REFLECTOR: New Member Intro

[Brett Ferrell]

Well... I guess I have a couple of thoughts here, for what it's worth. Opinions
freely given are worth every penny.  ;-)

First, I've never seen this as "Brian's Forum", it was always advertised as a
forum for builders by builders, so I thought it was "Our" forum.  In fact, I
thought you had to have a kit serial number to join in the old days, but
whatever, time moves on.

Second, I appreciate that Brian has supported/enabled the effort online for so
long (thanks Brian!), and that folks have helped to some extent defray the cost
of that effort as well.  However, I would be willing to host the forum for the
community without controlling it or payment too, and think it should be run in
the common interest regardless who hosts it.

Third, I happen to agree with Don, that a web-based forum has much more
flexibility to handle different types of members and discussion areas, and
still allow folks to interact via email exclusively if they prefer, and
subscribe to the discussion types of interest to them.  There are some out of
the box software packages that do this quite well.  In fact, I've offered to
host such a service, and do replicate what happens here in that format for
those that prefer to read it.  I think it would be a big win for everyone.
However, I've always been careful to try to not push an agenda, because I do
really want the community to have ONE way to interact so we get the collective
knowledge together to share, and I feel strongly that the community should
decide what it wants.

Net, If the community wants non-builder members, I'm cool with that, if "we"
don't, I'm OK with that too, but I don't want to see us confer unequal status
and change the structure without consensus and fracture the community like what
has happened with the CanardZone and Canard Aviation forums.  That's been
universally bad in my opinion.
http://forum.canardaviation.com/showthread.php?t=4427&highlight=forum+split

Brett


Quoting Don Johnston <don at numa.aero>:

> This is exactly why I would like to see a move from the mailing list to
> forum based messaging. Cessna, Bonanza and Piper Pilots Association's use
> this and it allows a forum dedicated just for vendors.
>
>
> -------------------------------
> Message: 3
> Honestly, I trust Brian's judgement on what he will allow on HIS forum.
> Thanks Brian.
>
> The history, reputation, customer service, performance, price, and downright >
lack of knowledge on their part makes me very glad to have NOT chosen MT. I
> doubt they would have performed worth beans on my 340 HP (over 700'lbs
> torque) aluminum block V-6 setup on my 173 Elite. I know there is not much
> choice in the prop area for a Velocity, and that is a shame. I believe if
> some actual research was done, the prop could make a tremendous difference on
> the performance of our ships.
>
> Best of luck to all... and I look forward to the posts.. much like the Sunday
> comics.
>
> Kurt
>