Re: Web forums

On Friday, December 20, 2002, at 02:26 PM, Jeff Dilcher wrote:
>
>> If anyone would like to start a new forum, just write to me at
>> gregg@pinholevisions.org and I'll
>> set it up. If you'd like to also moderate a forum, even better!
>
> Great work, Greg! I like the idea of additional ways to post pictures.
>
> I fear, however, that a web based group of pinhole sub-topics will
> weaken
> our "catch all" email forum. An email group, like ours, is very
> "passive", in that, I am a part of the flow of discussion without
> having
> to remember to visit web sites, register, etc. I just have to check my
> email now and then, which I do anyway during my day. Others won't be
> like
> me, and will branch away from this group to discuss things on the
> seperate
> web forum, thereby fracturing our group. Some of us will miss
> contributions which, I guess, would have been directed here.
>
> I host a mailing list (unrelated topic) of 700 people,
> http://www.hiddenworld.net/tag-net . I thought about doing the same
> web
> based sub groups, but didn't, only because I feared diluting the email
> group, which I had fostered for about 10 years. Maybe this Pinhole
> group
> has reached the volume level where some branching out is necessary,
> however, I don't feel I get two much mail, as it stands.
>
> Anyway, just my two cents, as a fellow moderator. I appreciate the
> forum,
> however it changes, and enjoy reading and contributing to the group,
> when
> I can. I appreciate the positive tone of most of the discussions here,
> and the willingness of folks to help others out.
>
> Happy Holidays all- Take advantage of some time off from work to get
> some
> images!!
>
> -Jeff Dilcher
> Atlanta, GA USA

Thanks for the feedback Jeff. I appreciate your concerns about the
danger of the forum fracturing the list. But, I also realize that
there are people not on the mailing list who might participate in the
forum and not join the list. My main objective is to explore and
provide various means of communication for us. The forum and the list
will survive or not survive based on their own merits and depending on
how much either is used. One reason I publish the "Pinhole News"
separate from the discussion list is that not everyone is interested in
exhibits, events, and other stories that come into the Pinhole Visions
web site. Some people subscribe to one and not the other and some
people subscribe to both. I'm mostly trying to provide options so
people have access or can participate in sharing information the way
that works for them. But, I think your concerns are valid and it is
worth keeping an eye on how the forum might affect the list. I
certainly don't won't to weaken the list. I'm constantly impressed at
how helpful and open everyone is, and what a friendly community we have
been for such a long time. We pinholers seem to play well with others!

- Gregg
Received on Fri Dec 20 17:37:49 2002