Ye Olde Interwebs Discussion Board
December 10, 2009 8:29 PM Subscribe
I need a community board or webblog similar to this one that can accommodate multiple threads and discussions for the non-technologically savvy folks in an organization.
Basically, an organization for which I serve on the advisory board currently handles all of its affairs through email. We often have three or four points of discussion open at the same time, and the emails get tangled and disorganized. But after suggesting a board or something to that effect, several people objected saying that they wouldn't check it if it were password protected; they didn't want to have to log in and remember another password. I guess I'm looking for something that's really user-friendly where people can see the posts if they have the URL but don't have to log in unless they want to post something but by the same token, the content of these communications is confidential, so I don't really want it floating around there on the web. Suggestions? And we have a limited budget (non-profit ) - we would need something cheap or free.
Also, if you can point me to any examples already out there that would serve as an example, that would be great too.
Basically, an organization for which I serve on the advisory board currently handles all of its affairs through email. We often have three or four points of discussion open at the same time, and the emails get tangled and disorganized. But after suggesting a board or something to that effect, several people objected saying that they wouldn't check it if it were password protected; they didn't want to have to log in and remember another password. I guess I'm looking for something that's really user-friendly where people can see the posts if they have the URL but don't have to log in unless they want to post something but by the same token, the content of these communications is confidential, so I don't really want it floating around there on the web. Suggestions? And we have a limited budget (non-profit ) - we would need something cheap or free.
Also, if you can point me to any examples already out there that would serve as an example, that would be great too.
From a security standpoint, the technology they're proposing would be a nightmare. As CharlesV42 stated, there needs to be at least *some* access control. A site that drops a cookie so as to obviate the need to log in every time is not inconvenient at all.
As an aside, YouTube has a similar technology whereby you can mark a video as "private" and share the URL with other people. But the video is tracked and is able to only be played by 25 people, otherwise "private" videos would quickly become "public."
Google Wave would accomplish the collaboration objectives that you seek, but if they don't want to remember another password, I would imagine that they wouldn't want to use something like Wave.
posted by boeing82 at 12:20 AM on December 11, 2009
As an aside, YouTube has a similar technology whereby you can mark a video as "private" and share the URL with other people. But the video is tracked and is able to only be played by 25 people, otherwise "private" videos would quickly become "public."
Google Wave would accomplish the collaboration objectives that you seek, but if they don't want to remember another password, I would imagine that they wouldn't want to use something like Wave.
posted by boeing82 at 12:20 AM on December 11, 2009
There are some web apps that log you in by asking for your e-mail address, and mailing back a login link, which when visited gives you a persistent session. This breaks the current habits of most web users, but is rather usable for a newbie with permanent access to e-mail. Sorry, I don't remember the name of apps that did this.
I'd recommend setting up a mailing list instead. The board sends its e-mail to the mailing list, which relays it to every member. It can integrate or be paired with a web archive displaying past conversations. While the archive will have to be password protected, it is an additional feature and doesn't need to be used by everyone, or as often as sending e-mail. Check out google groups and nabble, or set up your own with mailman+piperman or sympa.
posted by Tobu at 1:58 AM on December 11, 2009
I'd recommend setting up a mailing list instead. The board sends its e-mail to the mailing list, which relays it to every member. It can integrate or be paired with a web archive displaying past conversations. While the archive will have to be password protected, it is an additional feature and doesn't need to be used by everyone, or as often as sending e-mail. Check out google groups and nabble, or set up your own with mailman+piperman or sympa.
posted by Tobu at 1:58 AM on December 11, 2009
I don't understand the "don't want to remember another password" demand. Most sites and browsers will remember any password, so they'll have to remember it once.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:51 AM on December 11, 2009
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:51 AM on December 11, 2009
I agree that the password isn't a problem for most users, and yours likely have a few online accounts already; they probably are being difficult because they will have to change their habits or some other unstated reason. The mailing list doesn't make them change their workflow much, see if that works as a compromise.
posted by Tobu at 5:02 AM on December 11, 2009
posted by Tobu at 5:02 AM on December 11, 2009
Perhaps there is an already-existing authentication session you can piggyback on? Are they logged into email? Exchange/Outlook? It's not impossible to integrate single sign-on but it would require some engineering on your part.
posted by camworld at 5:18 AM on December 11, 2009
posted by camworld at 5:18 AM on December 11, 2009
Ugh, I feel your pain, but this seems like more of a behavioral than tech issue. ie, people are just being difficult. I would set up a google group. That way, you get threaded discussions and privacy options, but it's less onerous because most people already have google logins.
Another possibility, more for the behavioral issue: propose a few different options. Point out that none are perfect, but ask people to just vote for the one they like best. This might help people understand the inherent tradeoffs (ie, you get either privacy or the freedom from logging in, but not both).
posted by lunasol at 8:44 AM on December 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
Another possibility, more for the behavioral issue: propose a few different options. Point out that none are perfect, but ask people to just vote for the one they like best. This might help people understand the inherent tradeoffs (ie, you get either privacy or the freedom from logging in, but not both).
posted by lunasol at 8:44 AM on December 11, 2009 [1 favorite]
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posted by CharlesV42 at 9:03 PM on December 10, 2009