About that Discourse site thing….

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Paul Miller

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Aug 4, 2025, 6:13:55 PMAug 4
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I’m afraid I’ve been lured to the Discourse site and mostly away from this group.
Why? You ask…
I like that I can edit a post after posting.
Pictures are easier to work with
I found it more user friendly once I gave it a fair try.

….but the big reason to consider at least monitoring it even if you don’t post is that you will get all the answers to the posted questions.
Currently everything that is posted here shows up there but not vice versa. If someone comes up with a particularly good answer but posts it on Discourse it won’t show up here.
If on the other hand it was posted here you would find it there as well.
If you are interested in hearing all the answers, join the Discourse site. You just might like it.


Paul M
NS30U #211, Sandpiper
Cowichan Bay, B.C.

Brian Godfrey

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Aug 4, 2025, 7:33:13 PMAug 4
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   Yeah, everything he said.  It's setup so that everything posted here in the Google group also goes to the Discord group, but not vice-versa.  So if you are only on this Google group you are missing stuff as Paul said.  Plus I only seem to receive about half of the messages posted to the Google Group and it keeps getting worse.  It's ironic, but the only way for me to see all of the Google group messages is through the Discord group.  Weird, but true.

   Plus, you can put your boat/location info in your profile and it will appear on every posting without having to remember to add it to each email.

--Brian M. Godfrey
  br...@wildbirdshop.com
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Joe Valinoti

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Aug 4, 2025, 8:20:08 PMAug 4
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And those that post on Discourse only don’t get the benefits and input from those of us that are on the discussion site.  Some of us with well over 20 years of Nonsuch experience.  As I said originally, it will water down the discussion site which worked quite well.
 
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA


~~~~~(\_ ~(\_ ~(\_~~~~~~~~~~

Paul Miller

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Aug 4, 2025, 8:22:46 PMAug 4
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A great reason to monitor both until a solution presents itself Joe.

Paul M
NS30U #211, Sandpiper
Cowichan Bay B.C.


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Joe Valinoti

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Aug 4, 2025, 8:26:10 PMAug 4
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I only have time for one
 
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA


~~~~~(\_ ~(\_ ~(\_~~~~~~~~~~

Brian

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Aug 4, 2025, 8:45:46 PMAug 4
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Joe 
Change is inevitable. Go with the flow you won’t regret it I promise. 
You seem to be the last really important voice opposed. Why not give it a try. It’s not difficult.
With all due respect.

Brian Cayer
Spirit~Wind
N30U 419
Westbrook, CT

On Aug 4, 2025, at 8:26 PM, Joe Valinoti <joes...@gmail.com> wrote:



Don Crossley

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Aug 4, 2025, 9:11:07 PMAug 4
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Another benefit of the Discourse site is when initially creating your account, you can include your boat's name, model, and location, so that when you post a message this info is automatically included.

Think of the time Joe would save by not having to repeatedly telling newcomers to include this info after their first post.

Worth a try.

Regards, 
Don



Rob Cohen "Soave" NS33 Westport, CT

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Aug 4, 2025, 9:51:01 PMAug 4
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It's great that INA has an active following on three platforms... Discourse, Facebook, and Google Groups.  

I personally prefer Google Groups, as they say,  different strokes for different folks.

I've been getting more person-2-person correspondence ( email and texts) with other Nonsuch owners, and these conversations have been especially rewarding.

I think the forums are handy for meeting new people, and it's good to have old-timers in each of the groups to welcome new owners.  The forums are both interesting and helpful, but they don't even come close to meeting other owners in person and sailing on each-other's Nonsuch boats.

The real fun in on the water !

Smooth Sailing,
Rob
s/v SOAVE
NS33 #009
Cedar Point YC
Westport, CT

Jonathan Lewit

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Aug 5, 2025, 1:43:35 PMAug 5
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Ron,

I actually don't think that it's great that we are on three platforms when two of them are discussion forums - one more capable and the other with more members.  However, since it takes time to migrate - so be it.    And if messaging individual members is of interest, or messaging within small groups might be of some benefit, then the capabilities of Discourse (click on a user, then click on their envelope) is a clear benefit. 

IMHO if someone only has time for one forum, isn't it better to use the one that has the complete topic threads? Just sayin'...

If you can use Facebook, then you can use the Discourse site.  If you choose to only use email, then you can set up a Discourse account to use email (you miss the rest, but use get the full discussion threads). 

Some stats - 
Discourse has 115 user accounts.  It also has postings, via the Google Mirror, from about 70 other people.  Our Google Group has almost 1,000 users, but as you can see the vast majority are listeners and don't post.   The Google Mirror has been active for 5 months.  The Discourse site can get anywhere from 150 - 500 page views on any given day - yesterday's number was 447, and on that day about 35% were from anonymous users (people without an account).  Google still gets more original postings because that's where the larger population is.  Discourse gets one or two new signups every few days.  Sigh...  The only way to move to a new platform is if people actually move...

The Google Discussion Group will be around with no improvements or changes until Google decides that it's done trying to migrate people from Google Groups to Google Workspace and announces its end of life.  We already have in place a better alternative.

If anyone would like help setting up their Discourse account, please email me off list

If anyone would like to finally get their Discourse account, use this link - 


Fair winds
Jon
N26C #115 Inua - Kingston, NY - on the scenic Hudson River







Rob Cohen "Soave" NS33 Westport, CT

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Aug 5, 2025, 2:46:44 PMAug 5
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It's Rob..... not Ron.

Nobody seems concerned that the 1100 lurkers aren't seeing Discourse content.  When we're done cherry picking active users from Google, turn off the mirror and let Google be Google and Discourse be Discourse.

The Discourse users are happy with a universe 115 users they can continue to cultivate it it will grow over time.  Interestingly all three groups are still growing and seem to attract different audiences.

I'm not convinced continuing to coax folks to a single platform is good for the overall community.  Let folks choose where they want participate.

I can be a happy Nonsuch owner in any discussion group ( even a FB Group), especially if folks managing the other platforms are trying to manage me. 

Let's focus on the boat and the sport of sailing.  Let each member enjoy it in their own way.

Smooth Sailing....

Rob
s/v SOAVE
NS33 #009
Cedar Point YC
Westport, CT
 


Jonathan Lewit

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Aug 5, 2025, 5:43:00 PMAug 5
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Rob, (not Ron)

"Nobody seems concerned that the 1100 lurkers aren't seeing Discourse content."   My continued efforts to attract the remaining current Google users is a direct evidence that I am concerned that we bring over all of the current members of this list,  The fact that we have a significant number of non-registered users looking at the Discourse site is direct evidence that no one who has interest and can click a mouse is being left behind. If someone is really just a lurker, then they are all set.  But without an account you cannot post or message anyone, the system can't tell you what is new since your last visit, you can't get emails of each new posting or a daily digest of new topics, etc.  Google force feeds you emails, but without any action, Discourse does not do anything. 

No one has mentioned turning off the Google Mirror category.  I believe in discussion terms, that's called the "straw man fallacy".  The decision as to where things go from here concerning Google and Discourse after the one year trial rests with the INA Board.  For a group like ours, I happen to believe that one forum platform is better than two - you don't - so it goes...

You have an active Discourse account, so I assume that you believe that it has some value for you.  The Nonsuchers who started this thread clearly believe that it has value and were encouraging others to get an account.  It's the old Alka Seltzer commercial - "Try it, you'll like it".  

And by now this conversation has passed the boring point, so this will be my last posting on this thread...

Be well, fair winds, and remember, "it takes a tough man to make a tender chicken",
Jon 

N26C #115 - resting peacefully in its slip off the Hudson River - quietly waiting for me to figure out the best way to integrate SeaTalk and SeaTalkng across a variety of new and new to me electronics...


Julie & Lloyd on Rendezvous

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Aug 5, 2025, 7:57:33 PMAug 5
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Perchance, the 35% of anonymous views on Discourse were people who looked and decided Discourse was not for them, that they were more comfortable with what we currently have.

lloyd herman, Google User Only
Rendezvous, 30U
Port Washington,, NY

Richard Têtu

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Aug 5, 2025, 8:30:12 PMAug 5
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It just seems sad that Joe Valinoti’s opinion simply gets dismissed or belittled. He has been so much help to me over the year, and I am certain many others feel that way.. And I really do not like the “change is inevitable “ line; inevitable does not equate to great. It is dismissive, basically “if you don’t like it, lump it.” I was a major change agent at work for 38 years, but I did everything I could to acknowledge my elders and those who had a different point of view. I am old enough to try to lose some of my arrogance; I feel most people demonstrate more confidence than competence in life. Certainly, more kindness and respect would be helpful. This forum is no longer what it was; I guess “change is inevitable?”

Rob Cohen "Soave" NS33 Westport, CT

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Aug 5, 2025, 10:25:33 PMAug 5
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Richard..... I share your concern, and I don't think we are alone.  I hope our INA board hears these concerns.

Change may be inevitable, but we ought to preserve the camaraderie that has been the cornerstone of the Nonsuch community.

Since we purchased Soave in 2023, we've enjoyed the generosity, kindness, and respect of the Nonsuch community.  

I'd like to preserve these values in all of our forums and events.  

Rob
s/v SOAVE
NS33 #009
Cedar Point YC
Westport, CT




Paul Miller

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Aug 5, 2025, 11:37:24 PMAug 5
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Well this is certainly more than I expected when I started this thread. I was just commenting that I liked the new site and giving my reasons. I didn’t realize that it was a divisive issue. 
Personally I follow all three and find them all useful. Facebook is different of course, mostly social comments and pictures. I guess for now I will post answers here as I don’t know where the original poster was asking the question. I hope this will sort itself out eventually. Most important is that we all keep helping each other when we are able to.

Paul M
NS30U #21, Sandpiper
Cowichan Bay, B.C.

Bob Neches (Me Gusta, Nonsuch 26U #233)

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Aug 6, 2025, 12:41:46 AMAug 6
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This all started with good intentions.  It's really a shame if it results in anyone feeling they're being dragged into something against their will.  

As a Discourse fan, I wish any of you feeling that way would instead consider the following...

Discourse, for those who don't want a hassle, is very easy to set-up to operate pretty much just like the Google Discussion Group.  Admittedly, if you aren't interested in taking advantage of its additional features, that does raise the, "So what's in it for me?" and the "It ain't broke, so why fix it?" questions.

I can certainly understand those questions.  However, I hope you'll consider another way of looking at it.  

Coming over is low-cost to those who don't want to deal with big changes.  Meanwhile, it's a huge benefit for to those of us who are trying to do things with it to help the INA.

My biggest personal example: A few years ago, about a dozen of us (representing nearly two centuries of combined Nonsuch experience) contributed to putting together the Nonsuch Buyers' Guide, and the New Nonsuch Owners Quick Guide.  It was, to be honest, a lot of work for the contributors.  As the organizer and editor for both, it was, to be even more honest, a hell of a lot more work for me.

I did one update to those documents since, and I'm already feeling burnt out.

Discourse gives me ways of collecting, organizing, and re-using its content that Google makes extremely difficult.   If information for updates pops up because people are posting in Discourse, using it to update those publications is easy enough for me to be willing to continue.  If not, not.

Here's another example.  Discourse also has features which make it much easier to pull together information into Wikis (informative articles for those of you who aren't IT nerds).  I'm currently running the INA survey and seeing requests for the INA to start posting how-to articles and location-specific information like good shops, surveyors, and insurance agents.  

I can see low-effort ways to set those up and keep them up-to-date if people are posting in Discourse.  Not so, in Google.

Third example.  I did a quick-and-dirty analysis of the 6000+ separate threads created in the life of Google Discussion Group.  I can't give you numbers, but I can assure you that there's a lot of threads that are really the same, and a lot that should've been split into different topics.  Can't fix in Google, can in Discourse.

While I was typing this, Paul Miller made a good comment about it being important that we all keep helping each other when we are able to.  In that spirit, consider using Discourse as a way of helping those of us who are trying to help you by pulling information together.  

If you're largely an INA information consumer, it may not matter to you which tool you use.  But, the choice you make has a big impact on whether it's easy or hard for us would-be information producers to produce information for you.

A few statistics.  INA has about 650 members.  Although lots post questions, there are at most around 10-15 folks (about 2%) who reliably post answers.  Of those, maybe 5 of us (about 0.75%) are putting effort into packaging that information to make it useful to INA members.  

If it's not a lot of work (and I really don't think trying Discourse is), could you consider trying Discourse simply because it makes life easier for the small group of people who are willing to do that work?

Instead of thinking of trying Discourse as you giving something up, consider thinking of it as you giving something back to that small group of helpers who develop and maintain the services INA provides.  At low cost to you, you'd be doing us a big favor.

My $0.02.

-- Bob
   (Who wouldn't need to tell you that he's with 
    Me Gusta, Nonsuch e26U #233, in Marina del Rey
    'cuz Discourse takes care of that)

Joe Valinoti

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Aug 6, 2025, 9:02:16 AMAug 6
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Well said, Lloyd
 
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA

~~~~~(\_ ~(\_ ~(\_~~~~~~~~~~

Rob Cohen "Soave" NS33 Westport, CT

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Aug 6, 2025, 9:31:00 AMAug 6
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For what it's worth, I do have a Discourse account, I tried it, and did not find it to be worth the distraction and disruption the migration is causing.  I know and like many of the folks who prefer Discourse.   Just as I know and respect my many old friends in the Flying Scot fleet, but I've moved on to the Nonsuch.

Our platform discussion fits a familiar pattern, racing boat clubs are composed of fleets.  There is special tension between fleets.  The club board feels the club would be more "efficient" if we didn't have as many fleets.  But in reality having choices attracts more racers to the club.  When the time comes to consider admitting a new fleet, the bar is high, but once admitted, fleets are allowed to hang on as long as they wish.  Eventually they die a natural death and nobody has their feelings hurt.

At my club ( CPYC ) , Star's are mostly gone, there is one still hanging on in the dry stall that travels to regattas to race.  Lightnings are on life support.  Aero's are the new fleet on the block, they currently have 30 boats and race 3 days a week.   Ahhh.. the circle of life.....

The lesson... you don't need to kill the old fleet..... for the new fleet to succeed.  Let each stand or fall on their own merit.

I agree that folks willing to share knowledge and experience should be free to share it using whatever tools they prefer.  I respect the folks who prefer Discourse or Facebook.  

I am offended by the implication that if I tried Discourse I would like it.  I tried it and was not impressed.  It would be like telling a Nonsuch owner if they tried try a J-Boat they would like it. When I sold my Scot, I bought a J70 and gave it two seasons before selling it and buying Soave.  BTW, one of the reasons I like Nonsuch is the supportive, respectful, and friendly community. 

The Discourse mirror diminishes my experience because my posts on Google are mirrored to Discourse.  If my fiends on Discourse reply, I don't see their replies and I fear they think I'm ignoring them.  I feel obligated to check Discourse to make sure I haven't left anyone hanging.  Once we discontinue the Mirror the problem goes away... because the scope of discussion will be defined by the platform.  I know how to use all three platforms so if I want to pop in on the Discourse crowd I can.

I would NOT attempt to force everyone to use a single platform.  Now that we've jump started Discourse, I'd discontinue the mirror and let each platform be stand alone and be it's best for the folks that use it.

The Nonsuch Owners Quick Guide and Advice for Potential Buyers are examples of some of our best quality content.   Curated content is different and should not be confused with open discussion content.  The attempts to publish curated content on Discourse is a work in progress, and when ready I think it would be worth a second look as a platform for folks who wish to produce high quality curated content for the Nonsuch community.

Rob
s/v SOAVE
NS33 #009
Cedar Point YC
Westport, CT


Bob Neches (Me Gusta, Nonsuch 26U #233)

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Aug 6, 2025, 4:56:10 PMAug 6
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Eh.  Rob, your comments convinced me to give up on this.

I'm gonna get back to using Discourse and working to produce stuff for INA.  I'll leave Google to you critics.

I can't help observing the similarity between the comments on this thread, and the comments in a circa 2010 Google Discussion Group thread of questions and complaints about the changeover from AOL.  

If anyone needs anything that I can help with, visit at https://nonsuch.discourse.group/, or use this link to join the Discourse group: https://nonsuch.discourse.group/invites/GQzLL267yj.

--Bob

Thor Powell, Nonsuch 26, Victoria BC

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Aug 7, 2025, 1:17:15 PMAug 7
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Al little back ground here may clarify the issue.  

The AOL List Serve was set up in the late 90's so all Nonsuch owners and  interested parties could collaborate and interact on owning a Nonsuch.  Aol eventually discontinued the List Server business and we migrated to Google Groups as it was the only one with out any advertising and offered pretty much everything we required. The migrating was simple the active AOL  users who were members of the INA  were copied into Google . Non members who were active were sent emails with a link to join the Goggle Group.  It was pretty seamless.  That was 20 odd years ago.

Going forward:
The idea of having two discussion groups makes no sense and certainly does not see the objective of have a common place for all of use to meet and discuss all things Nonsuch .   Facebook is a poor choice, great for pictures and announcements but not private and full of ads and enough folks are not Facebook users to make universal adoption unrealistic. 

There are advantages  and disadvantages with both.  If the decision is to stay then the trial with Discourse should end. If the decision is to migrate to Discourse then it should be as seamless as the AOL to Google was.  

But I think the time has come to make a decision and move on.   

Keeping both is really not an option.   


And on a more interesting note some of us are working on an integration of  a new all called "Virtual Beer" that we can add to any discussion because cold beer  is what is really needed in these discussions. Stay tuned   

Brian

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Aug 7, 2025, 2:44:47 PMAug 7
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Thor,

You may be right on the fact that a decision needs to be made on “pick up on one and let the other one go” if I may steal a line from a song I don’t remember the name of. There seems to be some strong opinions being expressed currently. 
 I just hope you get that Virtual Beer app launched in time to prevent a split.
I like the ease of Discourse but I will go wherever the Nonsuch Forum lands. Either now or in the future.

Brian

On Aug 7, 2025, at 1:17 PM, 'Thor Powell, Nonsuch 26, Victoria BC' via INA Nonsuch Discussion Group <INA-Nonsuch-Di...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Al little back ground here may clarify the issue.  

Brian

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Aug 7, 2025, 3:30:10 PMAug 7
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Thor Powell, Nonsuch 26, Victoria BC

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Aug 7, 2025, 5:32:05 PMAug 7
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Brian

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Aug 7, 2025, 5:50:10 PMAug 7
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Stupid funny 
Beware

On Aug 7, 2025, at 5:32 PM, 'Thor Powell, Nonsuch 26, Victoria BC' via INA Nonsuch Discussion Group <INA-Nonsuch-Di...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Rob Cohen "Soave" NS33 Westport, CT

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Aug 7, 2025, 7:14:15 PMAug 7
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Thor,
A little more background....  

We all know the Google Group has been moderated and maintained for the last couple decades by some loyal hardworking volunteers.  Late in 2024 some folks asked the question should we begin looking for a "better" tool to use for collaboration.  I participated in the early search.

The search team converged on Discourse as a possible solution.  We moved quickly from searching to evaluating.  

During the evaluation, it became apparent to me that some of the longtime Google Groups users and volunteers were not in favor of moving to Discourse.  

For me this was a re flag.  

I felt uncomfortable rolling over the Google Groups volunteers and voiced the opinion that Discourse does not offer enough added value to justify removing the Google Groups volunteers from a job they've been doing for the many years.  

From my vantage point, Discourse is an adequate solution if Google were to withdraw groups as AOL did with it's LISTSERV 20 years ago.  

Something I didn't expect.... I've been visiting all three groups ( Discourse, Google, Facebook ) and have observed happy collaborative owners in all three.  Lately I've been thinking the interests of INA are best served by allowing owners to choose how and where they want to interact.  Each group has it's own tone and character and it is easy enough to visit other groups and modern search tools make it easy to find stuff. 

I'm not convinced that forcing all discussion to take place on one platform is in the best interest of INA or it's members.  Especially if it results in members who feel under appreciated for their many years of service.

Surely there is a more tactful way to serve the interests of INA and it's members. 

Seeing the way existing volunteers are treated gives me second thoughts about how willing I will be to volunteer in the future.  This is exactly the opposite impression I'd think the INA wants to project to it's membership.

Rob
s/v SOAVE
NS33 #009
Cedar Point YC
Westport, CT



Brian Godfrey

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Aug 7, 2025, 8:25:28 PMAug 7
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   I have not seen any disparaging remarks against the members of the Google group, nor do I feel any, myself.  I don't know where you get that.  I have the highest respect for this group have received much help here, and would really love to be able to participate in it.  Sadly, that isn't working out very well because I miss at least half of the messages from the Google group and usually don't even know a thread is happening until I see a reply (to a reply to a reply...)  Like this one.  Or see it on the Discourse mirror.
   The only thing I see from Discourse testers is positive feedback, explanations and offers of help setting up, and some encouraging of others to try it out.  Not forcing or railroading, just asking.  It is not possible to make an informed decision on something like this without trying it out.  If someone tries it out and finds it to be not worthwhile, then that's fine.  Call me naive, but I just don't see how you can decide without trying it first.
   The board allowed a year to test this.  I think it's premature to force the issue - either way - right now.  Let's let the test run.
   And I think we should consider hanging on to all three platforms as a reasonable alternative because of the rumors that Google may be ending their Groups service.  It would leave us with a backup already in place.  And in the meantime I could continue to see what I'm missing in the Google group through the mirror on Discourse. 😀
  
-- Brian Godfrey

Brian

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Aug 7, 2025, 9:50:45 PMAug 7
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Well said Brian
Brian

On Aug 7, 2025, at 8:25 PM, Brian Godfrey <br...@wildbirdshop.com> wrote:



Thor Powell, Nonsuch 26, Victoria BC

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Aug 8, 2025, 11:25:54 AMAug 8
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I help admin the Google Group and it's embarrassing little work.  Approve the odd member request. And since there are several folks are doing this job someone is  usually is faster on the draw than I am LOL. .  

Doesn't' t matter to me what we use. 

But I do feel that the INA should endorse and commit to supporting  one discussion tool, not 2.  If folks want to engage in other venues so be it.  That has never been an issue and  I'm sure members are on Sailing Anarchy , Cruising and other venues....

I am sure the Board will decide at some point. 




Message has been deleted

Brian @ SV Serenity

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Aug 29, 2025, 8:40:12 AM (10 days ago) Aug 29
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I don't get a lot of time to read messages, and generally do so in between tasks at work.  I rarely am on email or discourse at home, having way too many other things to do.

My corporate network makes discourse access spotty and unreliable.  I can't seem to post.  I frequently can't get the domain to resolve for days at a time.  This is a deliberate network decision on my end and not indicative of issues with the hoster.

I do read just about every googlegroup message, sometimes weeks later, like now.  I can't reliably read discourse messages.

The end result is that a wholesale move to discourse means I'll pretty much lose access.

Sometimes it's less about choice and more about access.

Brian
SV Serenity
Nonsuch Nereus #003
Pax River, MD

On Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 12:41:46 AM UTC-4 Bob Neches (Me Gusta, Nonsuch 26U #233) wrote:

Bob Gehrman

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Aug 29, 2025, 8:44:34 AM (10 days ago) Aug 29
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Brian - Have you tried downloading the app? I use the IOS apps on my phone and ipad all the time.

Jonathan Lewit

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Aug 29, 2025, 9:47:22 AM (10 days ago) Aug 29
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Brian,

You can switch your Discourse email preference to "mailing list" mode and get an email of every posting (Google and Discourse).   If access to the site is a problem,  I can do that for you. 

Jon Lewit 
N26C #115 Inua - Kingston NY

Brian Godfrey

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Aug 29, 2025, 11:39:04 AM (10 days ago) Aug 29
to INA-Nonsuch-Di...@googlegroups.com

   I use the mailing list mode and it works similarly to the Google Groups email list mode.  You might want to try it.  The difference for me is that I get all Discourse messages, including those from the Google Group via the mirror.  I do not get all of the Google Group messages directly, as was the case with the first message in this thread.  So we are like bipolar Brians!  :-)    

--Brian M. Godfrey
  br...@wildbirdshop.com

Jonathan Lewit

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11:15 AM (7 hours ago) 11:15 AM
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Not to restart the debate, but just to point out a feature - 

If you have never looked at Discourse,  take a look at Jeff's recent question about sail covers and scroll to the bottom. You will see that Discourse automatically matched that topic to previous discussions. It always does this, so it is very easy to read previous related postings.

This will become increasingly useful as this feature gets "smarter" at matching and the archive of past postings grows.

Take a look at -


Even if you were using Discourse as a mailing list just like Google, you could click on "Visit Topic" in the email and get there.


Jon 
N26C #115 - Inua - Kingston NY 

Bob Neches (Me Gusta, Nonsuch 26U #233)

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2:33 PM (4 hours ago) 2:33 PM
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I'd like to offer a bit more detail to illustrate Jon's "neat feature" point.

Here on the Google Discussion Group, when you start a new topic like "Conventional Sail Cover", the only thing Google does for anyone is to announce that new topic exists and people can see the responses.

On Discourse, you get that, too, but Discourse also lets you know that five other topics might be interesting to also look at:
  1. Doyle Cradle Cover on NS26
  2. hybride stackpack sailcover
  3.  Boat cover vs Shrink Wrap
  4.  Doyle Stack Pack or Mack Pack
  5.  Spinnakers, more thoughts?
Don't care?  No harm that the information's there.   Do care?  Well, then, it's kinda nice.

Similarly, when you go to create a new topic, Google's attitude is, "sure, fine, go ahead".  Discourse, as you enter you new topic name, will try to let you know if there's already topics that might be related, giving you a chance to decide whether you want to start a new thread or join an ongoing conversation.

For example, if I were to type in, "Replacement sail cover", Discourse would pop up with:

Your topic is similar to…

    Doyle Stack Pack or Mack Pack Google Mirror
    Replacement for rubstake on by 30U Google Mirror
    hybride stackpack sailcover Google Mirror

Don't care?  Easy to ignore.  Want to make sure you don't ask a question already answered?   Don't want other contributors to think you're ignoring things they've already said?  Well, then, it's kind of nice.

-- Bob
   Me Gusta
   Nonsuch e26U #233
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