http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ Transition Towns Forum: Forum: TransitionWebProject - Recent Posts en Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:01:24 +0000 http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/new-forums-update-and-help-sought#post-2932 Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:13:57 +0000 edmittance 2932@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>@nchadborn: we've set it to 'health' on the new site, but we will monitor how people want the themes to emerge... </p> <p>The new site is looking good, by the way - the initiatives are adding their own initiative profile details, and we'll be inviting all newsletter subscribers to join the site next week. We have not opened the forums up yet, but will let all know when that happens... </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/new-forums-update-and-help-sought#post-2819 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:55:36 +0000 nchadborn 2819@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>For the names of the themes - could I be picky and ask 'Health' to be 'Health and Wellbeing'. Wellbeing is a 'trendy' word within mainstream health in UK (ie NHS) at the moment and it also indicates a holistic view. It could be seen as a slight overlap with Heart and Soul, but I think this is a good thing.<br /> Cheers, Neil Chadborn, Health and Wellbeing Group, Transition Town South Liverpool </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/new-forums-update-and-help-sought#post-2758 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:03:13 +0000 edmittance 2758@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>@Tim Swann: you are right - although we can't say exactly how the new forums will evolve (it being made up of people, and use hoping they will take a steer on how it pans out), we are imagining that the TN forums will have a relatively 'high-level' focus. The Community microsites enable members of those groups to post news through the system, but that's not forums or the more casual communications we see on email lists (which get straight into people's inboxes). We explored adding email lists to the community microsites but that is on the list for 'further potential developments'. So for now the options are (a) considering whether a forum in the system would be worthwhile or (b) a third party mailing list like 'mailman'... How many people do you get emailing you with these types of requests? </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/new-forums-update-and-help-sought#post-2757 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 10:56:39 +0000 edmittance 2757@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>@SteveAtkins: the new site will be searchable including the forums, yes. I think it is very unlikely we will be able to search the old forums from the new ones - I'll ask the technologists though... </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/new-forums-update-and-help-sought#post-2739 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:33:54 +0000 Tim Swann 2739@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>Hi<br /> I'm looking forward to the new forums. At the moment a lot of our Calon Teifi email is almost personal ads, e.g. "Does anyone know of a good builder?" "Is anyone else going to the xxx meeting in London?" etc. This is fine: it helps build a community. But I want people to use a forum rather than email via me. However I can't see it working if the forum has posts from people all round the world.<br /> Does this mean we will have to get a forum for just Calon Teifi on some other website? Or can we somehow use the new Transition Forums with posts limited to just our Transition Group (or local groups)?<br /> Tim Swann </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/new-forums-update-and-help-sought#post-2731 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:49:22 +0000 SteveAtkins 2731@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>Cool. The technical forum will be helpful.</p> <p>Got another <strong> Q:</strong> I presume there will be a search box for the new forum; Will searches include results from the old forum? </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/new-forums-update-and-help-sought#post-2724 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:32:15 +0000 edmittance 2724@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>Steve - we are starting with the following themes: Arts &#38; Crafts, Business and Economics, Education, Energy, Food, Health, Heart &#38; Soul, Housing, Local Government, Transport. </p> <p>Rather than pre-can a set of forums as originally suggested, we're going to enable forum users to choose whichever theme they think is suitable to their topic (could be more than one) and hence enable a bit more 'bottom up' style organisation (will become clear when the design's done). </p> <p>As well as this, forum users will be encouraged to add their own tags - after a while we will review the tags and see if there are emergent themes to add to the main site taxonomy.</p> <p>A: RSS: errr. You might have to be a bit clearer - we're also going to have a 'technical' forum in the new forums to help people resolve issues like that. </p> <p>A: Transition Theme: hmm good point. I'll bring it up with Laura the designer - again that's something you'd share across the technical forum</p> <p>Good questions :) </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/new-forums-update-and-help-sought#post-2714 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:04:18 +0000 SteveAtkins 2714@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>I thought of something else to ask as well, but now I've forgotten it. What was it please?..errrrr, dddddddddghd, begins with, website forum login rss. RSS, that's it!</p> <p><strong>Q:</strong> I haven't got a clue about bolting RSS into websites, do you have any instructions for setting up, or got any links to explain??</p> <p>oh, and another question...</p> <p>Drupal... <a href="http://drupal.org/project/Themes" rel="nofollow">http://drupal.org/project/Themes</a><br /> <strong>Q:</strong> Themes can be downloaded from the main Drupal website and I'm wondering if there'll be a Transition theme available to download? </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/new-forums-update-and-help-sought#post-2713 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:29:36 +0000 SteveAtkins 2713@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>Have you got a list of the main themes? eg</p> <p>~ Transport ~ Energy ~ Food ~ Peak Oil ~ Climate Change ~ Heart &#38; Soul ~ Media ~ </p> <p>Will forum users be able to create there own main themes and/ or sub-themes? </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/new-forums-update-and-help-sought#post-2697 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:19:52 +0000 edmittance 2697@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>Steve - yes we will archive this forum - keeping the posts and related links but no discussions... </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/new-forums-update-and-help-sought#post-2694 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:15:19 +0000 SteveAtkins 2694@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>Re: "Sadly we cannot migrate the content from these forums to the new ones; a combination of budget and 'it being amazingly complicated' means we have to say farewell to these. We're sorry about this but there aren't any alternatives."</p> <p>Will all the posts in this forum still be accessible? (but static). </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/new-forums-update-and-help-sought#post-2692 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:35:50 +0000 benbrangwyn 2692@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>FYI, for those who don't know, Ed Mitchell is the Web Coordinator for Transition Network, in charge of setting up our new website and the web-based infrastructure that is designed to support the growth of transition initiatives everywhere.</p> <p>Ben. </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/new-forums-update-and-help-sought#post-2691 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:42:20 +0000 edmittance 2691@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>Hi all,</p> <p>Happy 2010 - I hope it brings you much cheer, many vegetables, renewable energy sources, two Transition conferences and a shiney new Transition Network website... </p> <p>This is a quick post to point you to an update on the web project and share our thoughts on forums. </p> <p>Latest news on where we are at:<br /> <a href="http://transitiontowns.org/webprojectblog/2010/01/20/website-launch-update/" rel="nofollow">http://transitiontowns.org/webprojectblog/2010/01/20/website-launch-update/</a></p> <p>I've just got off a skype conference with the Transition Technologists and it's looking very close. Our goal is for a 'soft' launch on Monday the 1st Feb, and if not then, then soon afterwards. And we'll need some help getting in there and beta-testing so hope you can come and give it a go when we say 'go'. We have imported all the subscribers to the newsletter so if you read the newsletter, you will be primed and ready to log in following launch. But more on that in due course... </p> <p>In the meantime, this is specifically about Forums: </p> <p>Part of the new web platform is new forums. These will be more accesible and have better functionality than our much loved yet ever-so-slightly-out-of-date ones we see here. </p> <p>We would like your help/support/advice/beta-testing - you have been here for some time, are familiar with what does and doesn't work, which threads were the most popular, which subjects were the most significant, how the 'structure' of the forums worked etc. </p> <p>The new forums will be integrated with the rest of the site which will mean we can track our activities, get email alerts when new comments are made, see other commenters' profiles, have forum threads appear in wider searches across the 'transition themes' with other content etc. </p> <p>Sadly we cannot migrate the content from these forums to the new ones; a combination of budget and 'it being amazingly complicated' means we have to say farewell to these. We're sorry about this but there aren't any alternatives. </p> <p>We will keep them online for a good few months yet, but the focus of activity will move to the new site. </p> <p>Ben and I want to start really simple so that we can make the most of what we've learned on these forums and work outwards with your support or advice if possible. </p> <p>We reckon we'd start with: </p> <p>Transition Themes - one forum per theme<br /> Technical help - space to help people with logins, updating their initiative profiles etc. </p> <p>What do you all reckon? </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/high-level-features-that-i-envision-being-useful#post-2155 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:13:21 +0000 edmittance 2155@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>Indeed Steve - that's the nub of the discussion. </p> <p>What people like to use; as identified earlier, it's largely email lists at the moment. Also, what TN needs to support and what it sees as not the responsibility of TN. </p> <p>Also as we're working with Drupal, how to integrate that with lists is a technical... Looking at list handler (thx sambris), as long as people post to a list, it will be archived in a forum. One could say that if people post off-list, perhaps they don't want it to be public... </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/high-level-features-that-i-envision-being-useful#post-2146 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:15:57 +0000 SteveAtkins 2146@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>Whilst potentially duplicating discussion, presumably by doing both you could reach a wider audience? ie, some people use forums, some people use emails, some people use both. </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/high-level-features-that-i-envision-being-useful#post-2145 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:27:43 +0000 benbrangwyn 2145@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>It's what it sez on the tin. Someone posts to a forum, a couple of people respond. Someone else gets the email digest from the postings and then forwards it to some others to continue the conversation = two separate parallel fragmented discussions. </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/high-level-features-that-i-envision-being-useful#post-2144 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:06:00 +0000 SteveAtkins 2144@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>RE: "I think it would be bad to have both forums AND mailing lists. You end up with fragmented discussion, its a well known phenomenon."</p> <p>...has anyone got further info/ links on this 'fragmented discussion phenomenon'? </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/web-project-recommendations-available-for-download#post-2124 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:04:27 +0000 edmittance 2124@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>Yup - I'm pleased too. It's all go from here. I'm in Totnes two days per week for a while (the other two in Bristol), and keen to meet folk as you can imagine so let me know if you're around and let's have tea. </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/web-project-recommendations-available-for-download#post-2092 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:13:44 +0000 SteveAtkins 2092@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>~ Excellent, &#38; good to hear Ed got the job;</p> <p>~ Here's a dizzying update; Remember those rubbery buttons on the zx spectrum?...they felt like writing with jelly babies. </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/web-project-recommendations-available-for-download#post-2091 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:48:54 +0000 benbrangwyn 2091@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>Ed Mitchell will be in post in two weeks. Expect dizzying level of updates from a few weeks after that.</p> <p>Full steam ahead. Ben. </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/web-project-recommendations-available-for-download#post-2085 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:48:09 +0000 SteveAtkins 2085@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>Is the web project still ticking along nicely?... it'd be nice to have a basic update on things. </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/web-project-recommendations-available-for-download#post-1674 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:08:42 +0000 edmittance 1674@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>Hi all,</p> <p>just a quick note to say thank you for the support/advice/wisdom/hearing ear/patience/food/laughs/connections/references/accommodation and other really brilliant stuff you brought to the Transition web project - not forgetting it began here in the TT fora. </p> <p>Ben and I presented the recommendations to the Transition Network board yesterday. They approved them, and, some money stuff ongoing, we're now going into prepping for the implementation phase.</p> <p>You won't be amazed to hear that we are sharing all our work on a share and share alike licence, so were you to be so inclined, you can download the report and presentation below:</p> <p>Recommendations:<br /> <a href="http://tinyurl.com/twg-recommendations-doc" rel="nofollow">http://tinyurl.com/twg-recommendations-doc</a></p> <p>Board presentation:<br /> <a href="http://tinyurl.com/twg-board-presentation" rel="nofollow">http://tinyurl.com/twg-board-presentation</a></p> <p>Board saying thank you to everyone who added their bit to the project:<br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/edmittance/3595102808/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/edmittance/3595102808/</a></p> <p>And a nice picture of a tree next to the river Dart:<br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/edmittance/3595104826/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flickr.com/photos/edmittance/3595104826/</a></p> <p>Good work all! </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/ubergeek-week-seeks-technical-wizards#post-1559 Fri, 08 May 2009 12:30:07 +0000 edmittance 1559@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>Hi all, news from the web project working space on Wiser Earth: </p> <p>We are close to the end; the board meeting at which we deliver the recommendations is loitering around the corner, expectant and hopeful. </p> <p>Now that we have defined 'what' the web project is, we need to define 'how' we are going to deliver it. Graham Mitchell is in the facilitation hotseat for a dedicated period of time (Friday 8 May - Wednesday 13 May) to bring us to technical recommendations through thorough and robust discussion. </p> <p>Please help us by contributing your experiences, thoughts, wisdom and greatness in this time limited technical discussion. </p> <p><a href="http://tinyurl.com/ubergeekweek" rel="nofollow">http://tinyurl.com/ubergeekweek</a> </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/web-project-update-and-call-to-action#post-1419 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:43:36 +0000 edmittance 1419@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>The web project is coming on in leaps and bounds. This is a:</p> <p>1. brief project update<br /> 2. call for interested people to join a workgroup<br /> 3. bunch of related links at the bottom</p> <p>1 ::The update bit::</p> <p>Since we formally launched in late January, we have held a range of brilliantly informative workshops (thank you to those around the UK and beyond), our survey is published and is out gathering data (excellent responses to date, we’re going to push it again), and we have three pilots researching the three key project elements which are either out on the web or awaiting a final sign off from the board. These are all amazing feats. </p> <p>During this phase, new project research streams have emerged from conversations and the project has found new areas of opportunity around the network... </p> <p>In the bigger picture of ‘The Web’, the project’s scope is evolving – the project (and its process) was originally focused on building one ‘platform’; there is now increasing awareness of the multitude of Transitioners already happily using a vast array of other platforms… </p> <p>How can we integrate independent initiatives’ web activities and honour their choices, independence and diversity instead of assuming that they will all want to use one tool?</p> <p>Meanwhile, many Transitioners have pointed to the importance of retaining our focus on supporting the ‘physical’ aspects of the movement (we are a web already!); tying the web project into the existing processes and supporting not just a platform but an educational and support ‘toolkit’; a routemap to help Transitioners make their own decisions and find and offer support about what web stuff they want to use for their needs… </p> <p>How can we launch and nurture a living network-owned support and education toolkit? </p> <p>So… from specifying one piece of software (a platform), the project has evolved a fair amount to take into account the network’s processes, protocols and possible partnerships. </p> <p>All this is ripe for discussion on the workgroup below:</p> <p>2:: The call to action bit::</p> <p>We’re going into a project phase change right now and are inviting your input and support. </p> <p>As well as the surveys, workshops, interviews and pilots, we have been discussing the project in a separate space (so as not to swamp these forums). This has been a lively, straight talking, yet diplomatic affair. </p> <p>We have agreed that we’ve had enough talk and want more action. We need to work together to write documents which will form the recommendations later in the project. </p> <p>These range from technical to social (hosting websites to thinking about routemaps to help non-techs make sense of the web).</p> <p>In light of this, we have set up a group work space on ‘Wiser Earth’ (an easy to use and useful community web platform with the tools we need). It is an open space, so anyone can read what we’re up to. </p> <p>If you would like to add thoughts, all you need to do is register on Wiser Earth (no more than 5 minutes). There is an easy howto page telling you how to sign up.</p> <p>It is open and ready to go. Later this week I will be asking people to identify specific tasks that interest the, so we’ll see the real action kicking off at the end of this week, beginning of next week… but in the meantime…</p> <p>Wiser Earth work space:<br /> <a href="http://www.wiserearth.org/group/transition_webproject" rel="nofollow">http://www.wiserearth.org/group/transition_webproject</a></p> <p>Wiser Earth: getting started howto guide:<br /> <a href="http://bit.ly/mkXo" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/mkXo</a></p> <p>Survey:<br /> <a href="http://tinyurl.com/transtion-web-project-survey" rel="nofollow">http://tinyurl.com/transtion-web-project-survey</a></p> <p>Thanks,<br /> Ed </p> http://transitiontowns.org/forum/topic/next-steps-project-manager-and-interim-solution#post-1409 Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:19:10 +0000 garyalex 1409@http://transitiontowns.org/forum/ <p>Phil,</p> <p>Firstly, I can see from your response that my previous reply missed the mark. I'm sorry if I misinterpreted your comments about Ning. And your comment "I have no interest whatsoever in asking questions if I get the feeling I'm invading some sort of private party" is very telling, and I'll try to address that directly, as I feel I am struggling to get people involved here at more than the discussion level.</p> <p>The issue you raise about transparency is a vital one for the movement, and not a simple one. I see the underlying issue as that we have no organisational structure and hence no mechanisms for making decisions. Who makes decisions and how? Much of my emphasis with the pilots is to create just such a structure, so we can co-ordinate ourselves without hierarchy. </p> <p>So, how do we make decisions now? </p> <p>For example, when we discussed having pilots, there was the Core Group (Ben, Ed and me) who could talk about it, and also the diffuse groups who have participated in these discussions. If there were a defined group here, with responsibilities towards the projects, who would be expected to comment and perhaps vote in some way, we could have held that discussion. As is, we don't know who is even reading these discussions, only a few people comment on some subjects, what about the people who's views might be relevant but aren't part of this forum, etc., etc.? </p> <p>What do you think we should do?</p> <p>So, in practice, things happen if someone steps up and offers to do it, as for example, I did with the TransitionEast project, Jon has done with the food pilot, and Nick with the training pilot. We can report back to a diffuse group, ask for comments (which we only sometimes get), and ask for help with specific tasks (which so far, we generally don't get). These discussions often throw up interesting and relevant issues and so are very valuable, but they aren't a great help at making decisions.</p> <p>So, there is a sense in which there is a 'private' party: those people who are making an active contribution do talk regularly by phone, skype, in person, email, etc particularly if we need to make decisions. And we hope for useful views, and more, for active contributions from anyone else, who would then be part of the party. </p> <p>I hope that this helps, and that you see it as encouragement to participate. And please, feel free to suggest some good solution to the transparency problem.</p> <p>Yours, Gary </p>