TimRichards
Well-Known Member
Having posted these thoughts on the listserve it occurs to me they are perhaps best posted here; it may serve as a beginning to discussion which could itself demonstrate some of the advantages, in fact both the pros and the cons, of the forum itself.
I believe it would be helpful to see input and discussion on the topics below and other related thoughts!
By way of support, I belong to a forum about sports fishing in BC. It is full of past discussions which is a treasure trove of information. Recently I noticed that 250 people were online at the same time as I was!
As the VMug forum grows, I feel it has this kind of potential - driven by an active and involved membership, mostly online.
A couple of observations about changing over.
1. If you think you will miss the sometimes very quick response to posed questions, I think that may be true, replies may not be so rapid in the new system. However,
2. To avoid not receiving timely replies to your query, or other interesting discussions, simply subscribe to your own or any other interesting threads.
3. Until most participants move over, the forums will remain sparse -- and not worth visiting. So I feel we must collectively decide to punt to the forum, even if it means giving up the comfort of the listserve. It would require a goodwill effort, start on a given day, and run solid for at least a month. Evaluating after that trial period.
4. Move the Mac-brains over to the forum and the rest of us will follow.
5. Provide a little different support for the forum during the change-over month or two. For example volunteers could provide phone support with some tips and tricks until it is smoothed out. This would provide a smoother transition for valued members who might otherwise become frustrated with yet another learning curve.
6. Speaking as an out-of-Towner member the eventual collected wisdom of our resource people would be extremely valuable over time. 'Consultant' members could simply say, see this discussion, and provide a link, and direct members to the solution to many issues.
7. Finally, since I can never make a meeting in person in Victoria, I would be very keen on making meeting presentations available via the net, such as through sound or video recording, or in some cases written notes from a wonderful volunteer.
Cheers and best of the holiday season.
Submitted with respect for those who give so much in VMug.
I believe it would be helpful to see input and discussion on the topics below and other related thoughts!
By way of support, I belong to a forum about sports fishing in BC. It is full of past discussions which is a treasure trove of information. Recently I noticed that 250 people were online at the same time as I was!
As the VMug forum grows, I feel it has this kind of potential - driven by an active and involved membership, mostly online.
A couple of observations about changing over.
1. If you think you will miss the sometimes very quick response to posed questions, I think that may be true, replies may not be so rapid in the new system. However,
2. To avoid not receiving timely replies to your query, or other interesting discussions, simply subscribe to your own or any other interesting threads.
3. Until most participants move over, the forums will remain sparse -- and not worth visiting. So I feel we must collectively decide to punt to the forum, even if it means giving up the comfort of the listserve. It would require a goodwill effort, start on a given day, and run solid for at least a month. Evaluating after that trial period.
4. Move the Mac-brains over to the forum and the rest of us will follow.
5. Provide a little different support for the forum during the change-over month or two. For example volunteers could provide phone support with some tips and tricks until it is smoothed out. This would provide a smoother transition for valued members who might otherwise become frustrated with yet another learning curve.
6. Speaking as an out-of-Towner member the eventual collected wisdom of our resource people would be extremely valuable over time. 'Consultant' members could simply say, see this discussion, and provide a link, and direct members to the solution to many issues.
7. Finally, since I can never make a meeting in person in Victoria, I would be very keen on making meeting presentations available via the net, such as through sound or video recording, or in some cases written notes from a wonderful volunteer.
Cheers and best of the holiday season.
Submitted with respect for those who give so much in VMug.