Did We Do the Right Thing?

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Last Revised: April 1997

GRANMA NUDGE

Did We Do The Right Thing??IS ANYONE READING THIS???

by MARY MOORE

It's been over five months since we made the decision to change this paper from newsprint to cyberspace and what a wild ride it's been. We've been praised and congratulated by the netheads (what took you so long??) and vilified by the luddites (how could you be so elitist?) I'm still not sure it was the right decision but I guess only time will give us that answer.

I do know that I've personally traveled quite far on the "learning curve" and mostly what that has done is to give me a perspective on how much further there is to go. It's daunting but I do realize that it is the future and the left better get its act together in this medium or we'll be further swamped than we already are. On the upside we are now able to read and be read all over the world and are no longer simply preaching to the choir. And the fact that we can put up ten years of effort and archive endless amounts of information was the main selling point for me. There are no deadlines and no word counts.

But before we deserted the paper way the choir was in no way singing the same note and there is alot to be said for a local grassroots effort that is easy to obtain and geared toward keeping us informed and in key with one another. You can't curl up in bed with your computer screen and a cup of cocoa while you read and I do wonder how many people are actually seeing these words. I was told by someone I love and respect alot that there is so much information on the web that people just jump around and don't read in depth.

If you are a regular web user and have found us by accident or even on purpose and are actually reading these words, please give us some feedback. You can E-mail us at scfp@wco.com or (still my personal favorite) write us an old fashioned letter at P.O. Bx 863, Occidental, Ca. 95465. We'll print it if you wish but mostly I'd just like to know how many people are actually using this paper to get information. We have alot of talented and knowledgeable columnists who would like to know the same thing. Let us know what you like and don't like. At least with the old newsprint way we did get feedback.

And lastly, if you are an old listener/fan of Mama O'Shea, please take the time to drop her a line or two in care of this paper (above address) She is slowly recovering in a Bay Area hospital (more of a warehouse) and would really love to hear from you. She is feeling isolated but her spirit is coming back and words from you would help in that process. If you'd like to send a photo or artwork, she has a little binder, 4 inches by six, to keep mementoes in. Send a contribution to her care of this paper.

Thanks for listening. Anyone out there?????

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