Editorial

Poll analysis from the Editor's point of view
By Frank Vest

I find it strangely warped that the file name for this editorial translated to "pollanal.ed". :-)

Dear Reader,

Two weeks ago, this Editor published the poll; "What do you want in the Fidonews?" Last week, the results of that poll was published. This week, I'm going to attempt to figure out what the results mean from my point of view. You, Dear Reader, are welcome to submit your own analysis.

Of the replies received, it appears that what the readers want in the Fidonews is more input from the *C structure of Fidonet. Followed by Regional, Net, Technical and other stories related to Fidonet. The least voted for were the jokes, comix, recipes and such.

I get the idea.

I hope you, Dear Reader, also get the idea. The idea that what you want is directly related to what you give.

Many of the responses to the Poll were telling me to keep all the sections. Maybe this means that they liked all the articles that come in. Maybe it means that they just don't care, but have some drive to answer polls.

I think it means that they realize that all sections have some value.

In reality, Dear Reader, I believe that way too. The real "power" in this is what you do about it. You can run away saying that you don't like this or that and will never read the Fidonews again. Or, you can make the Fidonews into something. You have the power.

I've been told that the Fidonews Editor has power. Maybe this is true. I think the real power is in the people of Fidonet. Sure, I have the power to accept or refuse articles. You have the power to submit or not submit articles. Which is stronger?? The Editor can only refuse articles if s/he receives articles.

In reality, this is true of any newsletter, newspaper, magazine or other publication. The Fidonews, though, is different in one key factor. The Fidonews doesn't have a group of paid reporters that can be sent to "find a story". There is no staff to be told to write a story about Fidonet only. The people that submit articles are just like you... hobbyists that enjoy the hobby and write because they enjoy the hobby. They write articles about what interests them. Some of the articles are about Fidonet. Some are not. The stories about Fidonet, or any subject, must come from you.

In other hobby newsletters you will find articles about their hobby. Why? Is it because a staff is paid to write articles about that hobby? Maybe, but I put to you that if this were the case, then there would soon be a lack of articles. Think about it. All newsletter, and other publications for that matter, must rely to some degree on "roving reporters" to write and submit articles for publication. Otherwise, how many articles about a certain hobby can one write before one runs out of ideas? I'll tell you that I have hit that point as Editor of the Fidonews more than once in my short time here. No, all newsletters and publications must have some outside sources. The Fidonews just happens to rely totally on those outside sources.

By now, you are probably thinking that this Editor has forgotten all about analyzing the poll and is off in another world. Not true. I still have that in mind.

The least desired sections in the Fidonews are the Comix, Humor/jokes and Recipes. I'm sure this is because they are not Fidonet related, right? So, what to do about that? Let's make them relate to Fidonet. Many hobbies have funny stories, jokes, comics and such that are about the hobby. Let's hear some about Fidonet. Many are the cultures, people, likes and dislikes of Fidonet. That is evident in the many echos that we have. Search the Fidonet echos and you'll probably find something of interest to you. Search yourself and you just might find an article hidden in you. :)

To end this, I'm offering some challenges.

To the *C structure. I put forth this challenge. Give us some articles. What is happening in the Zone? What's going on in your Region? How about your Net?

To others in Fidonet. I challenge you to write articles about Fidonet. Be they technical, humorous, poetry, general interest or whatever.

YOU have the power.

Kind regards,

Frank Vest, Editor - Fidonews