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Re: [APML] Number of APML members?



(Awe crud, I wrote most all of this right after Chris's original post, but 
I'm home today and got distracted into bleeding the brakes on the Honda. 
Now Gene hath spoken with his usual wisdom.  BTW, "Three cheers for Gene 
everyone" the man DOES deserve it, and we all know it.  So the thread is 
dead, but since I already composed all this, I just may hit send, I guess 
you'll find out if I do!)


Gee Chris,
  I sort of relish the low traffic rate.  Why don't we all just post our 
film images on the [CCD] list.  Alan had the guts to.  (BTW, Yes Alan, 
you're an APML success story now.)  But if we all posted film on the [CCD] 
list then they'll just complain about us!
  Suppose they did accept film posts the way we've relaxed on CCD/DSLR what 
then would be the difference between the two lists?  Why would two lists 
even be needed?
  The old days were light-years better I agree though.  All the absolutely 
esoteric stuff which used to be hashed out by the greats (yourself not 
excepted, BTW Chris) and in a civil, yet respectfully disagreeable manner 
until the goals of the discussion were reached.
  I know I came in late around here, but some of you newer guys (who have 
clearly and demonstrably made some amazing strides) just would not believe 
how excellent the APML used to be when the guys who REALLY know this stuff 
down to amazing levels of technique were here in abundance and were really 
active.
  Heck, later on I used to post things just to try to get those still here 
to come on out and simply correct me.  But I think they're too bored to go 
over all of it again and there may not even be enough of them left to 
operate at the higher levels through active discussion between themselves. 
It's already in the archives.
  On the other hand, though we may sometimes be somewhat bored, I think the 
newer guys I spoke of above are, never the less, deriving benefits from the 
list the same as always.  In other words, the list still fulfills its 
function: It works.
  One thing of great benefit though, would be if the advanced level would 
correct where they obviously know better.  I tend to think they don't feel 
like sticking their necks out though, as I've seen them disrespected on 
occasions.  So why bother?
  Well, I think they (and we all) should bother because the APML functions 
at its BEST if it is an active learning environment.  One knows when they've 
"Been there, done that."
  The only question is are they going to share their understanding just for 
the reward of seeing progress made by those who happen to have come along 
after them.
  I hate to say this, I really do, but somehow I find the [CCD] list and CCD 
in general to be uninteresting, EXCEPT for the results.  I just have not 
caught the bug for "imaging" like I did for "photography".
  I know there are a lot of electronics guys, and computing experts like 
yourself Chris who really find CCD interesting, and superior.  But it just 
doesn't hook me and frankly a really good personally acceptable level CCD 
camera costs more than I want to devote to the hobby, at least at this time. 
I've more pressing priorities.
  The fact that there are over 500 people STILL RIGHT HERE on a film list 
speaks to me quite well that I'm STILL not alone, and yep once yet again, 
FILM IS NOT DEAD!!!!!  THERE'S JUST NO LOGICAL PREMISE TO BASE THE NUMBERS 
ON TO DEMONSTRATE A CONVERSE.  Dang, what's with CCD that they are, well, 
hell bent on total "sky's the limit" domination in all nooks and crannies.

  Humm... haven't we been here before and pretty much solved all this. 
Everyone knows ONLY Robert could have pulled it off, because everyone knows 
he's about the best in the world.  How ya gonna say no to that.

Them be's my thoughts..., respectfully borne by the still current strength 
of the numbers.


Jim Vineyard



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Cook" <ccook@cape.com>
To: "Discussion of Film Astrophotography" <astro-photo@seds.org>
Sent: Friday, February 04, 2005 7:56 AM
Subject: Re: [APML] Number of APML members?


> That's why I asked.  The daily traffic on the list is just a shadow of 
> what
> it use to be.  Its very interesting that there are still about the same
> amount of members though, yet the posts are down to 1-5 per day sometimes.
> Compare that to the SBIG and digital_astro group that look to average 
> about
> 100-200 per day...and the APML years ago.
>
> I know this is a sore subject, but I will bring it up again.  Since we
> hardly have any traffic on this list and rarely does anyone post a film
> image (compared to several years ago).  Why don't we make the list truly
> open to CCD and DSLR posts/questions/images?  It seems a bit silly to me 
> to
> have over 500 members on a list yet there is hardly any traffic.  I'm sort
> of wondering at this point, what's the real purpose of the list anymore? 
> It
> looks like there just aren't that many folks shooting film to make the 
> list
> an lively/active place to post.
>
> One finally thought...and I'm not meaning to step on any toes. ... 
> But...why
> don't we put changing the APML guidelines to an actual vote?  Not like the
> past where emails flew back and forth debating the subject until we were 
> all
> blue in the face.
>
> If the list truly does end up accepting CCD/DSLR posts, it might liven the
> group up to the way it use to be... or... it may do nothing and folks will
> still stay on the other lists.  Either way, at least I feel the group put
> some effort into saving the list from rotting in the corner.
>
> If everyone thinks I'm way OT with this and should just shut up, that's ok
> too.  <BG>
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Chris
>
> -----------------------------
> Chris Cook Photography
> www.cookphoto.com
>
>
>
>
>
> >   Like Chris, I've been wondering about our numbers too.  Are we dying
> out,
> > or holding steady at 4 to 5 hundred?  More???
>
>
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> Astro-Photo mailing list
> Astro-Photo@seds.org
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> 
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