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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Will-</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The Ptg-L list is not limited to Council Delegates.
It is limited to PTG members. If you are a member, you can subscribe and post.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The Ptg-L list is a discussion list for PTG
politics and management issues. Topics which will be discussed at Council are
often discussed at length on Ptg-L. It is a good way to get your opinions heard
by PTG members who are active in these matters.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Council delegates are instructed to vote according
to the direction of their chapter members. The best way to influence PTG policy
is to discuss these issues in your chapter and profvide direction to your
delegate. Another way is to participate in discussion on Ptg-L, in order to
thresh out complex issues and express viewpoints in advance of
Council.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>There are also the caucuses in which regional VPs
are elected. Board meetings are open to all members as well.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The more members will participate in these venues,
the more PTG policy will reflect broad member opinion.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>It ain't perfect, but it's not a smoke filled room
behind closed doors.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>(You can also write letters to the editor of the
Journal, but given the lag time of paper publishing, it will take a few months
for the letter to be published.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The my.ptg site has its problems, but it's where
the discussion is happening. Kansas City is not equidistant from every member,
but that's where Council is this year. When I first subscribed to
pianotech, I didn't have a computer. I had to go to the library and have the
librarian do it for me on the public computer so I could read the list. I found
a job on the pianotech list! The job came with a computer, and they paid me to
learn how to do email.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Ed Sutton</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=encorepianos@metrocast.net
href="mailto:encorepianos@metrocast.net">Encore Pianos</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=pianotech@ptg.org
href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Saturday, July 02, 2011 6:45
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [pianotech] [OT] Stuff Which
Should Really Be on PTG-L</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV class=WordSection1>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Hi Dale:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">May I call you Dale?
Please call me Will. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">I wasn’t making any statement
comparing quantity and quality by sharing the statistics that I garnered from
the archives. I didn’t have time to reread 5000 messages in the time
period quoted and compile content lists piano and non-piano. Even
surveying the subject titles and doing that would not be accurate, as we both
know how the subject can change from one thing to another (both piano and non
piano related), yet the title remains the same. That has been a problem
of message discipline for years and will likely not change no matter what the
format for e-mail server.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">But my point about the decline
in participation still stands, I think. The reason for that is that the
statistics I quoted reflect both Pianotech Lists, the old and the new.
And the very significant drop coincides with the implementation of the new
forum software. Further, the overwhelming number of comments by List
participants in the last few days – where they are articulating their concerns
and feelings – support the contention that decline in participation is in
response to the inadequacies of the new system. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">I
suggested moving it to ptg-l because that is what that list is for- discussion
of PTG policies and procedures. That list is limited to members who will
have opportunity to change things at Council. Discussing it here is contrary
to the stated purpose of this list which should be about piano
technology.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">On the one hand, I understand
your point about topic segregation and what the various lists are for.
In and of itself, that is not a bad thing and may be useful to help manage the
list topics better. I am not unsympathetic to that aspect of it.
But, like subject headings and message content, it is subject to the vagaries
of member self-discipline as compliance is voluntary. Some will bother
and some wont. That’s just the way it is.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">I find the second sentence
quoted above telling. You want me to have this discussion on
ptg-l. But ptg-l is limited to council delegates, as you state
here. Since I am not a council delegate, I cannot have this discussion
on ptg-l. But I cannot have it on Pianotech either, since that is for
piano related topics only. The logic of your argument then, is that
there is no forum for my voice. Nor, more tellingly, for the hundreds?of
messages in the last few days, no voice either, since most of them are likely
not council delegates. The net effect of our voluntary compliance with
your dictum is that we should swallow our widespread dissent and shut
up.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">I am troubled by some of your
characterizations about what software is in vogue at the time, and people
wanting to adapt. As if our complaints are based on mere personal
preference and we are too lazy to adapt to new ways of doing things.
When things change, we should make the effort to adapt. But I think you
are barking up the wrong tree. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">The key here is that the
Pianotech Forum is based entirely on voluntary participation and
compliance. If you want us to do things in a certain way – meaning those
of you who will effect changes related to this forum – then you have the task
of persuading us to do things in a new way, since I do not believe you want
the forum to be used by only 10 members instead of 1000. And certainly
one of the strongest measures of success would be how widely the Pianotech
Forum is used by members. That means that those encharged with the
responsibilities of finding and implementing new software should be
looking for something that the members will like and want to use. That’s
not an easy task, as you are going to have to second guess what we will
want to do. That said, some things will bring about a greater chance of
success. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">The interface is where it all
starts. Ideally, the software would be easy to use, consistent,
reliable, and not buggy. Good interface design allows you to get from
here to there in the fewest possible steps, when we are talking about the
basic functions that all of us are going to do most of the time. There
should be a consistent internal logic that makes usage seem easy and
intuitive. The more you have to use Help to navigate a program, the less
successful its design is. And the fewer your chances are for widespread
adoption by a membership that will have to be persuaded that it is worth
bothering.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">The Higher Logic program throws
up roadblocks at the most basic levels of functionality. It’s a damn
pain in the ass to use, it’s poorly designed, and has too many bugs –
particularly for a program that should be mature and stable by now.
And, acknowledge this or not, too many people have voted with their feet
and ended or greatly reduced their participation in the forum. By that
measure, it’s a failure. But don’t blame the victims.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Yes, I am blaming the loss of
community on the difficulty of using the Higher Logic Software. If I
were only one voice, that would make my dissent insignificant. But,
change a few details, so have said the vast majority of respondents in the
last few days. We are merely reflecting a very real problem with bad
software, and we are complaining because we want a great forum that we fear
the new software in effect is taking away from us.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Dale, I appreciate you
taking the time to respond and hope this discussion can continue between you
and I, and others as well. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Most respectfully yours,
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Will<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<DIV>
<DIV
style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: #b5c4df 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 3pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none">
<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">
pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] <B>On Behalf Of
</B>Dale Probst<BR><B>Sent:</B> Friday, July 01, 2011 9:40 PM<BR><B>To:</B>
pianotech@ptg.org<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [pianotech] [OT] Stuff Which Should
Really Be on PTG-L<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Hello
Mr. Truitt,</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">I
think you are equating quantity with quality both in the statistics on number
of posts and on the larger audience here on pianotech. I suggested moving it
to ptg-l because that is what that list is for- discussion of PTG policies and
procedures. That list is limited to members who will have opportunity to
change things at Council. Discussing it here is contrary to the stated purpose
of this list which should be about piano technology. You are free to
disagree but if you want to implement changes in PTG, I suggest that you
follow the policies and procedures that have been developed by the membership
for implementing those changes. You may get a lot of "attaboy" and "me too"
here but unless those folks follow up with their delegates to Council, this is
as far as you will get. </SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">I know
I'm in the minority here, it's fine, been there before. I' started on the list
before it was even a list and was still on a bulletin board. I've seen a
lot of people come and go. I've didn't post much when I was on the Board
because I was reading the list from the archives and it was a pain. So, I know
what it feels like to be shut out from the list by software I could not deal
with. </SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Pianotech
as a community will exist no matter what the software is in vogue at the time.
People will come and go, things will change and some won't bother to adapt.
But if it's truly a valuable community, which I believe it is, it will prosper
no matter what inconveniences pop up. If you want to keep this list
stasis indefinitely all that is needed is a group of volunteers to deal
with administrations issues and a request for action to the board. But be
careful what you ask for, it's been relatively easy so far but then you would
be getting into real work. Work that Andy Rudoff, Ron Berry, Phil Bondi, Kent
Swafford, Dave Porritt, Brian Lawson, John Baird and others have done on their
own time for years without complaining. </SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">You
are putting the blame for the loss of community on the difficulty of using the
Higher Logic software. Just consider for a moment that the blame may equally
lie on the lack of substantial piano related topics on this list. People will
go where the content is, that's human nature. There have been some decent
discussions on the HL site and I hope to see more. And any of you can go there
and review them whenever you want. Or you can stay here and do the work
necessary to maintain this list. Or something else can happen. But this
community won't die because of a software issue. It will only die if it
becomes irrelevant to the people involved.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Mr.
Truitt, whether that happens would be up to you and the other members of
this community, no one or thing else.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Dale</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">PS- I
didn't respond to your post earlier because I wanted to think about it before
I replied, sorry it wasn't on your timetable.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="MARGIN-TOP: 5pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 5pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in">
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">-----Original
Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> pianotech-bounces@ptg.org
[mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Encore
Pianos<BR><B>Sent:</B> Friday, July 01, 2011 5:07 PM<BR><B>To:</B>
pianotech@ptg.org<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [pianotech] Stuff Which Should
Really Be on PTG-L(OT)</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Hi Dale:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">If I want to be heard by the
most people, the pianotech list is the place to go. And judging by the
flood of discussion, most people are quite content to do it here for
now. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">I must admit that, other than
reiterating your point that this discussion should be on PTG-L, you have
chosen not to respond to my points and questions in my message sent this
morning. I am disappointed. I had hoped for more of a dialog,
because the dialog, regardless of who is “right”, educates us and moves us
toward a consensus that belongs to all of us. I don’t own the truth or all
the facts, nor do any of us. Which is why the fullest participation by
the most people is the best way to move towards a consensus as to what works
and we can see what most of us want.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">I am interested in the best
solution, even as I have a strong point of view. I don’t have to be right,
which means I can be persuaded if you are armed with better facts and
stronger arguments. In the best world, that goes both
ways. And we can do all of this with a smile on our face and avoid
getting into personalities.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Respectfully yours,
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Will Truitt
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia','serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="MARGIN-TOP: 5pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 5pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in"><DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">-----Original
Message-----<BR>From: Encore Pianos
<encorepianos@metrocast.net><BR>To: pianotech@ptg.org<BR>Sent: Fri,
Jul 1, 2011 3:22 am<BR>Subject: Re: [pianotech] Stuff Which Should Really
Be on PTG-L<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<DIV id=AOLMsgPart_2_a1e4169b-1326-40b0-a6af-8806b70f9070>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Hi
Dale:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">With
respect, I think that the discussion is taking place exactly where it
should – where the largest number of participants are going to read
it and respond to it. Given the huge number of posts on the
topic of the new forum in the past few days, clearly this is a topic of
importance to many. If it were on PTG-L, likely far fewer people
would be aware of it. For myself, I don’t make a point of
frequenting PTG-L and probably would miss a good deal of discussion
there. I doubt that I am the only one whose reading habits are like
that. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">I
simply do not understand what you mean when you say participation in this
listserve are down because fewer posts are on topic or piano
related? Keeping posts on topic has always been a problem with the
old format, yet many of those strings of posts ran incredible lengths and
garnered many participants. Excepting the large response generated
in the last few days discussing the forum’s future and shape, the number
of posts period had dropped dramatically once the new forum was
implemented, even when you combine the new and old formats. Some
statistics showing the number of posts, taken from the archives that
demonstrate the pattern of which I speak:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">January
2011 – 1872<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">February
– 1480<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">March
– 1139<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">April
– 345<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">May
– 235<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Even
taking into account the normal ups and downs of participation, it
seems clear that the implementation of the new format hugely dampened
participation – from March to April, the drop was 70 percent. In
March, there was a huge amount of discussion, questions, and complaints on
the new forum that swelled those numbers. May’s numbers were a mere
12.5% of January’s. If you were to read all of the posts on this
topic in the last few days, it is hard to conclude anything but that there
is broad dissatisfaction with the new format. Yes, there have been
defenders who have written in, but they are few by comparison. So I
don’t believe that your argument holds water.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">The
workaround to keep the listserve going for a while would be good, while
PTG sorts this thing out. I think we should not be putting any more
time and money into the migration into the new format until the direction
we will take is clearly established. Many of us are for cutting our
losses and dumping the new format. But that does not mean that we
are simply against any change. I recognize and accept the problems
that the old list has had and will continue to have. One solution in
the short term would be to pay someone to do the housekeeping of the old
listserve, since we are paying out money each month for the new format in
administrative and other costs. Your point about the very hard work
of volunteers is well made, but that said doesn’t make the Higher Logic
program a good one, and does not change the fact that it is so
unsuccessful in attracting or holding participants that it has greatly
shrunken the use of the Forum by PTG members. My interest is in
keeping the Pianotech Forum vital and healthy, which it is not
presently.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">I
am all for finding a really good e-mail program that will meet all of our
needs and be widely accepted and used. From what I know about the
Higher Logic program, it is used by other groups and has been around for a
while. So it seems telling that it remains very flawed and buggy,
and the interface is not likely to morph into something that listserve
readers are going to like and want to use anytime soon. So, let’s
move on to something better, after taking the time to do the research and
testing to emerge with something that most of us will like and want to
use. If that new program is not something that can be integrated
with the other new software, so be it. It is more important to keep
the Forum alive.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Will
Truitt<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P
class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>