Based on the usage of the Flyball Forum I can only conclude that Flyballers prefer email lists to forums. It’s very strange indeed because I’ve visited Agility forums and Pet and Dog related forums and they are all very active. I certainly would like to hear your pros and cons to each. I’ve tried to come up with a list on my own.
Pros of a Forum
- Can be viewed on your schedule
- More permanent than some email list unless you save each email
- You can send private messages
- You can post attachments i.e. photos, tournament schedules, etc
- Little or no annoying email clogging up your email application
- Real time discussion
Cons of a Forum
- It can be viewed by everyone
Pros of Email List
- Private and closed
Cons of Email List
- Closed and private
- Messages are not permanent unless saved privately
- Same questions are asked again and again
- Most do not allow attachments
- Email traffic builds up in your email account unless you are on digest
- If you are on digest you sometimes miss important discussions when they are happening
So what are your thoughts on this subject? Why do most prefer email over forums? Why are Flyballers different than all of the other canine activities that have forums? I can see no good reason to continue maintaining a forum that very few people are using.
Please pass the word to your friends and teammates about the Flyball Forum. I’m sure that we Flyballers can do better.
Larry
9 comments ↓
Hi Larry,
I love the forum, and this site as well..but, putting yourself out there…of all to see, criticize, public flogging, etc…is not for the thin skinned. I have been blasted more times than I care to recall..but, I speak my truth..without fear..and that is un-usual.
As you are so well aware..on the forum site…I think given some time, it will catch on more.
But, have to say, I do like email also…one less thing to long into I guess. ?
Thanks for all your work and effort,
Jackie
I like the forum, the email lists are too weird for my taste as I feel they lack context and continuity.
In the forum, conversations can become tough to follow when the subject changes in mid stream. Makes it difficult to return to a particular entry at a later date.
I hope you give the forum more time.
This my first post, however I would like to comment on the forum rather than email, I like this venue much better.
And I can see it may not be for the thin skinned. I have had thoughts on a few of the past posts and was reluctant to add my comments. Now not so much.
TNG and Lickety Splits did a fine job for the Bishop Bash. Great place and my experience the best tournament so far. I have only been in flyball less than 1 year and my dog and I loved the fairgrounds. Lots of open area to walk on GRASS!! And sit under trees.
I would go back anytime for a tournament there.
Happy Racing!
J.
I had hoped that the Flyball Forum (http://www.flyballforum.com) would be less intimidating and I should have added that as one of the Pros. I wanted it to be a place where people could meet, talk about Flyball if they were inclined, but also to discuss other topics; a place to post photos, videos, and to play and chat.
One of the strengths for the email list might be that it is easier to blast out an announcement to all - tournament sanctioning, dog for rescue, etc. Stuff that you don’t really need a direct response to.
The forum is better for conversations with give and take. Deebates on how to teach a box turn, discussions of other training techniques, general nattering.
They are just different venues with different weaknesses and strengths. Give the forum more time to reach critical mass.
I actually prefer forums. I don’t like the email lists because I get enough email without the posts clogging it up. The only email lists I am on are the flyball lists. For yahoogroups I have marked them as web only so I don’t get emails.
Sometimes getting the emails faster is a great thing but normally I am not someone who responds all that often so I can respond later without it being way too late. I check my groups numerous times a day from work
I like forums because you can divide forums into sections to make finding information easier, as long as, people are posting in the correct location.
It takes time for forums to take off. Have patience - it is summer so that could also cause a delay in taking off. If you think about it this blog normally gets responses from the same group of people with a new one thrown in at times. The same can be said for the email lists. You usually have the same people responding. Plus the big flyball list has been around a long, long time and it has been pretty quiet for the most part for the last few weeks.
I don’t think “flyballers” are really all that different from other dogsport enthusiasts. ….but, I do think that forums in general are slow to take off because one has to find them on the web first BEFORE they can read or comment. And, they have to be visited over and over and over. In other words, you have to make the effort to get there.
The flyball list (email) comes to you. The only effort that has to be made after the initial sign up is to log in to your email box. My observation is that is what most individuals do first online. ….Check their email.
I would urge you to have patience, Larry. It takes no effort to leave the flyball forum in place. I created a forum and provided links to it on my blog, my team’s website and annnounced it on the flyball list. I did it because an individual requested a place to go to find pickup/ Open class and Performance teams to participate on. Truly, it is NOT visited much but, I will continue to maintain it because I thought it was a good idea and I didn’t need to see a lot of traffic there to believe it’s a good idea.
Perhaps I should promote it more.On the other hand, people don’t seem to have any trouble finding an Open team to play on.
i love the new forum. i feel like it’s more focused and less: hey, i’m looking for whoever that i saw 3 years ago at such and sucha tournament. i hate that!
Please keep the forum, it’ll take time, but flyballers talk and it’ll catch on.
I like the forum as well…It’s much easier to watch the threads your most intererested in and a lot more interactive than a list. I would say, be patient Larry - they will come…just give it a chance….
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