Facebook and other web happenings
The following correspondence between Kelley and myself centers around our current use of Facebook and some questions and concerns that people may be having. I've recently taken on the role of webmaster to relieve Mark Pickett who served as webmaster over this past year+, in addition to continuing as admin for our Facebook and Twitter accounts. Mark is graciously easing me into the role and I'm committed to continuing onward with his attentive and helpful style -- working on our site as well as our presence on Facebook and Twitter. And by all means, I could certainly use the support of other folks who are interested in web related work/action. Currently, the web committee is meeting a few times a month to discuss some pretty cool features to add to our site and now is as good a time as any to jump in. Please get in touch with me by email, john@nw-trail.org or phone 541-480-6648 if you'd like to get involved. Thanks,
John Stegmaier
>> Ok so I joined the PUMP (ops) NWTA face book thing and I am just wondering, I have not seen anything posted there. The last thing was on March 28 and I check it every day. Am I missing something? Is there some setting I need to change?
Now the twitter ah tweeter ah what ever thing, that one has me. I do not understand that. I tried posting about the work party that Jerry and Andria did last Saturday and it would not post. It had like a -157 in red next to my post and the submit button was grayed out.
Since joining the face book, I have gotten a number of requests to be face book buds from young girls. Now what is up with that. My wife got a good chuckle.
kelley...or gogee as my grand son calls me
>>Hi Kelley,
Thanks for inquiring about the facebook page and giving it a shot - I appreciate hearing from folks that it's not making sense at this point. I know I need to keep at it and look for ways to make it more streamlined. Currently, I'm trying to stay on top of migrating events from our calendar to the "Events" section on our facebook page. If you scroll down to the bottom, hopefully you'll see 4 Events listed at the moment. If not, then I've got some work to do.
In the near future, I'm hoping to get some other reps and people organizing rides/workdays to become "Admins" so that they can post listings and send out invites to their events. Please let me know if this would be something you're interested in.
For Twitter, I believe the red text was indicating that you were over the maximum character limit of 140 and was therefore prohibiting you from posting.
And as for the young ladies inquiring about your friendship, well, not exactly sure how you can restrict those requests but am glad that you're wife is understanding!
John Stegmaier
>>John, I appreciate your response. I think that a response on the list serve may help others and may solicit more questions and discussion about using Facebook.
Upcoming Events
- Stub mountain bike night ride (easy/beginner) - 2012-02-09 18:00
- Stub trail building - XC - 2012-02-11 08:45
- Stub Freeride area build day [W.T.F.] - 2012-02-18 09:00
- NWTA Women's Ride - 2012-02-25 10:00
- Stub trail building - XC - 2012-02-26 08:45
JohnI would repeat here what
John, I would repeat here what I have read on the listserv. That the list is a pull type of information correspondence, I just open my e-mail and all the discussions are going on. It is very interactive and when there are a lot of posts, they show up while you are reading and responding to them. Facebook and other web sites have to be refreshed to see new information. I know that is easy to do but … Then there is Twitter, I have a much harder time with that one. It seems to cluster people. I mean you either have to know someone or be invited to join someone’s twitter to stay informed. Finally, maybe it’s just me and I am a bit lazy. It is easy to stick with something I know. It doesn’t take any effort on my part. Like I said, I just open the e-mail and there it is.
I'm not in favor...
I don't think it is a good idea to have an satellite form of primary communication. Facebook is great for goofing off, talking with folks, etc. But when it comes to planning events, or whatever, then there needs to be a 'master planner' or a 'the buck stops here' component of our community. I feel that is and should be the website.
Facebook, twitter, whatever comes next can complement but should not replace or count as "well I posted it on facebook, so I told everyone."
Maybe we can replace the yahoo listserve with facebook? But that sucks as I cannot email responses back to facebook.
Dennis Veatch
twitfacespace sucks
that's what i think.
D.
one twit wonders ...
Kind of related: http://slate.com/id/2219995
"10% of the users post 90% of the tweets".
This guy: http://twitter.com/brittanyblevins
Has just "what kind of donuts are you offering?"
Maybe I can use that as my new signature, or when telemarketers call!!!
-- Patrick Mansfield
You have point about it not
You have point about it not being primary form of communication. But it's important to use all available forms of communication - would suggest making it a policy always to include "hooks" to drive traffic back to the main portal - to the website.
There's going to be a site coming soon by the Cycle Oregon organization - it's slick and hot. Well designed. It'll be a great resource where road and trails are cataloged, and it's got facebook and twitter hooks (to allow people to communicate easily about rides they've done or are doing or news about the trails they love...)
They are engaging these new communication tools for collaboration, and unless you truly understand the nature of these tools (regardless of if you personally use them)...then stand out of the way and let the organization do what's in it's best interest to communicate with the people who do choose to use these tools.
See my post further below for more personal opinion in favor of using additional communication tools (as appropriate but not as primary/replacement)...
Don't be afraid of change. Also, don't throw out what works.
(by the way, the old PUMP listserv... that doesn't work. What I mean is.. it fosters "elite" behavior, also more easily leads to "flaming" debates and therefore alienates potential members... it's not a healthy thing to use as method of communication between members - it's good for broadcast, but should include hooks to bring people back to site for discussions... in the forums...) Just my opinion. As an IT professional... and this is also based on recommendation by IMBA Club Care team.
Single Twitter
Thought I had something to say…but guess not.
Can't argue that Twitter
Can't argue that Twitter does or doesn't make sense - because I don't use it. (signed up, *shrugged*, and continue using Facebook status updates instead - cuz that's all Twitter is.. the Status update feature of Facebook).
I *do* use Facebook.
If you avoid using social networking tools right in front of you... available for free... that's your problem, I can't make you. But it's equivalent to deciding not to install a telephone (back when those new fangled things were all the rage...)
These are new forms of communication tools. If ya avoid, it's your call. Your just missing out on tools to help with collaboration in an increasingly information/technology savvy society. Are you prepared to fall behind and suffer the consequences?
"Choose to not use them at your own alienation and peril. you've been warned." - The Future.
Anyway, this is just my opinion, but as an early adopter/software engineer/social hacker ("consultant") i.e. "geek".
Bottom-line: Whether you personally choose to use collaboration/social networking tools doesn't and shouldn't factor in to whether the NWTA organization utilizes them to communicate with the increasing majority who are plugged in, and moving into the future... (feeling challenged? good. feeling insulted? you shouldn't be... it's your call if you decide against evolving with the rest of us. doh! ok, now you should feel insulted. *chuckle* *slap back* We're still friends.)
Mmmmmm.....Pie
Mmmmmmm......
Pie.