IT Update - In December, we had a couple of small problems dealing with member applications and List enrollment. The difficulties started when I had to ban my email address of 6 years due excessive SPAM to the tune of 600+ per day. Even though I took the appropriate steps to change all of the email address links and redirects, follow up fell through the crack and I missed several new member applications and requests to enroll on the Talk List. However, things should be in working order once again and working smoothly. My apologies for the problems.

IT Question on the WINS Talk List - I've been wondering why we are still using an email list instead of an online message board. IMHO, it seems that we are losing a great deal of shared knowledge by not having a permanent repository for what is discussed here. Is there a reason why we are not using an online board? If not, has anyone looked at the cost/technical issues of implementing one?

Answer - Actually, comments from nine different Talk List members.
1. Personally, I prefer the mail list format over the message board format.
2. (I) think you make things too formal using this (BBS) format (and) you lose the free flowing, unreserved exchange of ideas you get with a mailing list. Many do not like such formal an arrangement (BBS format).
3. Personally, I prefer the email list. It is more convenient for me to respond to email than to periodically check an online board to see if new messages exist.
4. Primarily the original group didn't want a BBS opting instead for the DOMO list mail. Any active BBS requires a considerable amount of server storage space if you are to maintain a goodly amount of threads and their subsequent posts. Someone (still) has to monitor signups if it's going to remain "members only" and weed through the posts to ensure that they meet the "family oriented" atmosphere we strive for, as well as ensuring that only pertinent posts are retained.
5. The volume of (List) messages isn't overwhelming so it doesn't take long for me to download them. I can easily save the ones I want and delete the ones I don't for future reference. It also makes it much harder for someone to join the list for the purpose of mining old messages...
6. Most of us seem to be more familiar with and more comfortable with the email format for many reasons.
7. The mail list system is much better for those of us in different time zones.
8. I find myself almost never going to seek out messages, but I do read them when they come to me.
9. Sometimes it may be bent, but it ain't broke, so why fix it?

Interesting question with some equally interesting input from the members. Got a WINS related IT question? Ask and if I don't have an answer, I'll find someone who does.

Auction Update - The Christmas Auction closed at 7:00 PM MST on Saturday, December 13, and the final tallies were beyond any of my imagined expectations. We had the highest number of member selling and biding to date and even had a couple of new members join WINS and participate. Here's a few "stats" as observed and provided by our own Ray Larson.

CHRISTMAS AUCTION STATS:

1. 137 Total Items
2. 29 Different Member Sellers
3. 125 Bids Received
4. 341 Bids Made By All Bidders
5. 33 Different Bidders
6. $330 bid on Donated items
7. Lowest Bid $0.05
8. Highest Bid $210.00

Needless to say, this was one exciting auction that really kept me hopping. My personal thanks to everyone that participated, we may have just started a Christmas tradition. I'm certainly looking forward to finding out. How about you?

The next member's only auction is scheduled for January 24, 2004. Why not join in and offer the members some of those duplicates or items you no longer desire? It's your auction, help make it great - participate. Data and images can be submitted starting today. See you at the auction.

Speaking of auctions, I have just finished stripping all of the image links from auctions 1 through 17. This was done to prevent search engines from finding dead links which can in turn affect the website's standing within the search engines. I have also removed every email address hyperlink to prevent the harvesting of your email addresses by SPAMMERS. Each future auction will be treated the same about 3 weeks after the auction closes.

Thank you kindly,
JD White, WINS#7, Opsad