Greetings sailors,
I have been following a FaceBook group for a particular type of RV called a RoadTrek, as I am contemplating buying one. For two months, I have been following the trips taken all across No America, read numerous postings/replies/questions regarding where to stay, what's wrong with my engine etc, where to get things fixed, how does my inverter work, joining up with fellow RoadTrekers on the road etc. The responses are amazing. especially in the how to fix-it category. So many intelligent responses. These are typically retired, or near retired users, seemingly well versed in the simple use of FaceBook.
So, my thoughts moved to how well this might work for our C36/375IA use.
A benefit would be ease of posting, with the ability of users to post lots of photos, a benefit over the method we currently use to share photos, especially in view of the fact that our photos size is so limited necessitating the downsizing of the photo before posting on this website of ours.
Furthermore, I suggest this would result in a significant increase in member's participation via postings, responses, replies, ideas, sharing, etc. Personally, I infrequently visit our website forums, less than 10x per year. Thus, others in our community may also have the same experience as I do, very limited participation. Our email list is relatively inactive. Because of this, I support the adoption of a FaceBook Group, called, for example, "Catalina 36/375 IA - The Group".
I could easily set this up, and set up participation to limit (or not) the members to only those that qualify via membership in our IA.
If you wish to take a look at the above referenced "RoadTrekers-The Group" FaceBook group (which has 8267 members), here is the link:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/roadtreking/
Another is the FaceBook page "Catalina Yacht Owners"
https://www.facebook.com/groups/30202030287/
And the C36 Fleet 9 in San Francisco has one as well.
I'd suggest our group "keep up with the times" and follow through with this suggestion.
Steven Jones
C36/375IA FaceBook group administrator
C36/375IA Jib Sheet Editor 2012
Seal Beach, CA, USA
C36 #2164 Maléna 2003 Mk-II SRig/FullK, Long Beach, CA
I am.all for it. Pictures are worth a lot. That us why I do not post them here as it is just to hard.
Randy Sherwood
Mutualfun 1990 # 1057
T/R W/K M35a
Home. Charlotte, Mi.
Boat. St Augustine,Fl.
It could compliment the CIA web site but not replace it because of the limited search functionality that facebook has; you'd be scrolling for hours to find stuff...not that I'm an IT/ social media expert. But, anything that can be done to generate interest in sailing is certainly a good thing.
Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B
I love the idea. I am a member of a lot of the sailing pages on Facebook, and I find myself checking them all of the time. I would hate to have it replace these forums though. So often I find myself searching for others that have had similar problems, and it is so easy to find solutions here.
Hummina
1987 Catalina 36 MKI
#741
Bayfield, WI. Usually.
Hi all,
As the outgoing webmaster and email list administrator, I'd like to offer a few thoughts.
I think this is a bad idea, for the following reasons:
1) Dilution: There is already this Association website, which is the repository for all our shared knowledge and all C36/C375IA community interaction other than the very lightly-used email list (see below). We sell Memberships to the Association on the website, and to create an alternative will inevitably damage the long-term survival prospects of the Association.
2) Not everyone is on Facebook. Many, including me, avoid it at all costs and would never establish an account. The website is available and accessible to all.
3) If your desire is to share pics and have social interaction, the platform is already here, it belongs to you and it is being used by the majority of your fellow Catalina owners.
4) If youare unhappy with the picture-posting policies on the website, speak up and advocate for changing the policies. In this era the reasons for limiting size etc are disappearing and the website can easily be adapted to accept pics of any size and handle automatic resizing and so on. The incoming webmaster, Don Winchell, has lots of energy and ideas about making the website more mobile-friendly and up-to-date; I advise a more open-ended discussion on these matters.
Best regards,
Your outgoing webmaster and shipmate,
Nick
Nick Tonkin
*Former* Website Administrator, C36/375IA
*Former* owner, C36 tr/fk #255, Santa Barbara, CA
As someone who does not use Facebook, or any other social media, I agree that the dilution of input would not serve us well. I think that this forum works well for the membership. Whenever I meet a new owner, or old owner who doesn't know about this site, it's great to be able to refer them to a comprehensive site with answers to every question. Invaluable. It would be tough to see it wither.
Bruce Campbell
Evergreen Dreams #1409
I would never use Facebook. There are always ads that appear as if your friend has posted - but they are not. Very confusing.
If the size of the images are the only undesired restriction, then it would be a waste to discontinue this C36 website.
I use www.1and1.com for my webhosting company and the maximums size of the images are 8 MB each. The restriction of Max 2 MB is due to the webhosting provider. This site can be moved there. It is only $ 72.00/year and it provides unlimited spaces and 100 email accounts. You can also upload Youtube videos as well. This is a feature that C36 Webmaster must allow with CKeditor.
I have several websites that I use their webhosting servers.
The theme can be changed to be more suitable for mobile devices without loosing any data or user account. Drupal provides a few free themes.
Haro.
Sail La Vie 1999 Catalina 36 MKII, M35B-17031, Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA
About Sail La Vie
I favor no Facebook due to the dilution effect. Nick, if you tell the current hosting company we are considering leaving due to competitors offering a better service maybe they will match the price and improve what ever deficiencies are perceived by the membership.
On behalf of everyone - thank you Nick for your service.
Peter
peter g
2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !. 5 th Catalina
I do not use Facebook because of all the hacking, to many unwanted people get into it and just plan don't like it.
__/)__/)__/)__Capt Mike__/)__/)__/)__
Punta Gorda Florida
1990 Std WK M35 Hull #1050
Facebook is pretty useless when it comes to actual information. Absolutely no threat to the forum.
2000 C36 MKII 1825
[quote=knotdoneyet]Facebook is pretty useless when it comes to actual information. Absolutely no threat to the forum.[/quote]
Exactly. This would not replace anything. Simply a supplement for those who are already connected to facebook. It would not be site for exchanging technical info or asking for advice (those that do would be directed here). And there is a good chance it could increase membership with greater exposure. It woudl be more of a social site than anything.
Phil L
Southern Cross
Channel Islands, CA
C36MKI #400
Does the list serv still exist??? FB might be a good replacement.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
Facebook would be a good way to bring more people here! Every technical question should be redirected here, and we could always share our cruising experience or day sail experience on the facebook page.
Ludovic François
Hotel Catalina - Catalina 36 Hull #883
Marina Del Rey, CA
The idea is dumber than dirt.
Really.
You ALREADY HAVE a great website. Why not use it?
Everything Nick says is right. The potential for dilution of information is staggering. Why go to two places when everything SHOULD BE IN ONE PLACE.
One of our members suggested it for out C34s a few years ago, and actually started a FB page. As an officer, I was forced to join FB to write a long post there telling people to NOT use it!!!
Not a good idea at all.
Stu
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)
Steven,
I am, as of very recently, agreed to help out with the assoc. website so am quite interested this conversation, however i think i will need to do some investigation before i can offer any intelligent comment.
But i think i can say that it may make sense for the conversation to revolve around what people, or groups of people want from the website/facebook/the c36 club altogether, and then consider how which particular tools or platforms may best serve those objectives.
I will read and try to digest this thread as well as explore the links you offered and return to this conversation in a day or two.
Thanks for your input
duplicate, plz delete
Charles Hagen, MBA, BSIE, CNA
S/V Plan B / Catalina C36
AGLCA Harbor Host Two Rivers, WI
charleshagen2010@gmail.com
PH 920-860.7478
I have one already for Catalina 36 owners
Charles Hagen, MBA, BSIE, CNA
S/V Plan B / Catalina C36
AGLCA Harbor Host Two Rivers, WI
charleshagen2010@gmail.com
PH 920-860.7478
Charles, is it this one? https://www.facebook.com/Catalina36/
You should put some references to catalina36.org, and ask to the admin from this page if they are interested to help you to admin it.
Ludovic François
Hotel Catalina - Catalina 36 Hull #883
Marina Del Rey, CA