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Does Anyone Use the Forum These Days ???

Posted: Sat May 25, 2013 2:52 pm
by G0FEX
Does anyone use the forum these days, quite strange at one time we had quite a few posts but these days they are very few.
73's G0FEX Ken

Re: Does Anyone Use the Forum These Days ???

Posted: Sat May 25, 2013 3:00 pm
by G4NVB
Hello Ken,

It would be nice to see a little more activity on here! I much prefer this to the yahoo groups, I guess the majority prefer yahoo!

Re: Does Anyone Use the Forum These Days ???

Posted: Sat May 25, 2013 7:31 pm
by 2E0FVL
I don't use Yahoo because of spam emails from two different groups over the years.
The last time was within the last two years from a radio group, so yet again had to change email address - Never Again Yahoo!! :(

Re: Does Anyone Use the Forum These Days ???

Posted: Sun May 26, 2013 9:27 am
by G1PIE
i have to agree about the yahoo groups spam does increase.
both work.
but this new forum is much better that the old one..
perhaps we need a section for spots, the on air section one to inform members of upcoming ones the next few days.
but a spot one for now on the bands. is maybe what some will like.
73,
mark.

Re: Does Anyone Use the Forum These Days ???

Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 7:31 pm
by g4iar
If I may come in here.

You will NOT get spam from the current Yahoo! group - unless by invitation, all memberships are moderated and have to go via me or one of the other two active moderators. Nearly 300 members chose to use this method of receiving and notifying activity and they are happy to get notices direct into their in-boxes without having to access a forum.

Having said that, I would be more than happy if the discussion moved off the reflector and into this forum, leaving it for the purpose for which it was intended and leaving less clutter on there and in in-boxes. A forum after all, whether in real life or on the internet is a place for meeting and discussion. Neither this forum, nor the reflector were created with the intention of being used for spots, but the Yahoo! group by its nature is better adapted for that use, with spots being sent to members, rather than them looking for them.

Historically the first reflector was created by Norman, G1NTW, who sadly went silent key, taking the password with him and not having put any other moderators in place. Membership did not have to be approved and this naturally lead to more spam, which we were helpless to do anything about. The only thing we could do was establish an alternative group.

You may not be aware that a live spotting facility has been tried on the forum before. This was subject to much abuse, which at times was far worse that anything the Yahoo! reflector could throw at you. It was also bandwidth heavy. We are very fortunate in that Intemip provide us with hosting free of charge. When we had the spot system running, we kept on having to increase the bandwidth to the degree that we felt we could not ask for any more. This coupled with the abuse lead us to take it off line.

Whether things would be different with this forum, I don't know, but bear in mind that the more we provide, the more it takes to keep an eye on to make sure that it's running smoothly. I spend enough of my time administering WAB and I really don't want to sacrifice any more of my scarce on the air time in further admin. I know a lot of the other committee members feel likewise.

In the mean time, members are free to chose which ever facility they prefer to use, as I said, I'd prefer both to be used for the purposes for which they were provided. Activity on the reflector, discussion on here. It is apparent from the comments made that the majority prefer to use the Yahoo! group. That is where, for now, you will find more information on activity as it's the members choice of the two options that they are free to use.

By the same token, you have the choice not to use it, but you will be missing out on a tremendous amount of information.

73,

Dave, G4IAR
WAB Awards Manager

Re: Does Anyone Use the Forum These Days ???

Posted: Fri May 31, 2013 12:14 pm
by G1PIE
I will continue to use both so no worries.
73,
mark.

Re: Does Anyone Use the Forum These Days ???

Posted: Fri May 31, 2013 1:08 pm
by G4NVB
g4iar wrote: I would be more than happy if the discussion moved off the reflector and into this forum, leaving it for the purpose for which it was intended and leaving less clutter on there and in in-boxes.
I quite agree although it's a bit of catch 22, you need discussion on here to encourage more members to come and see what it's all about. I log on at least once a day if I can and more often than not there are no new messages.

Re: Does Anyone Use the Forum These Days ???

Posted: Fri May 31, 2013 3:47 pm
by g4iar
I'll post up a reminder on the reflector.