Subject: Re: Has the Dojo become useless?
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 20:19:53 -0500
From: Rick Lay <rlay@ici.net>
To: MTG-STRATEGY-L@ORACLE.WIZARDS.COM

> Subject: Has the Dojo become useless?
> Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 00:45:22 -0500
> From: Len Blado <lblado@SNET.NET>
>
>         When it first arrived, The Magic Dojo was a godsend.  Rather than
> wade through endless quasi-strategic articles on the Usenet and the
> listserv, you could suddenly read just the best, carefully culled.
> Moreover, this information was distilled into useful tidbits such as
> the 'Decks to Beat'.  Indeed, the Dojo became such a success that
> people began complaining about 'Dojo Decks' and the effect it was
> having on the game.
>

<snip>

>         That was then.  Now, however, the Dojo seems in sharp decline.
>

>         If you feel as I do, I'd encourage you to write Frank and
> tell him that his site's not really that useful any more.  The
> point isn't to make him feel bad, or to insult him- but to
> constructively say: "Hey!  We want our strategy back."
>
>         -Len Blado
>

I have been reading and observing this list for about two months. While
I've been content to sit silently, I feel compelled to make a few
comments about this article.

First I should say that Frank has kindly spotlighted my website on three
ocassions in his "The Sensei Recommends" feature. I am very grateful.

I would mention that I have had 12,000 hits in two years, while Frank
has probably had to overhaul his hit counter several times :)

I agree that the Magic Dojo might benefit from greater editorial
organization. But, I can't believe Frank can do it alone.

Strategy - despite many excellent articles and Robert Hahn's Schools of
Magic, the entire strategy section needs a major rewrite. Much of this
material has to be updated and written so that it will not become dated
so easily. Articles like Len Blado's Type 2 Analysis belong in a
volatile section which will have to be updated every 2-3 months. Content
must be managed.

Decks to Beat - perhaps should be based solely on tournament
performance. Regular compiling of a Win/Loss record for tournament decks
necessary.

Deck Workshop - Zvi has suggested he might perdiodicaly critique a deck.
Each deck should be critiqued with a polished version published and
rated.

Issues, rants - one of the most important features of the Dojo is that
while a fair number of Big Name players use it as a soapbox, many of
them also contribute strategy articles and decks. This is the Dojo's
biggest draw.

Etc., etc., etc.

The Magic Dojo isn't just Frank's website, it's a community where the
work of many people is on display. I respectfully suggest that we
refrain from asking Frank when he will be updating his site and if it
will resume meeting our high expectations. I am grateful that he has
maitained his site when so many others have disapeared. I wish there was
something I could do to help.

--
Rick Lay
M:TG Homepage http://home.ici.net/~rlay/mtgmain.html