Suggestion: An ASAH Facebook group?

[lildreamer316]

I noticed a post below that asked about an offsite site; and someone replied that the other one had died..would a facebook group be a good replacement? Thought I'd ask.

[MorningGlow]

1. Possibly, but

some folks don't want to join FB at all, so it wouldn't be able to reach everyone.

[Sanity Claws]

2. Wasn't there a thread about FB here two or three months ago?

[MagickMuffin]

3. Just to be clear the other ASAH site is not dead DEAD

They hosts started wanting money for using their services. It is still a functioning site, however, not many people would ever go there or spend any time there. So in that capacity I suppose you could say it became somewhat of a ghost site. There are still some people who post there, but until we have a better plan and not a basic one the site is no longer private.

Also, I'm one of the people who will not join FB. It is not a very safe environment either. Their security is compromised and therefore I won't join.

[I Have A Dream]

4. I think that there are at least two private options right now...

in addition to anything that anyone wants to do on Facebook.

We can upgrade the existing site so that it's again private, or we can use a private group that OGR has already set up for the group on Wishadoo. I don't know how we would make a decision in reference to this. I'm fine with whatever the group wants to do.

If we want to do the former, we have the funds to upgrade it to a private level, although it would still be pretty basic.

We may also want to have a Facebook group. I don't know the technical aspects associated with that. I'm assuming that it would be private; correct? I don't know what the options are with the new group option. (I think that it allows it to be private, but do all of the people have to be Facebook friends?)

[kentauros]

7. Once Diaspora is online, we could try that in addition to a regular site.

Diaspora is "The privacy aware, personally controlled, do-it-all, open source social network." At least, that's what they've been saying for many months, and they aren't controlled by some mega-corp. Here's the address if you want to look into it: http://www.joindiaspora.com/index.html

How much does the upgrade on the other site cost? Maybe we can pool our funds and take care of it :)

[I Have A Dream]

8. We just purchased the basic level and found that it doesn't allow...

the group to be private. The next level is $35.40 per year, at least at this year's pricing. We already paid $8.95, so we hope that they'll subtract that amount. (What we paid for the basic plan.) This is all assuming that we'll stay where we are rather than move to Wishadoo. If we do decide to stay, that amount of money won't be an issue. If we want to expand further, we might need to do what you suggested, kentauros. However, I think that the next level will be OK.

Diaspora looks interesting. :)

[kentauros]

9. Okay, just keep us informed as to which site we go to.

I can always help with the funds, too :)

I do hope that I'm not the only person I know on Diaspora, either ;)

[lildreamer316]

10. I'm a member of a private FB group..

it is now marked both "private" and "secret". No one else but the members can see ANYTHING related to the group. Also,no; all the members do not have to be friends.

I do understand that this would limit our membership to those who wish to be on FB at all..a lot of ppl don't like FB because of privacy concerns.

[BlueIris]

5. Hope we don't go FB.

I consider Facebook to be a corrupt and rather obvious intelligence gathering tool for national security agencies, and a potent data mining device for the corporations. I never use FB for any reason.

So I hope we choose another hosting site.

[I Have A Dream]

6. I suspect that there will be one non-Facebook area as well...

if we decide to go with a Facebook group. We've got two other options, and either one of those would cover those people who don't have Facebook accounts as well as anyone else who wants to be part of it. (Lots of us in the past.)

I think that the non-Facebook group (whichever one we go with) probably won't get a lot of action, but it's nice to have when someone really wants to discuss something more private or wants to stay off the DU radar, so to speak.

[lildreamer316]

11. I can understand this..

and figured it might be a good argument to having a non-FB group. The only real recommendation for a FB group is that it's free.

[Why Syzygy]

21. You're right ..

but I don't care. I love facebook. The snoops can watch me all they want. BORING! I don't spew all my beliefs and feelings about every thing. Lots of my friends do. It is such an egalitarian space. I have friends on all sides of thought; not just the narrow "Democrats". If you go to a Peace rally, your name will go on a list. We live in such a police state that no matter what innocent things you engage in will land you on someone's suspicious list. Pffftt When I first started posting at DU, I was terrified. I refuse to be afraid any more. That's what the Control Freaks count on. I'm not so easily manipulated. As for the corporations, I use Ad Block and never see their ads. Morally, they are in deep doo doo right now. And sinking fast. There's no way "They" are going to win the day after it all shakes out. I'm just not going to hide while it does. It's too much fun to do a little daring.

However. Having been in a space where I wanted to remain anonymous and not make a blip on any radar, I completely understand your position.

[bigmonkey]

12. I'm very willing to help with the funds for the private site.

$35/year seems very workable to me. I'd be glad to contribute, even contribute the whole cost for the first year if it would be helpful.

[MagickMuffin]

13. I would like to offer this suggestion

Since there are a couple of ASAH members willing to fund our other site then this is something to consider.

If they pool their money together we could opt for the silver plan, which we have 3 months to purchase this plan at half the yearly rate. So instead of it being 8.95 per month it would be 4.95, this would provide even more benefits.

However, the decision is not mine to make. I just know that if the other site is still available I would still post spiritual development exercises. I cannot do that here or anywhere else for that matter. I know there are at least a few people who like posting there as it is a safe haven. I am disappointed everybody sort of left it hanging and preferred posting on FB instead. But I tried to not let it bother me to much in the end as I had other pressing issues in 2010, then to worry about the other ASAH site. However, now the election is over I would be able to provide more content.


Let me know if this sounds like this would be something worth considering.

Peace Love & Light

[mysticalchick]

15. I'm happy to contribute as well ....

... I think it's a good idea to find a place where we are all comfortable. :)

[OneGrassRoot]

14. I'm fine with whatever you guys choose to do. :) n/t

[I Have A Dream]

16. I am fine also. I'm not sure who would make the decision...

as to whether we stay where we are or go with the Wishadoo area that you so kindly set up as an option prior to knowing about the revival of the original private site. Maybe we should post a poll for a couple of days and let people vote.

My only concern is whether the cost for the non-Wishadoo site will keep going up every year.

Additionally, I know that oak2004 had an area that she was ultimately going to make available to us.

Whatever people decide to do is fine with me. I'm willing to contribute as well.

MagickMuffin, would you be willing to go back to the admins again to see if they're willing to take the $8.95 that we already paid off of the price?

OGR, are you able to tell us what the Wishadoo area would give to us? (I know that you're really busy, so if it would take up too much of your time to do it, I understand that you can't.)

[OneGrassRoot]

17. I'm sure there aren't the same features as the other site...

At this point I can only offer the basics: a forum area (multiple topics); it's definitely private (must be invited by a member to join); an events feature (that I doubt we'd use much); and chat should be forthcoming fairly soon.

I'm not sure it would be a good venue to upload tons of documents, pictures, music, videos, etc. Basic communication and discussion would be the focus, not sharing of lots of media. ;)

It's there if ever needed, as a fail safe. It only took three minutes to create, so no worries. :)

:hug:

[I Have A Dream]

18. OK, then my personal recommendation is to stay where we are...

since MagickMuffin has it all set up already. If the group decides to go that route, we'll just need to see if we want to go with the bronze or silver packages.

I know that the silver package is available at a lower cost for the next three months. I think that it was $4.95 per month at the special price and $8.95 per month at the regular price. MagickMuffin, I'm assuming that the price will be lower for the entire year rather than just three months -- that the three month period was in reference to how long people had to accept the new price for the package. Is my understanding correct, or does this mean that we only get that special rate for three months, and then we have to pay the higher rate? Do we know how much it is if we pay a year in advance? Thank you!

[MagickMuffin]

20. Finally got a reply

Our questions:

1. Is the silver plan only $4.95 for 3 months or for the entire year?!?

2. Is there a price break for paying a year at a time with either the bronze
or silver as there was for the basic plan?!? I would assume that since we
paid for the basic price of $8.95 for a year if we upgrade to the bronze or
silver plan that money paid will be deducted from the new upgrade price!!!
Is this a correct assumption?!?

3. I also need to be clear that no one outside our ASAH membership can
access our site. We don't want anyone to view our site without being
invited. So, Is this a total private site?!?

Admins answers:

1. $4.95 is a promotion for 3 months only.
2. Yes there is. Go to Plans. select a plan, and you'll see annual subscriptions with discounted prices.
3. Bronze/Silver/Gold Plans allows you to have a private group.


Let me know if there are any more concerns.

[I Have A Dream]

22. Thanks, MagickMuffin.

:)

[I Have A Dream]

24. I notice that they didn't address our question about the $8.95...

that we already paid, unless it's in the area to which they pointed us. I haven't had a chance to look at it yet.

[rosesaylavee]

19. Whatever we choose to do, could we

contact ASAHers who are no longer on DU? I sure miss winyanstanz and she very seldom came on to the other site.

Will contribute to whatever we choose to do too.

[japple]

23. I vote to upgrade our membership at the site MagickMuffin set

up--The ASAH site, to allow for privacy. I go over there sometimes to read what other people have posted, but I don't post very often. I will be happy to contribute towards the upkeep of the alternative site.