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[webmaster]

Hi everyone!  I've established these forums to enable us to reduce our dependency on the Yahoo Groups. Use the forums instead of the Yahoo email list.

Initially, I have set up a single forum board called General Discussions. We should use this for all discussions that would otherwise have taken place on the Yahoo mailing list. In a couple of months, I'll delete the Yahoo list.

To post to the forums, you must first register with the forums system by clicking the Register link at the top of the page. Note that you will be able to hide your email address from other forum members and the internet at large if you desire.

The software providing the forums is a very powerful package. Some features are:

• You can request notifications (emails) to be sent to you when topics and comments are posted by clicking the Notify button. Do this if you won't be visiting the forums regularly.
• An RSS feed of recent postings is available.
  
• A comprehensive search facility is provided.
• We can create additional forum boards and categories as we need to.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

[VK2VVV]

Well Done Neil,
 I think the concept is great, once again thanks for the effort you put into the club.
I'm sure once the forum is up and running, it will address all the issues raised at the recent club meeting re security of email details.
Once again I see potential for IARS to be in the lead of information flow to club members, and other amateurs.
Do you have any thoughts on Categories and sub categories??
Without wanting to interfere in your great work, maybe things like technical antennas, technical rigs, technical training, club activities, club meetings, non amateur items lounge, maybe a buy / sell / swap, even club member’s private lounge.  (Might help keep memberships up.)

[vk2vnj]

Thanks for the feedback Ross.  I haven't given categories much thought yet.  If we don't get enough traffic, they will mostly remain empty.  On the other hand, they can help prompt users to post on the topics.  Perhaps we can start with a few broader ones, and see how things go.

[VK2VVV]

Thanks for the feedback Ross.  I haven't given categories much thought yet.  If we don't get enough traffic, they will mostly remain empty.  On the other hand, they can help prompt users to post on the topics.  Perhaps we can start with a few broader ones, and see how things go.

Very True Neil,
Could I suggest a few broad catagories such as:-
Antennas
Propogation
IRLP/Echolink (VOIP areas)
Rigs
Club Discussions
VK2AMW Lounge (financial members only)
General Chat
Training Courses
Introduce yourself
These, or other topics might also entice some of the other club members to get involved and assist (moderate) their favorite subject.

[vk2sja]

Well Done Neil!

Very slick looking graphics, clean and functional.

Ross, I agree with Neil in that unless you start getting lots of forum traffic having multiple categories is just going to confuse, dilute and slow down the uptake of the system. In fact unless traffic reaches a certain level you are probably better off having only one category deliberately.

Oh and, "Is it true that a G5RV, is actually a resonant dummy load?Huh". Absolutely not! Resonant dummy loads very useful! 

73, Steve
VK2SJA

[VK2VVV]

Point taken Steve.

And thanks for pointing out the obvious oversight in my signature comment.