[C320-list] Mailing List or Forum

[Allan S Field]

While I support the current format for the same reasons that have been
articulated so well in previous posts, I am absolutely thrilled that Simon
weighed in with his thoughts on this.  Your Board is always seeking
engagement from the membership on potentially better ways of doing things
and new concepts that keep the Association vibrant and relevant.  Some of
those ideas will stick, others won't but unless the membership is engaged,
we have no idea what resonates with and is important to the membership.
Keep 'em coming and thanks Simon!

Allan S. Field
Sea Shadow - 808
Columbia, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Rick Sulewski
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2012 1:00 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Mailing List or Forum

Folks,
Let' keep in mind KISS - Keep It Simple & Succinct!

The e-mail format provides rapid replies with many opportunities to develop
increased understanding with broadly informed input....and eventually the
posts end up on the website in the forum format after all, correct?
Rick

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Hare
Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2012 8:35 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Mailing List or Forum

Hi Simon,

This has come up several times in the past 10 years as an alternative.
There are some great benefits of a forum.  In fact you can read all these
postings mirrored on our own c320-list google group forum!  They are
searchable but may require a google account to access.

Our website has a discussion forum system that we tried once but it turned
out that the answer rate was very poor for questions posted there since you
had to be logged in and have a website account to participate.

Yahoo groups and google groups are options for main participation but also
require extra logins (not that this is a show stopper).  The other problem
there is that preserving our content is not guaranteed.  They can dump it or
limit our history at any point.

One issue with forums that isn't always obvious is that we would rely on
people logging in and following the discussions to find and then respond to
the unanswered questions. That might take days for an answer to come back
for your question. On the other hand, if people subscribed to the forum
posts by email they would know someone asked a question and could respond.  

So either way, it comes back to email in order to have quick responses which
is the thing I personally find most valuable.

To help the email clutter problem, our list has is a special subject header
added to all messages from our list -->   [c320-list] 

With this, your email program can automatically move all incoming messages
from this list to a folder just for c320 list traffic that you can read /
search at your convenience without cluttering your inbox.

This is just my opinion and ultimately we will try to do what the group
wants so we appreciate hearing from members on this and any other things
people have in mind.

Cheers!
Jeff Hare
#809 Woodbine II







On Jul 15, 2012, at 6:03 PM, Jane & Ken <obuoy4848 at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> Speaking of no brainer, the e-mails from the 320 group average less 
> than
three per day. Granted, some days there are ten or more but some days zero.
Kinda averages out.  The days when several e-mails arrive it is due to a
question that folk have an opinion or useful information they wish to share.
> As stated, "the leadership will respond" and as Chris indicated, most
sailing forum media are a bit less personal.       Ken, 
> 
> --- On Sun, 7/15/12, Simon Rock <simonrock at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> From: Simon Rock <simonrock at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Mailing List or Forum
> To: "'Chris Burti'" <clburti at gmail.com>
> Cc: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Date: Sunday, July 15, 2012, 4:10 PM
> 
> 
> There are some huge benefits:
> 1. All information is kept together by topic 2. Information is easily 
> searched (so the same questions are not asked) 3. It doesn't flood 
> your email program 4. Easier to manage, you can rank replies, set 
> notifications by topic 5. Use of public and member only areas - helps 
> encourage people to join to read the members areas.
> 
> You are right, the leadership will respond. Hopefully they will 
> examine the advantages and see it's a no-brainer.
> 
> Cheers
> 
> Simon Rock
> 0428 175510
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chris Burti [mailto:clburti at gmail.com]
> Sent: Sunday, 15 July 2012 12:23 PM
> To: Simon Rock
> Subject: RE: [C320-list] Mailing List or Forum
> 
> The subject comes up, but there hasn't been the kind of demand to 
> drive the need to make that move.
> 
> I don't know if we really would benefit. Personally, I have virtually 
> deserted the sailing forums that I am subscribed to as it is a bit 
> like subscribing to a digest format. It just seems less personal to me.
> 
> Ultimately, our leadership will be responsive to the needs and wishes 
> of our group.
> Fair Winds,
> Chris Burti
> From: Simon Rock
> Sent: 7/14/2012 7:35 PM
> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Mailing List or Forum Hi, Over the past few days 
> the mailing list has been very busy.
> On several other groups I use, once the mailing list got really busy, 
> it became easier to move across to a forum only setup.
> This had many advantages (easy to search, all info is grouped, 
> accessible from computers, iPhones, iPads, Tablets, etc), and really 
> no
disadvantages.
> With Apps like Tapatalk, people still have great access to the info 
> from their mobile devices.
> 
> But it does mean people have to change the way they access the info. 
> But we are all smart enough to handle this small change.
> 
> Is this something the association management have considered?
> 
> 
> Simon Rock
> Lake Macquarie NSW Australia
> 
> Cat375 #54 Rock The Boat
> Cat375 #41 Rocket
> Cat320 #1163 Rockstar
> 
> Experience The Whitsundays
> www.cya.com.au
>