Bird of the Week Special

[Fred Bellows]

Oh, I totally agree that shouldn't be a bunch of work for anyone. It's clear the
moderators have their work cut out themselves just refereeing :-). And from what
it sounds like, the current feature is quite an accomplishment, since I hear
that hardly anyone bothers to submit even their single photos and minimum info
as candidates for the BotW, and apparently, constant prodding is required. So,
this whole idea might be silly, but I think a lot of people really enjoy BotW.
And I certainly do understand what you're talking about on the volunteerism
thing. I've been involved in enough organizations in my life (eg: scouting) to
know that when you volunteer up a suggestion, be prepared to be nominated to
help run it. However, I feel that any membership in any group like this should
include giving back enough to compensate for what we get out of it. And,
arguably, we all get a tremendous benefit from this forum and it's knowledge
base. So I'm not asking the current moderators to do more work, and I, like all
of us, totally appreciate all the work that is done by you Mike, and all the
moderators. I'm asking the membership if they think it would be fun to add to
the forum, and I mean, individually. And, I guess, maybe I've got my answer,
since only two have responded so far (although, I should make it a thread of
it's own, I guess, for exposure). Rick Davis said he thought it could be fun to
see more photos and comments, and mentioned the idea of "B o t MONTH". Pete
said he thought it was ok as it is (and, btw, it wasn't him, but me, who said I
didn't think there was an announcement post each week, only a chance comment on
the BotW that reminded me to go look at it.-my bad.)

Let me be clear, I'm not criticizing the current feature. I think it's great. I
found the archive album and looked back through every single one. They're
terrific! (I'm a little new to the forum, and hadn't really figured out the
photo section yet - there's no search function but it finally donned on me you
just click thru all the alphabetized titles for stuff of interest). I just
wondered if there was any interest in possibly enhancing an already fun,
favorite feature. But not if it's going to be more work. In fact, the other part
of this query is "can we get more people involved in submitting and even
formatting"?, so that it's less work for you, Mike, or whoever else may help you
with them.

So I'll ask again here, and start another new thread on it and see if we get any
signs of life on it out there

"Hey group: Would you like to consider enhancing the BotW feature, by including
more photos, with captions, and a little more description of some aspects of our
bird/lifestyle/etc. to share with the rest of the membership? Ideas include,
enhancing slightly (`little more description, or a few more picts), enhancing
greatly (several more picts, with captions and a full write-up of a few
paragraphs, etc.), changing it to, or adding on an additional "Bird of the
Month", or other ideas that you may have (like just keeping it as is!). Now,
when responding, keep in mind that it would mean that we all would have to work
at trying to submit all this extra content, and nag our friends to do the same,
in order to have enough stuff to keep the feature going. And we will be asking
for volunteers to help edit and format the submissions and present them to Mike
for selection and posting. A way to work it, or start it, might be to batch-send
out simple, sample form/questionnaire thingys that would help prompt members to
make the submissions, in an easy to format set of 5 or 10 photos, with captions,
and a general text section of a paragraph or two about their experiences with
their bird . Or three, sometimes. It wouldn't have to be the same amount of info
all the time from everyone. Just an encouragement to try to think of a few
concepts to share. We could have suggested topics such as: how long have you had
it, what's the longest/funnest/worst weather/worst breakdown/best
destination/whatever trip you've taken, what's your favorite upgrade project
you've done, etc. As far as getting people to contribute at all, well, that's
hard. People don't like to show off. It's basic human nature. But since we're
all family in a way, and have a definite, specific shared interest, we should
look at it as our duty to step up and let other owners know of ways to enjoy
their Birds more. Which is what the forum does so well.

Thanks everyone, and please be honest, if you can't imagine yourself submitting
several photos and a small write-up of things you like about your coach, then
don't suggest we try this, because it will take everyone's contributions to do
it.

Fred

Fred & Bellows
90SP Queen Creek, AZ (basically Phx)
"Maunder Maximum"
http://picasaweb.google.com/geefred/MaunderMaximum#