DIANA-logue ~~ a blog versus a website
-------------------------------------------
So it's been a while since I posted a DIANA-logue. There has been some discussion about what actually goes on at AlpineLakeBlog.com
Obviously this is a blog site. It is a website, but much different than a traditional website. All blogs are. They are meant to be an interactive discussion among bloggers where as a website allows the visitor to view only the information made available by the author.
My blog grew from a need for property owners to be able to discuss everything alpine. Whether it was the six inches of snow in May, or the demise of the pool... it is here for property owners to stay informed. Pictures from the ski slope, or over-fishing the lake... it all gets discussed. I have made quite an effort to keep things fresh and fun. There's instant weather available, traffic reports, recipes, jokes, and lots of useful information.
A blog is just another form of communication. Some are more comfortable with newspapers, newsletters or face to face meetings. However, others are just as comfortable with emails, podcasts and blogs. And when a property owner is 300 miles away, attending a meeting just doesn't work. In this day of communication, no property owner should be left out of a community meeting. A webcam costs as little as $20 and setup is a breeze. Imagine being able to watch monthly board meetings from the comfort of your primary home. You see... technology is a good thing.
But back to my blog. The best part ~~~ you do not have to participate in any of the discussions! Don't like my blog, don't post any comments. I'm fine with that. But please don't tell me property owners can not have an open discussion.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BTW, I do not allow name calling or disrespecting of any members of alpine. Any member willing to serve on a board or committee deserves respect and appreciation for that duty. However, they should be held accountable for their decisions.
And one more thing... the blog continues to get between 2000- 2500 hits per week. I think that says the property owners enjoy having it!
==============================================
Below is some info found on another site about the differences.
Blog vs. Website
So it's been a while since I posted a DIANA-logue. There has been some discussion about what actually goes on at AlpineLakeBlog.com
Obviously this is a blog site. It is a website, but much different than a traditional website. All blogs are. They are meant to be an interactive discussion among bloggers where as a website allows the visitor to view only the information made available by the author.
My blog grew from a need for property owners to be able to discuss everything alpine. Whether it was the six inches of snow in May, or the demise of the pool... it is here for property owners to stay informed. Pictures from the ski slope, or over-fishing the lake... it all gets discussed. I have made quite an effort to keep things fresh and fun. There's instant weather available, traffic reports, recipes, jokes, and lots of useful information.
A blog is just another form of communication. Some are more comfortable with newspapers, newsletters or face to face meetings. However, others are just as comfortable with emails, podcasts and blogs. And when a property owner is 300 miles away, attending a meeting just doesn't work. In this day of communication, no property owner should be left out of a community meeting. A webcam costs as little as $20 and setup is a breeze. Imagine being able to watch monthly board meetings from the comfort of your primary home. You see... technology is a good thing.
But back to my blog. The best part ~~~ you do not have to participate in any of the discussions! Don't like my blog, don't post any comments. I'm fine with that. But please don't tell me property owners can not have an open discussion.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BTW, I do not allow name calling or disrespecting of any members of alpine. Any member willing to serve on a board or committee deserves respect and appreciation for that duty. However, they should be held accountable for their decisions.
And one more thing... the blog continues to get between 2000- 2500 hits per week. I think that says the property owners enjoy having it!
==============================================
Below is some info found on another site about the differences.
Blog vs. Website
They’re very much alike.
Let’s take a look at the similarities.
- Web sites and blogs are both published on the Web and can be read with any Web browser. This gives them the same basic look and feel and similar user experiences. Web sites built with blogging software can look and feel just like a blog, even if that’s not what they are intended to be.
- They depend on good, useful content. Web site visitors and blog readers come to read content. If the content is good and meets their needs, they’ll be back for more. If the content sucks, they won’t.
But they are different.
Of course, I needed to explain how they were different — not how they were the same. The response I came up with centered around the purpose of visitors coming to to the site, but there are more differences.
- Web site visitors come to a site to look for specific information. That information does not need to be new. It just needs to be what the visitor is looking for. For example, I visit the HP Web site when I need a new driver for one of my printers. I know it’ll be there and I don’t care if it’s been there for five years. People visit wickenburg-az.com to get basic information about Wickenburg: what it’s like, what to do there, etc. But blog readers visit or subscribe to blogs to get fresh information or insight on topics that are important to them. I read ProBlogger, for example, because it has timely articles that can help me understand how to be a better blogger. People visit marialanger.com to read articles like this one about blogging, or other articles about flying, or even other articles about what it’s like to live in a place like Wickenburg — all from my point of view.
- Blogs tend to be more opinion-based than Web sites. Sure, HP is going to tell you on their Web site that their printers are the best, but what would you expect? On my blog, I’ll tell you what I think about my HP printer and compare it to other printers I might own or have experience with. I’ll also tell you what I think of Apple Geniuses or local restaurants or life revolving around the Internet. (Although some locals might find this hard to believe, I keep most of my negative opinions of Wickenburg out of wickenburg-az.com. Most.) The opinion aspect makes blogs more personal than a Web site.
- Blogs rely on fresh content. It’s commonly accepted that a blogger should post at least 3 to 5 new entries a week. Web sites, on the other hand, are more static and don’t require as much updating. Their visitors don’t expect it, either.
True, true, and all true….. But, this blog is not about a once or twice removed subject. It is about our small community, and I stress the word “our,” where we and our neighbors live. It’s a community where people are neighborly by leaving vegetables at ones door step, removing trees from a neighbor’s house that is not there to do it themselves, making daily phone calls to ensure people are well, has a community watch program and…… It’s a community where everything belongs to us. It’s our website not that website. It is a community that is experiencing the pain of having to make hard decisions and perhaps redefine itself.
Diana, I understand your blog is a living breathing free speech vehicle. Sometimes it goes where it goes and that is not your doing. But, I firmly believe the Board is trying to communicate with, listen to and reach out to all its property owners. You are building a new life in Florida and if Florida is the place you want to become your community, your blog may eventually disappear. So I ask you to help Alpine and be part of its solution, and not a place where bloggers, sometimes under the protection of a pseudonym, can vent their views on the hard issues. You can take the higher road and help us tackle our challenges ahead by providing a bridge between your blog and the resources Alpine is trying to develop.
Prior to the most recent Village Meeting, a property owner came to me and said he could not be there, but would I bring up a subject that was important to him. I said I would and I did. The group, a mix of part time, full time and board members, were open to discuss this particular subject. The next Village Meeting is tentatively planned for November perhaps over the Thanksgiving weekend. If anyone not able to attend would like to have a particular subject brought up – anonymously or not – you may send those thoughts to me at khshore@yahoo.com.
Reply to this
As usual this is my 2 cents worth.
We are four year old property owners and two year old home owners.
This blog was established about a year before the new AL website with a forum.
Both a forum and a blog provide an opportunity for people to express their thoughts.
So far, the forum has fallen far short of this blog to provide information to property owners.
I have asked questions that have been unanswered in the forum.
This blog has connected us to the AL community like nothing has in the past.
If you don't see that, it's your loss.
Thank you Diana.
Reply to this
BTW, this is shadowcatcher voicing his opinion.
Reply to this
I currently have a question on the Alpine Forum that has gone unanswered too. The Forum is a little known vehicle even by those who live there full time - and by their own admission not computer savy. During the Village Meeting, one property owner and I agreed that I would teach her to use the Forum and she would teach me to kayak. I am trying to get the Forum kicked off the ground because I think it is the right thing to do to utilize our website and talk directly to the Board. It is not my loss - we have everything to gain by me risking everyone's rath to bring the POs and the BOD together in a dialogue that is productive. But, I can't do it on my own - its takes both groups. Perhaps I will fail, but we all fail. I suspect that most of your heart felt comments go unheard except by a very few. I think we can do better than that. let's play in the same field. Best to you, K
Reply to this
I've stated in a long ago post that I hoped the blog and the forum can come together.
Until ALL comments and questions are answered in a timely manner on the forum, I guess that will never happen.
I agree, that it's changing. Just not fast enough or complete enough for most of us.
Reply to this
Shadowcatcher - I could not agree with you more. We discussed the Forum at the Village Meeting - the idea to have the BOD post updates and an email alert sent to POs. Carl takes our ideas and shares them with the other Board members. I am hoping life will spring from this. K
Reply to this
I pay $100 amonth in assessments.About $20 goes to waste fraud and abuse-less than Ispend on lattes.So its the principle of the thing.When boards going all the way back to 1983 have ginen away tousands to so called developers by lowering asssessments or not coolecting any-there hasto be some underlieing cause. To give 26 lots because of a socalled right of "first rrfusal" which was given away is nuts. If the board sought honest and competent advice this would be avoided but since it has not not done so since 1983 this is not to be hoped for.
Reply to this
Is checker blacklisted?
Reply to this
Hey checker... you're not blacklisted. Your comments are always welcome and there for all to see.
Now~~ it's off to the beach
Reply to this
The Blog has been good at getting information out. It would be great to have a camera to put the board meetings on and a call in number for those of us listening. The majority of property owners are not at Alpine most of the time.
I also wish we could put a camera on top the lodge and have it focused on the lake. We could then watch the change of seasons etc. I often go to the National Park Websites that do that. Think how this could draw visitors to the beauty of the lake and area. I doubt that could be done with the blog since Diane has moved but it sure would be good for the Alpine Website. What do you think Judith? Maybe we have one already and I dont know about it.
Reply to this
I want to address two issues/questions that came on this blog yesterday. First, to Gary: The concept of having the monthly meetings broadcast on webcam has been brought up. I support the idea. However, we need to look into the costs and technical aspects before anything can finally be done. I'll make sure it gets on the "parking lot" of suggestions for us to follow up on.
Second, in response to Checker's assumptions about developers. The history of how/why the developer status began is well known - to put it simply, ALPOA regained ownership of hundreds of lots when owners stopped paying their assessments. And that was also at a time when ALPOA was in serious financial risk. One of the current property owners offered to buy hundreds of these lots from ALPOA in return for some special considerations. This was done, and one other developer offered to buy other large numbers of lots - thus helping out ALPOA financially. The 26 lot transaction you refer to was a legal action to settle a lawsuit. It was definitely negotiated and managed with legal advisory help. My advice to any property owner who has questions like this is to ask a question of the BoD to explain the matter, not to broadcast an assumption of wrongdoing. I cannot speak of what BoD's did in the past, but I can asssure you that every single legal type issue which has come before recent and present BoD's has been under the advice and counsel of an attorney.
Reply to this
Thanks Diane: Judys information is almost all wrong.The 400 lots that were sold to howard were given to alpoa in settlement of its law suit against the developer. The 26 lots given to howard were conveted to alpoa in exchage for for givenees of $92,000 in assessments. Howards spurios claim tomthose lots was based on a rightnof first refusal which was given ilegally to him. The so called legal settlement was done out of court because the judge would not approve it -and I could go on.
Reply to this
Dear Judy-you are a newcomer. Do not believe every thing you are told.The essential test is_ "how can you tell when a lawyer is lying?" WHEN HIS LIPS ARE MOVING>
Reply to this