Let's consider your math...
1) Only ~10 people respond, of what I'm told is a member list of ~60. 10 / 60 = 1/6th of population.
2) None of those who don't support the forum idea have given any reputable rebutal to issues raised - it amounts to "I'd have to login...", or "I'm quite comfortable just using email". Personal preference from people who have little if any experience with forums...
This indicates neither majority nor full consideration of topic at hand.
Am I trying to sell you/CLUG a forum? This wasn't my idea in the first place - I carried it over from the meeting this past Wednesday. Heck, the forum I mentioned was phpBB - a free forum. More likely the question is 'Are you sure you just aren't afraid of change' or at least adding something to the mix that could be just as productive as the mailing list? Because all I see is me supporting the idea of having a forum while getting flamed by fearmongers and the occasional troll.
Fractioning the group? If there's only ~10 active people, I hardly call it CLUG. Nevermind that most new people aren't familiar with mailing lists, but forums are easier to understand...
I see you miss the point of the web app - the user base is increasing, and they aren't getting smarter. Revolt all you want against it in your self righteous fashion, but at least understand why the world will pass you by.
I'm fighting because no rebutal of quality has been given, and I see one or two in support with a tag line of "please don't flame me". Maybe you should consider why they'd say that rather then ask me to stop because you have nothing to offer.
Thank you for coming out - little more prep on your part next time.
-----Original Message-----
From: Jesse Kline [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Monday, December 09, 2002 9:46 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: (clug-talk) Website and Forum?
Quoting Andrew Barnes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>:
> I've seen responses from roughly 7 other people - I hardly consider that a
> consensus.
Well at least someones keeping count. There has not been a vote on the issue so
sure I cannot give you any numbers, what I can say is that most people posting
on this thread have said that it is a bad idea or that they will not use it.
People posting to this thread make up a good portion of the posts to this list.
Conclusion: people are not going to use it.
> Secondly, there is no proof that a question takes longer to answer on a
> forum - NONE. Pardon, but I'm getting irritated with responding to the
> same
> comment that has no basis in fact much less experience.
Sure here's an example: 1) I'll check my e-mail to see if there are any messages
from CLUG Talk/family/friends. Oh look someone needs help, and I know the
answer. 2) Hey maybe I'll head over to calgary.linux.ca and see if there are any
new posts on the forum. I guess while I have my web browser loaded I might as
well look at porn instead. An hour later: screw the forum, if they want
something they can post to the list.
And yes, I have already read 5 or 6 e-mails from you today defending forums. Are
you trying to sell us a forum or something?
> Third, how does increasing the viewability and functionality of a support
> communication take away from helping? Most visibility == more exposure;
> More exposure == more people helping...
It's not about increasing viewability, it's about adding another way to
communicate, and we don't need another way to communicate because it will just
fraction the group and it will be that much harder to get any support at all.
> Fourth, I want to read a topic but I'd like it organized rather then helter
> skelter in my email folder. Filters don't tell me what's worth reading and
> what isn't - I do.
I don't even use filters. If you don't want to read something there is a handy
little delete button on your keyboard.
> Fifth, sticking to email solely because you have used it in the past is no
> legitimate response either. I've been away until now so I couldn't reply
> to
> what is claimed to be "benefits" of email.
Not because I have used it in the past. Because it was designed for a certain
purpose. And it does what it is supposed to do very well, and it's a standard.
Putting things on the web does not improve them, in fact most of the time the
web app. is just trying to emulate the features of an internet protocol that is
already there and working well. Why learn how to use a new BB or get a headache
from Java applets that won't load when I can use standards like e-mail and IRC
instead.
> The point is *you* made up your mind, not everyone else. But thanks for
> letting us know.
I just want to end the thread because I can see that people will not use the
forum and I'm still not sure why you are fighting so hard to get one. But thanks
for coming out.
Jesse
