[Diy_efi] comments on reorganizing lists

Tue Feb 7 08:30:44 UTC 2006

Hi,

I've been a hardened fan on mailing lists for a long time.  It keeps 
information in one place (my inbox, and sub folders) I always have it on 
my PC for offline reference, god forbid I should ever be without the net!

However, there's a lot to be said for Forum style intereaction.  They 
often easier to find through google (please don't require sign-up to 
browse!!)  Information becomes part of the more popular side of the net 
and that promotes greater contribution.

I wouldn't mind betting that similar arguments went on with the moving 
of newsgroups to email based lists a few years ago, even still I'd 
imagine - I'm sure that there are plenty of newsgroup users about.

It would be nice to see an extension to web-based forums that allows 
pure email contribution in a kind of best-of-both-worlds way.  Alas, 
I've not see one that works properly yet.

Did you have a forum in mind?  I would urge you to try the forum 
available at http://nukecops.com/

Sign up to www.e30zone.co.uk to see it in use in a high volume 
situation.  It has the essential features where you need them and 
doesn't mess you around like some other software I've seen.  It's based 
on phpBB (also a good choice).  Mainly I like the following three links, 
as they're useful to keep track of new threads and threads you are 
participating in.

New posts since last visit
My posts
Posts with no replies

You be surprised how many boards don't have these essential features.  
Basically I'm trying to say, if you do move - move to a good one :)

Anyway, hopefully some food for thought.

Regards,
Ashley

Ernest Buckler wrote:
> Steve,
> I like yer approach.  I like the forums myself, for the reasons you give.
> But I'm a lurker, so will go whatever direction the active users want.   I'm
> GETTING READY to diy-efi on my Audi....  Oh, must add that this is one of
> the most productive and intelligent groups I've seen, and I'm on several
> other tech lists.  Many thanks for a great service!
>
> BTW , what is diy-wb?   I've gone thru the letters and can't guess wb...
>
> Ernie B.
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Steve Ravet" <Steve.Ravet at arm.com>
> To: <gmecm at diy-efi.org>; <diy_efi at diy-efi.org>; "efi_332"
> <efi332 at diy-efi.org>; <wbo2 at diy-efi.org>
> Sent: Monday, February 06, 2006 9:24 PM
> Subject: [Diy_efi] comments on reorganizing lists
>
>
> I've thought about moving the lists to the forum style format that most
> other internet groups use -- corral.net, thirdgen, etc.  I've been
> opposed to this for some time, liking the email format these lists have
> always used.  So I've put together a list of what I think the pros and
> cons of each are and I'd like to solicit some discussion and opinions on
> whether a switch would be good or bad.
>
> email pros:
> 1)  new posts come to your inbox, or can be filtered to another box.
>
> email cons:
> 1)  surprisingly high bandwidth usage
> 2)  archive/search engine isn't automatic.
>
> forum pros:
> 1)  possibly lower bandwidth
> 2)  message context always available.  Don't have to depend on included
> replies or memory to know if the discussion started out about Ford or GM
> intakes, for example.
> 3)  archive/searching built in.
> 4)  sticky posts mean good information doesn't disappear into the
> archive abyss.
>
> forum cons:
> 1)  overly cute dancing smiley faces
> 2)  chatty
> 3)  no digest mode (?)
>
> The owner may be able to turn off dancing icons, and I don't know if the
> chatty-ness of other forums is due to the list membership or encouraged
> by the format.  An ideal solution may be like yahoo where you can sign
> up for email delivery of all posts if you want.  Note, I am not
> suggesting moving the lists to yahoo.
>
> If the switch is made I plan on having the same lists available,
> possibly dropping the diy_wb list since it's very low traffic and on
> topic for diy_efi.  I don't plan on having a lounge forum.
>
> Anyway, if you have an addition to the pros and cons listed above send
> it, and if you have an opinion on switching send that also.
>
> --steve
>
>
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