Support Group Please

[Bernard Littau]

I like both the ideas of an "urgent" list for travellers, etc., and of a web
form for posting to the urgent list if there be need.

The urgent list seems like a fairly simple thing to create.  My feeling is
we should try it and see where it goes in an unmoderated form.

The web interface is an innovative idea -- would be very nice to have, but
is some work on some audifans admin's part.  A less desireable but workable
alternative might be to use something like:
http://www.mail2web.com/
I am not sure if you can post a message from a service like mail2web.  I see
that with the increased problems with email spammers that posting via a
public interface is more and more restricted.  The web form is likely to be
the best way to do this service.

I also like the idea of something like the BMW Motorcycle Anonymous
Directory for the Audi fans.  The anonymous part is what makes it ok to post
or publish without impacting everyone's privacy.  The phone number, general
vicinity (city) and what kind of services are willing to be supplied are
listed -- no names or addresses.

I haven't been following our local PNW motorcycle scum :-) group lately, but
it has a roster of sorts, and I've been listed for years.  I have not been
able to attribute any spam, email or phone, to my being listed.  Something
like this might work for audifans:
http://www.wetleather.com/WetLeather/pages/rostertextlink.html

Best,

Bernard Littau
Woodinville, WA
'88 5ktq


> I am thinking that the bandwidth should be low enough to make moderation
> unnecessary.  I think it would be great to set up the list and let people
> know about the purpose and that posts are discouraged unless they have an
> urgent problem.  The other thing I was thinking would be great would be if
> there was a web interface that allowed posts to the list via the audifans
> site ... that way if someone only had internet access they could still
> register their need and provide a phone number or the like to allow those
> who get the message to be able to help.  Perhaps this interface would be a
> simple form based setup where the poster would enter their name, location,
> problem and contact information ... which would then get sent out to the
> group ...
>
> > > Actually I just had a thought ...
> > > perhaps Dan can set up an "emergency" list on the audifans server ...
> >
> > Well, not sure I would call it drivel :), but I have thought about
> > setting up a semi-moderated list for matters requiring urgent or
> > semi-urgent resolution.  The idea is to keep it very low traffic, so
> > everyone can be subscribed to it, and then use it only for important
> > matters.  I could make it moderated, but that would add to the delay of
> > getting the message out.