[cma-l] the Community Radio Toolkit Needs You!
Cormac Lawler
cormac at radioregen.org
Thu Sep 18 11:29:01 BST 2014
Hi all,
This has been a really useful discussion. The criticisms of the existing Community Radio Toolkit website are absolutely valid - it's poorly structured/signposted and includes several out-of-date features. Hence the redesign: the new site will be much clearer, more practical, and easier to search and browse related content. There will also be new content - e.g. on training. There aren't plans to include a forum (or whatever) in the relaunched site - though, as this discussion shows, there is probably a need to have some space (somewhere) that works alongside the knowledge base of the Toolkit and this mailing list. (For what it's worth, I've done plenty of work in the past with wikis, which have sometimes been used as a 'bridge' between a discussion space and a knowledge base - is that of interest/use?)
For now, though, can I reiterate Phil's original request for more photos for the new website? It would be great to illustrate the site with the, frankly, astounding work that everyone on this list does. As a suggestion for themes, I'd pick out the following (though please engage your own creativity):
Working with volunteers / the role of volunteers in the station
Community engagement / outreach / impact
Training
Technical equipment / station setup
Funding / revenue (might be hard to picture!)
I'm sure you'll think of others - but any photos would be warmly received. Please send to Phil: phil at radioregen.org
Thanks very much,
Cormac
Cormac Lawler
Project coordinator
0161 234 2799
Radio Regen
46 Oldham Street, Green Fish Resource Centre, Manchester, M4 1LE
www.radioregen.org
Company Ltd by Guarantee Registered in England and Wales No 3753832.
Registered Charity No 1077763
On 18 Sep 2014, at 10:20, Richard Berry wrote:
> One short suggestion. Behind many email lists lies an archive that stores every posting. Email is handy for the here and now, but sites like the toolkit seem more like a knowledge base. In this regard it is different from this list
>
> Richard
>
>
> Quickly sent from a mobile. Hope I've not been auto-corrected.
>
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: Associated Broadcast Consultants <info at a-bc.co.uk>
> Date:18/09/2014 09:48 (GMT+00:00)
> To: tlr at gairloch.co.uk
> Cc: cma-l at commedia.org.uk
> Subject: Re: [cma-l] the Community Radio Toolkit Needs You!
>
> I agree - for example for a while the old community radio toolkit forum (the one before the one that's there now) was available as an archive. There was (is) a wealth of information available there - and much of the information is the type that does not rapidly go out of date. Lots of advice from people with hands-on experience, lots of ideas, suggestions etc.
>
> A bulletin board/forum with good search options seems a great way to file this kind of information. The difficulty is, how to build an active forum up from the current, rather stale situation? I think Community Radio Toolkit website is the right direction, but perhaps with better execution and more promotion. It does not have to cost money - there are lots of people - Like Alex and me, who give information and advice for free!
>
> This email forum is fine for some tasks, but to me I feel "blind" if I wanted to reference something I recall seeing 6 months or a year ago for example.
>
> --
> Glyn Roylance - Principal Consultant
> Associated Broadcast Consultants
>
> On 17 September 2014 21:47, tlr at gairloch.co.uk <tlr at gairloch.co.uk> wrote:
> I wouldn't advocate the use of the mailing list - bulletin boards work far better for mutual help/advice etc, and are much easier to find relevant past discussions and review them - email is just not suited. Nor in my opinion is Facebook - it has no decent user control of archiving, public searching etc, recategorizing of posts etc.
>
> I have come across numerous BBs that have proved of enduring value when searching for answers to a specific problem in various fields. Facebook posts would not appear in such searches, and the 'conversation' can be very fragmented, with parts of it only available to its participants or followers of wherever it was posted. It needs quite an advanced mental model of Facebook to be able to track third party postings and threads.
>
> And of course, Facebook does not automatically alert followers/friends/members to all posts on a particular page or topic or from a particular person, even a 'friend' - a lot of people think that it does, but it is selective through highly opaque algorithms that change form time to time. Fine for a social network, but not for a professional or long-term support forum.
>
> But no reason not to use FB as one of several ways to bring it to people's attention.
>
> Alex
>
>> On 17 September 2014 at 00:33 Alan Coote <alan.coote at 5digital.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>> I absolutely agree an email list such as this works and it saves logging into yet another forum, many of which have suffered over the years from lack of use; Media UK for example used to be the place to go for us radio nuts!
>>
>>
>> However, I wonder how many new subscribers there are to an email list like this as it’s difficult to find? Would it be useful for the strategic use of landing pages and Facebook etc to be used for attracting new subscribers.
>>
>>
>>
>> Kind Regards
>>
>> Alan
>>
>>
>> Hear Alan Every Week on Let’s Talk Business The UK’s Premier Radio Programme For Current and Future Entrepreneurs - Now Broadcast To 4.3 Million People
>>
>>
>> Email - alan.coote at 5digital.co.uk
>>
>> Phone - 0800 949 6655
>>
>> Mobile - 07801 518858
>>
>> Twitter - @TheAlanCoote
>>
>> Web - http://www.5digital.co.uk
>>
>>
>> <image001.gif>
>>
>> The Media Production, Broadcasting and Training Company
>>
>>
>> From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk [mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of Bill Best
>> Sent: 16 September 2014 16:05
>> To: cma-l at commedia.org.uk
>> Subject: Re: [cma-l] the Community Radio Toolkit Needs You!
>>
>>
>> Well... We currently have an active forum supporting people who do community radio - and you're using it!
>>
>> At the Community Media Association we've thought long and hard over the years about setting up an alternative forum - but then we would be moving the conversations away from this list to another location and splitting the conversation. I think we've all seen plenty of user forums that have died a death through lack of activity.
>>
>> We still use Mailman for this list because basically email works. We could have a secret members-only forum run from the website using the latest technology - but we prefer to run open mailing lists as it fits with our ethos to facilitate the free exchange of knowledge and information. Email is quick, simple, cheap and everybody knows how to use it.
>>
>> This list receives no funding and is run on a 'best endeavours' basis by the CMA - the cost of which is borne by the organisation.
>>
>> These days there are so many competing forums and channels, especially when social media is also considered, that we think it is a good idea to stick with a tried and tested reliable technology such as email. And we will occasionally use Twitter to draw attention to something on this mailing list - if you're not already one of the 7500+ followers that we currently have on Twitter then do follow us.
>>
>> I think we have an excellent resource with the CMA-L mailing list - let's continue to use it well!
>>
>> And stay tuned for some upcoming news exclusive to this mailing list of an opportunity to tender for producing some radio advertisements for a careers event to be broadcast commercially. You won't get to hear of this anywhere else!
>>
>> Best regards for now
>>
>> Bill
>> --
>> Operations Manager
>> Community Media Association
>> http://www.commedia.org.uk/
>> https://twitter.com/community_media
>> http://www.facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation
>>
>> Canstream Internet Radio & Video
>> http://www.canstream.co.uk/
>> https://twitter.com/canstream
>>
>>
>> On 16 September 2014 15:20, Associated Broadcast Consultants <info at a-bc.co.uk> wrote:
>> > I agree to a certain extent - the problem occurred with the move to the
>> > "new" format website. From what I recall you had to re-register on the
>> > site, and it seemed many active contributors were lost at that point.
>> >
>> > Another problem is the landing page on the new site after login. Even
>> > though you may have clicked on the Forum tab at the top, after login you are
>> > redirected to another page called "Activity" which actually seems an
>> > oxymoron because it does not seem very active! At this stage I reckon new
>> > sign-ups might give up - assuming the forum is not active.
>> >
>> > I agree there should be an active forum supporting people who do community
>> > radio. I have at times thought about setting one up myself, but really I
>> > think it's best if such a forum is hosted on an independent website like
>> > this one or CMA.
>> >
>> > Having said that, even the Media UK forum seems less active than it used to
>> > be - maybe Forums are not "where it's at" nowadays?
>> >
>> > Glyn
>> >
>> > --
>> > Glyn Roylance - Principal Consultant
>> > Associated Broadcast Consultants
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > On 15 September 2014 19:34, Bruce Rodger <bruce at celticmusicradio.net> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Hi Phil,
>> >>
>> >> I hope my comments will be taken as constructive criticism - as you will
>> >> remember I was a regular participant in the original toolkit forum, but
>> >> since the re-vamp my contributions - and pretty much everyone else’s - have
>> >> mostly dried up. We need to fix that, and I’m not convinced funding will
>> >> resolve that.
>> >>
>> >> I do support what we’re trying to do with the toolkit - it’s a very
>> >> worthwhile project (note the “we” there….)
>> >>
>> >> The one thing that surprises me about the community radio scene in the UK
>> >> is that there is no active web forum. Think about just about any
>> >> hobby/sport/pastime/activity, search around a bit, and you’ll find a wealth
>> >> of volunteer-run web forums. Whether it’s Land Rover maintenance, or theatre
>> >> technology, or skateboarding, or hillwalking, or photography, or people who
>> >> live in a certain town, or one-legged blind naturists….. you get the idea.
>> >>
>> >> I’m involved with several, and they’ve grow from being initially a place
>> >> where like minded people could chat, through being a repository of useful
>> >> information and knowledge, to being the de-facto reference site for any
>> >> technical or non-tech queries on that subject. In one that I am involved
>> >> with, we have an active membership ranging from school kid know-it-all
>> >> wannabe’s through to industry professionals at the apex of their profession.
>> >>
>> >> It’s not funding that makes these work - the web hosting is often paid by
>> >> google adverts, or out of the pockets of the admin team. There are no paid
>> >> admins, authors or moderators - it’s done by the community, simply because
>> >> it’s THEIR community.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> The toolkit is never going to happen without formal funding - but what our
>> >> community lacks is a community forum. Which is a bit sad, bearing in mind
>> >> that community is what we’re all about! It doesn’t take money, it just takes
>> >> a bit of time and some community buy-in.
>> >>
>> >> Bruce.
>> >>
>> >> (ps - I made up the bit about one-legged blind naturists. I don’t think it
>> >> exists - unless one of you know different?)
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Bruce Rodger
>> >> Celtic Music Radio 95fm
>> >> bruce at celticmusicradio.net
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On 15 Sep 2014, at 16:11, Phil Korbel <phil at radioregen.org> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Hi Bruce
>> >>
>> >> The site is un-funded and we've not had the resources to support new
>> >> content or the forum.
>> >>
>> >> Watch this space for the re-launch...
>> >>
>> >> Would hate to see you when you're being critical ;)
>> >>
>> >> best wishes
>> >>
>> >> Phil
>> >>
>> >> Phil Korbel FRSA - Director, Radio Regen, charity no. 1077763
>> >>
>> >> www.radioregen.org
>> >> www.communityradiotoolkit.net
>> >> www.connecttransmit.org.uk
>> >>
>> >> Please note that I work at Radio Regen under 2 days a week so responses
>> >> might not be as quick as we'd like. Many thanks.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On 15 September 2014 14:51, Bruce Rodger <bruce at celticmusicradio.net>
>> >> wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>> Phil writes: "...The much loved Community Radio Toolkit is re-launching
>> >>> soon "...
>> >>>
>> >>> I really don't want to be a wet blanket here - but I've got to ask. Is it
>> >>> really "much loved"? The document itself is fine, but the website aint.
>> >>>
>> >>> The "Forum" section - which is potentially one of the most valuable and
>> >>> useful areas - has had 3 posts this year, the last one 3 months ago. The
>> >>> "News" section has had 3 posts this year, and the "Feature" section - which
>> >>> claims "Every now and then we put the spotlight on a different community
>> >>> radio subject. These features allow us to look at particular topics in more
>> >>> depth, with articles, website links and interactive contributions from
>> >>> members" - has not been updated in four and a half years.
>> >>>
>> >>> I don't find it a particularly user-friendly experience.
>> >>>
>> >>> Before the last "rebranding", it was quite a useful resource, with an
>> >>> active forum. But I'm now just a very occasional visitor, and any time I do
>> >>> visit, I get the feeling that the only footprints in the sand are the ones I
>> >>> made last time I visited.
>> >>>
>> >>> It's a concept with great potential, but needs more buy-in and
>> >>> participation from the community to make it work.
>> >>>
>> >>> Bruce.
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> On 15 September 2014 11:04, Phil Korbel <phil at radioregen.org> wrote:
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Hi colleagues
>> >>>>
>> >>>> The much loved Community Radio Toolkit is re-launching soon - allowing
>> >>>> far easier access to our huge free library of 'how to' resources for the
>> >>>> sector.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> As you'll know if you've delved there - it has a lot of writing in it -
>> >>>> which looked great on the printed page and pdf's but frankly runs the risk
>> >>>> of looking a tad dull on a web page so - we need more pictures! If you'd
>> >>>> like a name-check on the new site and have a photo or cartoon that really
>> >>>> says something about community radio would like to share it with us - and
>> >>>> the sector?
>> >>>>
>> >>>> No prizes - this is just about sharing. Please send images by email to
>> >>>> this address in the next couple of weeks along with a short caption and
>> >>>> photographer credit if required.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> More news about the re-launch soon
>> >>>>
>> >>>> best wishes
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Phil
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Phil Korbel FRSA - Director, Radio Regen, charity no. 1077763
>> >>>>
>> >>>> www.radioregen.org
>> >>>> www.communityradiotoolkit.net
>> >>>> www.connecttransmit.org.uk
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >>>> _______________________________________________
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Reply - cma-l at commedia.org.uk
>> >>>>
>> >>>> The cma-l mailing list is a members' service provided by the Community
>> >>>> Media Association - http://www.commedia.org.uk
>> >>>> Twitter: http://twitter.com/community_media
>> >>>> http://www.facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation
>> >>>> Canstream Internet Radio & Video: http://www.canstream.co.uk/
>> >>>> _______________________________________________
>> >>>>
>> >>>> Mailing list guidelines:
>> >>>> http://www.commedia.org.uk/about/cma-email-lists/email-list-guidelines/
>> >>>> _______________________________________________
>> >>>>
>> >>>> To unsubscribe or manage your CMA-L mailing list subscription please
>> >>>> visit:
>> >>>> http://mailman.commedia.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/cma-l
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >>
>> >> Reply - cma-l at commedia.org.uk
>> >>
>> >> The cma-l mailing list is a members' service provided by the Community
>> >> Media Association - http://www.commedia.org.uk
>> >> Twitter: http://twitter.com/community_media
>> >> http://www.facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation
>> >> Canstream Internet Radio & Video: http://www.canstream.co.uk/
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >>
>> >> Mailing list guidelines:
>> >> http://www.commedia.org.uk/about/cma-email-lists/email-list-guidelines/
>> >> _______________________________________________
>> >>
>> >> To unsubscribe or manage your CMA-L mailing list subscription please
>> >> visit:
>> >> http://mailman.commedia.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/cma-l
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> >
>> > Reply - cma-l at commedia.org.uk
>> >
>> > The cma-l mailing list is a members' service provided by the Community Media
>> > Association - http://www.commedia.org.uk
>> > Twitter: http://twitter.com/community_media
>> > http://www.facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation
>> > Canstream Internet Radio & Video: http://www.canstream.co.uk/
>> > _______________________________________________
>> >
>> > Mailing list guidelines:
>> > http://www.commedia.org.uk/about/cma-email-lists/email-list-guidelines/
>> > _______________________________________________
>> >
>> > To unsubscribe or manage your CMA-L mailing list subscription please visit:
>> > http://mailman.commedia.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/cma-l
>>
>
>
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>> Reply - cma-l at commedia.org.uk
>>
>> The cma-l mailing list is a members' service provided by the Community Media Association - http://www.commedia.org.uk
>> Twitter: http://twitter.com/community_media
>> http://www.facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation
>> Canstream Internet Radio & Video: http://www.canstream.co.uk/
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>> Mailing list guidelines: http://www.commedia.org.uk/about/cma-email-lists/email-list-guidelines/
>> _______________________________________________
>>
>> To unsubscribe or manage your CMA-L mailing list subscription please visit:
>> http://mailman.commedia.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/cma-l
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> Reply - cma-l at commedia.org.uk
>
> The cma-l mailing list is a members' service provided by the Community Media Association - http://www.commedia.org.uk
> Twitter: http://twitter.com/community_media
> http://www.facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation
> Canstream Internet Radio & Video: http://www.canstream.co.uk/
> _______________________________________________
>
> Mailing list guidelines: http://www.commedia.org.uk/about/cma-email-lists/email-list-guidelines/
> _______________________________________________
>
> To unsubscribe or manage your CMA-L mailing list subscription please visit:
> http://mailman.commedia.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/cma-l
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> Reply - cma-l at commedia.org.uk
>
> The cma-l mailing list is a members' service provided by the Community Media Association - http://www.commedia.org.uk
> Twitter: http://twitter.com/community_media
> http://www.facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation
> Canstream Internet Radio & Video: http://www.canstream.co.uk/
> _______________________________________________
>
> Mailing list guidelines: http://www.commedia.org.uk/about/cma-email-lists/email-list-guidelines/
> _______________________________________________
>
> To unsubscribe or manage your CMA-L mailing list subscription please visit:
> http://mailman.commedia.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/cma-l
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.commedia.org.uk/pipermail/cma-l/attachments/20140918/cafa85e3/attachment.html>
More information about the cma-l
mailing list