ST's Future Discussion

[Mark Blue]

My fear is some of the newer breed chasers may know just enough to be dangerous to themselves. The first time they find themselves in gorilla hail or the bear's cage, *hopefully* they'll go looking for a place to learn a little more before their next outing. Any way we can appeal to them from an educational perspective bodes well for our future.

 

[John Farley]

I see a lot of talk about things like chasing doesn't need to be taught any more, people are more interested in photography than meteorology, veterans vs. newcomers, etc. I am not sure that any of this matters as much for the future of Stormtrack as a lot of people seem to think. Whatever their motivations and/or experience, people come to Stormtrack because they are interested in severe storms, chasing, and weather. For whatever reason, with whatever level of knowledge or experience. It seems to me that as long as people are interested in severe weather and chasing, there is a place for an active, well-run Stormtrack site. It just needs updating to better fit today's technology and some hands-on TLC to get it to run right and have the features people want. I think there are several people who could do it - Skip, SMOK, Dan Robinson, probably some others. We just need to get on with the process of identifying the new leadership team, telling them what improvements we want (and there as a lot of that in the more than 300 posts in this thread), and then letting them implement the changes.

 

[Shane Adams]

Not trying to be negative, just saying if people generally feel that they have nothing left to talk about in chasing at this point, and there is no desire to cultivate a new generation of chasers, there is no point to keeping the forum going. I personally think there's plenty to talk about and that it's worth providing a learning resource for new chasers

Hey, I'm still posting despite my sometimes negative (realistic?) observations. I'm more than willing to chat it up on this forum with the new breed of up and coming chasers.

We just have to get them in here.

 

[Jason Boggs]

Like Danny Neal, I have no problem with posting on Lanny's behalf. So, Rob H, nobody has been bothered by Lanny's request to post on his behalf. Thanks!

 

[Rob H]

Like Danny Neal, I have no problem with posting on Lanny's behalf. So, Rob H, nobody has been bothered by Lanny's request to post on his behalf. Thanks!

You're welcome! I was just concerned that someone might feel awkward. That's really cool that you guys have the type of friendship where you feel comfortable doing that for him. Is there anything else he'd like to share? I understand his frustration with not being able to participate in such an important thread.

edit: You know, since people are willing to post on his behalf and are doing so, maybe we could unban Lanny as an early Christmas present or something? It seems like people would like to hear what he has to say. Mods?

 

[Marcus Diaz]

I personally never had any issues with Lanny. I know that he and a good friend of mine have bad blood but that doesn't make me hate him. I vote for unban.

 

[Mark Blue]

You know, since people are willing to post on his behalf and are doing so, maybe we could unban Lanny as an early Christmas present or something? It seems like people would like to hear what he has to say. Mods?

That would be something we'd have to take offline and consider privately Rob. Past members are generally eligible to reapply later and it's really handled on a case by case basis.

EDIT: In Lanny's case it wouldn't necessarily be to reapply (like a new person), but to appeal for reinstatement since his profile is still intact.

 

[Bill Tabor]

There is still this option to make Stormtrack relevant. http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/showthread.php?28483-StormTrack-gt-Ning-Social-Network The nice part of Ning is it is pretty automated. It includes a blog for each user, a forum, and posting integration to Facebook. That means you can post to the Ning site and it will show on Facebook. You may also be able to post on Facebook and have it show on the Ning site as well. I created this site later in the year after storm season back in 2012, but I never heard from anyone and stopped paying and killed the site. That said it is super easy to quickly create. The Ning software staff manage the hardware I believe. It might be a bit pricy for hundreds or thousands of users but it has the built in ability to charge members. Very customizable.

 

[Bill Tabor]

Additionally it's been awhile since 2012. There could be other social media member solutions like Ning. I'm not sure I'm excited about managing/administrating such a site, but I think just about anyone with a real interest could do it.http://www.ning.com All of you pop over and quickly create your site for free. It's quick and easy. Free for 14 days. Play around with ithe and read about it's functionality

 

[Bill Tabor]

PS: I just heard about this thread and haven't read most of it. Looks like I have some catching up to do

 

[StephenHenry]

N00b here. Been following this thread day by day. Just to reiterate what other's have said, I would be wandering in the wilderness if it weren't for Stormtrack. I'm not really plugged into the social media side of chasing, so this site has been a huge resource for me. I'll gladly join the chorus hoping to see these forums carry on.

And I would definitely push back on the notion that there's little left to learn for new chasers nowadays. I can't tell you how much I've grown from the wealth of knowledge here over the last 3 years.

 

[Jeff Smith]

I really don't have much to add as I have watched this thread progress but with an infusion of new leadership like SMOK brings to the table, it can only help the current situation. Combine that with the passion of Skip, and it could only be a win-win. I also echo Shane Adams' thoughts to use real names, there already is too much anonymity on the www as it is. And those that don't like certain chasers(i.e.Lanny Dean), don't condemn them until you have shook their hand in person. Just my .02

 

[Steve Miller]

I really appreciate the outpouring of support for my interest in leading Stormtrack. The activity in this thread as well as others that have been created over the past week or so is very encouraging. Even the chat room has been well attended of late! I look forward to seeing how things play out as Tim's decision timeframe comes to a close.

 

[KendraReed]

(1) REAL NAMES
(2) Decide if this forum remains free to ALL (NOT 12-15 people doing all the financing) or becomes a paid membership forum for EVERYONE.
(3) Immediately delete all accounts that (1) are not real names, (2) have been inactive for more than six months, (3) have ZERO posts, and (4) if the forum becomes a paid membership forum, all members who (a) refuse to pay or (b) fail to pay on time per month within a reasonable grace period.

Before going forward with content, the foundation of this place needs to be set in stone. I for one do not want anything to do with a forum full of bots, nicknames, lurkers, or forum-joining junkies who join just to join. The participation list should reflect the membership list.

I agree with the "real name" and will pay to support as I have previously. I do not, however, agree with deleting inactive accounts. Granted if ST comes back in a stronger fashion, there won't be as many inactive accounts.

I, like many, haven't been in here much over the last couple years, due to previous "chaos." I tend to be a reader, lurker...who will post or comment as necessary. But this was a forum I utilized to grow my passion when I joined the community. I wanted to learn from people who have been around the block a lot longer than I.

My 2-cents, fwiw...let someone else take the forum over, and run with it. SMOK has offered more times than I can count, to take over ST, and it fell on deaf ear. I fully support SMOK or Skip. I do appreciate what Tim has done over the years, but believe that fresh blood and fresh views will allow this forum to move into the right direction.

 

[Keith Wilson]

I don't participate much because I don't really feel that I have much to offer, but I do check the site for new threads and posts. I often do this without logging in, and I'm sure I'm not alone in this habit. A lot of the content is admittedly over my head while at the same time very educational. I did most of my chasing in the 80's and early 90's in the heartland and I haven't jumped on board with all of the technology that is available now. Life happened with all of it's joys, trials, and heartaches though I still chase close to home.

Someone asked in an earlier post if instinct could be taught. My answer to that is no, it must be learned from experience.

Adam Lucio make an outstanding point in that storm photography/videography has exploded over the past few years and social media is currently the best way to see and share photographs. I don't think a forum will ever be able compete with that. It's true that there are more people chasing than ever, but it's also true that more people are chasing mostly for "capturing the moment" rather than experiencing or learning about the meteorological aspect of storms.

Stormtrack and the knowledge, experience, and wisdom that it contains within it's content is irreplaceable. Forums can seem cumbersome and confining to folks who are used to social media, but forum content is generally much more organized as anyone who has tried to find older content on FB quickly realizes. Meshing or linking of the two would be the best of both worlds, but that's for tech heads to figure out.

Either Skip or Steve would be make an awesome pilot for this jet, IMO.
And please require folks to use their real names.