From Krasanakis S., [NO CITY PROVIDED], GREECE:

VERY GOOD!


From Danielle F., [NO CITY PROVIDED], CA, USA:

I found your site via surfing for horscopes just for fun, and came across Ms. Blue's writings. Because of her amazing and captivating style it impelled me look into your entire website. I'm sure you know what an asset someone of her obvious education and creative writing talent is to your site. (even if it's just horoscope predictions.)


From Frank, [NO CITY or STATE PROVIDED], USA:

Greetings and cheers to a great web magazine. I'm interested in sending a CD and press kit for possible review.

I was in touch with Brad Balfour via New Review of Records magazine in years past and was wondering if he was still available. What happened to him?

Anyway, the CD in mind is Frank Messina & Spoken Motion, "Biting the Tongue" on Spokeface Records. It's a new spoken word and music CD which debuted at #20 on the Spoken Word Charts listed at Mercury Records. Anyway, any response would be appreciated. Keep up the good work and hopefully I'll hear from you soon.

Frank


From "Storyman10", [NO CITY or STATE PROVIDED], USA:

SUBJECT: fax nikita

I came upon your site by chance and enjoyed it very much. Thanks for the laughs.


ROD RESPONDS: Kransakis, Danielle , Frank, and "Storyman10" - Thanks for visiting the G21 and for writing. You've caused quite a blushfest around here. On behalf of all involved, we appreciate hearing from all our readers. I hope you feel free to come back --- often --- and tell ALL YOUR FRIENDS.

THE ARTICLE THAT WOULD NOT DIE

I loved your article on "Painted Babies." The reason I found your site, is because I have been searching for how to find a copy of that video! Thank God you wrote that essay! That documentary scared me. Did you notice how Brooke's mom had that nervous "twitch" as she watched her child saunter around like a whore?

How about that chilling stare that "brooke" gave into the rear view mirror of the car at the end???

Great essay! If you know where I can find a copy of Painted Babies, would you let me know? Unfortunately, I live in Atlanta where "Ms Supreme" was held. (rolling eyes) I had a feeling that MC was number one--gay--number two---he seemed really creepy...

Not that the two are related, but the whole thing made me want to take a shower afterwards. It is SICK SICK SICK!!!!

Keep up the good work!
Lisa


ROD RESPONDS: Lisa, thanks for visiting the World's Magazine and for taking the time to drop us an e-mail. Amazing! That article is over a year old, Carlene has been gone about a year, and we *still* get mail about it.... Glad you liked it, and hope you'll come back to enjoy the rest of the magazine. Thanks, again!

You Mean You Take Us *SERIOUSLY*

Hey Rod.

I read your column for Andover each week. I like your take on things and generally agree with your main points (but still continue to learn things). Take the (poorly worded) compliment.

So I'm reading your article on "The *Next* Web Site Redesign" and I follow the link to your ezine, G21. So how come it feels like I've dusted off my old Netscape 2? (Yes, I still have a copy of NN2 installed on my ol' beast, NN3, Opera 2.x, and a couple of others too).

I know that Linx users get the short shift sometimes, when form totally overcomes function, but why so archaic? It's 1999!!!

I'm curious, wouldn't net-savvy users first and foremost be your primary constituent(s)? I mean, I'm still explaining to people how it's possible to spend more than an hour a day on the web... So given that, wouldn't it follow that some "Form" is called for?

With the explosion of ezines and the fact that anybody with a server and the inclination can be a publisher, wouldn't a little bit of "eye candy" help the cause?

I grant that writing (good writing) is the heart of any publication, but I can't see how your current model can be seen as a revenue generating model. (Unless I've missed the point entirely...) At any rate, I truly am curious as to the thought process/reasoning involved in keeping your site the way that it is. I would appreciate your response, and thank-you in advance

John F.

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada


ROD RESPONDS: John, first of all, thanks for reading my "Working the Web" column at Andover News Network. Let me Publisher there know you enjoy it, too.

Your letter points up one of the BIGGEST problems of being a Web "pundit." People expect you to be a Code Warrior. If they're not impressed with your site, they either end up dismissing you, or confused --- as in your case. I'll try to explain briefly.

You raise a number of interesting questions, which we have debated at the magazine over the years. Many of my writers are very "old school" and think I should make their words the primary attraction of the effort --- that's part of what you see reflected on much of the site.

Thus, I've down-played the use of JavaScript, except for navigation, and avoided *a lot* of the usual bells and whistles.

As you intuit, the other reason I haven't "modernized" --- I think because usability is *still* the primary concern for me. Every bell or whistle immediately excludes some class of user. I want the largest audiene possible, so I design for the *least tech-/web-savvy user* possible, rather than the most as you assume in your question.

Finally, I'm still in the process of completing the *Next* site re-design mentioned in the article you reference. Hope you like what you're seeing now. Thanks for the thoughtful comments and suggestions. Hope you feel free to comeback often and give us more input.

Meanwhile down in Georgia...

Everyone who is reading this thank you very much, Im reaching out to get this story out there it needs to be told before its to late.

In Georgia, nestled about an hour away from Atlanta in the small backwards town of Eatonton, Among the swaying magnolia trees lies the rural 480 acre estate of an independent community of non-biased citizens. The estate known as Tama-Re "little Egypt of the West" is a theme park in the making/waiting. Most visitors are amazed at the huge pyramids, statues, and other Egyptian based artifacts which have attracted visitors from as far as Tibet. Since arriving in the desolate town of eatonton in 1996 ( a city known only for being the birthplace of Alice Walker) the community of Tama Re who call themselves Nuwaubians (a Non Denominational label) have made many attempts to pump life into the fading town by getting a classification of C-2 (commercial) as oppose to AG (agricultural) to build a theme park, a social club, grocery store, and skating rink. They have been met with opposition from the town's officials everystep of the way. Spokeswoman for Tama Re Hagar York, chimes in saying that residents weren't prepared for Egyptian structures or a Blackman controlling so much land. The local sheriff Howard R. Sills has been an Enforcer, who is trying to intimidate the citizens of Tama Re out of Eatonton with zoning issues and constant surveillance. Sheriff Sills in his own words which appeared in the Macon Telegraph said that "besides zoning issues there has been relatively few problems with the group BUT THEY STILL MAKE ME UNEASY." In one incident the sheriff felt the unexplainable need to bring 17 squad cars and attack dogs from neighboring counties to pad lock one facility. Rameses Social club was shut down on April 20th 1998 it was safe haven and positive alternative to the crime infested section of Eatonton Known to locals as the strip. This was clearly a Gestapo tactic, if it had been the orthodox Hassidic communities of Crown height Brooklyn, or Lakewood New Jersey that were harassed in this manner there would be outrage. Malachi York owner of the estate and the citizen who reside on Tama Re have been routinely denied request to rezone to C2 that would allow the type of progress desperately needed in that area. The local businesses have shown support for Malachi York and Tama re signing a petition asking the counties zoning board to rezone Tame Re to a C2 classification, businesses like Blimpies, Quincy's, Golden Corral, Motel 9, El Sombrero, and the China Garden to name a few. Neighboring towns of Madison, Macon, Milledgeville, Monticello, and Eagle Rock have all benefited by the presents of Tama re, every June for one solid week tens of thousands come to Tama re for the annual family week funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars into the area. Not to mention the constant tourism which the site attracts. Why has Malachi and Tama Re been met with such defiance by the towns officials, its unfortunate to say but its just old fashion racism in 1999. Whether you agree or disagree with the beliefs of an individual is irrelevant, to strip away a persons right to prosper in America today is wrong and intolerable.

Thank you for reading this letter, if you can help get the word out please let me know, or if you know of other media outlets availble and open to different views please let me know. If you want more info let me know please. Attached are pictures of plans for developments on Tama Re. Here's a great article from one of the local columnist Macon Telegraph Article by Charles Richardson, Feb. 6

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