Transition from Google Groups to the New Nonsuch Community Forum

[INA President]

Hello Nonsuch Google Groups Users, 

The INA has been supporting online discussion groups since the early 2000s, beginning with the original Listserv on AOL. We transitioned to Google Discussion Groups in May 2009 — that’s over 16 years of shared knowledge! During this time, the email- and browser-based system has been an invaluable resource for Nonsuch owners and enthusiasts, helping us exchange ideas, solve challenges, and share techniques. The generosity of those who have contributed over the years has been a cornerstone of our strong community.

However, it’s now time to move on. Google has not kept pace with modern needs — its spam filters increasingly block valid posts while letting junk through, and some members are experiencing inconsistent message delivery.

We’re excited to announce that the Google Groups platform is being replaced by the Nonsuch Community Forum, hosted on Discourse.org. This new platform works seamlessly across email, web browsers, and a dedicated mobile app. Launched in early 2025, The Nonsuch Community Forum offers powerful new features including better organization, support for rich media (photos, diagrams, videos), and improved administrative tools.

After January 1, 2026, Google Groups will no longer be active for posting, and the INA will discontinue support. To preserve our shared history, all Google Discussion Group threads will be imported into the new Nonsuch Community Forum, and will also remain viewable (but frozen) on Google.

As of today, more than 200 members are already active on the new Forum — and it’s running smoothly! If you haven’t joined yet, visit this link and follow the simple signup instructions at the top of the page.
Once you create your account, you can customize how you receive notifications and participate by email or directly through the website. We also encourage you to download the Discourse app — it provides an excellent, easy-to-use interface for mobile access.

A heartfelt thank-you to all the volunteers helping with this transition — especially Jon Lewit for spearheading the effort!

Fair winds,

Bob Gehrman

President

International Nonsuch Association

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

Just underlining what Bob said: " If you haven’t joined yet, visit this link and follow the simple signup instructions at the top of the page."

Signing-up has been found fairly easy by the 200 people already on the  Nonsuch Community Forum.  So come on in -- the water's fine. 

Nevertheless, those of us working on this transition are preparing some additional materials for those who need help signing up.    If you want to make the change before those are posted and have trouble doing it unassisted, feel free drop me a private message.   I'll be happy to get in touch with you and help; learning what problems you have will make the help docs better.

Repeating a second thing Bob said, just in case anyone missed it:  "To preserve our shared history, all Google Discussion Group threads will be imported into the new Nonsuch Community Forum, and will also remain viewable (but frozen) on Google."  Nothing's going to be lost in this transition.

-- Bob

   Me Gusta

   Nonsuch e26U #233

[Julie & Lloyd on Rendezvous]

so I just signed up for Discourse.  I definitely do not want to be notified every time someone posts or likes or what not.  I do not see anyway to get a once a day email of what has been posted, as I have been getting on Google for ages.  Is it possible?

lloyd herman

Rendezvous, 30U

Port Washington, NY

[Julie & Lloyd on Rendezvous]

I think I figured it out.  Time will tell

lloyd

On Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 5:08:59 PM UTC-4 Bob Neches (Me Gusta, Nonsuch 26U #233) wrote:

[Jonathan Lewit]

Hi Lloyd,

I just checked your Profile /  Preferences page and saw that you are set up to get a daily summary.  Way to go.  You will get a single email every day of new topics that have been posted.

Everyone - 

When you get an account on Discourse, you do not automatically go into what is called Mailing list mode (where you get an email for every posting, like in Google).   Should you want to, you can change your email preferences. That's described here:

https://nonsuch.discourse.group/t/step-3-setting-up-your-profile/45

Don't be shy about making suggestions, or messaging me on Discourse (click on my picture and then on the envelope).

Jon

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[Captain Greg]

Thanks Bob, I think I’m glad for the full changeover to Discourse, (just as I felt I was mastering use of Google groups). Looking forward to figuring out Discourse and a simpler life. Seriously, I concur it’s a good move. 

Greg Silver

Misty Cat 26C #121

Cape Breton

[Jonathan Lewit]

Hello All,

Since the transition to Discourse is now officially underway, I have a request - 

If you're familiar with online forums,  and/or comfortable with web page navigation, I am asking that you create your Discourse account in the near future.  You will most likely have no difficulty using the site, and can perhaps provide some feedback on how to help others get comfortable using it.  We can use that to help create a quick guide, or to improve the current "How To"  topics.   Plus you can start enjoying the benefits of Discourse -

From my "Welcome" note - Discourse lets you edit your post after you’ve submitted it (click on the pencil), it keeps track of what’s new and where you left off, it lets us organize things into Categories and tag topics with keywords to make searching easier… and lots of other stuff.

Then, if you have any questions or suggestions, you can just message me (click on my picture, and then on the envelope).

As some graffiti in my junior high school said - "Flunk now - avoid the June rush" 

Fair winds,

Jon Lewit

N26 #115 - Kingston, NY

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[Jonathan Lewit]

Silly me - I should have once more included the invitation link...

https://nonsuch.discourse.group/invites/yMnFhrNMyb

(Discourse would have let me edit my post... just sayin')

Jon

[Robert Horne]

After I enter my email, the site says my user nbamne is already taken, ??? Bob Horne

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/INA-Nonsuch-Discussion-Group/CAO%3Dp9zKXR05pFYDgg0M-N0DWFen2_3x1Umwu1gBU02oSZo3q_g%40mail.gmail.com.

[Ward Woodruff]

Jon,

Can you verify that I have a Discourse account?

Ward Woodruff

N233 #8 Margery

Niantic Bay, CT

On Oct 31, 2025, at 3:28 PM, Robert Horne <rober...@gvtc.com> wrote:



To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/INA-Nonsuch-Discussion-Group/000001dc4a9c%2495f22420%24c1d66c60%24%40com.

[Jonathan Lewit]

Hi,

You have an account - username Ward.Woodruff  primary email address   wwood...@gmail.com

If you can't login, try a password reset.

Jon

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/INA-Nonsuch-Discussion-Group/56819113-B0CF-49FC-85DA-6D183460B824%40gmail.com.

[Ward Woodruff]

Thanks for your help. 

Ward Woodruff

On Oct 31, 2025, at 6:55 PM, Jonathan Lewit <jon....@gmail.com> wrote:



To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/INA-Nonsuch-Discussion-Group/CAO%3Dp9z%2BWzrs7%3D3%3DSQfq6G5t%2BAfyANDoZJuHwK-NBEFAepidbsw%40mail.gmail.com.

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

Volunteers like me who moderate the Google Discussion Group strongly support moving to the Nonsuch Community Forum:

If you're wondering why, here's a typical message that I get from Google...

hlun...@gmail.com has asked to join the INA Nonsuch Discussion Group group.

Message from hlun...@gmail.com

I want to join a google group where the description says INA Nonsuch Discussion Group and the question asked is "Reason for joining" you need short answer that would increase the chances of getting approved for the group give me a perfect and unique annswer

Discourse catches this stuff.  Google doesn't.

Have mercy upon your poor, innocent INA volunteers.  If you are a real human being and not a bot, accept the invitation and move over to Discourse:  https://nonsuch.discourse.group/invites/yMnFhrNMyb

-- Bob

   Me Gusta

   Nonsuch e26U #233  

[Elizabeth Powers]

Bob when I try to join I get a message that says my browser is not supported. I use Safari on an iMac. Does this mean I have to use a different browser like Chrome or Foxfire. If so why?

Rob Powers

Respite 

26C #50

Sidney BC

[Jonathan Lewit]

Rob,

Are you on an old release of Safari? Safari is supported but not old versions.  You could try updating Safari and if your Mac doesn't let you update then try Chrome. 

Jon

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/INA-Nonsuch-Discussion-Group/b2aa18e5-afed-4564-94f3-123716e214a3n%40googlegroups.com.

[E Powers]

Thanks will do.

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[Thor Powell]

Discourse is a fine replacement for the long serving Google Discussion Group. 

The app available on the Apple or Android platforms is great and simple to use, easier than receiving email IMHO.

A job well done to all who worked hard to make this transition happen

Thor

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/INA-Nonsuch-Discussion-Group/CAO%3Dp9zLJW80%2B6XmgJV3uNkmc9JPCDs-nc2pROrz6B7%2Bt%2BTnW9A%40mail.gmail.com.

[Jonathan Lewit]

  The Discourse phone app that Thor mentioned is basically a version of our website squished down and arranged so that it fits on your phone.  At its heart, it is a very quick and simple way to check the site, see new postings, and reply if you want.  Click on the icon on your phone and you get:

It opens the main page. In the upper right, I see that I have a personal message; in the middle, I see that there have been some postings since my last visit to our forum.

If I click on the first topic (I see that it has had 9 replies), it opens the first post in that topic that I have not yet seen:

The top left has a person's photo (or their initial if they have not added a photo to their profile). The bottom right shows the reply button.  That opens a typical email-like reply window:

In that window there are a few things available (if you want): 

1 - shows some typical email text formatting stuff (bold, etc.)

2- lets you open and review the post without closing your reply

3 - is the usual send or trash

4 - is an upload button for pictures, etc.

Some people included their boat and location as part of the name that appears on the top of their postings, some not. If you click on their picture or initial, it will open a little info card about the person.  This also is a way to send them a message:

So, instead of using an email app, you get to see of what's going on, and click and send a reply just as you would in an email.

And that's the Discourse phone app in two minutes or less.... 

Jon Lewit

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/INA-Nonsuch-Discussion-Group/CALOZ5-a5p%3D3UN4690jQwympu7HNcYyXVYxX7koF3ZySf_3Ww7g%40mail.gmail.com.

[Brian]

Jon,

Please post the url to enter into the Discourse Hub app.

The Discourse app has no way to do that on my phone.

Also the pictures you posted will not open on my iPad?

Brian

On Nov 11, 2025, at 2:06 PM, Jonathan Lewit <jon....@gmail.com> wrote:



To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/INA-Nonsuch-Discussion-Group/CAO%3Dp9zKajCKLRKP6AJdOPvLY7Liw9oprMvgqy5D0-Kp9QSyBgQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[Jonathan Lewit]

The site is

nonsuch.discourse.group 

Bob - do you use an iPhone?

Jon

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/INA-Nonsuch-Discussion-Group/AC56300A-105A-48E0-BB79-8EB39CB25B17%40att.net.

[Jonathan Lewit]

Brian,

I'll check on the pictures and get back to you. It was standard gmail drag and drop of jpegs.

(Bob, I guess it's what I sent)

Jon

On Tue, Nov 11, 2025, 2:24 PM Brian <bca...@att.net> wrote:

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/INA-Nonsuch-Discussion-Group/AC56300A-105A-48E0-BB79-8EB39CB25B17%40att.net.

[Brian]



Ok Jon I got on but I had to download the Discourse Hub app after failing to log in on the Discourse.

Thanks and

Fair Sailing

Brian

On Nov 11, 2025, at 2:31 PM, Jonathan Lewit <jon....@gmail.com> wrote:



The site is

nonsuch.discourse.group 

Bob - do you use an iPhone?

Jon

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/INA-Nonsuch-Discussion-Group/CAO%3Dp9z%2BcD48cdDNp8tF15h%2Bw%2BO0cU_KmQP6fTUgyJ_sFDwRbdw%40mail.gmail.com.