ST's Future Discussion
- Thread starter Bob Schafer
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Bill Hark
EF5
I found out about this thread a few weeks ago and have been slowly making my way through it. I am glad that there is enough interest to have this thread. Personally, I haven't been on Stormtrack as much because of a combination of life getting in the way (work, screaming baby, active toddler) and social media sucking time. It is much easier to check out Tweets and Facebook posts and make brief comments using my smart phone than scroll through a long message and try to write something intelligent. I hope to be a more active participant. I've been a member since Stormtrack started and previously subscribed to the printed magazine. I've also been on WX-CHASE since the late 90's. Over the years, I have tried to stay out of various dramas and controversies but at the same time, not gotten mad and left. Those things are a natural part of any online community. There is also a slow change with some older members fading away and newer ones joining. I think there is still much value in Stormtrack, both through the archives and into the future. Social media cannot replace the detailed and searchable chase reports, forecasts or working through problems with equipment. Even now, look at the number of views on many of the Stormtrack threads. It's not dead, just reduced in numbers with many lurkers. Right now there are 53 users online!
My suggestions on the future:
Absolutely important: Preserve the archives. There is so much storm chasing history contained in Stormtrack. It would be a tragedy to lose it.
Keep the message board format. Social media can compliment but not replace Stormtrack.
Always require real names. I really don't want to read posts by "SuperExtremeMesoBlaster..."
I am not going to publicly support any specific person to take over Stormtrack. I only hope that he or she will have the time to manage the board to keep it running. That also means interacting with the assorted threads to keep the discussions moving forward.
I see a lot of new names out chasing. Some may not be aware of Stormtrack. Maybe some invitations to join Stormtrack would be helpful.
I do thank Tim Vasquez and the others that have kept Stormtrack going all these years.
Bill Hark
http://www.harkphoto.com
My suggestions on the future:
Absolutely important: Preserve the archives. There is so much storm chasing history contained in Stormtrack. It would be a tragedy to lose it.
Keep the message board format. Social media can compliment but not replace Stormtrack.
Always require real names. I really don't want to read posts by "SuperExtremeMesoBlaster..."
I am not going to publicly support any specific person to take over Stormtrack. I only hope that he or she will have the time to manage the board to keep it running. That also means interacting with the assorted threads to keep the discussions moving forward.
I see a lot of new names out chasing. Some may not be aware of Stormtrack. Maybe some invitations to join Stormtrack would be helpful.
I do thank Tim Vasquez and the others that have kept Stormtrack going all these years.
Bill Hark
http://www.harkphoto.com
Bill Tabor
EF5
Folks the topic of this forum is the Future of Stormtrack. The guy that
started this thread wasn't talking about who would take over for Tim but that this site is dead and social media has kicked it's ass. The format is no longer relevant for today. Something has to change to infuse new life, and that ain't just a takeover by a new personality. That's why I brought up the idea of conversion of ST to a Ning site. That type of format preserves the old forum and archives, but also provides areas for each member as a blog & and almost like their own personal Web site. It is designed with social networking and I believe a news feed built in, and interacts with other social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, etc. I know what you post in a Stormtrack Ning can also sync with Facebook and show as new post / status update. I think it may be possible to be on Facebook and have a post go to Stormtrack Ning as well (but not sure). Best of all worlds? Anyway I'm surprised everyone is fixated on personalities and takeover but not on the topic of relevancy. What are ideas to make the future ST a destination where chasers and weather enthusiasts want to go? I agree - ONLY real names, and am shocked that policy was ever relaxed. Also having a Facebook Page for Stormtrack with urls pointing to content on the forum is an obvious easy boost of hits/visits to the existing forum. However I don't think a Facebook page alone can replace the current forum in functionality. A Ning type social environment might be something folks enjoy. Anyway I think we should all talk about ways to make ST relevant and fun not just takeover. Otherwise it just fails either way. I really recommend you all check the site I listed previously www.ning.com. Watch the video. Sign up and create your own Ning quickly and free for 14 days. Play around with it and consider. Ask yourself is this the true future of StormTrack?
started this thread wasn't talking about who would take over for Tim but that this site is dead and social media has kicked it's ass. The format is no longer relevant for today. Something has to change to infuse new life, and that ain't just a takeover by a new personality. That's why I brought up the idea of conversion of ST to a Ning site. That type of format preserves the old forum and archives, but also provides areas for each member as a blog & and almost like their own personal Web site. It is designed with social networking and I believe a news feed built in, and interacts with other social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, etc. I know what you post in a Stormtrack Ning can also sync with Facebook and show as new post / status update. I think it may be possible to be on Facebook and have a post go to Stormtrack Ning as well (but not sure). Best of all worlds? Anyway I'm surprised everyone is fixated on personalities and takeover but not on the topic of relevancy. What are ideas to make the future ST a destination where chasers and weather enthusiasts want to go? I agree - ONLY real names, and am shocked that policy was ever relaxed. Also having a Facebook Page for Stormtrack with urls pointing to content on the forum is an obvious easy boost of hits/visits to the existing forum. However I don't think a Facebook page alone can replace the current forum in functionality. A Ning type social environment might be something folks enjoy. Anyway I think we should all talk about ways to make ST relevant and fun not just takeover. Otherwise it just fails either way. I really recommend you all check the site I listed previously www.ning.com. Watch the video. Sign up and create your own Ning quickly and free for 14 days. Play around with it and consider. Ask yourself is this the true future of StormTrack?
Dan Robinson
EF5
Bill, the subject of ownership is relevant because it addresses the long-term solvency of the site in terms of financial support for server, data, software upgrades, IT maintenance/programming, advertising, and on and on. Again, we're not talking about just making a new type of discussion venue - ST needs to be much more than that to survive. We're talking about possibly as many as a dozen custom-built features (initially) to complement the forum and serve the chaser. The Ning service is feature-rich and interesting, but it doesn't appear to be a platform that offers unlimited flexibility to do absolutely whatever we want and need. As a replacement for just the discussion forum aspect? Possibly - if it is affordable and within the site's overall budget. Remember, everything has to be paid for by either the community or the owner (who then recoups the cost via advertising or other revenue streams).
I hope you were able to take the time needed to fully read the entire thread Bill, in order to absorb 6+ weeks of ebbs and flows and how the discussion evolved day by day to where we are now. Within the first three days this post was created and summarized the ideas we were collectively considering rather well. In order to implement a lion's share of these enhancements, we would need an enthusiastic leader who had the necessary time and operating budget to devote to such an undertaking. Regardless of what happens in the leadership ranks over the next few weeks, someone and their team will acquire a sizeable to do list and will need to hit the ground running in order to recalibrate, retool, and redesign our community.
I believe Ning has a place on our wishlist for the future and it would complement the other forms of social media we will be attempting to integrate into our forum software. As far as it being the magic bullet that would solve all of our problems though is an idea I am not convinced of at this time.
I believe Ning has a place on our wishlist for the future and it would complement the other forms of social media we will be attempting to integrate into our forum software. As far as it being the magic bullet that would solve all of our problems though is an idea I am not convinced of at this time.
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Skip Talbot
EF5
This is the guy you want on your new forum.
We should be asking veteran, pioneer chasers and meteorologists that shaped the hobby what would motivate them to contribute to the forum, and what we can do to provide incentive for them to post (positive feedback?).
It's a little depressing to hear that there is nothing left to talk about anymore, or that there is no forecasting skill left in chasing. Several folks like Rich and Shane have been saying this for awhile. I don't think it's really true. Storm chasing has always been becoming more accessible. Even since it began, there have been more tools and innovations available every year to the chaser, and it will continue to become more accessible. However, there are still plenty of challenges and frontiers in our knowledge and abilities, shots that haven't been gotten, tornadoes nobody was on.
How many of you were on that one, or even forecast it? It was only one of the most photogenic tornadoes of the year.
How many veterans and beginner chasers botched the Pilger day or the day after? I can think of complete rookies, new generation techno chasers with huge social media followings, and veteran forecasters that did. I missed the first half of both. Lots didn't even think those days were worth chasing. How many forecast busts were there this year? The HRRR routinely misses and tornadoes go undetected by nexrad.
There's plenty to talk about and there are frontiers in chasing. I get a lot of feedback in private messages and emails from folks who read my chase logs, forecast posts, or see the videos I post. There are people paying attention, learning from and looking up to the more experienced. What can we do to bring more feedback out from that group and couple it with incentive for more experienced chasers to contribute? If we do nothing, I fear aspiring chasers and meteorologists are going to be exposed only to the most one dimensional and reckless side of the hobby that the media and public feeds on.
Rob Wadsworth
EF5
On another forum that I use, there was a changeover in the forum software. They dumped vBulletin for XenForo and ran it with all of the social media enhancements. Which worked OK in itself. The problem was that of a lack of familiarity and use for both new and older members alike. That can be quite awkward; the change was drastic and was/is truly awful situation, and I'm still not climatized yet.
Think that vBulletin with all of the media enhancements would have been a wiser and better choice in retrospect. I think these choices might be better served with some measure of restraint. A little conservatism might be better serve the forum at this point. With a steady mebership fee and the funds to back a larger change in the future as it becomes more familiar to the majority of forum users, Ning might not be a bad plan.
Am quite certain that chasing will always hold a fascination for a few, and they will need a solid foundation and a source to draw upon. I thank those who had the patience for all of my dumb questions.
Also would like to thank Tim V for his many tireless hours of work he has contributed.
Thank You, sir.
Also hope that the new caretaker will have as much patience and devotion as Tim has already demonstrated over the years.
Think that vBulletin with all of the media enhancements would have been a wiser and better choice in retrospect. I think these choices might be better served with some measure of restraint. A little conservatism might be better serve the forum at this point. With a steady mebership fee and the funds to back a larger change in the future as it becomes more familiar to the majority of forum users, Ning might not be a bad plan.
Am quite certain that chasing will always hold a fascination for a few, and they will need a solid foundation and a source to draw upon. I thank those who had the patience for all of my dumb questions.
Also would like to thank Tim V for his many tireless hours of work he has contributed.
Thank You, sir.
Also hope that the new caretaker will have as much patience and devotion as Tim has already demonstrated over the years.
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Jeff Turner
EF0
The problem with any forum or a page on Facebook for many is that they become time-sinks. At one's initial point of joining there is perhaps more interest than later on. Real life gets in the way too. And people's likes and dislikes mutate over time. Facebook? I joined initially to market my books and much later I found Twitter is better, at least for me. Now Facebook is a waste of time except for sometimes seeing a family member's posts. Which leads indirectly to the obvious question about what should ST be and what content should it feature? I can't answer that at all honestly.
ST may simply be a casualty of there being SO much information out there in Wx/chasing now. ST is not unique when viewed that way. Just where do you go online and for what? Which leads us back to the content and identity of ST.
ST may simply be a casualty of there being SO much information out there in Wx/chasing now. ST is not unique when viewed that way. Just where do you go online and for what? Which leads us back to the content and identity of ST.
Skip Talbot
EF5
Several people have thrown my name out there, and I should probably comment on that. I'm not asking to run Stormtrack, but I will take on the responsibility if it's given to me or help out in its operation if needed. Whoever winds up with it, I'm happy to contribute or support. I value this forum.
As an admin, I'd probably upgrade and/or repair the existing forum software. Get it up to speed, add some social media integration, and bring back that "Like/Thumbs Up" feature. Then make sure we're squared away with the host and that things are running smoothly. I'd be open to suggestions and eager to take any help, but I probably wouldn't completely overhaul or relaunch the forum. I'd be much more in favor of preserving what's here. I think starting over is going to cull a lot of the activity and members, especially those that check in occasionally. It might even kill the forum completely.
As an admin, I'd probably upgrade and/or repair the existing forum software. Get it up to speed, add some social media integration, and bring back that "Like/Thumbs Up" feature. Then make sure we're squared away with the host and that things are running smoothly. I'd be open to suggestions and eager to take any help, but I probably wouldn't completely overhaul or relaunch the forum. I'd be much more in favor of preserving what's here. I think starting over is going to cull a lot of the activity and members, especially those that check in occasionally. It might even kill the forum completely.
Warren Faidley
Supporter
Could not have said it better.
Social media has been hijacked by a few chasers who can dictate what chasing is about, how people should chase, conduct business, etc., etc. No matter what your opinion, that is not a good thing. There are many new chasers who need some form of guidance when they start out. Like it or not, the ranks are growing. One of the reasons I've stayed on ST since Dave's printed versions is because I honestly believe ST is the only forum standing between chasing becoming total Chasetainment and maintaining some level of respectability, history, honesty and community. No social media site can do this.
As for the "veteran" chasers who have left, I seriously doubt any will return no matter who runs it. The "Golden Age" of chasing passed right after Twister and the nail in the coffin was Storm Chasers and it's byproduct. Many of the Golden Age chasers don't want to have anything to do with chasing after the overall theme changed, or so they tell me. I know this feeling first hand after being chastised by a firefighter at a disaster scene who mistook me for someone else. So I guess you give up and let it all go to hell or you stick around and try to be positive.
W.
Shawn Camp
EF2
Dear Stormtrack members,chasers,spotters, and other interested weather enthusiasts
I have been a member of stormtrack when it was still in print back in 1997 and yes as most of you know I am a Twister byproduct as warren calls it hehe but after twister I truly wanted to chase and learn more about weather and try and understand the mysteries that surround our great atmosphere . And so I began learning and reading everything I could find on weather and getting great advice from other chasers and spotters and people and great friends like Eric Nguyen one of my best friends and someone who I deeply miss today and others like Tim M. and Carson and Sam B and others that I have come to call my friends and people that I highly respect !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The point is Stormtrack has become so much more then maybe it was intended to be it has become another home for me a second family to me and I have learned so much by coming to this website and reading the stormtrack magazine when it was in print and still enjoy reading it today. I DO NOT want to see this website go away and all of this information take some other weird form and all of this just disappear. I will donate if necessary to keep this site running and keep the information on it flowing in a positive direction. I do not have much but if I can donate I will. This website and the people on it and what it stands for is VERY VERY VERY IMPORTANT not just to me but to all of the people spotters,chasers,meteorologists and others that will follow long after a lot of us are gone. WE MUST INSURE THAT THE FUTURE OF STORMTRACK STAYS INTACT as we move into 2015 and beyond. Thank you all for listening to me and I hope stormtrack will continue for years to come. The decision is in YOUR HANDS.
Shawn C.
" FOX 4-WARN STORMTRACKER"
"MYFOXDFW.COM"
I have been a member of stormtrack when it was still in print back in 1997 and yes as most of you know I am a Twister byproduct as warren calls it hehe but after twister I truly wanted to chase and learn more about weather and try and understand the mysteries that surround our great atmosphere . And so I began learning and reading everything I could find on weather and getting great advice from other chasers and spotters and people and great friends like Eric Nguyen one of my best friends and someone who I deeply miss today and others like Tim M. and Carson and Sam B and others that I have come to call my friends and people that I highly respect !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The point is Stormtrack has become so much more then maybe it was intended to be it has become another home for me a second family to me and I have learned so much by coming to this website and reading the stormtrack magazine when it was in print and still enjoy reading it today. I DO NOT want to see this website go away and all of this information take some other weird form and all of this just disappear. I will donate if necessary to keep this site running and keep the information on it flowing in a positive direction. I do not have much but if I can donate I will. This website and the people on it and what it stands for is VERY VERY VERY IMPORTANT not just to me but to all of the people spotters,chasers,meteorologists and others that will follow long after a lot of us are gone. WE MUST INSURE THAT THE FUTURE OF STORMTRACK STAYS INTACT as we move into 2015 and beyond. Thank you all for listening to me and I hope stormtrack will continue for years to come. The decision is in YOUR HANDS.
Shawn C.
" FOX 4-WARN STORMTRACKER"
"MYFOXDFW.COM"
Zac Flamig
EF1
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2006
- Messages
- 95
I'm late to this party, and I haven't read all 36 pages yet but I would say that I think Skip would make a great admin. I'm willing to chip in to cover hosting or whatever is needed in the future too.
As for ideas on how to make this place more popular, I think better engagement on social media would be key. Social media accounts that can directly link to interesting threads here as a reminder that this place exists would be nice. I wonder about engaging with weather enthusiasts better too. Perhaps hosting a forum dedicated to something like weather software and specifically grlevelx/radarscope/etc as a knowledge base would be great. From what I have seen elsewhere most people need a lot of help with radar interpretation which the experienced chasers here could easily provide.
As for ideas on how to make this place more popular, I think better engagement on social media would be key. Social media accounts that can directly link to interesting threads here as a reminder that this place exists would be nice. I wonder about engaging with weather enthusiasts better too. Perhaps hosting a forum dedicated to something like weather software and specifically grlevelx/radarscope/etc as a knowledge base would be great. From what I have seen elsewhere most people need a lot of help with radar interpretation which the experienced chasers here could easily provide.
Well, we've made it through the holidays so I figured it is time to bump this thread and see if Tim is prepared to announce his successor.
Dan Robinson
EF5
I know we're just a couple of days out of the holiday season, but I too don't want this issue to fall by the wayside. Has anyone heard if we can expect something in the way of a decision within the next week? There is a lot that needs to be done before chase season begins on March 1.
I haven't heard anything Dan but I am as eager as the rest to put this behind us. Just yesterday I was thinking about time, as in if much more time goes by we can start to plan on not having many enhancements (if any) in place by chase season. I want to remain positive with the recent increase in posting activity, but I fear we cannot sustain it unless we embrace change and move forward with an engaged and energetic leader who has the time. That's really all this boils down to in the end.
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