proposal: newsletter

hey all, especially the SC,

i think some people are just in the same situation as me. i'm really interested in this project but have no time to participate as much as it would be necessary. checking the forums is quiet time-consuming as the endless repeating discussions started here already what makes it unpredictable. maybe the SC can fire out a newsletter regulary containing hints to:

-drafts that need critical review
-important polls
-an overview over the latest development
-tasks that are looking for someone who's responsible

maybe more oldschoolers can be integrated this way too.

all the best

Not sure how that would help as people would still have to come to the forum to give their input. It would take more time and work to organise something like that and we're already fairly busy organising the new site. However, if someone is prepared to do it then why not.

ultra_ambient wrote:

However, if someone is prepared to do it then why not.

I think it's a great idea and I actually requested that at Discogs too several years ago and I know that Kergillian offered to write something like that at Discogs too long after I brought it up. But nothing happened at Discogs because of the management.

The problem is that it takes time to collect the information in an unbiased manner but if someone have the time and energy to do it here at discographydb then that would be great. I can't do it myself att the moment though.

Excellent idea, the newsletter.

Since most of the news and ideas will be vetoed by the steering committee of the day, it should also be their responsibility to keep people up to date on developments or new decisions or rules.

Question: How?

1. Newsletter per wiki?
2. Newsletter per forum?
3: Newsletter per email?


Not fond of using the wiki, personally. I'd be inclined to go for an email (if it's a short one), or one with a link to the forum or similar.

per email or rss, of course.

Or a topic on which can't be replied on in combination with a alert email.

I think both email and locked topic. Email so you don't have to log into the site to view updates, and locked topic to track history, have easy links to polls and such (esp. if your email client doesn't display HTML messages)

I think it should be sent and posted once a week, and sent out on the same day around the same time, to keep things orderly. There are 308 registered users, but very few who post in the forums. The many directions of discussion can be daunting, especially if you're short on time to read all posts.

i agree. i have to do all this shit @ work, since i don't have a home computer.

The forum has a built-in function to send newsletters.

Next options are available:
- method: simple text / rich text with html
- sender of the e-mail: 'board@forumotion.com / (my private address)
- recepients: all members / admins / mods / SC / inactive users / no visit since 3 months

About the sender: I wouldn't like to send from 'board@forumotion.com nor my private address. What I could do is create a new address ('discographydb@hotmail.com) and use that one as if it would be my private.

Any dummy address will do because it's only used for OUTGOING messages, not incoming responses.

How about newsletter@discographydb.com?

hmvh wrote:

Any dummy address will do because it's only used for OUTGOING messages, not incoming responses.

In theory it is, but there's always someone replying. Plus, having an official DDB e-mailadress would be cool

hmvh wrote:

How about newsletter@discographydb.com?

The host service where I registered this domain does offer webmail, but I'd prefer a Hotmail account for now as I can couple it to my private adressess (which will help me to check it multiple times a day). Once the DB is up and running we can create DiscographyDB ones.

OK, your call.

dmaxx wrote:

Once the DB is up and running we can create DiscographyDB ones.

Hmmm, a little bonus for registered users

Ooh - that's a ripe can of trouble - I think there should be a higher threshold for getting an email address than being a member. Maybe if we did indeed charge a fee for membership, the "advanced" membership (costing more) would get you an email account. But that also means we need to have someone watching out for email address abuses (though I'm sure there are plenty of built-in checks with most mail programs / systems that would prevent spammers from trying to use the system).

As for email addresses - why hotmail? Personally, I really like gmail. Lots of nice features, no annoying banner ads on the bottom of messages. But that's just me.

Whatever way you work around this, it's most welcome!
Yes, I am still interested a lot in what's going on here, and this idea needs to be implemented soon!

I agree totally with the newsletter.

I've currently just started a new job so my time is limited, but I do still want to be (and feel) involved in the new system.

Yes, a newsletter is important. There are many out there who simply don't have the time to wade through forums or wikkis.

I've been away and out of computer touch for a week and even I'm finding it tough and I'm facing a computer screen for much of the day usually

Newsletters are never a bad thing IMO. I don't always get the chance to visit here daily (although I try to) so a regular(ish) update would be most welcome so bring it on!

yea, it would be nice

Gets my vote

fully agree with the top post

I agree, too. But only if a SC member or somebody with insight is willing to do this, of course.

coldy wrote:

I agree, too. But only if a SC member or somebody with insight is willing to do this, of course.

We'll discuss this evening in the chat.

From the SC chatsession 3: 2008-04-20, dmaxx will be drafting up a newsletter this week, if all goes well!