<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><style></style></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1>Ron Berry wrote:<o:p></o:p>There has been a lot of discussion and concern about the new communities on <a href="http://my.ptg.org" target="_blank">my.ptg.org</a>. One factor to consider is that Pianotech and CAUT are not the entire operation of PTG, although they may be the most valuable to those of you here. Allen Gilreath has announced that we will keep the listserv versions of these lists running for a while. There was some very valid criticism of the function of <a href="http://my.ptg.org" target="_blank">my.ptg.org</a> for these lists. What you may not be considering is that this software interfaces with the member database at <a href="http://www.ptg.org" target="_blank">www.ptg.org</a>. Most forum software doesn't let you do that. We are able to set up communities for all the committees and chapters. I really like the idea that as a committee member I automatically see my committees group and have a place to communicate with the other members and share documents. There is even the possibility of creating microsite web sites for certain groups that may need more. This will allow a new person coming on a committee to have access to the discussion and documents that have been used by that committee. That is not so easy to do with an email only format.<o:p></o:p>My reply:<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>So OK: Don’t try to use the new PTG software to replace the e-mail lists!  Ron, this point seems painfully obvious: Do use the new software for the internal functions within PTG, if it does a better job of that.  Don’t use it to try to replace the e-mail lists.  Unless it can be reorganized serve the same purpose as the e-mail lists, it is inadequate for the function that the users desire.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>The intention was good, but was not adequately tested before trying to implement it.  If Alan can keep the list servers going, let’s do away with the PTG discussion groups for Pianotech and CAUT for now and leave the e-mail lists alone.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>Later on, if more appropriate on-line forum software can be set up, then decide if it is worth replacing the E-mail lists.<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>Don Mannino<o:p></o:p></div></body></html>