Re: [GZG] List moderation was: Dear John

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Mon, May 19, 2008 at 11:11 AM, <germ@germy.co.uk> wrote:

> Just to add a few more points on this topic.
>
> Allan raises some good points regarding the use of Forums.
> I currently visit four forums on a regular basis and as well as the
option
> of just seeing the posts made since my last visit they also have a
feature
> that e-mail's to notify me of a reply to a topic I have posted on.
> I've used this to great effect on playtest forums where you need to
keep
> pace with an active conversation.
>
> So they sort of act like mailing lists if you want them to.
>

The problem (for those of us who don't have the time to be proactive on
forums) is that you don't get any email that covers newly posted
threads/topics. Only the ones you've posted or have specifically
requested a
'watch' to get emails about a particular thread. There is one forum I
visit
on a semi-regular basis, and only one thread on that forum, and only
because
it is a regularly posted-to thread and I get emails when somethings
posted
to said thread. I have watches on many, many other threads, but all
those
threads have gone stale (and some may have well been archived off) due
to
lack of conversation.

Threads/topics on forums are transitory. Email is...well, okay, not
forEVER,
but for a darn long time. :-)  And unlikely you'd miss anything you had
any
serious interest in.

>
> I find the ability to follow threads easier on a forum, not having to
worry
> about cutting out repeated text in replying to e-mails is also a
bonus. You
> also cut down on private posts going to the whole list :) (guilty as
charged
> on at least one occasion!).
>

I also.

I still have the order of badgers from it. :-/

>
> I agree that a forum may reduce the traffic from this list and that
some
> members of this list will not move to a forum. But I also see an
official
> forum with a GZG e-mail newsletter where Jon can inform the membership
of
> deals and new items as the way to go.
>

I agree there are some very nice perks and benefits to forums. And if
the
GZG list ultimately goes forum, I will likely fade into the occasional
visit
lurker dude. I know how proactive you have to be on a forum, and I know
how
much time I (don't) have available to *be* proactive. :-/

Mk