MOTM

I am sorry to see mail on this list taken the direction is has since for 3
years, this list has been basically without harsh words.  certainly,
everyone has an opinion about this subject, and that is as it should be.  I
would be surprised if even two of us have the exact same viewpoint.  But, we
can all have our differing opinions respectful of other's viewpoints.

I understand why Tony A. mentioned unsubbing form the list.  He was taking
some abuse, and no one likes that (myself included).  I agree with everyone
that Tony A. has been a valuable contributor, and like anyone else, I am
sorry to see him leave if he feels he must.  Whether I think that Tony's
products were a competition or compliment to Paul's stuff is not an issue.

> From: James Holloway <jimh54@...>
>  Besides As I see it, only one guy on the list is
> accusing you of "scabbing". and he's a self proclained "stooge".

Certainly, an unfortunate choice of words in my opinion.  I make no attempts
to speak for anyone.  But, I will ask each of you if you have ever said or
written anything in your life, which later you might have worded
differently?  Sometimes things said under times of high emotion, or under
the influence of those popular beverages (as openly admitted by at least
one), people say things more "strongly" than they really feel.  So, I urge
"tolerance" as a good way to think.  Tolerance for a variety of opinions,
and for someone to occassionally say something that later came out
differently than they intended.  Certainly, I have stuck my foot in my mouth
more than once.  Anyone here that has not?

> From: James Holloway <jimh54@...>
> I Like MOTM and have a big system 75% MOTM,
> 25% other stuff. But, I am first and foremost a consumer.

I think that is true of many of us.  When John B, Tony K, and Tony
A, or even some stooge like me comes out with something cool,
people want it.  I don't think even one person has a problem with
that.

> From: James Holloway <jimh54@...>
> I waited all of last year for new modules from Synthtech, but as
> everyone well knows, only 2 were produced. I needed some
>  modules that you and others produced, so I bought them. No
> remorse, no guilt. Just market demand.

No one criticises anyone for that.  In fact, Paul (in his "I am a sloth
mail")
apologized for the slow release of modules in 2000 and promised us
2001 would be better.  Certainly, I bet Paul more than any of us would
have liked that number to have been 5 or 6.  But, year 2000 was a big
year for Paul to sell a lot of existing module product.  And while that may
be great for the new customers, it can be a little difficult for us old guys
who have been here since day one to accept.  But, we must deal with
this and look for the positives.

Paul like the rest of us has only 24 hours in a day.  My guess is he sleeps
far less than most of us.  So, you can only do so much.  We can all rejoice
in the fact that existing module sales have been good.  That is what helps
to provide the cash flow required to bring out a new module.  The money has
to come from somewhere up until the time you sell # 35 or whatever it takes
to reach the break even point on one these days
----
> From: James Holloway <jimh54@...>
> I want to have one of the complete MOTM Systems
> in 25 years when they become collector's items.
----
You got that right buddy.
-----
> From: James Holloway <jimh54@...>
> I think maybe this whole fray was caused by me due
> to a private mail to Dave concerning the Superladder
> /Multi-ladder panels.
----
I don't think so.  But, while we are on that subject.  In a day or two you
will see the annoucement of available silkcreened panels that many of you
want to buy to add non-MOTM stuff into your modulars.  We cannot do it all
at once (we will do more later, I guarantee it).  But, some of the stuff you
asked for is there.  Some of the stuff will NOT be there.  Not because
anyone has any problem with people buying whatever they want in the modular
systems.  But, because of some conflicts of interest.  For example, we will
not be doing the Superladder.  Paul says it will be an official MOTM
product.  So, while anyone can buy the PCB and DIY until their heart's
content (I do, it's fun), we are not going to make a MOTM look-alike panel
now for something we know will be a MOTM module, regardless of how long it
will be before it is released.  That is simply our choice.  We will makes
lots of other stuff that is NOT exactly a planned MOTM release, even it is
might some day be similar.  You don't have to agree with that decision.
That's your right.
----
> From: James Holloway <jimh54@...>
> I don't think this whole thing is a monopoly so let's not let
> our trivial "Brand Loyalyty" get the best of us. Let the
> market decide the winner.
---
First, let me say I am not picking on your Jim.  You brought up
VERY good points and that I why I am sounding off of your
last mail.

I also would like to offer a slightly different point of view on
this issue.  Not all things in this world are best left to a "pure"
market.  I am in the utility business and I offer California style
electricity deregulation as a good example.  There are many
others.  And, I do not think in ANY way that Paul should
enjoy a protected market.  But, lets examine that facts.  This is
a VERY limited market.  How many MOTM customers are there
GLOBALLY - less than 250.  I am selfish.  I want MOTM-XXX
this year and MOTM-YYY next year and so on.  This is not a big
corporate deal.  It is Paul with his personal money in a small but
GREAT side endeavor.  I am willing to help "skew" normal free
market conditions slightly if it means that helps assure that Paul
can indeed afford to make the next 10 MOTM releases.  I want
them all.

Does that mean we should throw competitors off the list?
Absolutely not.  If we want guys like Tony and Tony and John
to be around making cool stuff for us, we have to support them.

Does that mean we should not buy other stuff?
Of course not.
But, it can mean that we are all sensitive to the work that Paul is
doing and how easy it could come to a halt if every new MOTM
release does not sell enough to break even.  And, for Dave and I
that means being a little selective about what panels are printed
just when.  We ask you to understand that and respect our decisions.

Sorry to be so long.  It's only because I care about this list and the
people on it.

Larry Hendry
Stay tuned for cool new (and old) Panels from Stooge Panels, Inc.
Blacet and Oakley are there.  :)