Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Coho Tech Convener

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

So should I set  up a groups.io for CohoTech?

Sharon

> On Jun 23, 2019, at 1:45 PM, Tom Smyth, Gather <info [at] gather.coop> wrote:
> 
> Thanks for all the info! Groups.io seems to have an API so could integrate 
> nicely with Gather. Currently I'm working on integrating with Mailman 
> (standard email list) as a lowest common denominator (and because that's what 
> we use currently at the Ann Arbor cohos). Integrations with more advanced 
> services will follow.
> 
> On Sat, Jun 22, 2019 at 12:59 PM Sharon Villines <sharon [at] 
> sharonvillines.com> wrote:
> > On Jun 22, 2019, at 8:14 AM, Tom Smyth, Gather <info [at] gather.coop> 
> > wrote:
> > 
> > Discourse is a modern forum option that is really good at integrating with 
> > email so that you don't really have to 'go there' for basic interactions, 
> > but you can choose to 'go there' for extra functionality. I'm curious how 
> > it compares to Groups.io. I think it is much more popular and is also open 
> > source.
> 
> I think the forum people and email people may never come together.
> 
> I like email because it is spontaneous and immediate and it comes to my 
> mailbox. It reminds me it exists. I can read as they come in or send them to 
> a folder and read later. I can save individual messages where I can search 
> for them later. I can forward them. I can reply privately to the sender.
> 
> I use forums when I’m looking for the answer to a specific problem— CSS, 
> theme particulars, etc. Mostly software and computer related but I know there 
> are others. The responses do come up on Google. I’ve finally learned what 
> Google search can do. Easier it use Google than wander around a software 
> manual or the Adobe website.But in general, I don’t like a discussion 
> separated by topic. Possible cross-fertilization is not as possible, if at 
> all.
> 
> Groups.io combines the two to some extent but is primarily an email 
> discussion. But when you read on the website you can view messages by topic 
> (subject line) or by hashtags or by individual messages in chronological 
> order. There is a wiki, a database,  map, etc. Primitive but there. Files.
> 
> The subgroups are wonderful. Anyone on the main list can join a subgroup and 
> an unlimited number of subgroups can be set up. The moderators decide if 
> anyone can set up a subgroup or only the moderator. There are many options. 
> The search function is very fast—nothing like Yahoo. 
> 
> There are lists for group moderators and for those needing support. Unlike 
> Yahoo, you can always get help. His business model is to serve businesses so 
> he is developing incredible capability. I’m on the Beta list and I have not a 
> clue why people need those features.
> 
> People can also block messages by subject or hashtag, and I think by poster. 
> On our community list, I block the messages about walking dogs, for example. 
> When someone with a dog is sick it can go on and on 4 times a day.
> 
> One person I talked to had a travel list. There were subgroups by geographic 
> location so you could  get information about the place. For people who want 
> to keep in touch after a certain tour or cruise. On the main list they can 
> ask for recommendations to anywhere that…
> 
> A list you can join to look around is our local neighborhood list. Send an 
> empty message to...
> 
> takomadc+subscribe [at] groups.io
> 
> Or 
> 
> sociocracy+subscribe [at] groups.io
> 
> Sociocracy has subgroups by language but no one uses them. My cohousing 
> community has subgroups for teams and working groups. Rooms, like the 
> exercise room.
> 
> Choosing a forum over the email list will determine who is more likely to 
> join.
> 
> Sharon
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Tom for the Gather Team
> https://info.gather.coop