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nafex - Re: [NAFEX] ikonboard, a better solution to a listserver

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Subject: North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

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  • From: "William C. Garthright" <billg@inebraska.com>
  • To: North American Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [NAFEX] ikonboard, a better solution to a listserver
  • Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:16:37 -0600


Well, to be fair the question was 'how to get more people involved' and 'how
to get a better presence' for the group. Bulletin boards is how you do it.


I don't quite understand how a bulletin board would do this. Why? Personally, I avoid bulletin boards. I use them when I have to, but I prefer to get the messages in my email. I'm sure it's just personal preference, but why would a bulletin board be a magic fix for NAFEX? Is there research on this sort of thing?


It is much easier to secure and back up a highly structured and organized
database as what is used in a bulletin board format than in a 'mailing list'.


I'm afraid I don't see this, either. It's easy enough to back up both, isn't it? True, a 'highly structured and organized database' might have some advantages as an archive, though that would depend on the postings, I'd think (which are not now all that 'highly structured'). And when you get right down to it, technology should help us do what we want more effectively, not force us into a rigid pattern of its own.

I belong to a lot of Yahoo Groups, where each person can decide whether to get emails or read postings on site. They are not organized quite like your forum, though. I've also used forums where there are email options when someone answers your posting. They're OK, but of course, I miss browsing others' messages (which usually must be done at the website). On this list, I learn the most from reading other questions and answers. As it turns out, I discovered GardenWeb before I found this NAFEX list, and there's plenty of information there. But I wanted an email format, so I just rarely visit GardenWeb.

But if there IS an advantage to a forum, and if some people here really *would* prefer that format, how about creating one with individual email options, sort of like Yahoo Groups does it. That way, each of us could choose our preferred method of receiving and replying to posts. Any problem with that? As I say, technology should be used to help people do what they want to do, not force them into what they don't.

Just a thought.

Bill

--
It is possible to read the history of this country as one long struggle to extend the liberties established in our Constitution to everyone in America. - Molly Ivins




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