contacts that are up to my speed, we talk about where we are, what our problems are NOW and how we are solving them. We don't debate embedded chips, or Koskinen's prattle, or how to convince our brothers-in-law.

Preparation for Y2K is like an icebreaker, while most here are standing on the deck watching the chunks float by, some of us are on the bow, breaking the way. I am not talking about code work, I am talking preparation, physical and emotional. The old moss backs have much to share, but nowhere to escape the din.

This pool hall needs a back room.

A PLACE TO GO HERE THAT WE CAN CUT THROUGH THE BULLSHIT WOULD BENEFIT ANYONE THAT READ IT!

This forum, God love it, is strictly amateur night. The varsity needs a place to play.

If not here, then where? If not now, then when?

Ed?

Start a preparations forum, please.

Good luck to us all,

Will Huett

-- Will Huett (willhuett@usa.net), February 27, 1999.

IS It nOt TrUE THAt onLY GOD kNOWS whY DIEtER PUtS UP WITH tHE foOliSHNESS hERE???? nIEn!!!! DIeTER KNoWS ToO, DOes hE NOT????

diETER HAS bEEN At tHIS TOO LONg!!! OUcH!!!! hOW DOeS DIetER COunt The daYS???? dieTEr doES NOT!!!!! HYeNAS!!!! THE Days aRE TOo maNY!!!! DIeTER HAS GRowN OLD And tirED Here IT SEEMS!!!!! POoR DIetER'S BONes PRotrUDE FRom diEteR'S FINgER TIps, CAn tHAt be disPUTED?????

MANy cELLs OF diETER's brAIN HAve leAKed OUt hERE, IS thaT NOT TrUE????? HOW MAny aRE THE DAys OF TIrEDNESS????? HOW MANY aRE ENouGH DAyS OF DArK THouGHtS FOR DIeTER?!?! YEs!!!! NO????? YES!!!!! HOw MaNY ARE THe dAYS Of blACK GLoOm????? OF SEEIng diETeRS PlaNS OF FUTuRE PAsT CRaSHinG TO BURN???? IS iT INsaNE FOr dIETer tO SEE THE POssibLE DEAtHs OF ONES LovED BY DIeTER?????? HOw hoLLow IS diETERS Mind TO ENComPAss THIS aLL????? HOW CaN DIEtER SHuT DIEteRS EARs TO STOp oUT THE hELL????? dieTer cANNOT!!!!!!! HoW DEeP OF PaIN MUsT DIEteR FEeL?????? WHy, OH PLeaSE TELL DIeTER, Why MusT IT BE SO??????

StILL, to HErE DIetER REtuRNS, DRAwn BY DIeTErs FOoLISH NATURE!!!!! aS SurELY AS The IDIOT MOtH IS SEDUCed BY The flAme DIeTER MUsT CHeCk IN!!!!! HOW CRUeL IS it thaT THE EXposeR OF FOoLISHNESs CAnnOT CONtRoL HIS OWN DIeTerfoOLERy??????? HOW siLLy IS DIeTER????

-- Dieter (questions@toask.com), February 27, 1999.

PS, HELLo WILL, YoU ONCe knEW DIEtER BEFoRE hIS MInD CRAShed AS IT TRIeD TO PROCeSS "00"

-- Dieter (questions@toask.com), February 27, 1999.

Some people who happen upon this site are so overwhelmed and depressed from the beginning, that they cannot gather anything of importance here. They are angry, depressed, and immobilized by the mere fact that TSWHTF. Life has been good to me--house, a BMW, and an SUV in the garage, dinner out often, lunch out everyday, designer clothes for the kiddies, nanny for the rug rats, vacation to Mickeyland, tennis and massage every Wednesday, golf at the country club on Saturday, I owe, I owe so off to work I go......Can't get it, it won't happen, I am in control, no the computer is in control, no my boss is in control, no his boss is in control, no the CEO is in control, no the CEO resigned, who in the hell is in control? Why didn't I listen, it's too late, what will I do, how will I survive, what will my children eat, how will I protect them from the world, and all it took was for me to listen...be still, be quiet, listen, and begin to prepare before it's too late....time keeps marching on and it stops for no one. Events occur and catches many unaware but not without warning.

-- Why Don't You Get It? (Why Don'tYouGeitIt?@Fun.com), February 27, 1999.

DietEr blabbermouth! jabber, jabber, jabber! On and on and on with nothing but brainless jabber! And now we have a MRS.DieTer!!!!! Can you believe that? It is probably DIeTEr talking to himself, trying to prove to us that he has normal sexual desires regarding the opposite sex. His faggot type rambling on and on probably has infected his brain permanently! "HusH Now", yoU BlabbErinG IdIOt!!!!! Go look up your femmy friend and have a good time!

-- No more IRS! (IRSsucks@freedom.com), February 27, 1999.

Dieter: Welcome back my friend, I really did miss you! BTW, we need you here..we need adversity, smarts, innocence, etc....you said you were outta here...but admit it, this place is really addicting...I guess you can say I am a Yourdon BB addict.....

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), February 27, 1999.

Mr. IRS,

Me thinks thou doth protest too much! Why are you so fascinated by the subject of homosexuality? Studies have proven beyond any dispute that those who most hate gay people are the very same ones most likely to have deep seated gay feelings. Those who lash out at "perverts" are themselves deeply sexually disturbed. They are afraid of themselves and their own sexual feelings, and so, they lash out at others. Fear and loathing at what one cannot accept about ones self.

Sad.

Why do you lash out Mr. IRS?

-- Lady (m@cbeth.com), February 27, 1999.

BARdOU!!!! DIEtER IN HIS AgEDNEss REMEMBeRs ANoTHEr NAmE, CAN thiS BE SO??????? OF COURsE!!!!! THat is wHY DIeTER CAnnOT EVER BE trUlY GONE!!!!! TOo manY GOoD FOLks FOR DIEtER tO Go awaY FoR GOoD, YES????? AND ALsO TOo maNY JACkaSSED IDIot BUnghOLe moROns liKE IRs HERE!!!! FUn fOR DIEtER ON a borING WIntERS NIght, IS THIS NoT TRUE????? HUH???? DIeTER's empTY HEaRT ENJoYs MIXing it uP WItH BUzZaRD JACKAL infIdELS WHo arrIVe unArMED TO thE BATTLe of wiTTLYnesS!!!!! CHArGE????? GOoD MorNIng!!!!

-- Dieter (questions@toask.com), February 27, 1999.

Why Don't You Get It--Because many feel as though nothing is going to happen, we all need to stop right now preaching to others. Time has run out, it's too late, and now we need to help one another..not so much as storing and defense-type scenarios, but to prepare psychologically and to keep each other informed as the news and information unfold. Events will happen rapidly...

-- Nofooling (Nofooling@prepared.com), February 27, 1999.

I haven't been here as long as some folks, but it seems to me that what we have here is the virtual equivalent of a y2k aware American community - we have all sorts of different folks trying to work together, and exchange information as best we can, despite the fact that we represent a wide range of different perspectives on just about every major issue of the day. I mean I come here for the information, certainly, but also because this is a place where people are modelling what it takes to be persistant and overcome difficulties and differences (sometimes with a lot of shouting and armwaving) while still doing our best to work together and help those who are following after us.

if that makes any sense at all...

Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), February 28, 1999.

the first post i ever read on this BB was on Jan. 11th, 1998.....a little over a year ago

i think there were approximately 15-20 posts at the time

i've only posted here once or twice in the entire time i've lurked........like someone earlier said, by the time i see a post asking bout something i could answer, the calvery has already arrived with the answer : )

and i learn so much here from folks such as Diane Squire and Drew Parkhill and bardou, Greybear, and Old Git, et al......that i just HAVE to come check

there are lots of different forums, with lots of different styles

there is a good forum with lots of different selections such as gardening, health, food, etc and a good "general discussion" forum that's located at: http://www.avana.net/~zog/index.html/ lynxpage1.html

as far as pure prep goes.....gary north's forums are very informative: http:// www.garynorth.com/y2k/results_.cfm/ Discussion_Forums

a good christian prep/discussion forum is located at: http://y2k.entrewave.com (you have to have an email addy to enter....but you can use a annonymous one)

all of these forums have lots of good solid info

->->aside to FM...."you all lend perspective and question the sources quoted and are further able to read between the lines like a pack of lawyers"

HAHAHAHA!! what a double edged tongue you speak with.....a compliment and a slashing all in one breath....i admire that quality ("Diplomacy is the art of saying, 'Nice Doggie,' while you're looking for a rock.")

your's is the only case where i'd EVER consider the term "lawyer" to be meant as a compliment!

andrea

-- andrea (mebsmebs@hotmail.com), February 28, 1999.

I "got it" relatively late in the game (January 1999) after seeing some very lame Y2K contingency planning at work...before that time I was too busy with other projects to even consider Y2K at all. After getting it, I immediately started doing some research and came across this site. Bought some books, surfed the web, e-mailed and called the family to encourage them to look into Y2K, and I logged on to this site daily to get information from folks that had gone through a significant learning curve on things such as food storage and other preparation issues.

I may not have anything relevant to say on this particular issue but it is my observation that those preparing for Y2K are often isolated in a way from their community unless that community is preparing for Y2K as well. And as this little (or not so little) cyber community grows, when more and more folks like me get it, it will be harder and harder to maintain a sense of community on this list.

If I were a long timer on this list I may resent all of the chatter that has been had over and over again even though newbies like myself need the info. (It is hard to get exactly what you need using the archives due to the inaccurate titles of the threads or a promising thread veering off on an unforseen tangent.) I personally don't open a thread if it doesn't appear to benefit me in some way, so I usually don't bother with the conspiracy discussions or much of the endless news rehash. The day is late and I don't have time for such things and the truth be known, I am a hope for the best, prepare for the worst person, a light weight in some folks estimation, that is going to ride it out in an urban setting.

I have made great strides in my preparations due to diligent saving for that rainy day, (that appears to have come) but I still need more and very specific preparation information as my situation becomes clearer. This makes the call for a <<>> very relevant. I have no wish to bore those that have all of their prep done but I could use some expertise now and then. As for the community issue perhaps there is a place for that in the title of a thread such as this one. Example: cyber community discussion...family issues, etc. I too could use some community discussion. As I live in an urban area far from my family I too am somewhat isolated as far as Y2K is concerned. I don't think it's a good idea to broadcast my preparation plans around and as far as I can tell only one other person I know gets it and they are not talking either. Maybe we can preface the threads or create another community forum??? Also a preparation forum please. Thanks all.

-- RampRat (Aviation_R_us@noname.nocity), February 28, 1999.

Hi Donna! I've been here since last summer. I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. Things were a lot slower on the forum back then, but the "newness" of it was like an adrenaline rush to me. I can remember Will H. and the "Looking in the Mirror" thread quite well. :-)

I left for about a month back in December, but a note from Uncle Deedah reminded me of how much I missed the camaraderie of this place. (He'll be back, too. I'm sure of it!) :-) Now, because of the "been there, done that," I mostly just check for the new articles, and play on the humor threads. I am still working on the "community" aspect as Diane would call it. I speak to my third ladies group about Y2K on March 10th. They called and invited me. I guess it's just hard when you've known about Y2K for a long time, and you're pretty much ready. In a way, you just want to "hurry up and get it over with."

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), February 28, 1999.

The only problem with the archive is that it's old news. The number of new items here is going up, and I think will continue to do so as the year goes on. If I notice a new thread that is a dupe of a recent thread, I'll post a link. I think the life span of a thread is only 2-3 days before it gets too far down the list to attract an answer. Except for reorganizing the format of the forum, I don't know what else could be done. <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), February 28, 1999.

Under one pseudonym or another I'm sort of an oldtimer here, and I definitely have a proprietary sense of community about this place and the people who fill it. The "parasite load" has picked up considerably since I got here (apologies to those who consider ME a parasite) and IMHO the signal/noise ratio has deteriorated to a degree as the volume of posts has grown.

I too noticed in checking yesterday that this is the biggest greenspun.com forum by a factor of ten- pretty impressive numbers. I miss some of the folks who've spent time here and gone on for one reason or another. I lurk a lot more and post a lot less than I did in earlier days, usually because by the time I get to a thread it's pretty well covered. I keep coming back for breaking news, new information and discussion, and keeping up with familiar folks. I looked around a bit and this IMHO is still the most useful 2k forum around even though the traffic has increased so much.

There is no better place for the necessary "handholding" and good advice (well...) and information that newbie GIs need. Yes, it'd be nice if they read the archives. But the only dumb question is still the one you don't ask... . (YourDoneIte corollary: And if you can't handle the answer, don't ask the question.)

Cheers, Donna...

-- nemo... (nemo@deepsix.com), February 28, 1999.

This Forum has meant SO MUCH to us. Words cannot describe it. We have learned life-saving information and skills and made lasting friendships, and been hugely educated and entertained. It would be very sad, a loss of incalculable worth, for the Forum to change *too* much or become inaccessible to newbies. ....

Some of the political threads end up being very educational and interesting and give Y2K-comparison lessons. Some of those threads may convince newbies that the govt or military will not swoop down like guardian angels at the last minute and save them. This must come as a shock to many people; even we had much to learn to break some child-like illusions. So if this realization, backed by persuasive argument, helps people get with it and prepare, perhaps those threads serve an important purpose. ....

The humor threads are a sure-fire giggle goof release. After spending too much $$ and working too hard preparing for something we don't want to experience happening, it is soothing, an effective coping mechanism, to bounce around the humor posts and laugh away the tension with similarly suffering comrades.

If the Forum were to change or get a parallel "ivory tower" twin, we would feel sorrow pangs jumping ship, knowing we had abandoned such a great democratic blender of the "old" Yourdynamite Forum; perhaps the ASAP implementation of a SEARCH ENGINE and FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions-And-Answers) would help sooth the noise of the newly Beginner Get Its. We've all been BGIs and have needed the initial help we got here. ....

If Ed Yourdon were to put out a request for FAQ assistance, we're sure the regulars would be all too glad to compile appropriate sections for their favorite topics, with links galore. The consensus would probably be to try these normal often-used methods, of FAQ & Search Engine, and then evaluate after two months how effective they were in reducing the noise level. ...

Recently we have been daily amazed at the ppl popping out of lurking or obscurity to say something really constructive. ....

We have seen excellent posts by people and have come to find out they live near us and are very active in the community with Y2K educational outreach and preparation classes. This type of gem discovery is too valuable to lose! People who are serious about preparing are linking up with each other thru the Forum.

Breaking news, analysis, amazing discussions, and life-saving knowledge is regularly displayed. Many new News reports coming out daily. Have to keep up with the shifting sands of Y2K upon which our civilization is built and may topple.

There are peaks & troughs on the Forum and a troll is causing a ravine now. The efforts of Mr. Yourdon, Mr. Greenspun, and {almost} all of the posters has created the most respected, magnetized, addictive, and valuable Y2K site on the entire Earth. Please don't give up on it yet. It just needs some additions to manage its growth. ...

After Gary North is on Art Bell, the Forum can be flooded with newbies sincerely dealing with initial shock, and the {possibly paid} disrupter-troll/s will try to take advantage of the newbies and have a field day with morphing puppet shows. We have to help the newbies with calm accurate information and contribute to Forum bloom.

The Forum is working. Just need a good Search Engine and FAQ. Of course the traffic is going to increase. "Y2K is potentially ... one of the most serious ... devastating ... harmful ... disruptions ... prolonged ... on your own ... catastrophic failures ..." With sock-it-to-them sentences beginning to appear in the news media, a certain percentage of readers is going to be motivated to start searching the 'Net, and will find our Asylum.

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-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), February 28, 1999.

Hi Donna. Thanks for bringing this up. It looks like Mr. Yourdon has taken my advice, and now has a note on top of the "New Questions" form reminding people to look at recent posts before asking a new question. I hope this will help. See ya! <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), March 01, 1999.

Hang in there Donna, Yourdon is not just about Y2k, its about the camaraderie of the regulars, (witness the most popular thread brotherhood of yourdon)

-- rick of the dale (jcooney@figroup.co.uk), March 01, 1999.

Ref a search engine:

I would think, due to the load on the connecting servers, we might need something like a "BATCH" search engine. You know, drop your request in the bucket, and the answer will show up (oh cringe, hate the delay) over night. For those of us who can handle the delay, and the fact you need a valid e-mail address, this MIGHT take some of the load off the servers.

Chuck

-- Chuck, night driver (rienzoo@en.com), March 01, 1999.

i've been here from the beginning, but ask few questions. i mostly lurk, answer a few questions here and there, but getting so i choose just a very few to look at, as i don't have time. one thing which people can do to help their own cause when asking a question these days, is to make sure their subject line is a good summary of the question they are asking. there are an amazing number of threads where it's not obvious what the thread is about, and i tend to just skip over those.

-- jocelyne slough (jonslough@tln.net), March 01, 1999.

I'm not an especially old-timer, I think I started reading last spring and posting last summer. Nor have I always been really regular here. However, what keeps me coming back is the community, and the gems found every once in a while amongst the muck. I hope that I can give to those who are coming after what was given to me; emotional support, practical advice and the ability to laugh when terror is imminent.

-- Tricia the Canuck (jayles@telusplanet.net), March 01, 1999.

Hi Donna, I felt like you last week, that's why I didn't post on here till now. I feel better now. Ready for flaming trolls >;-)

-- Chris (catsy@pond.com), March 01, 1999.

Hi Donna. I'm still here. I dont get online as much, but I still find this the best as far as forums. Too much flaming has left me 'lurking' not responding. I am tired of the flames, but I Very Much enjoy humor, we need more of it as the day approaches. Still, I miss all the old timers here.

-- consumer (private@aol.com), March 03, 1999.

Leska thanks for your excellent post containing

...would help sooth the noise of the newly Beginner Get Its. We've all been BGIs and have needed the initial help we got here. ....

However, I believe the abbreviation 'BGI' stands for: "baby get its"

;-)

-- Blue Himalayan (bh@k2.y), March 03, 1999.

I'm so happy to see that so many of you are still here. (too many names to mention....) I go through the No Posting stuff about every 4 days or so. I read almost everything, and am in love with everyone in the humor threads. Feels better to know I'm not the only one in this somewhat indescribable mental place.

"Isn't it rich,...? Send in the clowns!"

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), March 03, 1999.