"Where?"

I've been a part of the demo scene for nearly 3 years now.  In that time I've
watched new people join and old friends vanish.  Why do people "vanish"?
There isn't some all-powerful Houdini-wannabe at work here; it's just a matter
of neglect.  Just because a friend stops being active in the scene doesn't
mean communication with this individual should also stop.

Some have left the scene for their jobs.  With the amount of time being spent
on today's productions, it might be impossible for some to continue performing
at their skill level while holding down a full-time job.  As they strike out on
their own, it is an unfortunate but realistic fact that they often sacrifice
that which does not contribute to their success and their ability to earn a
living.

Some have gone away to school.  School can be demanding for some; cutting into
or even eliminating one's free time.  The impact of the demoscene on one's
education has long been vocalized in the scene.  On winning the people's choice
award for best demo at NAID 95, members of DCB told the audience (paraphrased),
"We failed all of our classes to make this demo, but we don't care!"

Now, people are making sacrifices against the favor of the demoscene.

But communication with one's scene peers need not be disrupted because of
this.  Individuals should make a better effort at maintaining communication
with friends who have departed from the scene.

Telephone calls can be too expensive.  Land mail addresses can frequently
change, and land mail itself often proves itself an inefficient method of
communication in modern times.

Email addresses also change, but this doesn't have to be the case anymore.
Some services on the internet provide an email address that can be forwarded
anywhere and always remain the same.  One such service is Netaddress (based at
www.usa.net), which provides a free email address "for life."  Netaddress
places short advertisements in each message sent to or from any address on its
service to cover its costs.  Netaddress allows forwarding, as well as email
reading and writing at its web site.

Other such services might also exist.  Do some web searching to find similar
services if you're interested.  Having an email address that won't change is
one way to help maintain contact with scene friends.

It is the knowledgeable and respected members of the scene, past and present,
who can make a difference.  Don't neglect these individuals.  The bottom line
is: demoscene members should make more of an effort to communicate beyond the
scope of the scene.

GD / Hornet
gd@hornet.org