Subj : Echomail could use a landing page
To   : Charles Pierson
From : August Abolins
Date : Wed Nov 18 2020 21:15:00

Hello Charles!

** On Wednesday 18.11.20 - 19:05, Charles Pierson wrote to August Abolins:

 CP> Telling them about echomail is somewhat useless without them
 CP> understanding BBSes are still here and operational, and do not require
 CP> computers older than they are to access.

One step at a time. The first step.. join an echo. Then they  
"learn" the unique terms and further possibilities.


 CP> A "landing page" would do no more than any current BBS's Webpage now.  It
 CP> would still require a specific search for BBS related terms, so short of
 CP> reading an article about BBSes somewhere, or seeing BBS and BBS networks
 CP> mentioned in their favorite social media platform, they wouldn't know
 CP> what to look for.

The page would be a tool.  Stas' google search using  
FUTURE4FIDO pulled up my "Help" page, first.  That probably  
means that Google has recognized it gets a lot of visits and  
is therefore "relevant".   I would not dismiss the usefulness  
of a suitable info-page as quickly as you do.  ;)


 AA>> Most potential users are reading blogs and forums that cater   to
 AA>> their interest.  Ephemeral conversation is often limited to
 AA>> Facebook - because that is all they know.

 CP> And a landing page found by Google searches won't change that.

I wouldn't be so sure.  People seem to think that the internet  
*is* google.  That's what they use - a lot.


 AA>> If there was a landing page that describes what echomail is   and
 AA>> how to use it (either via the Telegram app, or fTelnet or
 AA>> whatever interface) then they can be informed about the   strange
 AA>> world of BBSing via their devices too.

 CP> That's not going to happen via Googling it.

It worked well with a FUTURE4FIDO search.  It can work for  
other things.


 CP> They will have to see it discussed via blogs, Tweets, Facebook posts,
 CP> Instagram, whatever.

Sure, that too. Start doing that.  ;)


 CP> There has to be something attracting interest first.

Pretty icons help.


 AA>> I think the messaging component should be promoted first,   *then*
 AA>> the BBS. Not the other way around as it is now.

 CP> It goes hand in hand.  BBS'S and amateur computer networks  have been
 CP> around longer than Zuckerberg has been alive. You're not buried in
 CP> advertisements because you did a websearch about headphones once to get
 CP> someone a gift.

Those things have been around longer. Fine. But new people  
have not.  ;)  I don't quite get your meaning on the latter  
sentence.


 CP> But you can't simply say "Hey kids, you want echomail conferences about
 CP> almost any topic you can think of?" Without also explaining about BBSes
 CP> and how to use them.

But I think that would work.  Hey kids.. google "fido  
echomail" and maybe even the keywords "start here" and learn  
that it can be a fine alternative to the usual forums and chat  
sites out there.  THEN, they learn that they are attached to  
the strange things called BBSes. And these BBSes can be  
contacted directly too.
--
  ../|ug

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