THSCC Forums

We do have an old list-serv, but I can't remember seeing anything from it in at least 6 months, possibly longer. Once we created the forums, the email list essentially died. I do think that it could be of value, if desired.

Still, my suggestion is that you don't necessarily pick a defined "the list-serv is the authoritative source" type scenario. You offer the same information via multiple sources, to reach your target audiences. If you don't duplicate info across sources, at least make it very easy for your audience (whether coming from email, twitter, FB, forums, etc.) to get to your authoritative info.

The object is to reach out via multiple paths.

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Tom Freeman
'98 M3/4/5 | '93 Spec3 325i | '12 TSX sport wagon | '03 Tahoe
Team Silver Bullets '91 240SX

Listservs are dumb and antiquated.

If you want a way to PUSH event notifications to people then my suggestion is to just sticky a locked thread that only event administrators can post to. Then anyone who WANTS notifications about the event can just visit the thread and click the "subscribe" link so they get notifications whenever anything is posted. Then event administrators post updates there. Then it just gets unstickied after the event and goes away eventually.

Heck, those posts might even need to go in an "event notifications" forum that's not member specific and that outsiders can get to as well (like swap-n-sell). The website calendar could even link straight there and make sure people know about the "subscribe" option.


--Donnie

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Can you explain how this is possibly better? You're suggesting making the administrators create a thread, sticky it, then hope that people find the little subscribe button, just to send a new announcement for a new event? In the best case scenario in your example, it still boils down to an email notification anyway, which doesn't even include any info at all except a URL to the forum thread, which you then might have to type in your login details if you're not remembered on your smartphone or device. In a worst case, you're not getting the info out to people who want it.

A listserv cuts out SO many steps and simplifies the information distribution process. The only benefit I can see with what you describe is that the information is then permanently available (and editable) on the forum in the future for people who maybe weren't subscribed to the listserv when the announcement was sent out. Solution: administrators post forum topics in addition to the email. One extra step, but still a few steps fewer than the post-thread-sticky-thread-have-users-subscribe-and-receive-an-email-with-a-URL method.



I think calendar is a separate topic (and also has the potential to be vastly improved from its current implementation and stands to be highly useful). My suggestion: Google Calendars!



I disagree. Listservs are still quite heavily and effectively used in the business and educational world for simple, efficient, easy opt-in/out, mass information distribution.

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2015-2017 President
2014 Track VP
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2002 Subaru WRX [dd]
2002 Honda S2000 STR #3 (retired...for now)
1992 Acura Integra ChumpCar #118 (retired)
2004 Toyota 4Runner V8

http://beastmoderacing.com

Show me a "simple, efficient, easy opt-in/out" listserv that's any easier or better than what you have to do on a forum to subscribe.

Oh, and if this forum's subscribe option ONLY sends a URL, well, then that's yet another reason we REALLY need someone to upgrade the forum software. There are forum packages out there that DO include the actual update in the email (as well as the URL to the thread).

How in the world would you have the listserv work? In your original example, it sounds like we ALL get subscribed to something and thus we ALL would get these "updates" that MOST of us don't want or need if we're not attending said event. And if not that, then you need a listserv for every different activity we have, and even then you're bugging anyone who wants to "autocross" even if they aren't coming to that particular event. Or you have to create a list for each event that every person gets subscribed to I presume when they register for said event. Holy administration nightmare when THAT gets borked.

I've managed and been around listservs for probably nearly as long as you've been alive. They are okay for a few things these days, but that amount is dwindling fast.


--Donnie

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I think you're onto something here. Are you volunteering? Since you've been working with listservs for so long, this should be quick and easy for you to get set up for us, right?



Well, right off the top of my head, perhaps something like:
thscc-club: General club announcements. This would be seldom used, probably a couple emails per year (examples: holiday party details, club by-law updates, etc.). Every member of THSCC would be a member, but they could opt-out if they like.
thscc-autox: Autocross event info. Opt-in.
thscc-rallyx: Rallycross event info. Opt-in.
thscc-track: Track event info. Opt-in.




We use Sympa at my current workplace, and there are dozens of off-the-shelf webapps that will handle mailing lists that I'm sure would suffice for our simple needs. I am a list admin in Sympa for a few lists and it works well, and I subscribe/unsubscribe myself to other lists as a user with ease. I did not set up the software though, so I don't know how involved it would be to install and configure.

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2015-2017 President
2014 Track VP
2013 Autox VP

2002 Subaru WRX [dd]
2002 Honda S2000 STR #3 (retired...for now)
1992 Acura Integra ChumpCar #118 (retired)
2004 Toyota 4Runner V8

http://beastmoderacing.com

This web forum is so long in the tooth we might have to take it out back and shoot it and have no choice but to step BACKWARD to a set of listservs. But God I hope it doesn't come to that!

Seriously, I can't even support the idea much less volunteer to do it. We already have infrastructure that can pull off your idea, and if we could get it upgraded like it needs to be then it would work BETTER than any listserv, IMHO.


--Donnie

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Keep in mind that the whole FB topic is designed to attract/inform NEW drivers, who may or may not be members. We need a way to inform the occasional driver/non-member that an event is upcoming. Listserv, forum etc all require membership--near as I can tell, members of the club already have a mechanism by which they are informed of rallycross/HPDE/autocross events and neither need (and in some cases, want) a new avenue.

It's the new people we are trying to attract that (more than likely) are using web 2.0 and smartphones to organize their lives....having a FB presence helps enhance our exposure to them. It's not a big deal to update the THSCC FB page--just give someone admin privileges and have them update event announcements. (If someone wants to be worker coordinator, I'll be happy to do FB admin-but I can't do both)

Also, why not add a link to our facebook page on the thscc.com homepage, a la the ubiquitous "Friend us on Facebook!" that one sees everywhere else. That way folks don't even have to search facebook for us!

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Steve Carter
1972 Datsun 240Z-- resto pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/srcartermd
2007 GPW Honda S2000-- STR 86

One can already subscribe to the calendar using iCal. I don't use that feature, but other people do and it seems to work well enough, FWIW

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Steve Carter
1972 Datsun 240Z-- resto pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/srcartermd
2007 GPW Honda S2000-- STR 86

could it be... someone volunteering for a position? or are you just trying to get out of your current obligation

I don't see you jumping in...

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Steve Carter
1972 Datsun 240Z-- resto pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/srcartermd
2007 GPW Honda S2000-- STR 86

Don't worry, it's not that much work unfortunately.

I intend (and I'd bet Matt) to keep FB updated adequately. I agree with Steve that FB is a mechanism at attracting new members so this whole forum sticky vs listserv is immaterial from that standpoint.

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2011/2012 Autox VP
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2013 Top Gun

2015 Fit

22R-EC => 4G63 => D16Y7 + D16Y8 => EJ255 + K24Z2 => K20Z3 + K24Z2 => K24Z2 + M54 => L15B

I'm sure just about everyone in the club can receive e-mails. Not everyone in the club is interested in signing up for or participating in a forum.

Alternately move AX reg to motorsportsreg and use their e-mail features to e-mail people who previously signed up for a THSCC autocross event. That's how I get my e-mails from AV and BMWCCA. (I have no idea what the costs are for that)

Then those people *could* just keep doing what they are doing and watch the website. Apparently not every club member wants to be on or have to go manage an email list subscription, either. *raises hand*



This is THSCC. We do it all ourselves!

Seriously, that's not unreasonable in my view, though the powers that be I think have always felt like we do this "good enough" that it's not worth the extra cost.


--Donnie

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I haven't been following this thread too closely, but I (as webmaster) am open to new ideas. Email notification is something that could be added to our preregistration system, and that's a good idea. Currently that has to be done manually, though there is a feature to facilitate it. I've heard it suggested before over the years to drop our system and use motorsportreg.com- what other features does it have that the current system doesn't? When it's been suggested before they've only listed features that the current system also has.

I think a Facebook "Friend Us" button or something's a fine idea, too, and I could do that. Do we have an "official" FB page yet?

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Carl Fisher

Be Cool to the Pizza Dude:
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