T0 
CLONES? 
 
by Dean Roades 
Editor - 463 ADAM User Group Newsletter 
Associate Editor - ADAM News Network 

A recent article in one of the ADAM newsletters (no names) was vaguely supportive of the ADAM News Network, but the last paragraph was very critical of ADAM newsletters that use many items from ANN.  That editor felt that there was not enough individuality, that many of these newsletters look alike, with only the names different.  "I can understand using an article or two to fill in; and I can understand using an article that everyone needs." As one of these so-called look alikes (and proud of it), I felt the need to respond. 

I started 463 ADAM in August of 1987.  I began sending each member a letter every month to remind them of the meeting.  I gradually added information on vendors, what was happening at the meetings and other information as it came to my attention.  By August of 1988, the letter had developed into a newsletter of sorts, 2 pages, plus some reprints.  The development has been steady. Recently, our membership voted to increase dues in order to add more pages to our newsletter, (meaning more ANN articles).  Now I'm proud to publish a 20+ page newsletter that serves the needs of our group.  The key here is "serves the needs of our group". 
 
463 ADAM is a small, mainly novice group.  We have no 'experts'.  We do the best we can, but are unable to generate the individuality of information mentioned above.  As founder of our group, I feel it is my responsibility to assist our members in learning more about ADAM.  I cannot program like Sol Swift or Tony Morhen.  Rich Clee, Thomas Keene and Barry Wilson can write in a way I only aspire to.  Graphics?  Mine are quickly forgotten when Pat Herrington or Ricki Gerlach are around.  I know less about CP/M than Barry, but I can count on IEAUG and Ron Collins to know all about it.  Hardware projects are best left to Big John Lingrel or Mark Gordon and others.  LOGO, telecommunications, machine language, GODOS, etc.  There are people in each field who know much more than I.  By now, you are asking "What can you do?".  The answer is ORGANIZE.  I may not know the answer, but I DO know where to find it.  And I can find it in ANN. 
 
Most of our members receive our newsletter and maybe one other.  They do not know that our newsletter looks a lot like someone else's.  Why should they care?  As long as our newsletter "serves the needs of our group".  They are grateful that I have access to the great minds of ADAM.  If they had to rely on 'individual' articles written by me, no one would learn anything. 
 
463 ADAM trades with a number of other newsletters, a common practice within the community.  I read them all, and I do notice many are using the same articles from ANN.  The point is, these newsletters were not written for ME, they were written for members of that club.  That editor felt that the articles included would "serve the needs of the group".  
 
The important point I am trying to make is:  Each newsletter must be judged on it's own, not compared to any other.  How can anyone suggest that a poor article, written 'individualy' by an editor not familar with the subject, is better than one from the ANN pool, written by an expert? 
 
Your comments are welcome on this subject. 
 
Dean Roades 
463 ADAM 
8522 Hohman Ave. 
Munster, IN 46321


  Why should they care?  As long as our newsletter "serves the needs of our group".  They are gratefu
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