Hello
BlendedMany thanks for the two cents worth.
Actually, given inflation and entrepreneurial spirit, it's worth much more.
This is such a difficult topic ...A few years' ago we decided
not to embrace the full gambit of
social media.
I guess the main reason was loss of more considered opinions.
We favour these forums embracing
information and
help, with social
interaction being secondary. We offer a
PM service so that like-minded
folk may connect and then establish personal, social, friendships outside
ODK.
We did have a 'Chat Box' but it proved problematic - not just in terms
of information revealed and then lost, but some of our clientele did
not think through their comments made in the moment ...
In Christmas messages we have expressed this, and have attempted to
justify our preference for the original 'forum format'.
The 'forum' has its roots in early democracy, as you know, and it
followed a formal structure. In WWW terms, the forum adopted those
principles and it followed on from group email in the early days.
I guess ODK is conservative in the embracing social media.
But it is not because we didn't try 'chats' and 'likes'.
It may be, since token paid membership, that the situation has changed.
I do know that the members we attract
now are thoughtful and polite,
and the standard of discussion is top-end!
That's an ingredient I don't want to see change.
Blended, Great feedback and suggestions!
Very honest feedback there. Thank you.
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Jack