SeanR

As odd as this may sound, I'd prefer not to have my e-mail and phone number up on a public website that can be accessed by just anyone. The last thing I want is my phone and mail blowing up with spam.

I am more than willing to help anyone out, and would like to remain on the e-mail lists.

Mike Frye

OK, thanks for posting that.

If that's the case I can make it 3 different levels of listing:
One for people who only want it circulated to others via e-mail by request
One for the people who are OK with it in an open list (downloadable) and
One for people who want it available on a (yet to be developed) password protected site.

Each level would include all of the people on the previous level.

For now the only thing I have the capability (and interest) in doing is an e-mailed list of people who are willing to help.

I do wish to make it available upon request to anyone who requests it (regardless of whether or not they're on it). Is everyone OK with that or are we still sticking with the idea that only those who participate should get it?

AO

I would encourage people who want the list to sign up on the list, but would not make it maditory - I think that's how it work before.

AO

One other thought to make your life a lot easier is to make an excel template for peopl eto populate their info into so you can cut and paste much more easily. Otherwise it's going to take you forever to populate one field at a time.

Mike Frye

I was thinking about that, but then people are going to just put in anything they want anyway so I'll end up reformatting it.

I'm not 100% sure how I want it saved/stored though, so I thought I'd get started this way and if it gets to be a pain I'll just get one of my kids to do some data entry for me.

I'm leaning toward a db with field level rules for entry so I can just create an .xls upon request that could be formatted and filtered to whatever is requested.

BTW- Since the only way to request it (for now) would be via e-mail request I guess everyone would technically be on the list, although some would just have blank fields for everything BUT the e-mail.

neilh

Mike, PM sent.

RKD in OKC

KISS...

Compile a list of those willing to help. Give that list to 3 or 4 people (help operators) that would be willing to answer help calls. Provide a secure web access to the small list of help operators that travelers could take with them in whatever format they are comfortable with.

When a help operator receives a call (which will most likely be very few) they can lookup the nearest person that can help the stranded 928 driver.

That way very few will have access to the larger list of those willing to help a stranded 928 owner and drivers will have less overhead of contact information to drag around with them and would only need to find a working phone to get help.

You could also set up a paypal donation for those that want to use the help database to help support the effort for hosting the help list and maybe even provide some compensation for those willing to be the help operators.

hans14914

Why not make it something you have to register for to view the information. Like all forums, it will require the normal webforms to be filled out with contact info. By agreeing to view the information, it will automatically enroll you in the database. One of the fields required could be the VIN, and that would help weed spammers out. It would be very easy to see if there were duplicate VINs in the database, and if so, the administrator could deny the application.

Then you would use a login just like Rennlist anytime you wish to use the information.

Just a thought.

auzivision

Works great so long as you have service! Found that out the hard way on my way to Hell. My Garmin GPS couldn't figure out how the hell to get to Hell... it wasn't even a choice.


My suggestion is to keep this as simple as possible until it’s up and running again, then think about enhancements. I haven’t been able to locate an electronic copy of the old list yet, but I’m guessing somebody must have it.

Mike Frye

I do plan to keep it simple, keep it secure and keep it free.

These three requirements mean:

1. I will not be using any of the information from the previous '928 Road help' list. I don't have permission to reproduce or distribute this and many have said it's obsolete or inaccurate.
2. In the beginning I plan to only store it locally and make the information available to people who have given me an e-mail address.
3. I will not be posting any of the information to any download sites or making it available in any way other than by e-mail request.

It will work this way:
Send me your information and I'll compile it all into a list. Later, once it's compiled, everyone on the list will get an e-mailed copy. I will make it known on here and through the 928OC (if they choose) that I have this list and will make it available to any 928 owner with the request (but not requirement) that they reciprocate by adding their contact info for use in an emergency. I'll send out updates every six-months or upon request after that. If an e-mail gets bounced back I'll attempt to contact that person and if I can't, they'll be removed from the list.

After it's set up, if people seem to be using it and there seems to be a need for something more high-tech we can explore the mapping or web-based system but for now it seems important to compile the list and to make it available to those who are interested in it.

If any change is proposed in the future, everyone on the list will be contacted and asked if they'd like to have their info carried over into whatever future version it is and each person's wishes WRT privacy will be honored. I will not sell or forward any of the information that is given to me for this purpose.

Mike Frye

Mike,

For the record, I think your suggestion was way better than the low tech approach we're going to go with. Thanks for securing that domain and we may end up using it in the future, but I'll let each person make that decision for their own info and then we'll see where it leads.

Thanks again, and thanks to the people who have already sent their info to 928Assist_at_comcast.net. I'll start getting the stuff into a db in the next few days and get out the first version soon (next couple of weeks or so I think).

Stan.Shaw@Excell.Net

For any 928 OC members that are interested, I have put up a forum just for this purpose at http://forums.928oc.org/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=15

Please read the instructions on how to post your own thread with your offer to help. http://forums.928oc.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=251

Mike Frye

For the rest of you I'm still compiling information for a list. You can e-mail your info to 928assist at comcast.net

robot808

Mike, I assume that you will, but please make sure that we know the way this shakes out. I would very much like to offer assistance to a fellow lister, however, like some others, I am a little leary of submitting my contact info until I know what the final format will be.
BTW, thanks for doing this. I am sure it is quite an undertaking, and it is greatly appreciated.

jeff spahn

Just put my information up. I can help anyone that needs it in the Dubuque Iowa area (iowa/illinois/wisconsin intersection). Have garage, tools, manuals and a room if you need it. Will loan you parts off my car if that is what you need to get home. Can put you up in our home for a reasonable amount of time and get you a vehicle to use to get parts, etc.
If really necessary, can load your car in the back of my 26' freightliner and get you to your destination. You pay my drivers time/meals/fuel there and back.