Random Statistics on NCRS / E-mail usage

[John T.]

Re: Random Statistics on NCRS / E-mail usage

Here is one more statistic on e mail. At the recent Tahoe regional we had 143 registrations with 138 giving an e mail address. 96.5%

John

[Patrick H.]

Re: Random Statistics on NCRS / E-mail usage

Here is one more statistic on e mail. At the recent Tahoe regional we had 143 registrations with 138 giving an e mail address. 96.5%

John

Thanks John.
Apparently a high percentage of the "Regionally active" NCRS members have e-mail addresses and likely, therefore, internet access.

Patrick

[Tom D.]

Re: Random Statistics on NCRS / E-mail usage

In Michigan, we also make an effort by telephone and/or US Mail to contact those members who "don't have e-mail at home". This happens whenever only an e-mail is used to communicate to the MI Chapter.

For the few members on the "no email list" (See percentage above from Patrick) there have been a couple who admit they have internet access (at the library or at a sibling's home).

My only point: We are making the effort to provide special coverage to the ones not using e-mail.

P.S. I am also a WNY chapter member, after having spent years between Buffalo and Rochester. The WNY newsletter is only "on line" as far as I know. If anyone is interested, I could find out what they do for the "not on line" folks.

/td

[Terry M.]

Re: Random Statistics on NCRS / E-mail usage

As a member of the Michigan Chapter I have just a small clue of the effort that has been put into getting and maintaining those percentages of email addresses. It is NOT a one-time effort, but it will continue in perpetuity. Magnify the Michigan membership to the numbers of the National and extrapolate the effort required. Then ask who will do that, and for how long?

The on-line delivery "solution" may just be trading one set of problems for another.
There are also some potentials for mis-use of the email list(s). An electronic list is far easier to share, and misuse than a list of mailing addresses. NCRS has been very good about not exposing its member list to abuse.

At the chapter meet I will share the specifics of some IMO misuse of chapter email lists (not Michigan) with you, if you ask. I will not embarrass fellow members by citing examples here "in public." Some of them are still on-going because those perpetrating them have no idea they are misusing the chapter electronic mailing lists. Rev. Mike hinted at that in what he wrote. We, as an organization, ought to be listening to his experiences before we rush off into the great electronic Valhalla. It is not all sweetness and light out there in the wild, wild west of the Internet.

[Rob M.]

Re: Random Statistics on NCRS / E-mail usage

Terry,

We don't need to e-mail the on-line Driveline, just publish it at predefined dates at a predefined website page. However, we can notify the people who are bothering to inform us of their latest email address. Updating this address can be fully electronically and shouldn't require any human interaction.

Basically it will be done similar as it is done now, only 10 days earlier...

regards,
Rob.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Random Statistics on NCRS / E-mail usage

Terry,

We don't need to e-mail the on-line Driveline, just publish it at predefined dates at a predefined website page. However, we can notify the people who are bothering to inform us of their latest email address. Updating this address can be fully electronically and shouldn't require any human interaction.

Basically it will be done similar as it is done now, only 10 days earlier...

regards,
Rob.

I agree.
There is no reason to get hung up about e-mail addresses.
Just inform everyone that it will be posted the Nth day of every odd-numbered month, and that's all.

Patrick

[Terry M.]

Re: Random Statistics on NCRS / E-mail usage

Well, for step one that sounds easy, if that is all you propose to do. The email address serves no purpose in the situation you are proposing, so why do you need/want it? Of course if I want to have a chance of buying a part under your proposed scheme I have to have on-line access.

The Michigan Chapter, and some others, are sending event notices, and notices and a link to the newsletter on-line to their members. Some Chapters even send their newsletter electronically to their members -- of course, as you know, that has a whole other set of issues.

So you don't want to notify the membership when the Driveline is on-line? Fine then don't collect the email address. Then no security issues, and I can see The Driveline on-line without you having my email address. Yea sure, and the pigs Loren mentions will fly too.

If this on-line Driveline is implemented, I don't expect the migration to electronic media will stop there. This is just the beginning of the slippery slope, but I don't expect that point of view to get much traction in this biased crowd. I said in another post that I can imagine that eventually those of us who want to hold a piece of paper in our hands will have to get a premium membership -- or we just may be squeezed out entirely. All in the name of progress and the 21st Centuary.

I think we are over-reacting to the very vocal few, some of whom I expect will never find ALL the parts they want, and thus never be satisfied.

You posted a link to electronic book/paper devices someplace on one of these threads. I resent being told (and that is how I interpret your post) that I have to buy some electronic gizmo (probably expensive now, but with mass production the price will come down, yada, yada, yada) to enjoy the club publications that I have already paid for with my membership. I recognize more than you know that these devices could be an asset to those who are visually impaired -- and thus broaden the appeal of our club's offerings. So they are not all bad, I resent being told I have to do something (buy a gizmo or maintain an email account) to maintain the quality of life I now have.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Random Statistics on NCRS / E-mail usage

i may not under stand the problem but why not a "wanted" section on this site ????? no need to keep a email list or anything like that. if it is fair the way it is done now with people getting their paper later than others it would be just as fair to do this with people who don't have internet service. JMHO

[Edward B.]

Re: Random Statistics on NCRS / E-mail usage

Terry: It looks as if you have caught on to the distribution system we all propose: Post the Driveline at a time certain every other month (or every month). From your number of posts it appears that you already have internet access; how you choose to download information from the internet Driveline is entirely up to you, but it seems as if a simple printer would allow you to record those ads in which you have an interest.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Random Statistics on NCRS / E-mail usage

just because someone does not list a e mail addy does not mean they do not have one or access to the net,they just don't want a mailbox full of unsolicited messages. all the public libraries have internet access to use if some does not.

[Louis T.]

Re: Random Statistics on NCRS / E-mail usage

I am the first one to promote computer literacy, even if just for email communication and simple web searching. In my opinion, it is imperative in today’s world, and relatively easy if one wants to apply themselves. Even if one doesn’t have access at home, as Clem noted, there is “free” computer access available at every local library (along with free instruction), at the homes of friends and family, and often at work. That said, it is easier said than done. And many of us are missing the point here that we are arguing the relative and obvious merits amongst ourselves – most if not all, active computer users. Not exactly unbiased, don’t you think?

When Terry and others try to defend current practices and appear slow to move forward into the 21st century, it is not because they are technophobes or Luddites, it is because they are trying to look at the big picture, and they have the apparently thankless task of representing the interests of those who cannot represent themselves – the members who can not/do not express themselves on this issue because they are not online. We should be thankful that folks at the top of this organization are as sensitive to all of their membership and are cautious and deliberate when contemplating changes that may inadvertently leave some behind.

And we must also be mindful that while age is not a limiter of computer abilities, it is often the more elder members who haven’t adopted the electronic world in whole or in part (and it’s only natural as unlike today’s youth, they got by fine their whole lives without it). These members are irreplaceable – they are more often than not, the most knowledgeable in the organization, and members like myself who were children or weren’t even born when some of these cars rolled off the assembly line, need these original members to pass along their collective knowledge as well as their passion for the hobby. It’s the only way the hobby will continue and thrive, with a passing of the torch from one generation to the next.

Adding to Jim’s comment about some listed email addresses being business email addresses, of these, a number may be members with only email at work, and while they don’t mind getting an occasional personal email, they are loath to or prohibited against using the internet for non-business uses. For them, searching the Driveline for parts online, if even feasible given company spam filtering, is not an option.

Finally, I agree that a test, as Ed has proposed, should be considered, but I am not convinced that much will be accomplished. Yes, better usage stats might be collected, but it won’t tell us whether folks were browsing or buying. Also, someone missing out buying a part may or may not complain, but if they do, they’ll likely fall into one of the strident camps in this argument – online folks blaming early-mail recipients, or late-mail recipients blaming online folks.

Keep in mind, if you are going to have a test for any number of Driveline issues, you must begin the test with the second issue, as the first issue has to announce to all members the intent of the test. The small minority of members that use this TDB would skew the results of the first issue otherwise. And intent is important as members need to be strongly encouraged (for whatever that’s worth) to access the online Driveline during the test if they have access and if they intend to access it in the future. I say intend, because some with online access are not very computer savvy, some have slow connections, and most important - someone not looking for a part today may not even bother to read the Driveline, much less read it online. As much as some of us think the world revolves around the NCRS, many have busy lives and would argue otherwise. (I am a Chapter Newsletter Editor and have learned this from experience.)

Hopefully, members who only read and buy/sell via the paper Driveline, and intend to continue doing so, can be encouraged to voice their concerns to their Regional reps, otherwise, over time, I fear their silence may result in them falling victim of “the squeaky wheel gets the oil.”

Louis

[Terry M.]

[Terry M.]

Re: Random Statistics on NCRS / E-mail usage

Thank you Louis. You are far more eloquent than I have been, and make my points better than I have.

[Henry S.]

Re: Random Statistics on NCRS / E-mail usage

Terry, I have been a member for a short time, but in that time it seems there is always a "Driveline" thread with each issue. Maybe and perhaps someone on the BOD could comment, they have also received complaints from those members that don't use our online site about the Driveline delivery. As mentioned before, I don't believe any of us are "blaming" the BOD for the USPS screwups. HOWEVER now with this issue having 3-4 threads about the delivery then it seems to be time for the board to take a more aggression approach to the problem. I'm sure whatever decision they make that will passed onto all the members via USPS so those that don't have internet access can have just as much input as those of us with internet access.

PS I like your comment about all us sharks getting the deals. Lately I've felt more like the bait.

[Stewart A.]

Re: Random Statistics on NCRS / E-mail usage

It's already on there just bring it forward a couple of weeks no big deal. You guys are making a mountain out of a mole hill.
Stewy