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Re: [Killietalk] Killietalk vs forums



Kurt,

I'm not going to get into a long debate with you and I'm certainly not going to do so on killietalk. But, we've had reasonable interactions in the past and I will give you this short reply.

You apparently dislike the layout of the AKA site. That's fine but it is what I have produced. There is a lot of information on the site and you have to have some way to point to it all. In this latest iteration I expanded the menus that are found in the left panel and, in fact, several people have previously commented that navigation is easy.

You comment that "every time someone questions a decision or suggests something different being taken as personal" implies that I am over-reacting. That's not the case. If you have been trying to help the AKA for as many years as I have and had received some the emails that I have you would realize it IS personal. I wonder how you would react to some of the messages I've received. The fact of the matter is that I don't have to take the crap that is dealt to me and I no longer will.

Regarding the comments about people joining the AKA after finding killietalk, I never said that nobody did. I said that surveys we have done in previous years indicate the web site is the major way that people find the AKA. That is a true statement. There have also been plenty of instances where people have been put off by the poor behavior of some people on killietalk,so there is concern that the balance is a negative one. The whole debate about killietalk began because of concern about the bad image of the AKA being projected on killietalk. That concern came from responsible people and, although I started and have supported killietalk for many years, I have come to agree with that concern..

The moderator who commented on the difficulty of reading the white text on blue has macular dystrophy. He is a good friend of mine and someone a greatly respect. However, although I have great sympathy for him and others with similar difficulties, it is not possible to accommodate every such need.

Finally, the board during my tenure as chairman has been as productive and open with the members as any in recent history. If you think it could and should do better, make some specific suggestions to the members. WHAT have you been telling the board for years? The board very rarely hears from any members. I do not accept that complaining on killietalk constitutes contacting the board. It is an open list with two thirds of the subscribers not being members. It is not the place to discuss AKA business matters. All I can say is that if you want it to be different, run for the board.

And if you think you are pissed off, you should consider how I feel. Well, it won't last much longer. Some of you will soon have to step in and do the many things I've been doing for the AKA. I'm not willing to walk around with a target on my back any longer.

Barry Cooper

PARANORke at aol_com wrote:
First,what I said about the AKA site was it was not user friendly...meaning you may know what it is supposed to do or where something is..I've just been to the site for the first time in a long time..still find it confusing,too busy and still can't find stuff......and we've been members a long time...new people would have no clue....It was not taking a personal shot at you or the site,but everytime someone questions a decision or suggests something different, that's how it is taken ... we are not stupid,yet we are treated that way..if we don't get something, we don't get it...you MIGHT want to make it more simple..........People tell you they joined because of Killietalk, they obviously don't know what they are talking about...we told you we talked to people who learned about killies from killietalk,they are also apparently mistaken . The blue with white lettering is hard to read....and lets note this was told to you by one of your moderators who is supposed to read what's going on. He can't see white on blue......how about blue or black on white...The right hand side of the screen is cut off..and I still cant find things......We said we like killietalk because it is easy to use...no sign in ...no jumping hurdles to get where you want to be I told you I have been a moderator on active forums....that regularly die out...lose track of their people...and constantly have to push and pull for participation. Everytime we tell you something we are told that you don't think that's true. People have been telling the board things for years....but if we want things to change or to stay the same because it works, we are either stupid,mistaken,or we are trouble makers or trolls. I use my name everytime....I am really tired of the bull crap.....Try LISTENING to people for once....Thank you....please excuse my abrubtness..I'm getting really tired of being pissed off........Kurt Bihlmayer In a message dated 8/10/2009 11:06:35 P.M. Central Daylight Time, killietalk-request at aka_org writes:

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Today's Topics:

1. Re: Subject:  Re:  Loss of Killitalk (Anubias Design)
2. Thank you  Mark! (Stuart Scott)
3. Re: Subject: Re:  Loss of  Killitalk (Stuart Scott)
4. Re: Comments on killietalk vs  forums  (Ken)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message:  1
Date: Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:38:39 -0700 (PDT)
From: Anubias Design  <anubiasdesign at yahoo_com>
Subject: Re: [Killietalk] Subject:  Re:  Loss of Killitalk
To: killifish discussion list  <killietalk at aka_org>

Allen,
If the mood of the membership is to switch to a different mailing list format, I think we'd be better served to start a new group.? I took a look at the one you suggested and it hasn't had a post since April.? Folks moving from KT to that group would probably overwhelm it.? Mark



--- On Mon, 8/10/09, Allan Semeit  <azkillie at cox_net> wrote:


From: Allan Semeit  <azkillie at cox_net>
Subject: [Killietalk] Subject: Re: Loss of  Killitalk
To: "AKA KillieTalk" <KillieTalk at aka_org>
Date: Monday,  August 10, 2009, 11:04 PM


There is a lot to like about KillieTalk, particularly it's ease of access and use.? At the same time, I have often considered unsubscribing because so little of the content concerns keeping killies.? There has been just enough of the latter to keep me on the list.???For this I wish to thank Scott Davis, Wright Huntley, and a few others who I am forgetting and wish to apologize.

The big question to ask is whether the AKA should continue sponsor KillieTalk?? If KillieTalk is considered to be detrimental to the AKA, due to the nature of the postings, and turns off potential more new members (as well as current AKA members) than it attracts, I believe the AKA should discontinue KillieTalk.? It appears the BOT has already decided upon that course of action.

The next question, then, is what options are there besides using the forums on the AKA website?? One obvious choice would be to set up another email list.? Some of the old-timers will remember that back in the 1970s, there were two killie email lists to which you could subscribe - KillieTalk and another list whose name I forget.? Both were similar in content, at least for a while.? The second list died an inglorious death largely because of it lost it's focus and became a gripe site which turned off subscribers including me.? That said, we certainly have some people on KillieTalk capable of creating a new email list, if they wanted.? Any volunteers?

Besides setting up a new email list, there is another existing option.? You could join killifish at yahoogroups_com.? This group sends postings to your email like KillieTalk. This group is currently NOT a very active and I do not know Will Griffin who manages it.? Still, if you're looking for an alternative to KillieTalk, this could be it, especially if enough people switched over.

Since we do not know when the plug is going to be pulled on KillieTalk, I might be beneficial to discuss and consider the above options.? Flame shields up!

Allan from  Arizona




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------------------------------

Message:  2
Date: Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:54:04 -0700 (PDT)
From: Stuart Scott  <sscott255 at yahoo_com>
Subject: [Killietalk] Thank you Mark!
To:  Killifish List <killietalk at aka_org>

Mark said:
"As an aside, I  frankly can't imagine how any board member can in good
conscience not  monitor posts on KT.  KT has been the most used means of
communication  among AKA members and to not monitor that means that they
are not availing  themselves of their most direct means of knowing what
concerns their  constituents.  If they don't participate in KT and don't
monitor the  posts on KT, then frankly they are not qualified to vote on
its future and  should have abstained from any discussion and certainly
from any  vote.  I suspect that if the general membership knew which
members of  the BOT do not read the postings to KT and yet voted to
eliminate it those  members would quickly find themselves voted off the
BOT.
Mark"

I totally agree with with Mark! I think the AKA needs to rethink how they go about the running of the AKA! Without a daily mail list that addresses AKA issues, you as BOT have no idea what the members are concerned with!

Take Care......Scotty

the 3-Day Walk for Breast  Cancer

www.The3Day. org/goto/ Linda.Scott (please support me!)http://08.The3Day. org/goto/ QTPiDIVAS (join our team!)

------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Mon,  10 Aug 2009 20:58:30 -0700 (PDT)
From: Stuart Scott  <sscott255 at yahoo_com>
Subject: Re: [Killietalk] Subject: Re:   Loss of Killitalk
To: killifish discussion list  <killietalk at aka_org>

Mark and all, I would be happy to start a new list on Yahoo. I've had lots of experience with yahoo mail lists and could moderate a list like this.

Take Care......Scotty

Karlin of  Quakertown
http://www.karlin1.com
800.828.7798

The 3-Day Walk for  Breast Cancer

www.The3Day. org/goto/ Linda.Scott (please support me!)http://08.The3Day. org/goto/ QTPiDIVAS (join our team!)








________________________________
From:  Anubias Design <anubiasdesign at yahoo_com>
To: killifish discussion  list <killietalk at aka_org>
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 11:38:39  PM
Subject: Re: [Killietalk] Subject: Re:  Loss of  Killitalk

Allen,
If the mood of the membership is to switch to a different mailing list format, I think we'd be better served to start a new group. I took a look at the one you suggested and it hasn't had a post since April. Folks moving from KT to that group would probably overwhelm it. Mark



--- On Mon, 8/10/09, Allan Semeit  <azkillie at cox_net> wrote:


From: Allan Semeit  <azkillie at cox_net>
Subject: [Killietalk] Subject: Re: Loss of  Killitalk
To: "AKA KillieTalk" <KillieTalk at aka_org>
Date: Monday,  August 10, 2009, 11:04 PM


There is a lot to like about KillieTalk, particularly it's ease of access and use. At the same time, I have often considered unsubscribing because so little of the content concerns keeping killies. There has been just enough of the latter to keep me on the list. For this I wish to thank Scott Davis, Wright Huntley, and a few others who I am forgetting and wish to apologize.

The big question to ask is whether the AKA should continue sponsor KillieTalk? If KillieTalk is considered to be detrimental to the AKA, due to the nature of the postings, and turns off potential more new members (as well as current AKA members) than it attracts, I believe the AKA should discontinue KillieTalk. It appears the BOT has already decided upon that course of action.

The next question, then, is what options are there besides using the forums on the AKA website? One obvious choice would be to set up another email list. Some of the old-timers will remember that back in the 1970s, there were two killie email lists to which you could subscribe - KillieTalk and another list whose name I forget. Both were similar in content, at least for a while. The second list died an inglorious death largely because of it lost it's focus and became a gripe site which turned off subscribers including me. That said, we certainly have some people on KillieTalk capable of creating a new email list, if they wanted. Any volunteers?

Besides setting up a new email list, there is another existing option. You could join killifish at yahoogroups_com. This group sends postings to your email like KillieTalk. This group is currently NOT a very active and I do not know Will Griffin who manages it. Still, if you're looking for an alternative to KillieTalk, this could be it, especially if enough people switched over.

Since we do not know when the plug is going to be pulled on KillieTalk, I might be beneficial to discuss and consider the above options. Flame shields up!

Allan from  Arizona




Join the AKA at  http://www.aka.org/aka/modules/content/index.php?id=9.
Archives are at  http://sable.actwin.com/pipermail/killietalk/
Modify your subscription at http://mailman.actwin.com/mailman/listinfo/killietalk




Join the AKA at  http://www.aka.org/aka/modules/content/index.php?id=9.
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------------------------------

Message:  4
Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2009 00:01:49 -0400
From: "Ken"  <ken_combs at sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: [Killietalk] Comments on  killietalk vs forums
To: "'killifish discussion list'"  <killietalk at aka_org>

Are you suggesting we be "forthright",  "open", and "transparent"?
Karl, pass that cyber doobie this way   <LOL> puff puff

KC

-----Original Message-----
From:  killietalk-bounces at aka_org [mailto:killietalk-bounces at aka_org] On
Behalf Of  Karl Doering
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 11:07 PM
To: killifish  discussion list
Subject: Re: [Killietalk] Comments on killietalk vs  forums

Barry Who brought up the killitalk removal& the names & how they voted. should be public to the membership?? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Barry Cooper" <barry_cooper at mac.com>
To: "killifish discussion list"  <killietalk at actwin_com>
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 10:14  PM
Subject: [Killietalk] Comments on killietalk vs forums


 Dear killietalk readers,

Thank you for your comments regarding  the decision recently made by the
BOT to phase out killietalk in favor  of forums. I would like to make a
few comments in response to issues  that have been raised.

First, I am distressed at the nasty  tones used in some of the messages
and, in particular, in the personal  attacks on me. In recent days, for
example, I have received emails  likening me to the KGB, which I, at
least, consider unacceptable  behavior. Furthermore, I don't know where
some people get their  information, but some of it is inaccurate. I was
not the one who  initiated the BOT's discussion of this topic, even
though I do believe  and have argued that using the forums rather than
killietalk would be  to the benefit of the AKA. Some of you have argued
that killietalk is  the main source of our new members. I don't believe
that is true.  Surveys that we have done in the past indicate that the
web site is  the main way that new members find us. In point of fact, I
think the  misuse and abuse of killietalk, which occurs on a regular
basis, tends  to discourage potential new members from joining. Those
periods of bad  behavior project a very poor image of the AKA. In point
of fact, this  perception was the main reason that the discussion was
started. There  is every reason to believe that, were killietalk to
continue, similar  periods of bad behavior will occur.

The argument has been made  that similar flame wars will occur in forums.
It is true that someone  can post an objectionable message to the forums,
but forum moderators  can deal with such bad behavior more effectively
than we can on  killietalk. Such messages can be moved to member only
forums or, if  objectionable enough, can be deleted or edited. I know
that some of  you will call that censorship but the AKA has no obligation
of publish  offensive material in the forums, on killietalk, or in any of
its  other publications.

Some of you have complained that the board  did not conduct a survey of
the membership on this issue. I will  remind you that both I and the BOT
secretary have referred to the  discussion of this issue in the BNL over
the last three months or  more. I have repeatedly asked for input from
members. Apart from one  message posted to the BOT list by an individual
who receives those  messages, not a single member has bothered to contact
the BOT about  it. There was a discussion of the issue on killietalk some
weeks ago  but killietalk is not an appropriate way to express an opinion
to the  board. For a start, as has been acknowledged in some of today's
 messages, not all BOT members use killietalk. Most of them, by the  way,
have used it in the past but left because they were unwilling to  deal
with the nonsense that goes on from time to time.

 The members elect people to the BOT to make decisions in the best
 interests of the AKA. That is what we have tried to do. I very much
 resent the implications that have been made that these decisions have
 been made to serve some personal interest. The BOT is made up of a
 dedicated group of people who strive to make this a better and a
 healthier organization. If you think you can make better decisions, I
 invite you to run for the 2011 board.

There have been comments  to the effect that "the great majority" or
"overwhelming majority" of  members want to keep killietalk. That seems
an exaggeration as we have  heard from perhaps 25 out of over 900 AKA
members. It is a self  fulfilling prophecy that those who actively use
killietalk want to  keep it but even on killietalk, a few weeks ago, one
third of  respondents stated that they preferred the forums. Only about
20% of  AKA members are even subscribed to killietalk, even though more
that  90% have email access. Having said that, a small number of you have
 now written to BOT members asking that the issue of killietalk be
 revisited. The board will respect those requests and I will, in due
 course, inform you of the outcome. Possibly we will seek additional
 input from the membership as a whole.

Finally, a number of  people have maligned the AKA web site and the
forums. I find those  comments very discouraging. Over the last 13 years
I have spent hours  every day working on the web site, killietalk and
other AKA matters,  taking the web site through at least three total
revisions. That work  is often to the detriment of my home life and my
own fish keeping,  there being only a limited number of hours in a day.
Although I do  periodically get messages complimenting me on the site and
thanking me  for what I do for the AKA, I have finally grown tired of
dealing with  the insults that I receive from a small, but vocal, group
of members.  It is my intention, therefore, to resign as webmaster at the
end of  this year, to correspond to the end of my term on the board. I am
 disappointed to have to make that decision. I had planned what I think
 would have been some good additions to the site, and had even started  to
work on learning some additional programming skills to allow me to  make
those them. I will also remove myself as an administrator of  killietalk,
for as long as it exists. I do regret that these decisions  will place a
burden on the 2010 board.

Barry  Cooper


--
Barry J. Cooper
Sweet Home,  OR 97386

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End of Killietalk  Digest, Vol 73, Issue  38
******************************************


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--
Barry J. Cooper
Sweet Home, OR 97386

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