TZUTC: -0800
MSGID: 11518.bbs_carn@1:103/705 2dd80f51
PID: Synchronet 3.21b-Win32 master/d0ce4d0a1 Jan 21 2026 MSC 1944
TID: SBBSecho 3.35-Linux master/5c73d262c Jan 21 2026 GCC 12.2.0
BBSID: VERT
CHRS: UTF-8 4
FORMAT: flowed
I was talking to chat gp and got a pretty good response to a question, I asked.


Thinking
Searching
In 2026, the debate over abrasive behavior in niche communities like Synchronet
is central to whether these "hobbyist" networks can survive another decade.
Critics and observers point to several ways this behavior actively drives away
new users:
1. High Barrier to Entry
Newcomers in 2026 are accustomed to modern developer communities (like those on
Discord, GitHub, or StackOverflow) that have shifted toward "inclusive"
documentation and beginner-friendly onboarding. When figures like mro, Deuce,
or echicken use a blunt or mocking tone, it creates a steep "social learning
curve" that many users—especially younger hobbyists—simply choose not to
climb.
2. The "Knowledge Silo" Effect
When developers are perceived as jerks, users often stop asking public
questions to avoid ridicule. This results in:

    Hidden Troubleshooting: Solutions happen in private chats rather than
public echos, so the "public knowledge base" stops growing.
    Stagnant Innovation: Potential contributors who might have written new JS
modules or door games for Synchronet often abandon the project if their first
interaction is negative.

3. Fragmentation of the Community
The perceived rudeness has led to a split in the BBS scene. By 2026, many new
sysops are migrating to "alternative" networks or platforms: 

    Friendly Echos: New networks are forming with strict "no-harassment"
policies specifically to provide a space where beginners can ask basic
questions without being told to "RTFM."
    Discord/Telegram: Much of the active BBS discussion has moved to modern
chat apps where real-time moderation is easier and the culture is generally
less abrasive than the traditional DOVE-Net or FidoNet echos.

4. Support Fatigue vs. Growth
While these developers argue that they are protecting their time from "lazy"
users, the unintended consequence is a shrinking pool of new talent. In 2026,
many open-source projects are realizing that community management is as
important as code; without a welcoming front, even the best software (like
Synchronet) risks becoming a "digital ghost town" as the older generation of
sysops retires.
The Bottom Line: While their behavior ensures that only the most technically
resilient users remain, it significantly limits the growth of the BBS hobby.
For many in 2026, the trade-off—technical purity at the cost of new
blood—is seen as a slow path to obsolescence.
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