132 lines
7.3 KiB
Plaintext
132 lines
7.3 KiB
Plaintext
Association of Online Professionals
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Frequently Asked Questions
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=============================================================================
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The following are the questions that have been raised about AOP, the
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professional association for system operators and their responses as
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prepared by the AOP staff.
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If this information does not answer your specific question, please contact
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AOP in one of the following ways:
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Voice: 202-265-1266
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CIS: 70631,266
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Also, AOP messages and files are carried in the
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IBMBBS Forum on Compuserve. Type "Go IBMBBS".
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AOL: Go AOP
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Also, AOP messages and files are carried in the
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"BBS Corner". Type keyword "BBS".
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InterNet: Address mail to "70631.266@compuserve.com"
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Slow Mail: 1818 Wyoming Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009
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We are in the processing of setting up newsgroups and echoes on the major
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communication networks, and the AOP BBS will be up (though only open to
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association members) shortly.
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=============================================================================
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Q: Where can I get basic information and/or an application for membership?
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A: There should be a file called "AOP.ZIP" where you found this faq. It
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contains information and an application.
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Q: Since AOP is doing legislative and public policy work on behalf of
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system operators, how does it differ from the EFF.
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A: EFF is a fine organization, and we plan to work with them on issues
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where our interests coincide. But there are three major differences in
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the two. First and foremost is that AOP is a professional association
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whose focus is on delivering services to members. EFF is primarily an
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education and lobbying organization. Different structures, goals and
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agendas. In addition to its public policy work, AOP will deliver a
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slate of services, from resource guides and discounts to certification
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programs. Second, EFF has a **lot** of ground to cover. They do not
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focus exclusively on the needs of sysops, as AOP does. Third, its
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broader focus means that sometimes EFF focuses considerable time and
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resources on issues of little direct importance to sysops. AOP focuses
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**only** on the needs of our industry.
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Q: There have been other efforts at associations for sysops. Why is AOP
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succeeding where others have not?
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A: We had some advantages not available to the other efforts. The timing
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is right -- and even critical -- today. We have the benefit of
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experience in starting and managing an association. We have a full-time
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executive director managing the association, so we are not reliant on
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volunteers who have other commitments (like running their own companies
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and systems!) to meet. And we started off with strong support from
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companies like Hayes and from leading sysops nationwide.
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Q: Why does AOP charge dues at the level it does?
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A: Because it is not possible to do the job without funding. Lobbying takes
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money. So does providing the kind of services that sysops need --like
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reliable legal advice and interpretation. . .discounts on product and
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services. . .and so does running a BBS. We rely on a little bit of money
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from each member to pay for the staff and resources we need to do the
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job. And we take pride that AOP's dues are far below those of many
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other professional associations.
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Q: But shouldn't the companies who make a living pay to support this?
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A: They do. But there are two issues involved. The first is that companies
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pay more ($5,000 per year, for companies with more than $1 million in
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annual sales) in dues. For this, they will get some services needed
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only by companies. And they get to demonstrate a commitment to the
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well-being of our industry and the professional sysop community.
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But they are also looking for sysops to show that they are responsible
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enough to act in their own best interests. Frankly, some previous
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efforts at association have failed because sysops simply didn't join
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or get involved. If we are to be credible in asking companies for
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money. . .or in expecting Congress and the media to take us seriously
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. . .we must show that we are willing to work together as a profession.
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Q: But doesn't it make sense for sysops to wait three or four months
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before joining, to see if AOP continues to grow?
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A: Sure, that's a prudent approach. And it's time to send your check!
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You see, AOP did not begin at ONE BBSCON this year. By that time, we
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were already a going concern. . .duly incorporated in Washington, DC
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and actively tracking legislative issues. We have been operating for
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almost five months now. . .getting organized. . .lining up support. . .
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soliciting corporate donations. . .and keeping an eye on Congress.
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We've already done our job. Now it is your turn.
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Q: Why is it so important for me to join? Isn't that the job of the bigger,
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more profitable BBS systems?
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A: Two goals are critical. The first is that we show we are professionals.
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And the hallmark of a professional is a willingness to shoulder the
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responsibilities of our industry as well as ourselves. Unless we can
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show that, we'll be viewed as anarchists and pornographers (but only
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for as long as it takes to pass laws to put us under FCC control or out
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of business). The second goal, equally critical, is to get to 1,000
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members as quickly as possible. At that level we will still need strong
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financial support from our corporate partners. But at least we will have
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sufficient numbers to be credible as an association. And to do that, we
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need you as a member. Today.
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Q: Why haven't I seen this information on my network or the InterNet?
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A: Because we are still sorting out the rules. Some members have been
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to send our information along their networks for fear they will be
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"flamed" for "advertising" AOP. We are slowly getting sysops to
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understand that this is not a commercial ad, and it is beginning to
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get out on the networks. But any assistance will be appreciated.
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Q: I've just sent my application, but this is important to me and I want
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to do everything else I can. What more can I do?
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A: Three ideas come to mind. First, become an advocate for AOP. Tell
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other sysops that you are joining and why. Spread the files to every
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BBS you frequent, and along the networks. And make sure it is discussed
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by your local user groups and regional sysop organizations.
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Second, check your vendors to see if they are supporting AOP. If they
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are not (and a few are still waiting to see what **you** do), let them
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know clearly that you expect them to support the sysop community by
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supporting AOP.
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Finally, be as active as you can. Not everyone will want to join
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committees or be active on our forums and BBS. But it is important for
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use to work together as well as pay dues. There are still plenty of
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open positions for sysops who want to make a difference.
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=========================================================================
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End of AOP.FAQ File #1
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