Date:	Mon, 13 Sep 1993 06:24:08 -1000
From:	sasaki@netop3.harvard.edu (Marty Sasaki)
Message-Id: <1993Sep13.162408.19858@das.harvard.edu>
Organization: Harvard University
Subject: SKQ editorial, making kites (Re: Request: World Cup Results)


In article <26raou$nng@news.umi.com>, sritter@umi.com (Sam Ritter x3111) writes:
>In article <1993Sep10.222819.7057@das.harvard.edu> sasaki@netop3.harvard.edu (Marty Sasaki) writes:
>>I don't understand why my having two jobs makes rec.kites a safe place
>>to spout off. Not that it isn't a safe place....
>
>Take a look at the articles/editorinals in the last couple of issues of
>SKQ.  They are basically saying that people like yourself and what I am
>getting into, should do the "kite thing" full time, and anything less
>than that does not qualify your business as legitimate.  This is more
>or less the interpretation of those editorials in a nutshell.  I meant 
>safe in the way that people may identify with my observations.  I should
>have explained that a little further at the time, but I was in a rush to
>get out of work.  Apologies if any offense.  

First I took no offense, I was just confused. Happens all of the time,
so don't worry about that.

I read the articles in SKQ and had similar feelings about much of what
was said. However, the reasoning behind much of what was said was
clear.

Kiting in general, and kite manufacturing specifically, is going
through lots of changes, and plenty of growth. Kite manufacturers come
and go, and that's the problem. Overall, the community is not served
by someone who gets into the business, sells some kites and fades from
the scene. The purchaser is left with a one of a kind item that may be
difficult to repair. The burden of service falls on the local kite
shop when the manufacturer should be around to help out.

>...  It's not in the spirit of kiting to discourage someone
>from possibly making advances in the sport.  You never know who will have
>that breakthrough in technology. 

I agree. The more ideas the better. However, I can understand wanting
to "protect" an investment in a certain technology. There are many
kite makers and the perception is that the market is limited. Kites
are hard to tell apart (Katanas of various flavors have been
mis-identified as Big Brothers, Little Sisters, Jabberwockys, and
Competition Edges). Small manufacturers are struggling to find their
market niche.

What is best for the industry? I don't know, but you will often hear
discussions about these things when you hang out with kite
manufacturers.
--
Marty Sasaki            Harvard University           Sasaki Kite Fabrications
sasaki@noc.harvard.edu  Network Services Division    26 Green Street
617-496-4320            10 Ware Street               Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
                        Cambridge, MA 02138-4002     phone/fax: 617-522-8546



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