Re: [AGA-mcm] AGA and internet forums

[Larry Lampert <l_lampert@yahoo.com>]

Well said Phil and Scott also. You guys are both
obviously right. There is a limit to how much time you
can spend chasing the latest forum and there is
enormous value in having the AGA represented on those
forums. 

Myself, like Scott very rarely visits the forum
dujour. A few kids ago when I had more surfin time
things were different. Heck I really don't even have
as much to offer anymore as I am not as up on my water
chemistry and plant species as I was just a few years
ago.

I will however try (at least after the ACA) to spend a
few minutes each week at APC or The Planted Tank. 

As Mote Python used to say "And now for something
completely different".

I know I have beaten this horse dead and then some
but......I do think that if we had a forum that the
MCM folks would participate and it would be in time
"THE FORUM". 

When new people get into the hobby shouldn't the first
place they go after they do their Google search be to
the Aquatic Gardeners Assoc forum? As Phil mentioned
isn't a forum just as relevant as TAG especially when
trying to reach out to the new Internet generation?

I understand the limitations of the people and time we
have, but I also think that we could find the person
or persons within the AGA who could take on the
project and do it right. The way that we would want it
done. Yeah, I know the arguments for not doing it
there are already a dozen, they go out of fashion,
there is no one who will do it, etc but these are all
just obstacles that can be overcome.

I wish I had not only the time but the know how to
undertake this project but I don't. I don't even know
who this person or persons would be. We all know that
the AGA has overcome larger obstacles than this. An
idea is easy its the implementation that is the bear,
but at this point all I am doing is throwing out an
idea, just an old idea that needs another look. 

Regards,
Larry

Who although claiming to have no free time is still
writing long winded emails

--- Phil Edwards <biotypical@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Everyone,
> 
> I understand your time constraints and have a lot of
> respect for what you 
> do.  I know there are also a million and one
> Forums-du-Jour to participate 
> in.  I'm not asking you to take all of your scant
> free time and participate 
> willy-nilly on any forum you can find.  What I am
> asking is that we all give 
> *a little* time to APC and/or The Planted Tank, two
> forums which we are now 
> involved with.  Even within those choices one can
> limit participation to 
> only the sub-forum which we now sponsor.  I can see
> no higher purpose for 
> the AGA than to help beginners be successful and
> continue with the hobby for 
> many more years.  It's good for building a future
> market too...look what Joe 
> Camel did.
> 
> One of the things I was asked to do when I came on
> here with Cheryl two 
> years ago was to find new ways of increasing our
> membership and general 
> participation in the hobby.  Well, this is it.  I
> can't say it any more 
> plainly than this:
> 
> Internet forums are the current state of the hobby
> when it comes to mass 
> communication and participation.  If we want the AGA
> to remain current and 
> not become a group of folks who are members only out
> of a love of tradition 
> then we *have* to participate in the internet
> forums.
> 
> We have approx. 1000 members.  Places like APC, TPT,
> Plant Geek, 
> AquaticQuotient, and AB have multiple thousands of
> members who aren't 
> members of the AGA.
> 
> Like I said in my first plea to the general
> membership.  If we're to be 
> truly 100% successful in our mission statement(s)
> then the AGA, members, 
> Advisory Committee, and BOD all need to participate
> more frequently.  If 
> that means you can give 10 minutes once a week to
> give two helpful comments 
> in the one sub-forum we sponsor that's great!  It's
> two comments that would 
> have been there and it shows those folks who're
> hardcore internet-runners 
> that there is more to the AGA than a $20.00
> subscription to TAG and a 
> convention.  If you can give more time, that's
> awesome too.  What's really 
> important is the message it will send to non-members
> and members on the 
> fence alike.
> 
> I'll make everyone a deal.  I'll spend 15 minutes a
> week on a task that you 
> want done for the AGA if you'll spend those 15
> minutes participating in the 
> New to Aquarium Plants forum on APC, as soon as Art
> gets the graphic up.
> 
> Phil
> 
> 
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