I hear and understand Scott’s comments and they are worth considering. We can tend to get stuck in ruts and never bother looking outside. At the same time, I would like to second Chris’ comments. The publicly logged and web-searchable aspect is critical. Being able to find that one conversation where I got a solution a year ago (but have forgotten it now) has been a stress-saver for me on more than one occasion. Ben’s comment about cross-platform compatibility raises another critical point. You can do IRC from any platform. The low point of entry is another significant aspect. As long as you have access to a computer with a network connection, even an old one-step-away-from-being-a-doorstop model, you can do IRC. The last point Chris raises about simultaneous users is typically the breaking point for non-IRC solutions, the place where either they don’t work or you’ve got to put up a bunch of money to make them work (as Ben points out). Antiquated looking, though…not much to do about that. I’ve been doing this since the days I ran a Wildcat BBS and so, yes, I’m a little antiquated myself (cue memories of listening to the modem sing the song of its people) and I may be so used to it I don’t notice the look/feel so much.
Jim Jim Keenan Library Applications Supervisor C/W MARS, Inc. 67 Millbrook St. Worcester, MA 01606 508-755-3323 x323 http://www.cwmars.org From: Open-ils-general [mailto:open-ils-general-boun...@list.georgialibraries.org] On Behalf Of Chris Sharp Sent: Monday, May 9, 2016 1:46 PM To: Evergreen Discussion Group <open-ils-general@list.georgialibraries.org> Subject: Re: [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Should we schedule another IRC practice time? A couple of pro-IRC points to consider as well: - conversations are publicly logged and web-searchable - despite the apparent intimidation factor for new users (mitigated by sessions like Yamil so generously offers), it's a low point of entry - can accommodate hundreds (or thousands) of users who can participate in real time, making meetings truly public (the most I've seen teleconferencing software accommodate is maybe 15, increasing costs for whoever is hosting the meeting) I'm open to individual committees or the Evergreen Oversight Board occasionally using conference software for a more face-to-face feel, but I hope we will continue using IRC for most community business for the above reasons (and the ones Ben mentioned). Just my two cents, Chris On Mon, May 9, 2016 at 1:28 PM, Ben Shum <b...@evergreener.net<mailto:b...@evergreener.net>> wrote: It's a reasonable question and one we should continue to evaluate over time. One reason we did not always like products like gotomeeting, etc. was cost. While community volunteers could grant access to their organizations resources, the community itself never decided to spend money on platforms. Freenode IRC is free to use. Another reason is cross platform compatibility; some of us used Linux workstations and these did not always play nicely with those applications. After this many years on IRC, it's second nature to me, but I also see the value considering alternative solutions if we can work through all the logistics and continue to keep barriers of access to a minimum. -- Ben Sent from my Nexus 6 On May 9, 2016 12:01 PM, "scott.tho...@sparkpa.org<mailto:scott.tho...@sparkpa.org>" <scott.tho...@sparkpa.org<mailto:scott.tho...@sparkpa.org>> wrote: I’d like to ask a general question about this since I am still fairly new to the community. Why has the Evergreen community opted to use IRC chat as an on-line meeting venue? The one time I used it I found it disconcerting in its antiquated look and feel and had difficulty with the etiquette. Why not use GoToMeeting, Blackboard Collaborate, or a similar product? The chat interface in these products is much closer to what most of us are used to and it would add in the possibility of using VOIP and screen sharing. I’ve been curious about this for a while.... Scott Scott Thomas Executive Director PaILS / SPARK (717) 873-9461<tel:%28717%29%20873-9461> scott.tho...@sparkpa.org<mailto:scott.tho...@sparkpa.org> [Description: Description: Training | SPARK – Pennsylvania's Statewide Library System]<http://www.palibrary.org/pails/> From: Open-ils-general [mailto:open-ils-general-boun...@list.georgialibraries.org<mailto:open-ils-general-boun...@list.georgialibraries.org>] On Behalf Of Barbara Cormack Sent: Monday, May 09, 2016 12:46 PM To: Evergreen Discussion Group <open-ils-general@list.georgialibraries.org<mailto:open-ils-general@list.georgialibraries.org>> Subject: Re: [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Should we schedule another IRC practice time? I second what Stuart said; I'd be interested. Thanks! -- Barbara On Mon, May 9, 2016 at 9:04 AM, Forrest, Stuart <sforr...@bcgov.net<mailto:sforr...@bcgov.net>> wrote: Yes please I missed the last one Stuart From: Open-ils-general [mailto:open-ils-general-boun...@list.georgialibraries.org<mailto:open-ils-general-boun...@list.georgialibraries.org>] On Behalf Of Yamil Suarez Sent: Monday, May 09, 2016 11:59 AM To: Evergreen Discussion Group Subject: [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Should we schedule another IRC practice time? Hello, Last week the IRC practice time went well, and we had a good bunch of folks trying out IRC. I wanted to check in if there was interest for a second practice time. I am all for it, but I wanted to verify that there was community interest. Remember to include your colleagues that are not on this list that may want to learn. I tend to pick times after 12 noon EST to allow those on the west coast to join, but I am willing to schedule something in the (east coast) morning too. Thanks in advance, Yamil -- Barbara Cormack Project Manager Equinox Software - Open Your Library 1-877-OPEN-ILS (673-6457) barb...@esilibrary.com<mailto:barb...@esilibrary.com> www.esilibrary.com<http://www.esilibrary.com> -- Chris Sharp PINES System Administrator Georgia Public Library Service 1800 Century Place, Suite 150 Atlanta, Georgia 30345 (404) 235-7147
