[HCRA] Change this list to Yahoo? -- Another Alternative

Thu Apr 29 19:33:04 EDT 2010

I already mentioned this to KK1W and Kx1x off-list, but I figured I'd
bounce this idea off the rest of you guys:

<rant>
I am not a fan of "email reflectors", I get too much email as it is, and
and I already don't read most of what comes across on the HCRA mailing
list, a lot of the the email I get from the HCRA mailing list (and most
of the email I get in general), I do not consider to be "email worthy". 
I used to subscribe to a bunch of local ham radio mailing lists, however
I ended up unsubscribing from most of them, because I was just getting
too much email to filter through, also, I was getting annoyed by the
almost abusive use of the mailing lists, (For example, people were
posting the same email to all the same mailing lists, so everybody would
receive multiple copies of the same email, some people were forwarding
email stuff from the ARRL mailing list to all the other mailing lists,
so I would end up with multiple copies of ARRL's Propagation Forecast,
which I really didn't need to know in the first place).  Unfortunately,
I don't read most of what comes across on the HCRA Reflector, if the
subject line doesn't catch my eye, I usually won't read it.
</rant>

*But here's the important part:*
The HCRA website is looking really sad, it hasn't changed since 2001.  I
am willing to redesign the HCRA website using Drupal in my spare time. 
(A process that would not take very long.)

Using Drupal, I could add the following features to the site:
+ Web Forum
+ Wide screen rendering (the current site looks awful on a really big
computer monitor)
+ Polls/Surveys
+ Blogs
+ Event Calendar (w/ RSVP ability)
+ Photo Gallery (that would allow all members to upload photos)
+ OpenID authentication
+ Built in WYSIWYG editor
+ Article Comments
+ e-Mail notifications
+ RSS Feed
+ Facebook integration
+ I could also setup our membership form online, so people could renew
and pay for their membership online.
+ Might also be able to sell raffle tickets online (for large raffles
like the auction raffle)
+ Online donations
+ A bunch of other stuff

Also, we could have @hcra.org email addresses for board members.

The current email reflector would be good for important announcements. 
But topics that do not require a mass emailing, can stay on the website
forum. Also, using the website forum, replies to original posts will not
generate additional email traffic.

However, I am really not a fan of Yahoo! groups (although I was in the
past), if the club moves it's email reflector to a yahoo group, I may
not subscribe to the new list.

-- Steve, KB1GHC

On 04/26/2010 11:09 PM, Dave wrote:
> ______________________________________________
> -------Hampden County Radio Association-------
> -----------e-mail list (reflector)-------------
> ______________________________________________
> You all are doing exactly what this thread was intended to do.
>
> Get activity; show folks are interested in the club, weighing out the pros
> and cons of a new or different e-mail list.
>
> Maybe nothing needs be done except learn a little more about the services we
> already have.  Possibly there are benefits to have another venue that
> justify the move.
>
> I think an open discussion for a few minutes at a future club meeting would
> be interesting. As well the decision should me made by the masses.
>
> 73's
>
> Dave -W1FAB-
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: hcra-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:hcra-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
> Behalf Of Rick Lindquist, WW3DE
> Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 2:49 PM
> To: mike at n0hi.net; hcra at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [HCRA] Change this list to Yahoo?
>
> ______________________________________________
> -------Hampden County Radio Association-------
> -----------e-mail list (reflector)-------------
> ______________________________________________
> If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: hcra-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:hcra-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
> Behalf Of Mike N0HI
> Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 1:51 PM
> To: hcra at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [HCRA] Change this list to Yahoo?
>
> ______________________________________________
> -------Hampden County Radio Association-------
> -----------e-mail list (reflector)-------------
> ______________________________________________
> If you are having trouble getting people to sign up for and use this list,
> which requires only sending a message to subscribe at mailman or using the
> webform, you are probably going to see an absolutely massive drop in list
> subscribers when they have to sign up for yahoo and then find the group
> and then sign up and then wait for the confirmation email and then figure
> out how to use it.  Just because a few of us have done it or could do it
> doesn't mean everyone out there will.  I also do not understand the need
> to move this list.  If a photo/attachment is of such interest to the
> entire membership that it is being sent over the list, maybe it should
> just be up on the website.  Furthermore, I'm still not convinced that this
> list won't accept attachments as my n0hi at mailman lists do (and it's the
> same version of mailman on the same server at ka9fox's place -- possibly
> even on the same machine).
>
>
> Just my $0.02.
>
> -Mike N0HI
>
>
>
>   
>> ______________________________________________
>> -------Hampden County Radio Association-------
>> -----------e-mail list (reflector)-------------
>> ______________________________________________
>> Hello everyone,
>>
>> I've probably mentioned this to other board members, but I guess it won't
>> hurt being repeated here.  I experience with Yahoo Groups has been very
>> good.  I belong to a number of Amateur Radio specialty groups and find
>> them
>> useful.  The Web site seem to function well and the extra features can be
>> very useful.  I would encourage the move to Yahoo as long as it isn't
>> going
>> to place an undue burden on our Web master, KK1W.
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> George, KC1V
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Dave" <wa1dc at charter.net>
>> To: "'HCRA Email List'" <hcra at mailman.qth.net>
>> Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2010 11:45 AM
>> Subject: Re: [HCRA] Change this list to Yahoo?
>>
>>
>>     
>>> ______________________________________________
>>> -------Hampden County Radio Association-------
>>> -----------e-mail list (reflector)-------------
>>> ______________________________________________
>>>
>>> Hi all, I was wondering if the club had come to any decision as to
>>> whether
>>> or not to change over or tandem up for a while a new list/group like
>>> Yahoo?
>>>
>>> I think Jim's idea to bring additional media possibilities to the group
>>> would be nice and did not want to see the thought die on the vine.
>>>
>>> Yahoo is a nice choice with the natural extensions to other things like
>>> Facebook ,flickr photo sharing, and even messenger.
>>>
>>> I do not know if this is a board decision, or just majority rule,
>>> however
>>> I
>>> would like to cast a vote for Yahoo.
>>>
>>> Jim, I am not an expert here, but if you need help with this in any way
>>> I
>>> can assist, please let me know.
>>>
>>> Dave -W1FAB-
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: hcra-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:hcra-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
>>> On
>>> Behalf Of Dave
>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 11:10 PM
>>> To: 'Jim - KK1W'; 'HCRA Email List'
>>> Subject: Re: [HCRA] Change this list to Yahoo?
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________
>>> -------Hampden County Radio Association-------
>>> -----------e-mail list (reflector)-------------
>>> ______________________________________________
>>> Just another idea to throw into the mix;
>>>
>>> If you are looking to expand the options available to you in group
>>> activity
>>> such as sharing photos, you may want to also review Google's buzz that
>>> is
>>> a
>>> new part of their gmail.
>>>
>>> http://www.google.com/buzz?hl=en
>>>
>>> There is a quick video link there that gives a rundown on the features
>>> available to you.
>>>
>>>
>>> I think HCRA as a club should embrace these new technologies opening up
>>> for
>>> social networking and mail groups.  Think about it, ham radio was
>>> probably
>>> one of the first mediums for social networking that was available to
>>> people
>>> outside of their local communities.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Dave -W1FAB-
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: hcra-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:hcra-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
>>> On
>>> Behalf Of Jim - KK1W
>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 10:14 PM
>>> To: 'HCRA Email List'
>>> Subject: [HCRA] Change this list to Yahoo?
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________
>>> -------Hampden County Radio Association-------
>>> -----------e-mail list (reflector)-------------
>>> ______________________________________________
>>> Hey gang,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I've been bouncing around the idea of moving the HCRA email list over to
>>> a
>>> Yahoo Group. Moving to Yahoo would give us additional features not
>>> available
>>> at qth.net. These features would include attachments, pictures, files,
>>> etc.
>>> Do you think these new features would be an worthy addition to the email
>>> list?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I am looking for feedback, opinions, and comments - positive or negative
>>> -
>>> about the change.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Whether or not we move the group it would really be nice if more of our
>>> 100+
>>> members made more use of the list. It is a fantastic platform for
>>> technical
>>> help, club activity announcements, tales of successes/challenges and
>>> more.
>>> The value of the list goes up geometrically by the number of actual
>>> posters.
>>> So don't sit on the side lines, chime in and add to the chatter. The
>>> more,
>>> the merrier.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> And a good way to start - let the list know what you think about a move
>>> to
>>> Yahoo!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> '73.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Jim
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> HCRA mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hcra
>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>> Post: mailto:HCRA at mailman.qth.net
>>>
>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> HCRA mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hcra
>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>> Post: mailto:HCRA at mailman.qth.net
>>>
>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> HCRA mailing list
>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hcra
>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>> Post: mailto:HCRA at mailman.qth.net
>>>
>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>       
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> HCRA mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hcra
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>> Post: mailto:HCRA at mailman.qth.net
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>
>>     
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> HCRA mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hcra
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:HCRA at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> HCRA mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hcra
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:HCRA at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> HCRA mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/hcra
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:HCRA at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>   