IPYOA Proposal: Merge IPYOA & IPhomeport
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9 years 9 months ago #5017
by hayden
Hayden Cochran
IP35-165 Island Spirit
IslandSpirit35.blogspot.com
Rock Hall, MD
IPYOA Proposal: Merge IPYOA & IPhomeport was created by hayden
IPY Family of Owners:
Now that we have combined the large photo collection of IPphotos.com into IPYOA.com, and now that the Island Packet Yachts factory has been closed and sold, we should consider combining our remaining resources, skills and talents into one combined and supportive web site. With that said, I propose that we work on a plan to combine and merge the web sites of IPYOA.com and IPhomeport.com into the ultimate Island Packet Yacht Owners Community. Yes there has been overlap between these two web services for many years, but IPphotos collected, sorted and stored over 16,500 photos from many, many years. IPhomeport has photos also and if we combine all these photos into one archive it will be even better.
There are two IP forums, the one here on IPYOA and the one on IPhomeport, these forums can easily be combined and merged into one, and that is what should be planned for the good of the fleet. Yes, there are different forum structures one focused around our yacht systems and cruising and one more of an open forum, this is not a problem because I have hired and worked with the best PHP database programmer located in London and with him, we can easily develop a plan to merge these two structures. There are admins on both forums and these admins would remain admins on the new combined merged site. There is ZERO down side to merging these site, zero.
I have spent tens of thousands of dollars on Island Packet web sites since I started in 1996 with MDschool and the Rock Hall Fleet, and I continue to spend thousands of dollars each year to support these site. I had Google Ads on this site as a study and it would pay about $20/month, this server costs me $40/month. I also had a donation system on this site to try to recover my $5,000 spent to import IPphotos into this site, the donation amounted to about $2K, so I removed the donation feature because I did not want to look like I was begging. Money is not the issue, I do this to help, I do this to support the owners, if it costs me a few thousands dollars a year, it is worth it, I have paid this and I will continue to pay for it because I love helping the fleet of owners.
You may have noticed that I am not active on Homeport, well there is a reason for that. The admins there have blocked me from participating because I am a "yacht broker" with Whiteaker. I am am IP owner since 1991, but yet, they block me from participating because I am a broker!. I can not post. So, I have spent my years here helping where I can. I help via personal emails, text messages, Facebook messenger, and our Facebook group. I am trying to help in every way I can. Note, the Homeport admins are NOT blocked from using IPYOA, they are welcome, and as a matter of fact, one admin has posted over 94 photo albums on IPphotos which I have stored, and saved for all to learn from.
The time is now, this summer 2016, that we should combine our Island Packet Resources into one very supportive owners association. We need to put aside the past events between the admins and we need to work as a new team for the good of the Island Packet Owners. Without the factory, it is just us left for support of the fleet.
The process should outline like this:
#1. We agree there is a need to combine IPYOA and IPhomeport
#2. We select a domain name or use one of our existing ones.
#3. We agree, admins and moderators will remain as such
#4. We agree, as in the past, this is not for profit, someone has to pick up the costs
#5. We outline the forum structure and plan a migration of data into the new site
#6. We outline the photo structure and plan a migration into the new site
#7. We outline a document structure and plan a migration into the new site
#8. We Take about 2 months to plan and migrate the above and test
#9. We roll out the new combined site and shut down the old sites
#10. We admin and manage as a team and work together for the good of the fleet.
This is my proposal, someone who is allowed to post on Homeport needs to copy and past this to Homeport for all to think about.
Lets work towards the support of ALL Island Packet Yacht Owners.
Hayden Cochran
IP Owners, continuously since 1991
IP charters started in 1986 in Rock Hall with the IP38 for a month.
Feedback welcome.
Now that we have combined the large photo collection of IPphotos.com into IPYOA.com, and now that the Island Packet Yachts factory has been closed and sold, we should consider combining our remaining resources, skills and talents into one combined and supportive web site. With that said, I propose that we work on a plan to combine and merge the web sites of IPYOA.com and IPhomeport.com into the ultimate Island Packet Yacht Owners Community. Yes there has been overlap between these two web services for many years, but IPphotos collected, sorted and stored over 16,500 photos from many, many years. IPhomeport has photos also and if we combine all these photos into one archive it will be even better.
There are two IP forums, the one here on IPYOA and the one on IPhomeport, these forums can easily be combined and merged into one, and that is what should be planned for the good of the fleet. Yes, there are different forum structures one focused around our yacht systems and cruising and one more of an open forum, this is not a problem because I have hired and worked with the best PHP database programmer located in London and with him, we can easily develop a plan to merge these two structures. There are admins on both forums and these admins would remain admins on the new combined merged site. There is ZERO down side to merging these site, zero.
I have spent tens of thousands of dollars on Island Packet web sites since I started in 1996 with MDschool and the Rock Hall Fleet, and I continue to spend thousands of dollars each year to support these site. I had Google Ads on this site as a study and it would pay about $20/month, this server costs me $40/month. I also had a donation system on this site to try to recover my $5,000 spent to import IPphotos into this site, the donation amounted to about $2K, so I removed the donation feature because I did not want to look like I was begging. Money is not the issue, I do this to help, I do this to support the owners, if it costs me a few thousands dollars a year, it is worth it, I have paid this and I will continue to pay for it because I love helping the fleet of owners.
You may have noticed that I am not active on Homeport, well there is a reason for that. The admins there have blocked me from participating because I am a "yacht broker" with Whiteaker. I am am IP owner since 1991, but yet, they block me from participating because I am a broker!. I can not post. So, I have spent my years here helping where I can. I help via personal emails, text messages, Facebook messenger, and our Facebook group. I am trying to help in every way I can. Note, the Homeport admins are NOT blocked from using IPYOA, they are welcome, and as a matter of fact, one admin has posted over 94 photo albums on IPphotos which I have stored, and saved for all to learn from.
The time is now, this summer 2016, that we should combine our Island Packet Resources into one very supportive owners association. We need to put aside the past events between the admins and we need to work as a new team for the good of the Island Packet Owners. Without the factory, it is just us left for support of the fleet.
The process should outline like this:
#1. We agree there is a need to combine IPYOA and IPhomeport
#2. We select a domain name or use one of our existing ones.
#3. We agree, admins and moderators will remain as such
#4. We agree, as in the past, this is not for profit, someone has to pick up the costs
#5. We outline the forum structure and plan a migration of data into the new site
#6. We outline the photo structure and plan a migration into the new site
#7. We outline a document structure and plan a migration into the new site
#8. We Take about 2 months to plan and migrate the above and test
#9. We roll out the new combined site and shut down the old sites
#10. We admin and manage as a team and work together for the good of the fleet.
This is my proposal, someone who is allowed to post on Homeport needs to copy and past this to Homeport for all to think about.
Lets work towards the support of ALL Island Packet Yacht Owners.
Hayden Cochran
IP Owners, continuously since 1991
IP charters started in 1986 in Rock Hall with the IP38 for a month.
Feedback welcome.
Hayden Cochran
IP35-165 Island Spirit
IslandSpirit35.blogspot.com
Rock Hall, MD
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- Angelfish
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9 years 9 months ago #5018
by Angelfish
Replied by Angelfish on topic IPYOA Proposal: Merge IPYOA & IPhomeport
Hayden, I think your idea is a very good one and I do, indeed have comments/suggestions about it. However, I must ask firstly, have you spoken privately by either phone or email with Stuart before you brought this before the "peanut gallery" over here at IPYOA?
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9 years 9 months ago #5019
by hayden
Hayden Cochran
IP35-165 Island Spirit
IslandSpirit35.blogspot.com
Rock Hall, MD
Replied by hayden on topic IPYOA Proposal: Merge IPYOA & IPhomeport
Chris:
Stuart and I have talked about this last year or the year before and he was in favor of this idea and wanted to do it. I did not email or call right now, but I will. I am glad you think the idea is a good idea. Thank you Chris.
Hayden
Stuart and I have talked about this last year or the year before and he was in favor of this idea and wanted to do it. I did not email or call right now, but I will. I am glad you think the idea is a good idea. Thank you Chris.
Hayden
Hayden Cochran
IP35-165 Island Spirit
IslandSpirit35.blogspot.com
Rock Hall, MD
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- mluskin
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9 years 9 months ago #5020
by mluskin
Replied by mluskin on topic IPYOA Proposal: Merge IPYOA & IPhomeport
I think the administrators of both sites should talk first among themselves and then make a joint proposal to the rest of us. Sounds like a great idea. ML
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9 years 9 months ago #5021
by Sailup
Replied by Sailup on topic IPYOA Proposal: Merge IPYOA & IPhomeport
So, our other boat is a Cape Dory Motorsailer and have belonged to CDSOA for a number of years now. The dues are minimal and it operates like any other organization with voting members and a board. Keeping in mind that the economic demographics are quite different from IP owners, there seems to be little to no complaining about the small dues paid every year for membership. The fleets all roll up into CDSOA and personally, I would not mind sharing the bill that way and rolling them up.
What I like about IPYOA over Home Port is Hayden does not yell at me for asking the same stupid question someone asked two years ago, even with my logic that solutions are not static and even a year lapse can change an answer - be it a new supplier, changes in technology, etc. That being said.
Maybe if the formation and combination of the groups into an actual dues paying corp entity with elected officials, we can all feel like we have a stake in the game, even though the board may only rotate between a handful of people. Hayden and Stuart can rotate the first couple of years and hold onto the Legacy as the founders.
My .02 for what it is worth.
What I like about IPYOA over Home Port is Hayden does not yell at me for asking the same stupid question someone asked two years ago, even with my logic that solutions are not static and even a year lapse can change an answer - be it a new supplier, changes in technology, etc. That being said.
Maybe if the formation and combination of the groups into an actual dues paying corp entity with elected officials, we can all feel like we have a stake in the game, even though the board may only rotate between a handful of people. Hayden and Stuart can rotate the first couple of years and hold onto the Legacy as the founders.
My .02 for what it is worth.
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9 years 9 months ago #5022
by Angelfish
Replied by Angelfish on topic IPYOA Proposal: Merge IPYOA & IPhomeport
Hayden, I'm glad you guys have talked about this. I think it will increase knowledge and camaraderie to combine the forums. My ideas are as follows:
1. Both forums should be closed with a link to the new forum (with a new name). I know you have worked hard and spent many dollars on this one, but I think a new start would be a positive step in the right direction. You have done a masterful job in organizing the photos and they should stay like that with either a link to them or integrating that section into a new message board. Perhaps, your London guy can help you with this.
2. Consider using vBulletin. I have been a mod on a big vBulletin board in the past and can verify that it works very well.
3. You and Stuart should stay as admins, however you should consider bringing in 2 or 3 moderators to help. vBulletin can be set up to have a "mod land" where the admins and mods can discuss things, privately.
4. I belong to the Cruiser's forum and there is a mod over there (a64pilot) who owns an IP38. He seems to be a nice guy and might be able to provide some advice.
5. Also, consider asking (politely) for donations from the membership on a yearly basis. I think I pay 20 dollars a year over at the Cruiser's forum and it is well worth it. This will pay for the use of the vBulletin software.
I hope this helps and if I can help in any way, please let me know. We DO have to stick together. I have some other cool ideas but will throw them in later.
1. Both forums should be closed with a link to the new forum (with a new name). I know you have worked hard and spent many dollars on this one, but I think a new start would be a positive step in the right direction. You have done a masterful job in organizing the photos and they should stay like that with either a link to them or integrating that section into a new message board. Perhaps, your London guy can help you with this.
2. Consider using vBulletin. I have been a mod on a big vBulletin board in the past and can verify that it works very well.
3. You and Stuart should stay as admins, however you should consider bringing in 2 or 3 moderators to help. vBulletin can be set up to have a "mod land" where the admins and mods can discuss things, privately.
4. I belong to the Cruiser's forum and there is a mod over there (a64pilot) who owns an IP38. He seems to be a nice guy and might be able to provide some advice.
5. Also, consider asking (politely) for donations from the membership on a yearly basis. I think I pay 20 dollars a year over at the Cruiser's forum and it is well worth it. This will pay for the use of the vBulletin software.
I hope this helps and if I can help in any way, please let me know. We DO have to stick together. I have some other cool ideas but will throw them in later.
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9 years 9 months ago #5023
by Tdailey
Replied by Tdailey on topic IPYOA Proposal: Merge IPYOA & IPhomeport
Hi Hayden,
Seems to me it make sense to join forces with the other owners site. Why duplicate efforts? A single go to site makes sense.
As new IP owner and forum member I've learned so much from this site and would gladly pay an annual fee for membership to help defray the cost. I greatly appreciate your enthusiasm and dedication to helping fellow IP owners. That also includes other owners who take the time to post informative posts and photos on this site. It isn't an equitable situation to have you dedicate so much time AND have to foot the bill every year. The value offered by this site is worth the price of a pizza.
Thanks for all you do.
Tom & Lesa
IP35 Panacea
Seems to me it make sense to join forces with the other owners site. Why duplicate efforts? A single go to site makes sense.
As new IP owner and forum member I've learned so much from this site and would gladly pay an annual fee for membership to help defray the cost. I greatly appreciate your enthusiasm and dedication to helping fellow IP owners. That also includes other owners who take the time to post informative posts and photos on this site. It isn't an equitable situation to have you dedicate so much time AND have to foot the bill every year. The value offered by this site is worth the price of a pizza.
Thanks for all you do.
Tom & Lesa
IP35 Panacea
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9 years 9 months ago - 9 years 9 months ago #5024
by douglasbronson
Replied by douglasbronson on topic IPYOA Proposal: Merge IPYOA & IPhomeport
I for one don't think that the two sites should combine. Both sites cater to completely different clientele.
If I want some technical info, Homeport is the goto site. Cruising related topics, IPYOA.
I would be willing to bet that most others feel the same way as most are members of both sites,
IPYOA's photo album is really the only section that should be joined.
As far as a "fee based site", that would be a death nail to either site.
So for the money issue, keep the donation button.
If I like the site, I'll donate. If I don't donate....whell
If I want some technical info, Homeport is the goto site. Cruising related topics, IPYOA.
I would be willing to bet that most others feel the same way as most are members of both sites,
IPYOA's photo album is really the only section that should be joined.
As far as a "fee based site", that would be a death nail to either site.
So for the money issue, keep the donation button.
If I like the site, I'll donate. If I don't donate....whell
Last edit: 9 years 9 months ago by Radeen.
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9 years 9 months ago #5025
by Sailup
Replied by Sailup on topic IPYOA Proposal: Merge IPYOA & IPhomeport
Douglas, I think you are looking at it one-dimensionally. Not a fee based site, but an association like many others out there that are doing just fine. Obviously, Hayden tried the donation and advertising route and even though he has not minded spending his own money to date, I would find it hard to believe that Island Packet owners are cheaper than Cape Dory owners who pay $40 per year with the bulk of the fleet sailing boats < 30' and 20K. . With the number of Island Packets I can't imagine anyone complaining much about $20 - $40 per year. We paid a premium for our boats, I would think we wouldn't mind paying for a true association that looks after the brand now that the future is in question.
CDOSA does not deny access to the forum to those too cheap to fork out the money to actually join the association even though it has been an item of discussion every year as to whether to close it at the national meeting - and voted down each time to date.
I apologize for possibly coming off wrong, but IMHO, It should not be what Hayden and Stuart can continue to fork out and do for us, but what we can do for them to help perpetuate the brand and all of the value we have been getting for free all these years and improve upon it.
Maybe a thought would be to truly research options that others are doing, then create a survey monkey independant of each and send it to all the members of each group to vote on the options and use that as the baseline as to what and how to do next?
CDOSA does not deny access to the forum to those too cheap to fork out the money to actually join the association even though it has been an item of discussion every year as to whether to close it at the national meeting - and voted down each time to date.
I apologize for possibly coming off wrong, but IMHO, It should not be what Hayden and Stuart can continue to fork out and do for us, but what we can do for them to help perpetuate the brand and all of the value we have been getting for free all these years and improve upon it.
Maybe a thought would be to truly research options that others are doing, then create a survey monkey independant of each and send it to all the members of each group to vote on the options and use that as the baseline as to what and how to do next?
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9 years 9 months ago #5026
by douglasbronson
Replied by douglasbronson on topic IPYOA Proposal: Merge IPYOA & IPhomeport
Sailup,
No need for an apology.
We just have two different lines of thought.
Yes there are many assn.,org's and clubs that have dues. But just as many are self funded. And both camps have their successes and failures.
I just happen to be in the self funding camp. I'm not suggesting that one person should pay all of the bills. If I like a product, philosophy or movement, I have no problem funding the cause.
But there are those, which if a fee is or was required, I would pass on.
I'm utterly clueless on what Hayden and Stuart have in mind. I hope it somehow means that both sites remain.
But if push comes to shove, and I had to choose one....then?!
No need for an apology.
We just have two different lines of thought.
Yes there are many assn.,org's and clubs that have dues. But just as many are self funded. And both camps have their successes and failures.
I just happen to be in the self funding camp. I'm not suggesting that one person should pay all of the bills. If I like a product, philosophy or movement, I have no problem funding the cause.
But there are those, which if a fee is or was required, I would pass on.
I'm utterly clueless on what Hayden and Stuart have in mind. I hope it somehow means that both sites remain.
But if push comes to shove, and I had to choose one....then?!
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9 years 8 months ago #5074
by hayden
Hayden Cochran
IP35-165 Island Spirit
IslandSpirit35.blogspot.com
Rock Hall, MD
Replied by hayden on topic IPYOA Proposal: Merge IPYOA & IPhomeport
IPYOA Owners:
This proposal to work together and combine our IP resources has been denied by the admin of iphomeport as HE sees no advantage to the IP owners. So it is, we will continue on as is. That is a real shame.
Hayden
This proposal to work together and combine our IP resources has been denied by the admin of iphomeport as HE sees no advantage to the IP owners. So it is, we will continue on as is. That is a real shame.
Hayden
Hayden Cochran
IP35-165 Island Spirit
IslandSpirit35.blogspot.com
Rock Hall, MD
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9 years 8 months ago #5077
by Angelfish
Replied by Angelfish on topic IPYOA Proposal: Merge IPYOA & IPhomeport
I agree, Hayden. However, I have to say that I love coming to this site and stay far, far away from the other one. You have done (and continue to do) a great job around here. It is so nice to come here and feel free to ask ANY question. Thank you!
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9 years 8 months ago #5078
by mluskin
Replied by mluskin on topic IPYOA Proposal: Merge IPYOA & IPhomeport
It is too bad, I think, since it strikes me that a single site with a modest annual fee would make sense. In the meantime I, like most others, will make use of all three sites: this one, HomePort, and IPMail. Each has its advantages, and I for one will not "stay far, far away" from any of them. Maybe the merger idea is just too far ahead of its time? ML
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9 years 8 months ago #5079
by gjones04
Replied by gjones04 on topic IPYOA Proposal: Merge IPYOA & IPhomeport
Hayden, I'm very sorry that Bobby and/or Stuart didn't see that a merger would have been a benefit to all IP owners. It seems fairly obvious to me that combining the strengths of both sites and making all resources available in one location would be ideal for the user, either when seeking or providing information. So, we will have to continue to search, monitor, and possibly post to, two (or three including IP Mail) locations in order to reach the maximum number of interested owners and experts - that's an unnecessary burden on everyone.
Thanks for all your fine work on the IPYOA site; Linda and I are looking forward to seeing you at the mini-vous in Rock Hall later this month.
Graham
IP 380 Indigo (currently on the hard in Galesville for refit after a lightning strike on July 1)
Thanks for all your fine work on the IPYOA site; Linda and I are looking forward to seeing you at the mini-vous in Rock Hall later this month.
Graham
IP 380 Indigo (currently on the hard in Galesville for refit after a lightning strike on July 1)
The following user(s) said Thank You: Angelfish
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9 years 8 months ago #5101
by CaptainBW
Replied by CaptainBW on topic IPYOA Proposal: Merge IPYOA & IPhomeport
Wow... Too bad. I liked the idea. I have personally witnessed the amount of personal time and expense that Hayden has invested here (thanks again Hayden...U da man!). It would be great to spread that out and combining sites would be a good way to do that. I have benefited greatly by using both sites and would gladly support a membership fee to help! Maybe we could at least do that.
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