[DM-MUG] A blog for the group.

[Ray Bowler]

On Jan 18, 2011, at Jan 18, 201112:08 PM, Matthew Nuzum wrote:

Matt and Jon, 

I agree with you and so a lengthy response. Jeremy's question in another response to the thread is also worth looking at. 

> Hello, I think that DMMUG has a bit of an identity crisis as it is. Is this group anything than a mailing list currently? 

The updated site is a bit more and suggestions as to having it be more useful are welcome. Now that I have an understanding of it changes are easy but this depends on an individual who is willing and able to spend time on it. 

> 
> #1. DMMUG is a mailing list where people who are Mac users can get help and information
> Solution: Create a one-page brochure site that explains to people how to join the list, and etc.
> 

This would be simple. Delete all of the first page except an invitation to join the list and eliminate all links.
Really this is what we have now. 

> #2. DMMUG starts having in-person meetings or other events and needs to have the website reflect the latest information
> Solution: Use a tool like Wordpress (feature rich) or Tumblr (very simple) that allows a combination of "about us" / static pages and blog like pages

Jeremy's question as to what other mugs so is important. I think that in-person meetings are not an option. One thought is that in the modern age in-person meetings do not work well. Bryan and I are the only ones I know of that can remember this group from the beginning. Live meetings have been 5 -15 in attendance. The only time in recent years that it has been at about 10 have been when we had a series of announced programs several months in a row. The secret of this is someone who has good ideas and can line up presenters. We have not had a consistent leader in this respect for any long period of time.  Without this leadership in-person meetings are a non-starter.  Jon's program pretty much prohibits a successful in-person meeting.

> #3. DMMUG's website should be an important portal / destination for people who need information about this or that (i.e. latest Mac tips, news from around the Mac world, etc)
> Solution: Use a full-blown CMS or a customized tool to aggregate the information.

A WCMS system would be the way to go if we want to continue as anything other than a mailing list. The question to be answered here is what is the mission of the group and how much do we want to do with it. 

> 
> I think that currently this group is firmly in the #1 category and anything more than a static, infrequently updated site will suit the group's needs. Maybe I'm wrong.

Agree. This could change. 
> 

Ray Bowler
rbowler at mchsi.com