Mailing lists and our future in general - reply method

[Keith Black]

Since I've been stirring it up lately I guess I'll go all out and point out
what no one else wants to say.

We've had a tremendous reduction in mailing list activity since the Reply
method was changed to reply only to the sender unless reply to all is
pressed. I know that I've personally had many more private conversations
from people replying privately to my messages than I did before the change.
This translates to less public interaction and less information sharing.

The change was supposedly a test, have we learned anything yet?

Keith Black

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Grow Pattern" <pattern4u at comcast.net>
To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2005 4:10 PM
Subject: Mailing lists and our future in general.


> I, just like many of you have already commented, have noticed quite a
> reduction in traffic on this list. This list being the NSRCA discussion
> list.
>
> I use my pattern4U with a  pen-name of Grow pattern for the NSRCA list.  I
> also belong to quite a few of the district lists but I use eric.henderson
as
> my e-mail address. (I often travel and it is handy to be able to see what
is
> going on outside of NSRCA D-1)
>
> What this does is allow me to clearly see the all the district traffic in
> one e-mail account verses the National traffic in the other e-mail
account.
>
> I think that there is an overall reduction in traffic because of several
> factors.
>
> 1. The district lists are the list f choice for contest traffic and local
> banter.
>
> 2. We have les s and less new people needing answers from experienced
> pilots.
>
> 3. Experienced pilots and in eth majority and have sub issues such as
their
> own way of doing things and are not willing to get into an argument over
the
> b=best way
>
> 4. Other vehicles such as RCU are superior in functionality and data
> organization, For example history tracks and builds of answers in threads
> that can be followed. The ability to attach files like articles and
> pictures.
>
> The NSRCA was way behind the curve in having a discussion list, way way
> behind in accepting the need for a web site. It is also highly resistant
to
> change. Just say "On-line K-factor" and watch the e-mail count go up. Even
> if you say the paper one will not go away the resistance is there
> immediately.
>
>
> On a different topic, Are we stuck in a rut!!!!
>
> There was a time when we were the leaders in what we did. We were a
society
> full of experimenters and adventurers. Yet, today, when faced with
available
> and new enabling technology I see us shrinking away.
>
> On our web site we could have a ton of down-loadable word-files, photos,
> ads, you name it. Imagine an optional CD (for a small fee of course) with
> all past and present pdf K-factors. On-line or CD versions that could
> contain all of  the source documents/pictures/ads so that you could build
> your own files on items such as painting, building xyz, trimming, radio
> programming, contests etc.
>
> I wonder if you realize that we could charge you as little as $10 a year
> membership fee, WORLDWIDE, if you had an electronic K-factor and still
have
> more working capital left over than with $30 a year and the paper
> newsletter. Electronic would be all in color, much much more current and
> available earlier.
>
> In all the time that I have known the NSRCA I have never seen any $$'s
> available to support and sustain promotional and growth activities. Sure
> there has been a point of light here and there in the darkness but no
beacon
> to follow, no headlight to show us the way. Every year the age bandwidth
> goes further and further upward. How long before we become the SPA mark-2.
> (no offense intended to the SPA, just an example of what happens when your
> numbers decline)
>
> How many of you would come forward and make the electronic K-factor and
> enhanced functionality? How many would shy away from progress or just
busily
> shred the above note?  Should I remain jaded or is there fire in your
> bellies for advancement and the facilitation of growth through technology
> delivery enhancements that are available today.????
>
> Regards,
>
> Eric.
>
>
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