Old technology, new technology

[Dave.Martin@autozone.com]

I have read the posts at the Clemson site, and contributed a few to there
over the past few years.  I only recently subscribed to the discussion list
via e-mail.

In both formats, my participation has been discouraged by the technology.
I can't help but feel that a great deal of the knowledge sharing potential
here is lost on the outdated technology used to mediate the discussions.
In both the e-mail and the website, It is nearly impossible to follow a
thread and focus on a topic at hand.

I would like to propose that we consider upgrading the DEN to a fully
functional web discussion group.  As an internet strategist, I have
evaluated several packages and would like to recommend that we consider
using Web Crossing.

For a good example of how to deploy the Web Crossing package, look at the
Detroit Free Press forums.  Go to www.freep.com and click on the forums
link on the left.  Within here, you will find numerous topic areas, and
discussions within them.

As a registered user, you can create a topic and others can contribute to
it.  When you come back to the site, it tells you how many new postings are
under each topic.  The threads are orderly and coherent.

Web Crossing can be evaluated at www.webcrossing.com.  They have a package
available for FREE that I *think* would handle the volume of traffic done
on the DEN.  If not, perhaps we could consider contributing to buying a
package...my check would be in the mail.

What do you all think?

[Moderator's Note:  The DEN is entering its 6th year -- with archives that
are searchable by thread, author, topic, or date.  The estimated archive
total is 18,000 messages -- not to mention the 1,000+ files.  Conversion to
any other platform would be an onerous task.

The DEN is run by 2 people.  Del Kimbler at Clemson provides the server and
software as well as tech support on a volunteer basis.  He is also the 
Chair of the IE department.  The (usually) daily admin of the site is
performed by yours truly - I have estimated that my annual contribution is
the equivalent of 15 40-hour weeks.  I, too, try to make a living.

Perhaps I sound a bit defensive...  I am.  We currently serve almost 900 
subscribers in 27 countries, processing a MILLION+ messages a year -- with
very limited resources.

It is 1:22AM Saturday morning -- do you know where your moderator is?

<soap box mode off>

Your sometimes not so humble moderator,
Jim Clauson
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