hey, I'm still here! And generally read every word. I'm not justI gather that a body is required to facilitate a forum if there
were to be one ... I'm sure that zorruno has had enough of the list
after his long time at the top - do we have a volunteer to step up
and offer to set-up and run this supposed new forum if it were to
go ahead?
answering your email Kate, but it seemed like a good time to jump in.
Every couple of years someone brings up a 'forum vs email list' thread.
Generally about the same time as a select few start flaming each
other in a huge volley of emails about some such interesting
disagreement****
There are a couple of hundred people on this list (built up since 1999),
and it is generally only a few people that really push for a forum. I
have looked the forum idea many a time, and for three reasons I have not
implemented one. We can do it though, I just need some support... read on.
1. Forum software. I haven't seen anything that I'm really happy with.
I would only set up a forum if it could be implemented 100% as a
forum/email list combination. I refuse to split a community of just a
few people into two i.e. those who want a list and those who want a
forum as we will just lose valuable MX5 knowledgeable people. (I have
seen one package now that might stack up however). Otherwise, if a new
NZ MX5 owner asks a question, does she/he email it or stick it on the forum?
2. Time & Quality. I do have a real job (and a baby now...) so have not
had time to implement something. I also refuse to do it half heartedly
- i.e. a default install of phpmybulletin or something which would only
take me a few mins to implement. I would only do it if it was fully
integrated into the NZ Club site**. If someone were to set up a
bulletin board somewhere and start discussions on it under the name NZ
MX5 Discussion, I obviously wouldn't try to stop them though. And
remember there is also already www.miataforum.com that is a great
resource as far as a forum goes.
3. NZ Club site Overhaul. There is also another reason that I have put
this off. For quite a while I have been wanting to completely overhaul
the MX5 Club of NZ site. It still works reasonably well and still gets
lots of praise, but is pretty hacked together (was one of my first
technical creations, with graphical stuff mainly put together by Chic L)
and is very hard to extend and update. I have lots of ideas on what to
use and how to implement it***, and although we have lots of offers of
hosting space and forum setup etc, what I _really_ want is some help
from reasonably skilled web designers (technical and graphical). I know
there are a couple here that have hinted at helping, but this has
happened before, with half hearted continuing support. If there is
anyone that is _really_ interested in helping make the NZ Club site
fantastic, please contact me (directly). If you are in Auckland, I'd
like a sit down meeting to discuss, if not, maybe a teleconference.
Thanks
zorruno
E-Administrator
Mazda MX5 Club of New Zealand inc
*Personally I think forums are a waste of time - email is fast, web
browsing is slow. I will certainly not let my opinion get in the way of
what works for everyone however. (BTW I get more than 200 messages per
day including spam, but not including real work email - and I easily get
though it with automatic filtering and displaying in threads. I only
get one or two emails in my actual Inbox. I can access my email from
any PC, or via webmail if necessary. I have over 8Gig of archived email
on my mail server).
** remember however that he NZ email discussion list is not a club list
and the content, discussions etc are nothing to do with the club, the
committee or the members.
*** Some ideas (actually some of these are already half implemented)
photo galleries for members & local coordinators... sections for local
groups/chapters to use... members section for resource documents (i.e.
sharing of club run maps etc)... more, and more up to date info on home
page. Easier to administrate for sale section possibly with auctions
etc. Users able to update their own technical pages... online
registering for events... shopping cart for club stuff and mazda gear...
better management of sponsorship links...
**** Please refer to what I have previously said about internet trolls
and how to deal with them.
