[TriLUG] forum software as an alternative to email?

[Jason Herr]

This may be a stupid question, but I'll ask (and put on my asbestos 
shorts)...

If trilug is growing, why not look at using forum software for 
communication?  Many have rss feeds, so one could read it in 
thunderbird.   The biggest issue I've seen with mailing lists is the 
simple organizational one.   Large groups of people are dumber then 
small ones.  The odds of a smart-alec remark being offensive or 
misinterpreted increases.

I've dealt with non-technical groups using both forum and email 
software.  The archival systems of a forum are easier to search.   The 
organizational nature of the forum is easier for an end user to 
understand.  As the volume of posts increases, organization allows for 
scaling.  I have seen this work for groups that are VERY large and tend 
to be VERY contentious.

Tanner made a point earlier (in the CoC thread) that the Lug is growing. 
  Growth needs scalability.  Mailing lists don't scale, and I believe 
that Matt has proven that by creating yet another mailing list for the 
CoC discussion.  (I mean that as an observation, and not a snarky comment.)


J

PS.  Where are the by-laws?   I see references to them on the site, but 
no links.  The Articles of Incorporation refer to them as well. 
http://www.trilug.org/search/node/by-law+OR+bylaw