[pianotech] Website update

[David Skolnik]

Dear Norman,
Thank you for the update. As you are no doubt aware, the danger of a 
posting such as this, as well intentioned as it is, is its capacity 
to rekindle the inflammatory list-related conversations, just when 
they were being supplanted by more piano-centered 
discussions.  Ideally, there would be room for both.  My intention, 
In commenting on your message, is simply to clarify what, in my view, 
seem to be some misconceptions.

At 09:11 PM 1/11/2012,  Norman Cantrell wrote:

>Dear List
>
>Some have expressed concern regarding a general lack of information 
>about progress on the Higher Logic site.

In fact, in posting your update to this list - pianotech at ptg.org - I 
don't think your description quite captures the essence of the 
expressed concerns, which are less about progress with the HL site 
than a fundamental re-thinking of the objectives of the whole 
project.  Website list users who are looking for 'improvements' are 
more likely to be found on the web-based Pianotech, the UserGroup 
list (also the website), or PTG-L.

>We wanted to let you know that during the early part of December PTG 
>sent four representatives to Washington, DC for a Higher Logic 
>Symposium.  Those attending were Barbara Cassaday and Kathy Maxwell 
>from the Home Office along with Phil Bondi and Paul Brown who have 
>both served on the Electronic Communications Committee and currently 
>serve as Regional Vice Presidents on the PTG Board of 
>Directors.  The symposium was formatted similar to a PTG convention 
>with several different class topics offered.  Our group split up and 
>attended classes that interested them and this allowed the group to 
>cover a broad range of topics.  Each has provided a written report 
>after returning home from the symposium.  These reports will all be 
>reviewed at the upcoming Mid Year Board meeting January 30 through 
>February 1, 2012.

In the spirit of transparency, when, and how much of that information 
would be subsequently made available to the membership?  What 
'classes' did our people attend?  Does the Electronic Communications 
Committee have any role in these considerations?

>We continue to look at ways to improve the new website.  Our goal is 
>to improve the discussion groups,  increase the overall speed to 
>load and improve the user experience.

Frankly, I'm not sure what any of this means?  "Improve discussion 
groups" in what way, other than speed and rationality of options and 
process?  Is the nature of the conversation itself needing of improvement?

>In the mean time the Pianotech list will continue to operate but 
>there are challenges to maintaining the servers which we foresee as 
>having limitations.

It's probable that many of us would find a thoroughly technical 
description of these challenges difficult to fully understand, and 
yet, however unintentionally it may be, sweeping generalizations like 
the one above end up generating more un-ease than they do to dispel 
it.   I have made a suggestion more than once, of late.  How much 
would it cost to transcribe the proceedings of the pianotech meeting 
that took place this past summer at the convention?   Can we impose 
upon a cross section of those who have been involved - Ron Berry or 
even Andy Rudoff (pay him even) to objectively summarize the 
situation, so that any discussion going forth is based on 
facts?  {Even Norman's response to Duaine"s post:
>Keeping all this going is part of the challenge to which I referred.
leaves a certain vagueness.   Yes, it is a challenge, but is it 
do-able, or, if not (in technical and economic terms), is the current 
offering the best we can hope for to replace it?

In the long term, I see no positive purpose in having two 'pianotech' 
lists, however, at the moment, if nothing else, this list provides an 
objective vantage point from which it is possible to examine the what 
is currently being  proposed, and to remind us that there might be 
other, alternative life-forms out there.

Thanks again -

David Skolnik
Hastings on Hudson, NY







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