P3D RE: P3D APEC History and Future

[Dan Shelley <dshelley@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

George wrote:

> Looking at info about the APEC history, I see the following:
>
> - APEC I:   1861-1863
> - APEC II:  1975-1981
> - APEC III: 1997 - ???
> 
> Any idea why the previous APECs only lasted a few years?  

The first APEC ended because America was in the middle of the civil war
and several members were going off to fight.

I was not able to find a reason for the demise of the second APEC. I am
sure there is a good set of reasons, but... 

> Any predictions now long this current version is going to last?

FOREVER!!! =) Actually, since the last exchange only included 26 views,
we still have plenty of room to grow. We have discussed internally that
we would like to cap off the current member number to 40 or 50 or so
when the time comes. BUT, nothing official has ever been decided.

> You guys have to think about the future.  One person cannot handle 
> all this work, especially with APEC's exponential growth.  What's next?
> The Stereoscopic Society of America has been around "for ever".  Less 
> work for the secretary and its members. Backing by NSA.

I am curious about what you are thinking George. Were your question and
statement meant to suggest that APEC III might be better served if it
were part of the PSA, or maybe directly by the NSA?

I think a better option might be to have a second set of exchanges
should growth demand it, handled by a different "secretary" than the
first. Some members would almost certainly join both exchanges, but that
would allow for SOME more growth without too much extra burden on the
original secretary. We are substantially different from all other
"circuit" type view exchanges in that we each make copies of our views
for all the other members, and they are sent out for the other memebers
to keep permanently.

> You (maybe "us" soon?) have something good going on but don't see 
> it it lasting for too long.  

It would be great to have you join George... "Come on down!" BUT, why do
you see an near end to this particular incarnation of APEC? There are no
trouble signs that I know of... =) It should be able to go on just fine
at it's current growth rate, and as I said, we could fairly easily add a
second exchange.

Any other APEC III people have opinions?

Dan Shelley
dshelley@xxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.dddesign.com/3dbydan


------------------------------