Re: technical update/new web-based services coming

[Marvin <physchem...>]

It looks like a good idea to me.  For one thing, when one of us forwards an
inquiry, we can tell the inquirer to read the NG for answers, and to
subscribe only if they want to add to the discussion.  I didn't know that a
NG could be set up this way, but it is easier to manage than having
moderators.  It will also save online time for some, because they have to
download only the headers and those messages they want to read.  With the
number of messages each day on htis list, the time saving isn't necessarily
trivial.  (I just got a DSL line, so either way is plenty fast.)

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ari Davidow" <ari (at) ivritype(dot)com>
To: "World music from a Jewish slant" <jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org>
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2000 11:29 AM
Subject: technical update/new web-based services coming


> Hi,
>
> Things have advanced to the point where I will shortly be wanting beta
> testers and user feedback on a web-based version of this mailing list.
>
> First, be assured that this mailing list, itself, isn't going away or
> changing forms. I want there to be more ways to participate, not to force
> people to try something else so different people will have problems than
> before :-).
>
> The web-based version of the mailing list, as currently designed, will
> allow anyone to view postings, but only registered users to add postings.
> Registration will be free, although it =will= require e-mail confirmation.
>
> All posts to the jewish-music areas of the web discussion forums will go
> to the mailing list and vice versa.
>
> By going to a web-based interface, users will come to the list, rather
> than have the list e-mailed to them. For users who have trouble checking
> e-mail regularly, or who tend to accidentally e-mail to the list, rather
> than to individuals, this may be a preferred method. This will also make
> it easier to read and respond to only those posts/topics/threads of
interest.
> It will also make it easier for less popular threads to remain visible, to
> be picked up and continued based on previous posts, rather than remaining
> tentative and often unresponded-to.
>
> The web-based version will be accessible from any website that chooses to
> link to it. Thus, it is possible to imagine links from Jewish music sites
> around the world, and indeed, the klezmershack will start off with such
> a link.
>
> The web-based version will be open to other mailing lists. Initially, this
> means "other mailing lists that cover topics related to Jewish Music",
> but may expand to cover other aspectgs of Jewish culture, as well. By
> having one login to view and to participate in many discussion areas,
> it is hoped that synergies will increase across many foci, ranging from
> transmission and discussion of traditional Jewish cultures to transmission
> and discussion of edge Jewish cultures. It will also make it easier for
> sub-groups to break off of the jewish-music list, and still be accessible
> to the general jewish-music discussion community. We'll take it a tool
> and a discussion at a time.
>
> Once the web-based forums seem stable and comfortable, we will be offering
> them to other interested shamash-based mailing lists.
>
> There is no automatic way to make the jewish-music archives available in
> these forums without processing the archives into SGML. If anyone has time
> =and= expertise in this area, and would like to help, I especially would
> love to speak with you.
>
> The forum software, used in conjunction with some most recent browsers,
> will allow posting in Hebrew and Yiddish. We hope to set up areas where
> this can be confirmed, and then encouraged.
>
> If you are interested in testing these forums once they become available
> (two weeks?), or if you are interested in helping test and =also= have
> ideas to contribute, do please respond to me privately.
>
> I have been working on web-based computer forums since about 1993, so to
> be this close to a comfortable tie-in with jewish-music and other online
> communities, is exciting.
>
> ari
>
>
> Ari Davidow
> ari (at) ivritype(dot)com
> list owner, jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org
> the klezmer shack: http://www.klezmershack.com/
>
>
>

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