Meeting up on the web.

[BlackPig]

A bit off topic for this site, but I think appropriate.

Just now the Old Gaffers in Scotland do not have a mechanism for talking, sharing and meeting on the web. I plan on setting up some thing. Problem one is most traditional sailor don't use computers or are very reluctant to (obviously we are the exception).

I favour facebook, second would be a yahoo group. third setting up a forum like this or attaching (getting a header) to one that is already set up.

What would be the best way? Has anyone done it and can give advise. I would like to get it right first time.

Thanks.

 

[Romeo]

Hi BP,

An issue that I have thought about a fair bit, and taken some action on.

A forum like this is successful because it has lots and lots of folk taking the time to drop by. The community that you are looking at does not have the numbers to keep a forum bouncing along. As we also know from the lounge there can be a bit of a need for active moderation..... this is partly down to the anonymity of forum identities. This also tends to put women off more than it puts men off. If you go for a forum, you are going to end up with either nothing being posted at all, or a very small number of people posting nasty stuff to each other. Sad but true.

Yahoo groups type e mail group is dying out. Folk get fed up of their in box being bombarded. Facebook is much easier to opt in and out of.

Facebook group (rather than a facebook page) is the way to go if you want a forum type experience, but more popular and less nasty. You will find that there are some who hate the evil empire of facebook so much that they do not wish to participate. However amongst the over 25s the vast majority who are computer users are happy enough to use facebook.

Perhaps you might want to have a blog that updates are posted on every couple of weeks to keep the non facebookers up to date. There is the disadvantage compared to a forum that the subjects of previous discussions can be a bit harder to find as they are not structured in categories. However there is a search facility.

Example of a facebook group is Scottish Coastal Rowing: https://www.facebook.com/groups/100122213363179/

And the blog to go with it is here: http://scottishcoastalrowing.org/

pm me if you want to chat about this off line at all. I would certainly want to join. I was not aware that there was such a thing as "Old Gaffers in Scotland". It might be worth piggy backing on someone elses efforts.... Portsoy, Scottish Maritime Museum, Scottish Fisheries Museum?

 

[BlackPig]

Hi Romeo, "Old Gaffers in Scotland" I missed the comma it is the Scottish area of the Old Gaffers Association I'm talking about. http://www.oga.org.uk/ I think it will be facebook but thought it better to talk first because if I set one up then people decide they want something else it will be a pain moving and messing people about. I would like more interaction between the versus groups up here. Certainly coastal rowers and Portsoy, Scottish Maritime Museum, Scottish Fisheries Museum. could all benefit from it.

I will let you know or post on here when it is set up.

 

[BlackPig]

I went for facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/961216530625678/
Scotland Old Gaffers Association on facebook

I'm currently uploading pictures and video I have so if you want to see a lowed of gaffering boat porn pop over and join (even if you are not Scottish or fortunate to live here you are welcome )

 

[ianc1200]

On Facebook, if interested in old gaffers, I'd suggest "Gaff Rig Boats Worldwide". Some truly wonderful photos been posted there over last couple of months.

 

[richardjacobs]

Following your example, the Solent OGA has set up the 'Solent Gaffers' Facebook group for those at the other end of the country. I'm sure it won't just be me that can claim an interest in two great sailing areas.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/solentgaffers/