Club Communications

[dave_blizzard]

Like many of you, I have some extra time to think. When thinking about our club, the topic of communicating flying plans often comes up. Do I use (1) the google group even though not many people seem to use it, (2) the Facebook group with its 1300 members (Nope - I will NEVER have a Facebook account) or (3) one of the semi-secret text groups to which I belong? It depends. If I want to post that I’m going flying, I still use the google group. I post publicly and occasionally I get a private response. Almost no one posts plans or flight reports or even their opinions publicly on our group anymore - except for Steve, Mark, Eric, me, and a few others. If I want to get other pilot opinions about where to fly, I monitor the semi-secret text groups. I also use the semi-secret text groups to get gossip and to maybe find out what “really” happened.

So instead of using our google group for all communications, as was the case until a few years ago, we now also have Facebook and semi-secret text group options. So, what’s the problem? How about not being able to post because you don’t have a Facebook account or not seeing pilot warnings because you were not invited to join a semi-secret text group. No, I am not whining or just being nostalgic. Yes, I think I have a simple solution.

How about making our google group available to members only and accessing it like our fellow pilots at The Desert Air Riders access theirs - via their “About” page. This way, we can post anything and it stays within our group.

[JZ]

I'll second the motion.  

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[Neil Clark]

Watching this topic with interest. 

Although our community has many more paragliders than hang gliders, the OHGA google group seems to be used a little more than the CPC equivalent.  (Facebook gets used too, but more for sharing flight reports than for planning.  Private messages and phone calls are used mostly for the last-minute, last-hour type of coordinating.)

I don't see how making your google group viewable only by members will change things much, if at all.  The larger size of the CPC group may have something to do with peoples' reluctance to use it.  The bigger the group the less personal it can seem, especially if nobody responds to your posts.

The other forums will still be used by those who prefer them.  For the CPC google group to be better used, more people have to want to use it.  The way to make that happen is for more people to post, to post more often, and to post responses to other people's posts.

-Neil

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From: cp...@googlegroups.com <cp...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of dave_blizzard <davemb...@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2020 11:47 AM

To: Cascade Paragliding Club <cp...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: CPC: Club Communications

 

Like many of you, I have some extra time to think. When thinking about our club, the topic of communicating flying plans often comes up. Do I use (1) the google group even though not many people seem to use it, (2) the Facebook group with its 1300 members (Nope - I will NEVER have a Facebook account) or (3) one of the semi-secret text groups to which I belong? It depends. If I want to post that I’m going flying, I still use the google group. I post publicly and occasionally I get a private response. Almost no one posts plans or flight reports or even their opinions publicly on our group anymore - except for Steve, Mark, Eric, me, and a few others. If I want to get other pilot opinions about where to fly, I monitor the semi-secret text groups. I also use the semi-secret text groups to get gossip and to maybe find out what “really” happened.

So instead of using our google group for all communications, as was the case until a few years ago, we now also have Facebook and semi-secret text group options. So, what’s the problem? How about not being able to post because you don’t have a Facebook account or not seeing pilot warnings because you were not invited to join a semi-secret text group. No, I am not whining or just being nostalgic. Yes, I think I have a simple solution.

How about making our google group available to members only and accessing it like our fellow pilots at The Desert Air Riders access theirs - via their “About” page. This way, we can post anything and it stays within our group.

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[Luke]

My 1 cent …

 

Forgive me if I am repeating some things that I have stated in previous threads somewhere out there!  I agree that the most efficient and relatively no-nonsense information does come through google group communication.  I admit that I have been very lazy in posting.  This is because most of the flying intentions and reports are on facebook which generally has people posting before I even think to bother.  For me laziness has dictated that nothing else needs to be done.  What I like about facebook is that it is easier to post pictures, and have a conversation (albeit not always useful) than the google group.  You are also much more likely to get an idea as to where the masses are going.   As far as usefulness goes I don’t feel like facebook generally goes much further if we are just interested in learning about the day.  It is a great way to share the epicness of the day with those who were out and rub it in the noses of those who weren’t (can you tell I’m a little disgruntled as I am usually in the latter group 😊).  What I liked about the google group is that we would sometimes getting well written reports about the specific conditions as related to the forecasts, how the day developed and where success and failures where found as related to how the days conditions evolved:  With fewer people posting there, we definitely get less of that useful and detailed information that we can learn from unless we are using other forms of communication (possibly occurring in illuminati-esque settings).  With facebook we often get some really nice pictures but generally not as much useful or detailed information in my opinion (of course there exceptions) … this of course is a problem that exists beyond the paragliding community.   I find that facebook captures the emotional side of the sport while the google group tends to capture the informational & analytical side. 

 

I don’t know that restricting google groups to club members will result in the dissemination of more information.  I don’t think people censor themselves because the group is not restricted.  Conversely it could possibly have the affect of creating more ownership of communication amongst club members and maybe more involvement.  That being said it probably wouldn’t hurt either as the google group is an official extension of the club (I believe).  Similar versions of this conversation have come up in the past and each time we have many members, including myself, vow to communicate more on google groups:  I for one, have failed to deliver on my promise each time.  In the end the form of communication is only as valuable as the collective group using the particular form of communication.  The larger the group, the harder it is to guide things in any particular direction.  This should be seen as being unrelated to club communication as there really is no authority for the club to have any official vetting of incorrect or potentially harmful information.  Regardless it is still our responsibility as human beings to do our best in guiding any type of communication in a constructive and positive direction … that is just necessary as social media seems to dictate more of the information that is out there whether we choose to be a part of it or not.

 

I probably just made things muddier, but I agree that making our google group solely accessible to members is worth trying out.  I think someone would need to call for a vote.

 

For those newer pilots, please stay in touch with club members, find a mentor, and apply critical thinking to all decisions no matter what you see on facebook, google groups or semi-secret text groups.  This is the best way to know what is going on and make informed decisions.

 

I miss you guys, stay safe, keep living (even if it is in your own personal square footage) and learn some things from this unique situation in which we are living.  We will fly again soon my friends!!!!

 

From: dave_blizzard
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2020 11:47 AM
To: Cascade Paragliding Club

Subject: CPC: Club Communications

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[Mark Sanzone]

I don’t like the idea of closing it. When out of state pilots contact me I often tell them to look at our webpage because the emails get posted there. Do we lose that if we make the list private? Some pilots are not on Facebook but everyone has email.  

Mark 


Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

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[l.dan...@comcast.net]

What about making it so only members can post but anyone can still read on the web page?   

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cpcl/208952022.85110.1587439118361%40mail.yahoo.com.

[Dave Nutter]

I haven't flown in the last two and a half years and still look at the posts almost daily

Just sayin'

Dave Nutter

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From: cp...@googlegroups.com <cp...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of l.dan...@comcast.net <l.dan...@comcast.net>
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2020 8:35 PM
To: msan...@yahoo.com <msan...@yahoo.com>
Cc: davemb...@gmail.com <davemb...@gmail.com>; Cascade Paragliding Club <cp...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: CPC: Club Communications

 

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[dave_blizzard]

Yes, Luke. I think you may have muddied things a bit but I think I heard you say you would vote to not change.  Cool.  The one thing you don't seem to understand is that I and several other club members dislike Facebook.  We do not share your enthusiasm about its use because its use just cuts us out.  

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[Dirk Larson]

I just want to see a post and be able to go fly with my flaying family again. Maybe have a beer after too. 

Miss you all! 

On Apr 20, 2020, at 8:45 PM, dave_blizzard <davemb...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[dave_blizzard]

The current situation is what you suggest below, Luke.  Members can post but all can see.  The fact that all can see is censorship.  Post the la la pictures, etc., on Facebook or wherever.  I want a place for pilots only to chat and trade honest comments. 

On Monday, April 20, 2020 at 8:35:19 PM UTC-7, Luke wrote:

What about making it so only members can post but anyone can still read on the web page?   

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

On Monday, April 20, 2020, 11:47 AM, dave_blizzard <davemb...@gmail.com> wrote:

Like many of you, I have some extra time to think. When thinking about our club, the topic of communicating flying plans often comes up. Do I use (1) the google group even though not many people seem to use it, (2) the Facebook group with its 1300 members (Nope - I will NEVER have a Facebook account) or (3) one of the semi-secret text groups to which I belong? It depends. If I want to post that I’m going flying, I still use the google group. I post publicly and occasionally I get a private response. Almost no one posts plans or flight reports or even their opinions publicly on our group anymore - except for Steve, Mark, Eric, me, and a few others. If I want to get other pilot opinions about where to fly, I monitor the semi-secret text groups. I also use the semi-secret text groups to get gossip and to maybe find out what “really” happened.

So instead of using our google group for all communications, as was the case until a few years ago, we now also have Facebook and semi-secret text group options. So, what’s the problem? How about not being able to post because you don’t have a Facebook account or not seeing pilot warnings because you were not invited to join a semi-secret text group. No, I am not whining or just being nostalgic. Yes, I think I have a simple solution.

How about making our google group available to members only and accessing it like our fellow pilots at The Desert Air Riders access theirs - via their “About” page. This way, we can post anything and it stays within our group.

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[l.dan...@comcast.net]

I don't believe you currently need to be a club member to post.  You just need to get permission from the Google group administrator.  Were you not proposing that we restrict access to Google groups and wasn't Mark suggesting that we allow non club members to see posts which provides an outlet for information to be accessed by non local pilots looking to fly locally and without a Facebook account.  There are several directions this could go with each one addressing a different concern that was mentioned in the original post.  I think we are on the same page as far as uses for Facebook/Google groups go.

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[l.dan...@comcast.net]

I have no problems supporting a change to who can post on Google group.  I do not have great enthusiasm for Facebook but I feel that it is a big part of the world we live in and so I do pay attention.  Dave, I agree with your intentions but not sure that the outcome will be what you want. 

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[Douglas Mullin]

I'm a non-Facebook user and I aim to keep things that way. So if were flying around PDX I'd certainly share Dave's desire to have the Google group used more to organize flights and discuss flying issues. But I seem to be missing something here. How does making the "google group available to members only" encourage people to use the group more?

And, sorry to be picky, but it isn't even clear to me what Dave is suggesting. Does making the "google group available to members only" mean "only paid up CPC members can post to the group" or "only paid up CPC members can view the posts in the group" or "only members of the group can view the posts of the group"? 

I personally like the openness of the group and I think it's useful - e.g. an open group helps pilots visiting the NW reach out to local pilots and an open group tends to be more civil than a closed group. 

Regards, Douglas

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[Luke]

What about having two google groups.  One for dues paying members and one for any pilot that wants to sign up.  This would allow those who dislike facebook and dislike joining clubs to receive and disseminate information via e-mail.  It would also allow for more sensitive club related information to be discussed and at least allow for the possibility of less “self-censored” dialogue on the member only group.  Again not sure if the would accomplish the intended purpose but maybe its an option.  Of course it would also lead to different threads for which pilots would need to keep track of in order to target the intended audience.  I thought DAR does this but I could be wrong. 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cpcl/CAFY_bpFViyZ-5h_sX-KYdSxCAQ3%2BAnL77ECdXWZo8LgOYL5ung%40mail.gmail.com.

 

[Michael Cook]

Well I, for one, will be making a more concerted effort to post pre and post on BOTH groups. It's a sore spot for me as well. I watch a couple places closely (cliffside, silver star) but not others. I try to post when either of those look good but often miss the boat when others looks good because I am not looking. And I love data. Comparing forecasts with actual flight reports is fun to me. So maybe just a little effort is all that is required? Copy/Paste?

M

[Joel Retzlaff]

For what it is worth as a newly paid member, of this group was closed I never would have paid.  Seeing what it is all about, especially how the dues are spent is why I paid.  If it was closed I likely would not have for a long time since I wouldn’t have known what the point was.

Joel

On Apr 21, 2020, at 7:40 AM, Michael Cook <groov...@gmail.com> wrote:



Well I, for one, will be making a more concerted effort to post pre and post on BOTH groups. It's a sore spot for me as well. I watch a couple places closely (cliffside, silver star) but not others. I try to post when either of those look good but often miss the boat when others looks good because I am not looking. And I love data. Comparing forecasts with actual flight reports is fun to me. So maybe just a little effort is all that is required? Copy/Paste?

M

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[Eric Miller]

Thanks, Dave B as I've been thinking this for years and I agree with you.  CPC google groups is almost obsolete in my mind and it'd be nice to revive it.  I've long been frustrated at the lack of content, the private replies, and then cringe when we post about stuff that prob shouldn't be made public.  (bandito sites, midnight pruning)

Privacy - would allow us to talk freely without worrying about discussing these sensitive issues (along with playing hooky to go flying - what if my boss checks the page!)

The group could be open to all club members, current and past.

Real Club - Potential for more of a feeling of an actual club = more communication and more participation.

Visiting pilots - I'm sure we could think up a good way that could let us know they are coming, but the club members participating in communicating freely is more important than a few visiting pilots or random lurkers having access.  Plus, incentive to join the club! 

Transparency - our numbers, projects, etc could be posted somewhere publicly on the website so people like Joel still know what we are about and what we do with the $ before joining.

I think we should try making it private and see what happens.  It's been public for years and there's hardly a trickle of participation now. 

I'm curious to see if people would feel more comfortable posting and replying to the whole group if they knew it was just the club audience?

I know I would.

Cheers,

Eric M

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[John S]

These are real issues.  It would be nice to find a central place to look for someone to fly with.  Facebook isn't optimal in many ways, which is why my dog, Maggie Schnauzzer, keeps posting for me.

I think it's definitely worth a try.

John Saltveit

[Steve Forslund]

 I like keeping flying plans open to visiting pilots, it helps me a lot when traveling. Santa Barbara uses a chat on Eagle paragliding page which is kept fairly streamlined and easy to use. Scroll down the page https://www.paragliding.com/cloudbase/ 

I think our Google message that was set up to do it all ends up not being real user friendly anymore, email? who has time for that

Face book page is not great for flying plans ( but I am real old and liked calling up and checking phone messages as I was driving or recording a message with my vario beeping). Sometimes I think our facebook page is a power paragliding site or an international paragliding general interest site when I see some guy from Europe posting his flight and how to articles?

SF

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[jeffrey wishnie]

Piling in--while I understand the appeal, I don't use Facebook at all and appreciate the user of email groups as a lowest-common-denominator.

Everyone can participate, it's accessible anywhere.

I recognize that Facebook is a pretty universal platform these days, but if it becomes the sole or primary means of club communication, I guess I'll just miss out on the conversation.

best,

Jeff

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Jeff Wishnie

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[Rod Ragsdale]

Most of you guys don't know me and fewer yet have ever flown with me because I live for the most part in Côte d'Ivoire where we are still flying when the occasion presents itself. I am however, a paying member of CPC and I read this group often to catch pointers and so that when I am back in the NW I have some idea of what is happening, who is hot and what is not. Why would I be a paying member? It really doesn't cost that much for one. Second, I like flying Cliffside and CPC has put out a fair amount of cash fro that place so I think it is only normal to pay it forward. I also feel like the connectedness is a good thing and it allows me to interact with people who actually like to do what I am doing, fly (in Côte d'Ivoire we are a very small number - 2). 

I do not post my flying experiences here nor my plans to fly as it seem pointless. I have however, received great advice from different members of CPC and the DAR as well as many site briefings and the like. I remember sitting one day at the CLO takeoff and wondering if I should fly or not. It was mid-October and it looked good to me but I had been fortunate enough to have read some of the threads about CLO and I am glad that I had. I didn't fly that day, although I think it may have worked, but then again, it is CLO. 

When I am back in the US (something that happens every two or three years) I like to fly when I get the chance. To this end I will use any platform out there for communication. The semi-private text groups are out of my scope however, (not having a US number of any kind) so I am highly dependant on this group, FB and some of the Telegram groups. I know that I am a rare breed and, to many of you, superfluous, but I would hate to see this group become closed. I understand the frustration of not feeling free to share about certain bandit sites and other shenanigans here. At the same time it can push us to think through carefully what we post here. 

We are thinking of you guys in the US and the carnage this Covid-19 has caused for so many of you and your people. We think of you and pray this will all settle down. Yes, I have family in Oregon so I have been trying to keep abreast of what is happening in the NW. Keep washing those hands and stay well. We had plans to return to the US in June for three months. At this point that does not look possible. Because of our work we have to make sure we can return to Côte d'Ivoire before we leave. Thinking of you guys! Blue skies (with a few culmis)!

[Dirk Larson]

It seems to me that most flying plans are shared amongst group texts or just between a few folks. Facebook doesn’t get used much for flying plans either so I don’t think that’s the problem.

Maybe this points to the community becoming a little more disjointed than it used to be?

My two cents is we should all make an effort to be more community focused and communicate beyond our respective cliques. I think we used to be better about that and I’m not sure when things changed, but the club feels less cohesive than it used to. 

Until something better comes along I think this is the platform to do it, and no I don’t think it should be exclusive to people who’ve paid their $30. 

Cheers all,

Dirk

On Apr 25, 2020, at 5:04 PM, 'jeffrey wishnie' via Cascade Paragliding Club <cp...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



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[Steve Roti]

Usage on the Desert Air Riders Google Group has declined too, just like the CPC Google Group, and most communications about flying plans happened on Telegram last year.

Steve

On Monday, April 20, 2020 at 11:47:16 AM UTC-7, dave_blizzard wrote:

[dave_blizzard]

On my way back from Mexico this year, I took the opportunity to fly a couple of days at Santa Barbara with son Nick and Steve Forslund.   Pilots there use a chatbox on the Eagle Paragliding site for communications.  This chatbox is from ChatBro and looks relatively easy to install.  I like it, as does Steve Forslund.  We could use this instead of our google group.  Check it out! 

[l.dan...@comcast.net]

I think this is worth a discussion.  I haven't had a chance to take a deep dive into this app.  It seems like an easy and quick  way to communicate about flying plans and conditions with more versatility than Google groups and of course it isn't Facebook.  I will leave the discussion to those of you who know more about the newer chat mediums as there are a number of options.  The chatbox feature is nice and I'm not sure if others like WhatsApp offer it.  Pros and cons anyone.

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[Rod Ragsdale]

You know, Telegram is great because of the pin drop feature for retrieves. A lot of us in the PG community already use it and setting up groups is easy and the admin can easily add and remove people from a group. WhatsApp is also a great tool but it is tied to FB. I don't know ChatBro but I would think getting folks to use a platform they are used to would be easier than trying to sell another com app. Just me thoughts guys. If will have little impact on me what is used do to my infrequent presence in the NW and the US. 

On Thursday, May 7, 2020 at 2:23:11 PM UTC, Luke wrote:

I think this is worth a discussion.  I haven't had a chance to take a deep dive into this app.  It seems like an easy and quick  way to communicate about flying plans and conditions with more versatility than Google groups and of course it isn't Facebook.  I will leave the discussion to those of you who know more about the newer chat mediums as there are a number of options.  The chatbox feature is nice and I'm not sure if others like WhatsApp offer it.  Pros and cons anyone.

On May 6, 2020 10:13 AM, dave_blizzard <davemb...@gmail.com> wrote:

On my way back from Mexico this year, I took the opportunity to fly a couple of days at Santa Barbara with son Nick and Steve Forslund.   Pilots there use a chatbox on the Eagle Paragliding site for communications.  This chatbox is from ChatBro and looks relatively easy to install.  I like it, as does Steve Forslund.  We could use this instead of our google group.  Check it out! 

On Monday, April 27, 2020 at 5:22:49 PM UTC-7, Steve Roti wrote:

Usage on the Desert Air Riders Google Group has declined too, just like the CPC Google Group, and most communications about flying plans happened on Telegram last year.

Steve

On Monday, April 20, 2020 at 11:47:16 AM UTC-7, dave_blizzard wrote:

Like many of you, I have some extra time to think. When thinking about our club, the topic of communicating flying plans often comes up. Do I use (1) the google group even though not many people seem to use it, (2) the Facebook group with its 1300 members (Nope - I will NEVER have a Facebook account) or (3) one of the semi-secret text groups to which I belong? It depends. If I want to post that I’m going flying, I still use the google group. I post publicly and occasionally I get a private response. Almost no one posts plans or flight reports or even their opinions publicly on our group anymore - except for Steve, Mark, Eric, me, and a few others. If I want to get other pilot opinions about where to fly, I monitor the semi-secret text groups. I also use the semi-secret text groups to get gossip and to maybe find out what “really” happened.

So instead of using our google group for all communications, as was the case until a few years ago, we now also have Facebook and semi-secret text group options. So, what’s the problem? How about not being able to post because you don’t have a Facebook account or not seeing pilot warnings because you were not invited to join a semi-secret text group. No, I am not whining or just being nostalgic. Yes, I think I have a simple solution.

How about making our google group available to members only and accessing it like our fellow pilots at The Desert Air Riders access theirs - via their “About” page. This way, we can post anything and it stays within our group.

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On May 6, 2020 10:13 AM, dave_blizzard <davemb...@gmail.com> wrote:

On my way back from Mexico this year, I took the opportunity to fly a couple of days at Santa Barbara with son Nick and Steve Forslund.   Pilots there use a chatbox on the Eagle Paragliding site for communications.  This chatbox is from ChatBro and looks relatively easy to install.  I like it, as does Steve Forslund.  We could use this instead of our google group.  Check it out! 

On Monday, April 27, 2020 at 5:22:49 PM UTC-7, Steve Roti wrote:

Usage on the Desert Air Riders Google Group has declined too, just like the CPC Google Group, and most communications about flying plans happened on Telegram last year.

Steve

On Monday, April 20, 2020 at 11:47:16 AM UTC-7, dave_blizzard wrote:

Like many of you, I have some extra time to think. When thinking about our club, the topic of communicating flying plans often comes up. Do I use (1) the google group even though not many people seem to use it, (2) the Facebook group with its 1300 members (Nope - I will NEVER have a Facebook account) or (3) one of the semi-secret text groups to which I belong? It depends. If I want to post that I’m going flying, I still use the google group. I post publicly and occasionally I get a private response. Almost no one posts plans or flight reports or even their opinions publicly on our group anymore - except for Steve, Mark, Eric, me, and a few others. If I want to get other pilot opinions about where to fly, I monitor the semi-secret text groups. I also use the semi-secret text groups to get gossip and to maybe find out what “really” happened.

So instead of using our google group for all communications, as was the case until a few years ago, we now also have Facebook and semi-secret text group options. So, what’s the problem? How about not being able to post because you don’t have a Facebook account or not seeing pilot warnings because you were not invited to join a semi-secret text group. No, I am not whining or just being nostalgic. Yes, I think I have a simple solution.

How about making our google group available to members only and accessing it like our fellow pilots at The Desert Air Riders access theirs - via their “About” page. This way, we can post anything and it stays within our group.

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On May 6, 2020 10:13 AM, dave_blizzard <davemb...@gmail.com> wrote:

On my way back from Mexico this year, I took the opportunity to fly a couple of days at Santa Barbara with son Nick and Steve Forslund.   Pilots there use a chatbox on the Eagle Paragliding site for communications.  This chatbox is from ChatBro and looks relatively easy to install.  I like it, as does Steve Forslund.  We could use this instead of our google group.  Check it out! 

On Monday, April 27, 2020 at 5:22:49 PM UTC-7, Steve Roti wrote:

Usage on the Desert Air Riders Google Group has declined too, just like the CPC Google Group, and most communications about flying plans happened on Telegram last year.

Steve

On Monday, April 20, 2020 at 11:47:16 AM UTC-7, dave_blizzard wrote:

Like many of you, I have some extra time to think. When thinking about our club, the topic of communicating flying plans often comes up. Do I use (1) the google group even though not many people seem to use it, (2) the Facebook group with its 1300 members (Nope - I will NEVER have a Facebook account) or (3) one of the semi-secret text groups to which I belong? It depends. If I want to post that I’m going flying, I still use the google group. I post publicly and occasionally I get a private response. Almost no one posts plans or flight reports or even their opinions publicly on our group anymore - except for Steve, Mark, Eric, me, and a few others. If I want to get other pilot opinions about where to fly, I monitor the semi-secret text groups. I also use the semi-secret text groups to get gossip and to maybe find out what “really” happened.

So instead of using our google group for all communications, as was the case until a few years ago, we now also have Facebook and semi-secret text group options. So, what’s the problem? How about not being able to post because you don’t have a Facebook account or not seeing pilot warnings because you were not invited to join a semi-secret text group. No, I am not whining or just being nostalgic. Yes, I think I have a simple solution.

How about making our google group available to members only and accessing it like our fellow pilots at The Desert Air Riders access theirs - via their “About” page. This way, we can post anything and it stays within our group.

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[Norris, Joshua]

My preference is telegram. Central Oregon Paragliding uses it as well as the Applegate Open. On a related note to communication, weren’t we supposed to hold a meeting this past week? Just making sure I didn’t miss it. Josh
On May 7, 2020, at 8:30 AM, Rod Ragsdale <basolo.c...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Dirk Larson]

I went to their site and it appeared to mention that Chat Bro can integrate with Telegram.

Can someone with more technical expertise confirm that? 

On May 7, 2020, at 8:33 AM, Norris, Joshua <Josh....@oregonstate.edu> wrote:

 My preference is telegram. Central Oregon Paragliding uses it as well as the Applegate Open. On a related note to communication, weren’t we supposed to hold a meeting this past week? Just making sure I didn’t miss it. Josh

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[Mark Sanzone]

We used Telegram in Mexico in January and it worked great. 

Mark 

Sent from my iPad

On May 7, 2020, at 8:41 AM, Dirk Larson <dirkl...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[John S]

Can any of these work on desk top as well? I don't really use my cell phone that much.

Thanks,
John Saltveit

[Jason Wronski]

There's desktop versions for pc, mac, linux, and probably more.  Another vote for telegram here. 

[Steve Forslund]

Telegram is great for retrieve but not very good for other communication in my opinion. Yes John Saltveit the chat that Santa Barbara uses is fine for desk topgggg

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[jeffrey wishnie]

DO NOT keep a record of this, but I agree with Forslund ;-)

Real-time chat (Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, Signal, etc...) are great for, well, real-time communication.

But for anything long running, like this conversation here in email, they are lousy because everything is a signed thread and new messages quickly flood out early ones.

They are perfect for morning of "where are people heading? Let's meet at X at 9am" and retrieve talk, and "what's the winds at the LZ" etc... 

But for anything not in the moment, even "where are people thinking of flying this coming weekend", they stink...

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(composed with thumbs. please excuse the typos)

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[Aaron Bender]

Hey All,

New to the community, so don't know your exact needs (though am coming for a hobby with similar needs/issues of a fracturing community), but from reading through this conversation, it seems like there are two major ones that don't really overlap:

1) Active planning/coordination tool

2) Repository for accumulated knowledge/Place to talk shop

Seems like telegram is the go to for a coordination tool, it should be easy enough to get a club telegram group going.Though it probably wouldn't solve the secret groups, but would at least create a place for people who haven't splintered off in to own crews yet to congregate.

For the respository of knowledge, I agree that newsgroups are pretty poorly set up for that. I would suggest getting a forum set up. The forum could be set up to have public facing content (general info/conversation) and content for club members (photos/vids, club only trips, internal politics/griping, etc) and allow people to only get updates on things that interest them instead of getting newsgroup spammed. It would require some moderation, which can be a bit of a pain, but the traffic seems like it would be pretty light so it would be a fairly minimal effort. Could be put on the club domain, assuming there's adequate hosting, so would be no to minimal additional cost to the club.

I threw together a quick forum as an example of what that could look like (it's currently locked, no one can join/post, though I can open it up as a trial if there's interest in refining/building it out officially): http://cascadeparagliding.com/forum

[Tyrus Leverich]

Has anyone started a group on telegram for the cpc, or rather cpc members that want to plan, and coordinate flying?

[Michael Cook]

A forum is a fantastic idea. Multiple searchable threads. Good repository of info. Who is runnin

g the website? It could be done through the existing one.

[Dirk Larson]

I think Nick Kedev is running the website. 

Nick? 

On May 10, 2020, at 7:39 AM, Michael Cook <groov...@gmail.com> wrote:



A forum is a fantastic idea. Multiple searchable threads. Good repository of info. Who is runnin

g the website? It could be done through the existing one.

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[Mike Steed]

I visit paraglidingforum.com on a fairly regular basis, but even with its international scope the traffic is just enough to sustain it.  It also requires some attention from administrators.  The problem with a forum is you have to make a visit there and wade through topic by topic.  Not a good way to share time-sensitive information, nor to elevate the "official" stuff above the noise.  I like the combination of website and email list, but then I'm old...

Mike Steed

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From: cp...@googlegroups.com <cp...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Aaron Bender <firep...@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 10, 2020 3:26 AM
To: Cascade Paragliding Club <cp...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: CPC: Re: Club Communications

 

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[l.dan...@comcast.net]

I'm running the website.  The club would just need to let me know what you want to do.

On May 10, 2020 7:39 AM, Michael Cook <groov...@gmail.com> wrote:

A forum is a fantastic idea. Multiple searchable threads. Good repository of info. Who is runnin

g the website? It could be done through the existing one.

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[l.dan...@comcast.net]

If we were to open the forum up as a trial, now would be the perfect time.  Is it possible to keep a section for members only/club discussion.  Do we want a free for all as far as along people to view discuss the rest ... What limitations are smart/practical.  This seems like a great way to find non-static information and discuss topics in more organized threads.  Will more useful conversations gravitate here from Facebook.  I also like the telegram idea for planning/sharing instant data but having an open chatbox on our website may be redundant.  We also don't want too many different feeds of information IMHO.  It is also a good idea to try to find a group that you fit well with and have private chats to get more personalized information (and a lot of non-flying talk for times like these).  Just some thoughts to keep the conversation moving.

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[dave_blizzard]

Hi all.  Thought I would quietly test the chatbox we were discussing on our "About" page but screwed it up so now everybody sees it.  Was talking to Steve Roti about how I screwed it up and how to fix it when he suggested that I just call it an experiment and see how we like it.  Maybe everyone seeing it, for awhile anyway, will get us more comments for a better decision.  Sorry if I stepped on a few toes doing this. 

[Steve Roti]

I like it, and I'm attaching a screenshot showing what the chatbox looks like on the website. You can minimize the chatbox by clicking on the X in the upper right corner.

Steve

[Luke]

Hi everyone,

 

So this thread may have stalled but I think its worth trying out.  It sounds like members prefer telegram and it can be linked to chatbro, or chatbox, I forget or I got confused).  I got the OK from Nick (el presidente) to create a telegram group called cascade paragliding club.  For now I am the owner and you can send a request to me in order to be added.  Senior Blizzard would you mind putting the chatbox back up and we can figure out how to also link telegram when its time (I am brand new to both).  To start off I am only going to allow current club members on (this will most likely change but I think that is a prudent way to start out and discuss):  It will also make it easier to manage requests.  Please don’t post this on facebook as I think we want to do our best to have this restricted to those who are local pilots and visiting pilots planning to fly in the area (if this becomes open to non-cpc members). 

 

From: Steve Roti
Sent: Sunday, May 10, 2020 10:24 AM
To: Cascade Paragliding Club
Subject: CPC: Re: Club Communications

 

I like it, and I'm attaching a screenshot showing what the chatbox looks like on the website. You can minimize the chatbox by clicking on the X in the upper right corner.

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[Luke]

Please request admittance via the app.  Thanks for the clarification Bill.

 

From: Bill Briskey
Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2020 6:55 PM
To: Luke Danielson
Subject: Re: CPC: RE: Re: Club Communications

 

Do I request admittance to the app via the app or via this email?

Bill B

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cpcl/5ebdf59d.1c69fb81.d8f68.0ca8SMTPIN_ADDED_MISSING%40gmr-mx.google.com.

 

[Jason Wronski]

For anybody futzing around with a new telegram install, You'll need Luke as a contact with his phone number in the app.  You can then open a chat with him and request access, which he'll then grant (or not).  Godspeed Luke, you got a lot of requests coming your way.

On Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 7:06:38 PM UTC-7, Luke wrote:

Please request admittance via the app.  Thanks for the clarification Bill.

 

From: Bill Briskey
Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2020 6:55 PM
To: Luke Danielson
Subject: Re: CPC: RE: Re: Club Communications

 

Do I request admittance to the app via the app or via this email?

Bill B

 

On Thu, May 14, 2020, 6:51 PM Luke <l.dan...@comcast.net> wrote:

Hi everyone,

 

So this thread may have stalled but I think its worth trying out.  It sounds like members prefer telegram and it can be linked to chatbro, or chatbox, I forget or I got confused).  I got the OK from Nick (el presidente) to create a telegram group called cascade paragliding club.  For now I am the owner and you can send a request to me in order to be added.  Senior Blizzard would you mind putting the chatbox back up and we can figure out how to also link telegram when its time (I am brand new to both).  To start off I am only going to allow current club members on (this will most likely change but I think that is a prudent way to start out and discuss):  It will also make it easier to manage requests.  Please don’t post this on facebook as I think we want to do our best to have this restricted to those who are local pilots and visiting pilots planning to fly in the area (if this becomes open to non-cpc members). 

 

From: Steve Roti
Sent: Sunday, May 10, 2020 10:24 AM
To: Cascade Paragliding Club
Subject: CPC: Re: Club Communications

 

I like it, and I'm attaching a screenshot showing what the chatbox looks like on the website. You can minimize the chatbox by clicking on the X in the upper right corner.

 

Steve

On Sunday, May 10, 2020 at 10:15:34 AM UTC-7, dave_blizzard wrote:

Hi all.  Thought I would quietly test the chatbox we were discussing on our "About" page but screwed it up so now everybody sees it.  Was talking to Steve Roti about how I screwed it up and how to fix it when he suggested that I just call it an experiment and see how we like it.  Maybe everyone seeing it, for awhile anyway, will get us more comments for a better decision.  Sorry if I stepped on a few toes doing this. 

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[Luke]

And you can find my contact info on the “membership” tab of the club website then under the subtab “club-members”. 

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[Eric Miller]

Thanks for making some moves, Luke.  I'm not super interested in having it posted publicly on the website but I like the telegram idea as it's kind of an inbetween between this google group and fb.

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