: : DAVE: ...most of the people will be much older or dead by the time the New Forum goes on line. Dave D.: Good one! And we deserve it. FYI, I did just send Martin a message saying I would like to switch to the new site tomorrow. I'm not saying it will happen, but at this point I think not switching is causing more problems than switching will (and there will be problems at first). : : DAVE: ...most of the people will be much older or dead by the time the New Forum goes on line. Dave D.: Good one! And we deserve it. FYI, I did just send Martin a message saying I would like to switch to the new site tomorrow. I'm not saying it will happen, but at this point I think not switching is causing more problems than switching will (and there will be problems at first). DAVE: As most parents have heard when taking their kids on a trip, "Are we there yet?" I know you didn't say it will happen, but its been five days since the last time you didn't say it will happen. So far, you have been right. We haven switched to the new web site. I'm not saying that having a new web site will increase membership, which will increase the attendance at the festival or that the present members will be happier with a new web site. Who am I kidding? That is exactly what I am saying and what I believe. Not only should we switch to a new website, but it needs to be constantly updated. No outdated material should ever be allowed to remain on the website. For example, the last “Reports from the IJA Chair” was Paul Richmond’s Sep/Oct report of 2001! That was FOUR YEARS ago! This has been pointed out several times, so there is no excuse, nor should it have to be pointed out in the first place. The chair should do bimonthly reports, but if that isn’t done, at least remove that item if it isn’t going to be updated. According to the minutes of June 22, 2005: New IJA Website - Dave Davis Speaking of the minutes, isn’t there a way to approve the six minutes between April 14, 2003 and July 10, 2003? Its like Nixon’s tapes. We have six minutes missing. This seems like “Old Business” that needs to be dealt with in some way. Could a summary be done and posted? The minutes do exist, don’t they? Can they be posted unapproved? But back to the main point, can we switch to a new web site and keep it up to date? I’ll volunteer to help in any way I can. I’d like to hear about the “Roll-out strategy” Is it the same one as was used for the “Spruce Goose”? And photos, there are thousand of photos in the IJA Archives that are being scanned, yes? Can these be used in a rotating manner on the web site? The photos that appear on the present web site have been the same ones for years and they aren’t even particularly good photos. For example, on the IJA Business page, there is a photo of a group of people sitting in a circle with three clubs and a gray rag in the center. At least put five clubs in the center and put a red rag in, and to make the photo real exciting, have the people in the circle standing. Dave, a juggler
The new website is now capable of taking merchandise orders. As such, the last barrier that was delaying changing sites is now removed. He recommends that we switch to the new site as soon as convenient, preferably at or prior to this festival, so we can use the festival to educate members about the new site. Roll-out strategy was discussed.