A concern has been expressed with respect to the 'Core Purpose' of the forum.

I wrote the following. Please give me your thoughts:

I believe this site and forum has, and continues to be, 'true' to its core purpose. I don't believe that just because there are, for example, personal blogs, that we are deviating from the core purpose of the forum. Can we not have some diversity of content, or is any diversity of content a deviation from the core purpose of this forum? And if it is, is that really what we want? This started as a QS9000 and ISO 9001 forum and look at it now. It has diversified into FDA, aerospace, medical devices and much more. Those topics were never part of the 'core purpose' of this forum. The Coffee Break forum has always been very popular. Yet, we have had discussions here where some have opined that the Coffee Break forum diverts attention from the 'core purpose' of the forum and should be shut down (closed). My bet is if I shut the Coffee Break forum down many regular visitors would stop coming by regularly. I believe that is part of the attraction here. It's a place where now and again we can get AWAY from every day business for a while, and discuss personal things, or joke around a bit now and again.

Wow, it's in the "Coffee" forum that I've been able to meet so many of my "friends".

I'm a firm believer in personal censorship....If you don't like it, turn the channel or don't look.

I'm a firm believer in personal censorship....If you don't like it, turn the channel or don't look.

I´ll second that !

If the Cove has supposedly diverted from it´s purpose, I would look at it another way... it´s using the Continual Improvement principle... ISO 9000:2000 0.2 f) and ISO 9001:2000 8.5.1

The Cove to me represents a virtual workplace. There are different rooms and I can choose to go into them or not, just like a physical workplace. If I don't want to 'chat' or discuss the sport with someone then I don't go there.

The Cove should be diverse, it represents reality.:agree1:

A concern has been expressed with respect to the 'Core Purpose' of the forum.

I wrote the following. Please give me your thoughts:

I believe this site and forum has, and continues to be, 'true' to its core purpose. I don't believe that just because there are, for example, personal blogs, that we are deviating from the core purpose of the forum. Can we not have some diversity of content, or is any diversity of content a deviation from the core purpose of this forum? And if it is, is that really what we want? This started as a QS9000 and ISO 9001 forum and look at it now. It has diversified into FDA, aerospace, medical devices and much more. Those topics were never part of the 'core purpose' of this forum. The Coffee Break forum has always been very popular. Yet, we have had discussions here where some have opined that the Coffee Break forum diverts attention from the 'core purpose' of the forum and should be shut down (closed). My bet is if I shut the Coffee Break forum down many regular visitors would stop coming by regularly. I believe that is part of the attraction here. It's a place where now and again we can get AWAY from every day business for a while, and discuss personal things, or joke around a bit now and again.

Marc, I agree with you. Leave it as it is. This forum provides an incredible opportunity to discuss all things ISO. The official ISO members and TAG groups would do well to visit regularly, they would learn much about the changes they should implement.

I have learned much, gotten much insight in how others think,got a broader picture of interpretations and issues, calibrated viewpoints, broadened what is deemed acceptable implementation....

I have had an opportunity to introduce my thoughts into the marketplace of ideas, helped people understand better, shaped interpretation and implementation...

There is so much good here,you truly are to be commended! :applause: If the particpants don't want certain forums, that will become obvious due to lack of participation. I don't spend much time in the coffee forum, but obviously many others do.

Leave it as it is and enjoy what you have created.

With the constantly changing environments and requirements, there will likely always be some "controlled expansion" of the original scope. If there isn't, then the forum will likely fade away due to lack of current topics.

As far as some of the forums that might be outside of the original framework, if you don't like it, don't click the link.

I think the traffic to the forum is much greater than the number of active people who post on there, and I don't believe it is because of the "Coffee Break" area.

Wayne

I think the core purpose here is quality and business related discussions. I think as long as that is not lost, everything will be fine.

If the Cove has supposedly diverted from it´s purpose... I want to make sure everyone understands I do NOT plan a diversion from its 'core' purpose, nor are significant changes in the wind.

I think of it as improving the candy stand/snack bar at the bowling alley. You're there to bowl, but now and again you want something to snack on and/or to drink.

The Cove to me represents a virtual workplace. There are different rooms and I can choose to go into them or not, just like a physical workplace. If I don't want to 'chat' or discuss the sport with someone then I don't go there.

The Cove should be diverse, it represents reality.:agree1:

Well said.

Well, if you have a question about quality you will get an answer or two here at the cove. If you have a question about fly-fishing you will get an answer or two here at the cove.

The point is people came here for business and found friends, a community that cares for each other and supports each other - but most, if not all participants discuss business first them fun later.

This is the best forum for quality out there and it's the friendliest community of professionals you will find outside of Vegas...:thanx:

Agree with Marc's original post in this thread....I am telling/writing almost everywhere that Cove it's the best quality related forum/board/site that is on the web....:thanx:

I guess my question is: "So what if there is a diversion from the core purpose?" If that dilutes the core purpose - as in more political confrontations than talk of quality - then it may be an issue. But, there is plenty of response to the quality issues that people pose, so I do not think it has wandered that far off course. As far as wandering into quality realms beyond ISO, what better forum is there? Why develop another forum? It would be the same people checking more forums...not very effective.

My vote: keep on keeping on. :cool:

I think it's okay to keep the Coffee Break forum. I don't think it dilutes the site's value.

I guess my question is: "So what if there is a diversion from the core purpose?" If that dilutes the core purpose - as in more political confrontations than talk of quality - then it may be an issue. But, there is plenty of response to the quality issues that people pose, so I do not think it has wandered that far off course. As far as wandering into quality realms beyond ISO, what better forum is there? Why develop another forum? It would be the same people checking more forums...not very effective.

My vote: keep on keeping on. :cool:

I must agree with Bob here. Also, this is real life stuff folks, What if there is a diversion of the Core Purpose? Well, I guess that would mean that the site is adapting to its users. Just like any Continuous Improvement project at a Successful company. When your customers scope changes, you better change right with them or die on the vine. I understand if some people think their are a lot of diversions here. So what? :agree1:

That's one of the reasons I come. I'm not one to drill through the forums much unless I'm looking for something in particular. :read: I don't hang out at the Water Cooler unless it pops up on the 'latest' thread. I do leave my forum page up all day in case something that related to me pops up. I probably refresh 10 times a day. If it's something I can add to I'll post, otherwise I just read.

The reason I keep coming back is the Community. The wealth of characters here is amazing. :biglaugh: The wealth of knowledge even more so. If you took part of the fun away and the interaction thereof it would be just another boring business forum where I would never go unless I had a question. Frankly, Quality is a pretty stark and generally humorless subject. Most people (not me) consider it pretty boring. :mg: I know this because when I talk about the Quality journey I really CAN see their eyes glaze over. :confused:

Alot of the humor, especially Quality humor, I can really relate to. I'm sure if I made a joke about a Frenchman, a Brit and an Aztec Indian walking into a bar, someone somewhere who was French, British, Aztec, couldn't walk or was a barowner would be offended somewhere. I guess that would be too bad. I'm not particularly Politically Correct so it's not too much of an issue to me. If you want to be thin-skinned, take it somewhere else. I will be sensitive to peoples opinions if I know them, unless they're challenging mine.:notme:

There's lots of really cool smileys here too. ;)

All of this is part of the community, and I love it.

Brian

What if there is a diversion of the Core Purpose? Well, I guess that would mean that the site is adapting to its users. Just like any Continuous Improvement project at a Successful company. When your customers scope changes, you better change right with them or die on the vine. I understand if some people think their are a lot of diversions here. So what? :agree1:

Brian

I would agree with your points and by no way think you meant this but I would offer that this is Marc's company and we need to be careful that we do not decide the extent that his business changes; I would not want to presume that I know what is best for Marc or the Cove....

As described in many of the posts - the Cove is first and formost a community related to quality functions and discussions. If it became a forum on politics or car restoration it would not benefit Marc's core business as it stands now (would it?). :2cents:

I'm happy with the current state of affairs.:agree1:

I have no problems with the way the Cove has grown, and the direction it takes. The "Core Purpose" of the Cove is to help people, with their questions and concerns. That Core purpose is still met.

If someone wants to take a break from Quality, that is what the Coffee Room is about, a Breath of Fresh air.

I would agree with your points and by no way think you meant this but I would offer that this is Marc's company and we need to be careful that we do not decide the extent that his business changes; I would not want to presume that I know what is best for Marc or the Cove....

As described in many of the posts - the Cove is first and formost a community related to quality functions and discussions. If it became a forum on politics or car restoration it would not benefit Marc's core business as it stands now (would it?). :2cents:

I have no problems with the way the Cove has grown, and the direction it takes. The "Core Purpose" of the Cove is to help people, with their questions and concerns. That Core purpose is still met.

If someone wants to take a break from Quality, that is what the Coffee Room is about, a Breath of Fresh air.

Coury's take on it is what I mean. :thanx: Coury!
(insert nubulous similies here)
It's sort of like taking celebrations out of the NFL. :bonk:

We sure appreciate Marc's effort to keep this site alive. If it came down to trimming bandwidth, then, yes, it is a good "business decision" to cut out the extraneous forums. But, as long as it is feasible, then look at it like those companies that have free lunch, day care and massages...go with the flow! :biglaugh:

Shoot - I am in automotive. Lucky to get a turkey for Thanksgiving...and I know a lot of you know where I am coming from! :cool: