Date: Fri, 09 Apr 1999 00:15:20 -0400 
To: Promote-BBS@onelist.com 
From: Pat Clawson <clawson@telegrafix.com>
Reply-to: Promote-BBS@onelist.com 
Subject: [Promote-BBS] The Online Alternatives Conference 


TeleGrafix is planning gatherings of BBS sysops and other alternative
online information system operators.

The objective of these gatherings will be to promote alternatives
to the Web.  It will NOT be to promote "BBSing."

We're not looking to create a trade show or a typical industry
conference. 
Instead, we're looking at an alternative event - very free spirit and
cutting edge.

We would like BBS sysops, Webmasters, geeks, grunts and executives
to be able to mingle together and share ideas.  We might even throw in
a circus act or two, if it's in the right spirit. <G>

If you would like to help with planning these events, please let me 
know via e-mail at clawson@telegrafix.com or by phone at 540-678-4050.

The first meeting will most likely be near D.C.'s Dulles Airport, in 
the heart of the Northern Virginia Netplex, the home of so much of the
Internet industry today. We expect this will occur late this summer.

Which would you prefer: a single national meeting, or a series of 
regional meetings?

If regional, how far would you be willing to travel? What's an
acceptable driving time? 

If national or regional, which cities do you suggest - and why?

What topics would you like covered at these meetings?  What types of
speakers from both inside and outside the BBS community?

Anybody out there dying to make a presentation?

Should vendors be invited to set up exhibits?

Finally, since nothing in life is free, how much would you be willing
to spend to attend such a meeting?  How much should registration fees
be?
What is an acceptable overnight hotel room rate?

We're thinking about something that would open up Saturday morning, and
close around noon on Sunday. Something short, sweet and to the point.
Weekends seem to be best time for all concerned.

Finally, we'd really like to get rid of the term BBS because it's
outdated and really doesn't reflect what these online systems are capable of
doing.

Any suggestions for a new moniker?

Regards,

Pat Clawson
TeleGrafix Communications Inc
Winchester, VA

