Well, it seems that we vertically endowed folks have the blessing of the gatekeeper to keep our sub-group going, and for that I, for one, am grateful. I'd suggest we accept his suggestion and start each post off with the following: TALL RIDERS SUBGROUP: etc, etc.
All those in favor perform a vicious high-flying slam dunk! RGZ On Tue, Jan 11, 2011 at 10:10 AM, William <tapebu...@gmail.com> wrote: > bump > > Thank you Jim for the effort you put in. > > On Jan 10, 2:33 pm, CycloFiend <cyclofi...@earthlink.net> wrote: >> State of the Rivendell Bicycle Works Owner's Bunch Mailing List >> ============================ >> January 2011 - #11 >> ============================ >> >> We're solidly in the center of winter - although those of you who are >> enjoying high summer in the southern hemisphere will just have to imagine. >> For the 250 or so who have come onboard the group in the last half a year, >> this please accept a slightly belated "Welcome!" Hopefully, you've enjoyed >> the discussions, chimed in a bit on your own, and continued to make this >> group vital and vibrant. >> >> It has been very gratifying to watch this list mature. As I've mentioned to >> some long-time members privately, I'm both excited and concerned about the >> growth of this group. I've tried to take a little more of a "hands-off" >> approach in terms of commenting as an admin, and had planned on no more than >> quarterly "State Of The List Reports". >> >> For the newer members, I use this message as a reminder of some of the basic >> tenets of the list, to highlight changes and trends on the list and various >> websites, and to speak generally about the RBW group. In the beginning, >> since this group had picked up the pieces from another list, it seemed >> appropriate to actively remind folks about the tenor and tenets of the >> group. >> >> As we've grown, the most important aspect of this group - the tone between >> us - has remained extremely civil. The few muckrakers who cropped up seem >> to have moved on and this group has maintained its respect for one another. >> I think we all understand the difficulty of transmitting humor or mood over >> a text-based medium, and want to say again how nice it is to be among people >> who think about what they post and aren't afraid to reread before hitting >> the "send" button. >> >> An interesting statistic is that even though we've added a number of new >> members, the traffic has actually subsided from the peaks of early last >> year. I've been trying to keep the phrase "Say more. Post less." firmly in >> mind before committing a post to the group. Those of you who are also >> members of the iBob list probably know what I'm getting at here. >> >> For the newer members, it might be helpful for me to share one of the ways I >> think about this list - as a public house where ideas are easily shared >> between those who have arrived, everyone is present because they want to be, >> and passing through the doors means that "baggage" is left outside. >> >> Of course, disruptions will periodically occur, which is kind of where I >> have to attempt a polite correction now and again. >> >> At one point in list history, I commented publically about a general trend >> of topics to drift and generalize. It was interesting how many people >> thought they'd been the cause of my post, and in more than a few cases, I >> had to go back and re-read their contributions to the discussion, as most of >> them weren't really the ones which caused my comment. >> >> I think it speaks highly for everyone that they had taken some of the >> assumption of cause, even if it wasn't the case. Let me use this space to >> thank you both for your contributions and your willingness to temper your >> posts. >> >> At the current levels, if everyone just makes one post a month, that means >> 1590+ posts, or somewhere around 53 per day in an average month. >> >> Just by staying on topic, we have the potential to generate a fair amount of >> traffic. One of the hallmarks of this list has been a very high signal to >> noise ratio. It's solid information from the people using and thinking >> about the items. >> >> That means that a lot of info can be found in the archives, and it seems >> that the google archive search issues have fixed themselves, so that should >> be a decent resource. So, if a member asks something that was covered in a >> previous, pertinent thread, and you recall having participated in that >> thread, it may be easier for you to track down and share the thread link. >> Or not. I know I've repeated myself more than a few times over the years. >> >> It's important to remember that if you are tagging your post "OT" or "Off >> Topic", then it doesn't belong on this list. >> >> Tone is always a concern in my mind. One of the things that happens almost >> every year on other lists is a cantankerousness that escalates into real >> nastiness. It's typically mid-to-late February or early March - a definite >> stir-crazyness manifesting. It's too easy to be brusque, as well as take >> umbrage during that time of year. >> >> My view is simple: life is too short. If you can't stay positive or at >> least polite, it's time to put down the keyboard and take a break. We all >> get enough guff in our everyday existence that we don't need to add to it >> here. >> >> As I've said before, disagreement is expected. There's no way we will all >> come to the same conclusion about anything, and I think it would be a more >> boring world if we did. But, here, under this roof, we agree to disagree >> with respect for one another. >> >> To finish, I'll repeat what I said in the last SOTLR - it is important as we >> grow to honor the relatively narrow focus of this group, even though it's >> tempting to have more general topics discussed here. Clearly, it's a bit of >> an imperfect border, but one which we've largely maintained. >> >> Letting discussions end as they creep toward more general topics, not having >> to have the last comment (or needing to "win" the argument) and, above all, >> maintaining the respect for one another within the group is what makes this >> list special. >> >> As always, thanks again for contributing to or simply enjoying the >> discussions. >> >> ============================ >> Projects and Features >> ============================ >> >> Cyclofiend Gallery Updates: >> This SOTLR is probably all the free time I'll get between now and the end of >> January, so I won't be updating the Cyclofiend Galleries unless I'm up late >> on too much strong coffee or luck out a bit. I know a number of list members >> have sent in bicycles, and I again thank you for your patience. If you keep >> your eye on my Gallery-specific blog, new postings will be announced here: >> >> http://cyclofiend.blogspot.com >> >> PDF Archive: >> I started an archive of the RBW-published PDF's which appear sparodically >> via the "Knothole" or "News" blogs on the rbw site - >> >> http://cyclofiend.com/rbw/pdf >> >> Tall Fellers Union: >> There was a thread of late among the vertically enhanced of the list. A low >> whistle which brought them from the underbrush. I think it's fantastic that >> has manifested, and it will certainly give voice to the lankier among us. >> That may help the RBW folks in knowing how many larger sizes to consider, as >> well as making for a truly impressive group ride, when and if that occurs. I >> hope that you keep track of yourselves on the list as we move forward, and >> it's certainly appropriate to use "TALL" or something in the subject line on >> subjects more size specific. There was a mention of a sub-group, but as long >> as the topic is RBW-specific, it more than fits in the tent here. >> >> Eastern Developments: >> As I've posted, I love to see the development of RBW events in various spots >> around the country and world. Riv's in Thailand, East Coast Riv's... all >> good. A healthy and diverse regionalism is a good thing. Keep it up. >> >> Alternative RBW Streams and Info >> ---------------------------- >> The Cyclofiend.com RBW pages are here: >> >> http://www.cyclofiend.com/rbw >> >> It gets updated with various happenings, scans, images and such that get >> found in the news and info flow. >> >> I did create a "Rivendell Bicycle Owners Bunch on Facebook" page back in the >> beginning of 2009 - >> >> http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=127003115064 >> >> Please note: I'm certainly not a Facebook* fan at all, and honestly don't >> check in that regularly with the group, and in no way do I see it as a >> replacement for this group. As I mentioned, I finally signed up a while ago >> for unrelated-to-bicycle reasons, and had bumped into quite a few folks >> there. It seemed like it might be a useful platform for coordinating rides >> in specific areas or for more quick-pinging type of communications. >> >> *In fact, I've more or less stayed away. You can and should search about >> previous and ongoing Facebook issues with private user information, internal >> viruses, etc. before deciding if you want to mess with it. Some of that's >> life in the online world, but it's worth being aware of. >> >> Regional RBW Flickr Groups - >> (I much prefer the control over personal info which Flickr allows. It does >> support messaging and discussions there as well, and many of us were using >> Flickr for social networking before Facebook expoloded.) >> >> Southern >> Californiahttp://www.flickr.com/groups/socal_rivendell_bicycle_appreciation_soc... >> >> Minnesota -http://www.flickr.com/groups/rbwminnesota/ >> >> There have also been Flickr groups created for: >> >> RBW Staff Bikes -http://www.flickr.com/groups/rbwstaffbikes/ >> >> Rivendell Commuters -http://www.flickr.com/groups/rivendellcommuters/ >> >> Rivendell A. Homer Hilsen -http://www.flickr.com/groups/1256...@n22/ >> >> Rivendell Bombadil -http://www.flickr.com/groups/bombadil/ >> >> Rivendell Bleriot -http://www.flickr.com/groups/bleriot/ >> >> Rivendell Quickbeam -http://www.flickr.com/groups/quickbeam/ >> >> (I know I'm missing some of the newer ones, but am posting remotely and >> don't have the time to track them down - those of you who began groups not >> shown here, please zap me a link via Flickr or directly, and do post to the >> group.) >> >> ============================ >> More General Topics (From Previous Issues) >> ============================ >> >> - Broader technical questions and non-Riv stuff are well covered by the iBob >> list, the 650B list and others hosted by alex wetmore on bikelist.org >> -http://www.bikelist.org- This is also where you can find the pre-March '07 >> archives to the RBW list. Peter White runs the "Bicycle Lifestyle" google >> group, which is here -http://groups.google.com/group/bicyclelifestyle >> >> - Resources get put onto the RBW-Owners-Bunch pages >> here:http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch/web >> Most are either mirrored or enhanced here:http://www.cyclofiend.com/rbw >> >> - The Official RBW Gallery is on Flickr >> -http://www.flickr.com/groups/rivendell >> Of course, my feelings get hurt if you don't send photos to the Current >> Classics (or other) Galleries ;^)http://www.cyclofiend.com/cc >> >> - Our FAQ continues to exist! The FAQ has one Q which was A'd >> enough.http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch/web/rbw-group-requests >> >> - Posts from new members (or old members changing their email) are >> moderated. So, it means that if someone joins, their first messages will >> have to get my (or an acting list admin's) OK before being sent to everyone. >> If you want to bypass this or speed it up a bit, send me an email so I know >> you aren't a spammer. If your first posts are "For Sale" items, or responses >> to "For Sale" posts, then you will not be switched over to unmoderated until >> you join in the discussion at large. Ditto for posts which can be equated >> to "Yeah!" or "Me too!"... ;^) >> >> - Posts to the list are by default distributed to everyone. That means if >> you wish to make a private comment, you need to change the "TO:" >> information. It's also easy to make that mistake, so please don't jump on >> folks who do so. >> >> - Bug reports for the Rivendell website should be sent to >> rbw-feedb...@610systems.com >> You should include the browser, system and specific issue in the email. >> >> - RSS feeds for the RBW Owners Bunch group in many formats can be found >> here:http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch/feeds >> >> - Earlier SOTL reports are archived here -http://www.cyclofiend.com/rbw/sotlr >> >> ============================ >> Statistics & Housekeeping >> ============================ >> >> List began: March 26, 2007 >> Members: 1591 (Up from 1341 on 5/22/10, increase of 250) >> Activity: Medium activity (Unchanged) >> April 2010 was our highest traffic month so far, with 2365 posts. >> This followed March, 2010 which had 2019; Jan '10 which had 1897; and May >> '10 which finished at 1883. >> Our first month with more than 1000 posts was December, 2008. >> >> In addition to email delivery, the list can be viewed via the web at >> -http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch >> >> If you wish to turn off or restart email delivery, change to digest mode, >> update your profile or make other changes, simply log in at the page above >> and make the changes you desire. >> >> Unsubscribing is as easy as an email. But, don't send it to the group or to >> me - All posts (including this SOTL message) contain a footer with the >> appropriate address. >> >> The Rivendell Owners Bunch list is "dedicated to the discussion of Rivendell >> Bicycles and products, you don't need to own one - just an interest in RBW >> designs is enough to join in. Ride reports encouraged, as is a respectful, >> supportive and polite tone in all posts. This group is not endorsed by >> Rivendell Bicycle Works." >> >> As stated, this list is a discussion of things Rivendellian in nature and is >> not associated with Rivendell Bicycle Works or its employees and staff. If >> you have specific questions for Rivendell Bicycle Works regarding customer >> service or other issues, you should contact them directly. >> >> ============================ >> Ending Note >> ============================ >> >> I'd be more than happy to continue the discussion on any of the topics >> mentioned above, but in the interest of clarity, it might make sense to >> either email me directly or to create a new topic thread specific to your >> comment. >> >> Thanks again for your contributions and enjoyment of the list. >> >> Your list admin, >> >> -- Jim >> >> -- >> Jim Edgar >> cyclofi...@earthlink.net > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "RBW Owners Bunch" group. > To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. > > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
