[pianotech] Phil Bondi's answers to our questions about what is being done to correct the problems with the Higher Logic program

[Encore Pianos]

I agree with Ron that we need to make clear distinctions between the entire
HL system and the mailing list portion when talking about mailing lists, and
have made that distinction on many occasions.  Ron Berry said elsewhere that
the HL e-mail portion was chosen because of its integration with Member Max.
But that does on mean that the two have to be joined at the hip where you
can't have one without the other.  If someone will talk to us, they could
perhaps let us know if the two can be separated (It is my belief that they
can) 

And I have also stated repeatedly that I am as content as anyone to move
into the future with an e-mail server that gives us more ease of use and
functionality.  Almost all of us know that program is not Higher Logic.  
It is very unlikely that whatever e-mail server program we replace HL with
would integrate with Member Max.    So be it - what's more important, having
PL that integrates with Member Max but ends up with 4 people using it every
other month, or having a really good e-mail server that people will
enthusiastically use, but will not integrate with Member Max for those once
a year functions that people might use, but could take an extra 10 seconds
to go onto MYPTG website to do.  What'll it be, some bells and whistles that
almost no one cares about or will use, or really good basic functionality
that a lot of people will use?

Will

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Ron Nossaman
Sent: Monday, July 04, 2011 2:35 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Phil Bondi's answers to our questions about what is
being done to correct the problems with the Higher Logic program
T


A point I'd like to try to make once again, please.


Everyone please try to clearly differentiate between the entire HL system
and the mailing list portion when you're talking about mailing lists.

HL will NOT be dumped until it proves inadequate to the administration -
period. Get used to it. And I really couldn't care one way or the other
until it hiccups and takes the whole organization down. Also, please quit
saying we want the old list maintained forever. That's totally unrealistic.
It has been made clear for many years that the administrative overhead of
the current dinosaur was abusive, primarily to Andy, as well as the folks
handling file attachments. When those complaining about the mail lists
demand the dumping of HL, you make it dead simple for the board to ignore
any and all valid points you may make in addition.

What we, or at least I want is some functional equivalent to the old list,
supplied by a vendor who can write usable software. Not the old list, but
something that works, and offers the same function.

First things first. Find a functional replacement to the old Pianotech list
that doesn't require the volunteer overhead to maintain. From what I'm
reading on the old abandoned list (which is where virtually all the traffic
is) this shouldn't be difficult. Keep the HL version up if you must, for the
six people who say they find it valuable, and run a separate and usable
email list functionally similar to the original for the rest of us who
prefer the format and quick and easy information exchange.

But PLEASE, don't make it any easier for the board to ignore us than it
already is by lumping everything together. Don't demand they dump HL - not
going to happen - bitch about specifics, like bypassing or replacing (not
fixing, I doubt they have the capabilities) the list software.

In the highly unlikely event that we can actually get a decent mail list up
and running again, then we can tilt with the windmill over the other
4000 or so things if we care to or have the time after discussing all those
fine piano related topics on a functional Pianotech list.

And if our liaison won't talk to us, is he talking to HL? And if he's not
listening to us, what's he talking to HL about? Do we have an advocate or
not?
Ron N