Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Looking for examples of software coho use to manage

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

On Jan 6, 2024, at 11:23 AM, Fred H Olson <fholson [at] cohousing.org> wrote:
> 
> There are two cohousing/intentional community specific software suites -- 
> Gather and Mosaic.
> 
> Note: IMHO, they both have problematic names -- names that do not identify 
> them very well and I find hard to remember.  Since both use common English 
> words for their name they are easily confused with other uses of the 
> words/names. Try searching the web for either without including "cohousing" 
> in the search spec...

I had the same problem with "Mosaic.” I checked the OED for synonyms looking 
for a good substitute and discovered the many uses that make it perfect to 
reflect an image of cohousing. 

> •  A picture or decorative pattern created by small pieces of stone, glass, 
> or other materials of various colors cemented together. 
> •  A variegated whole formed from many disparate parts; spec. (originally and 
> chiefly Canadian) a society consisting of a number of culturally distinct 
> groups.
> •  1988 "The complexity of their behavior is not indicated in the words [of 
> the play], it emerges from the mosaic construction of an infinite number of 
> details.
> •  1880 Zoology. Designating or relating to a theory or mechanism of vision 
> in the compound eye… the partial images being combined to produce a complete 
> visual image.
> •  1902 Genetics: An organism or part composed of cells of different genetic 
> constitution or expression.
> •  1989 Biology: A type of development that appears to comprise a collection 
> of independently developing parts.

I discussed adding a subname with Sean to solve the problem. I think we found a 
good solution: 

> Mosaic: Software Powering Community.

“Mosaic Cohousing” now comes up first in a Google search. I still think the 
domain name is a problem since “cohousing.site <http://cohousing.site/>” 
doesn’t connect conceptually with “Mosaic.” But one step at a time.

> There is a mailing list Discussion group on software programs for cohousing 
> that was active in mid 2022 with little since. It's archives are for 
> subscribers only.  https://groups.io/g/CommunityRootCellar

This list is still there and anyone can join. It’s for the discussion of all 
the issues and questions around “information storage and management systems for 
cohousing and other community groups.”  It has been dormant a few months since 
I have decided otherwise work directly with Sean on Mosaic as the quickest way 
to develop a comprehensive software. Mosaic has, as Sean’s list shows, almost 
everything anyone could hope for. 

Many communities are using Mosaic, not all of them using all of the features. 
Takoma Village started using it last fall for regenerating our meals program. 
It has been extremely helpful and so far the program is doing very well — far 
better than any of our schemes over the last 20 years. 

The reason I think it helps so much is that:

1. ONLINE SCHEDULING AND BILLING. Since the meal calendar is online, everyone 
can check it from anywhere (at work, in Bali, on the train, etc.) anytime (at 3 
am, or midnight on Saturday, etc)  to schedule a meal or sign up for one or 
cancel a reservation.  Signing up for the meal automatically adds the meal to 
the household’s account. Cooks are reimbursed and eaters charged once a month 
though I think we might discuss quarterly depending on how many meals there 
are. We set up a Venmo account to make payments.

2. FULL INFORMATION ABOUT MEALS. Cooks can schedule a meal and enter all the 
details about the menu and the help they need. We have days, times and costs 
set but these can be changed if the Cook needs to. The cooks use the same 
system to enter their costs so they are reimbursed through the same system.

3. EASY TRACKING OF LABOR CONTRIBUTIONS. Helpers and cleaners sign up 
individually and the jobs easily tracked to monitor meal labor contributions. 

4. DINERS CAN COMMUNICATE AND SET REMINDERS. DINERS can see who else has signed 
up for the meal and the form allows each person to indicate food preferences, 
late plates, etc. Each person can set up reminders for themselves so they don’t 
forget they signed up. 

5. COOKS CAN SEND UPDATES. Cooks can send updates to everyone signed up if 
there are changes or cancellations.

6. MEAL LIMITS EASILY SET. Limits can be set for the number of diners so there 
are no unexpected 40 diners meals. Meal limits have been set at 20-30 diners.

I’m sure there are other things I’ve forgotten, but basically there is room for 
any information we want to communicate and it can be accessed by everyone 
anytime. The whole process is transparent and convenient. 

Sharon
----
Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org