[Diy_efi] comments on reorganizing lists

[Rick McLeod]

one issue I have with mailing list format, it requires
a second point to go to do searches of archives,
therefore I don't usually do it! 

also, time spanned threads tend to get lost on my end,
I frequently delete after read, meaning I would have
to go back to archive (which I usually don't) to reply
or research, meaning that the forum format more easily
allows me to follow a thread cradle to grave from a
single point. Also, it allows me to disregard the CRAP
that often gets sent by my being able to disregard a
thread, where in email if the subject gets changed,
that makes it appear as a different thread but
frequently still continues on down the mud-sling path.

Also, email format doesn't easliy allow moderator to
remove content before all readers receive it, it only
allows for a reactive termination of membership, but
the original message was 'broadcast' to all
subscribers, whereas a post on a board can be removed
much quicker and potentially (depending on the time
and # of moderators) before the majority of the
subscribers are inflicted with the poor tastes of an
offender.

THEREFORE, I personally endorse the use of the forum
format, but either way the information sharring is
what I value, not the glitz and bling, so if you can
find a platform forum that improves for the purpose of
information sharing and appears better, go for it,
otherwise don't fix what ain't broke!

--- Steve Ravet <Steve.Ravet at arm.com> wrote:

> 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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