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On 4/6/2012 5:20 PM, Michael Loomis wrote:
<blockquote
cite="mid:CAM26V3mtURkdoD-jc-dC9hZCjqphBa9L0qqokLpcci4CEHyP3w@mail.gmail.com"
type="cite"><font face="garamond, serif">Since we have a google
voice number, I think we should use it. We could put it on
flyers. I am willing to keep track of the WPLUG google voice
mailbox.</font>
<div><font face="garamond, serif"><br>
</font></div>
<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
My gut reaction is that we should not encourage people (particularly
people who are new to WPLUG) to try to communicate with us by
non-online means, and should instead direct people towards the
general mailing list and the web site. My reasoning is:<br>
<br>
<ul>
<li>Phone communication is ephemeral; messages to the mailing
lists are archived and preserved forever.</li>
<li>Directing people towards the mailing list gets them in touch
with all of WPLUG (members and non-members alike). WPLUG is
really the totality of the people who participate. For someone
who's not familiar with us, I can't think of many reasons they'd
need to (or want to) get in touch with the board, per se, other
than for business reasons (like, for instance, the bank wanted a
phone number).<br>
</li>
<li>I fear that, if we publish a phone number as a means of
contact, some people (particularly those who are more inclined
to use the phone rather than e-mail) might regard it as a free
computer help desk.</li>
</ul>
Now, that being said, one situation it might be useful for people to
have a phone number might be on meeting day, if they can't find the
location or something. Though if we have a meeting or presentation
in progress, I'm not sure who would answer the phone.<br>
<br>
That's my first impression; I'm willing to be convinced otherwise.<br>
<br>
--Pat.<br>
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