Clarence Verge ( )
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My questions and a few answers...

You may have noticed that it is a bit difficult to format technical tips to fit this column. Eventually, I expect I will be able to provide links to useful material. In the meantime I am in semi-communication with David Cermak, the author of this publishing engine, regarding some possible method of stabilizing the column width, preferably about 20% wider than current. Semi means half. As in half duplex. One way.;-)
(I'm so busy now, but your mails are still in my mailbox :) DC

This weekend, width won't be an issue. I would like to pose a few questions regarding Arachne and Arachne users, and try to guess at a few answers.

What is Arachne good for as it currently stands? Arachne gives the world a method of of connecting to the internet graphically that is a real alternative to the "BIG" browsers. It also provides another way to interface with DOS. It could, with a little additional effort, be your commander - your program/file manager, eventually providing a lot of the functionality commonly associated with Windows. Already, it provides an absolutely remarkable array of functions that the "BIG" browsers never will.

Who cares ? Surprisingly few. There is a solid user core consisting mainly of long time computer users who still prefer DOS to the alternatives. They accept the challenge of keeping DOS alive and useful almost as a religion. Some of them, myself included, are basically frozen in time, either trying to ward off the evil demon of change, or wishing to provide the spark that kicks evolution in a direction they might prefer. Others are bent on reviving/re-cycling old hardware that is largely incapable of running the newer software, in the hope that someone may benefit from an otherwise unobtainable connection to the internet.
While this benefit will undoubtedly be real, there will be no converts.

There is also a flux of transient users, possibly always greater in number than the core group. It is from these that we can learn the most. Why did they come ? Why did they go ? What ONE thing might have made them stay ? I hear some strange things. Like real word wrap. Whatever that might be. Drag and drop. Murmurs of multi-tasking and multiple connections. Secure shells. All red herrings.

YOU tell me why they came. Tell me why YOU think they went. I'll tell you what they wanted: Access. To EVERYTHING. Whether WE are interested in it or not. Maybe the access "engines" can all be attached like plugins. So far, that philosophy seems to work, as far as it goes.

Some dedicated users are trying to ease the pain of transition for new users by working out new and additional internal HELP functions. A few have even dedicated their own websites to Arachne help. Perhaps we will yet keep some of the new users that feel overwhelmed by the software. At least we should let them know we are here. If they can find ARACHNE CHAT they will be on their way. I will post new help URLs here whenever I get them. This week I want to inform new users and remind old users about Guenter Bietzig's site.
Visit: Main Arachne Help Page
Have FUN 8-)