New Club Website?

[reklaw]

New website looks the goods.
When will this version be closed down and we only have the one website?
Will this forum contents be merged into the new forum, as we now have 2 forums running?
I tried to upload a photo into the members profile area without success (the pic kindly donated by Intrepid Ken).

[jono]

Thanks Ian, in assessing this new webservice perhaps its main weakness is the Forum
It manages the membership database and events very well, the website itself is easy to update and manage, the forum is however fairly basic in functionality.
I would not be able to merge this forums history with the new forum. Also you will have noticed that the new forum does not use nicknames or alias. Fine if you are posting in the members only section but keep this in mind for the public section.

Photos are handled well by the new site and you should not have a problem, I see you have been able to load a photo to your personal album on the new site, had you intended this to be loaded to your profile page instead?

The next step comes at the AGM when I will put a motion to the membership that we adopt the new web service and close down the old website and forum.

Cheers
JonO

[_Wilks]

I'm sorry Jon, but it's a big thumbs down from me for the new website and I'll be voting against the motion.

Reasons:
1. I only use the forum. I doubt if I'll use the new site given its limitations ie public vs private
2. Loss of historical info from the existing (this) forum is highly undesirable.

[reklaw]

"Photos are handled well by the new site and you should not have a problem, I see you have been able to load a photo to your personal album on the new site, had you intended this to be loaded to your profile page instead?"

I had tried to put that one up as a profile pic without success, I'll have another stab at it.

[jono]

"I'm sorry Jon, but it's a big thumbs down from me for the new website and I'll be voting against the motion.

Reasons:
1. I only use the forum. I doubt if I'll use the new site given its limitations ie public vs private
2. Loss of historical info from the existing (this) forum is highly undesirable."

Shane

Before you go making your mind up you need to hear the full argument and the options.
The web service is not being investigated simply to replace the forum, we also need a more robust and reliable members database, along with a website that offers simpler administration so that it can be more active and interesting.

The current services i.e. members database, website and forum are all independent with each one involving a cost and considerable administrative effort.
In the case of the members database this results in poor service to members and in particular to new members something we must rectify
In the case of the website it remains static and there is little incentive to go and look at it as it does not change for weeks at a time
The current forum works quite well though there has been a significant movement away to adventure riders by many members who now in fact link the forum to their adventure riders thread.

In deciding I believe the new web service easily ticks 2 of the 3 current requirement boxes (web and members DB) and adds extra functionality by way of event management and emailing functions.
Unfortunately it does not perform as well on the forum side. However we have options here.
Firstly the web service is updated regularly and there are improvements likely to the forum service in future.
Secondly we may elect to keep the current forum and simply link to it from the new web service.

In so far as migrating forum history I don't know if that's possible but expect it is unlikely.
As to the privacy of members, I think having a private forum section is excellent, sadly many past members who currently have access to the existing forum have indicated no need to renew their subs as they can come to Catalano's and access the forum without needing to pay, ie unashamedly fly under the radar even coming to the occasional GM. I don't believe this is fair to paid up members. Secondly the web service provider has indicated an intention to look at making available the alias function for the forum in future updates.

In any event I encourage you to come and engage in the discussion at the AGM, I am sure that an appropriate solution can be determined while still benefiting from improved automated administration of many of the clubs record management functions.

Cheers
JonO

[_Wilks]

Thanks Jon.

TO COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND PAID UP MEMBERS...

Being a former committee member, I well & truly understand the need for an improved website and members database, but please don't chuck the baby out with the bathwater.

All three of the clubs priorities are not convergent and I believe proper forum functionality stands as its own critical priority. Compromise the forum and the world will stop (just after it starts raining frogs).

By all means, strive to fix the website and members DB, but not at the expense of the forum.

The new website forum, with its current level of functionality (private), will lose some existing participants I reckon (well, at least me ) and absolutely removes the potential for it to attract new members to the club. Don't worry about those who fly under the radar; going to a private forum just to exclude them is too high a price.

My thoughts only & with the best of intentions
Shane

[gsrider]

Looks good Jono. Good effort!