[meteorite-list] What doesn't this list use an onlineforum format?

[Art]

Hi Everyone;

First of all ... Anne, it was great seeing you as well (and Geoff,
Steve(s), Mike, ET, Sonny, and many others!) along with all of your
wonderful meteorites!

Now, I'll respond to David's initial post, both from a personal
preference standpoint and as well as from a web admin's standpoint.

>From a personal standpoint I have to agree with Norbert and Darren;
while I do use several forums I get much better use from the mailing
lists I belong to. It seems that no matter how hard I try I can't seem
to make myself go back to the forums on any regular basis (I often
post a forum topic and then forget I did - not seeing any replies for
weeks). I know that many forums have features built-in to handle that
type of thing (e.g. topic subscription, notification, etc.) but I just
don't seem to use them (and I am pretty tech savvy). Probably the old
dog/new trick thing that John mentioned.

>From a web admin's standpoint, I would actually rather have the
conversations going on in a forum as they would be easier to manage,
as well as easier to monetize (and help pay for hosting, etc.).
Meteorite Central actually started out as a forum ten years ago but
never really took off in that format.

I think the long-term answer is something similar to yahoo groups,
which kind of uses a forum as the "backup" to a mailing list. I am in
the process of integrating the current mailing list with the forum
that is on Meteorite Central. It's an involved process and I don't
have an ETA on completion. The way it <will> work is that emails sent
to the list and posts made to the forum will do basically the same
thing, so members who like the emails wouldn't see any difference, but
members who like the forum format could use it that way, along with
the added features a forum would offer. I'll keep everyone posted
regarding progress.

In the meantime, I hope that everyone continues to enjoy the mailing
list, as well as all the other resources out there!

Best Regards, Art
http://www.meteoritecentral.com


On 2/21/08, Impactika at aol.com <Impactika at aol.com> wrote:
> In a message dated 2/21/2008 3:37:53 P.M. Mountain Standard Time,
> riffraff at timewarp.de writes:
> Hi Del & Greg,
>
> If you visit the  meteoritecentral site (the home of this list), and check
> your own  subscription settings you will notice that there is an option to
> deactivate  email delivery for times such as vacation - it's just one click,
> and you  won't have to wade through hundreds of emails after your return. And
> then  there is the digest mode, and much more. Yeap, mailing lists did  evolve
> during the last decade, and they are surely not "out of time"  ,-)
> To me, being part of this list is like walking into my favorite pub  after
> work. I often meet old friends, make new friends, and I'm free  to
> participate in discussions, and I'm free to relax or to listen to all  the
> meteorite gossip going on. Sometimes there's even a good deal to be had,  or
> firsthand information on new finds and falls that would be hard to  find
> without having to search the net for hours and hours. And if I don't  like a
> post or a thread there's always the good old delete key.
> Forums can  be neat, for sure - but they are usually more like that modern
> type of bar  with separate rooms where some folks get together at this, and
> others on that  table. Most of the meteorite forums I've visited thus far are
> lacking the  chaotic but familiar charm of this list. Thanks to Art for all
> his efforts to  keep this good old list up and  running!
>
> Cheers,
> Norbert
> --------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Exactly,  Norbert.
> Very good comparison. I like the email format too and have no problem
> following some threads, and ignoring others.
>
> Maybe we should also try to remember that this is Art's List, and we are
> guests.
> And that information, news, gossip, fellowship (and even  disagreements)
> comes to us with very little effort from any of us.
> Only the use of the Delete key every now and then. OK! yes, sometimes the
> highly repeated use of the Delete key.
>
> Thanks Art, nice seeing you in Tucson.
>
> Anne M.  Black
> www.IMPACTIKA.com
> IMPACTIKA at aol.com
> Vice-President, I.M.C.A.  Inc.
> www.IMCA.cc
>
>
>
>
> **************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living.
> (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/
> 2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598)
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