posted 09 July 2001 10:16 AM               

I think I already asked, so forgive my forgetfulness.

To access the members area of the FTP site do I use my regular user name and password?

I input my user name and password and got no response. Any tips!

Thanks,

posted 09 July 2001 10:41 AM               

Everyone reading this should note that the 'Members Only' areas will not be a situation where being a 'Forum Member' is in any way associated with being a 'Cove Member'.

Folks who sign up as 'members' in the forums do that so that they can set certain preferences in addition to other little odds and ends - such as if you Start a New Topic, you can get an e-mail of every response. Moderators already always get an e-mail when someone starts a topic or responds to one, as you know.

This said, Forum names and passwords will not be associated with passwords and names for 'Cove Members' when the server is ready. The intent is to provide an area where there are 'special' files and such. Such as up-to-date flow chart examples, probably in editable MS Office file format, etc.

I'm still working this all out on paper and have started the project of changing the site. There's more to all this than you may imagine.

You'll know when it all goes into effect because you will see the changes in the pages and such.

posted 09 July 2001 11:50 AM               

Thanks for the clarification!

posted 11 July 2001 02:43 PM               

Will "Members" be a paid subscription? If so, can I charge it to my company as an "expense"? If not, is there criteria for being a member? Is it....? What if.....?
Can I....? But, what about.....?

posted 11 July 2001 06:58 PM               

When I started this web site over 5 years ago it was a 'different time and place'. The internet, as everyone knows, is 'shaking out'. One of the things I tried to do was keep the site advertisement free and as much free info as possible.

In part here you have to understand the pdf_files zone - I set it up some years back and, although in the last year or 2 there have been some individual contributions, most of the stuff I put up. I did not want to totally give everything away so instead I made a lot of pdf files. Some files, like Gage R&R spreadsheets, I put up as 'raw' files (in this case Excel files), but most were pdf files. In addition, I tried to gather information from around the internet for posting.

My temptation is to have a 'members' directory where, instead of the pdf files, there will be the actual 'raw' data files. Quality manual examples, procedure examples, etc. Some will be files that have been posted for a while. Many will be new files (I can't say 'most' yet, but that is my 'plan').

Work is sparse right now as the ISO and QS 'boom' is, for the most part, over. Not to mention a weak market in general this year. Top this off with the fact that there are literally hundreds of ISO sites now, not to mention consultants, with sample procedures and other miracle cures for sale. ISO experts now abound.

The decision is to either make the site pay for its self (as well as for some of my time) or - to shut it down.

I hesitate to post this yet - I'm not even sure about prices - but the structure I envision is something like this:

Most of the things that are now free will remain so. Again, this is in the thought stages to some degree. The site is receiving so much more traffic than it did several years ago that to keep it running, and to 'update' it, I'm looking at fees almost double my current fees for my server.

I am also considering advertising, as well, but that is not in the immediate plans.

As far as:

-> can I charge it to my company as an "expense"?

posted 11 July 2001 08:28 PM               

I would hope folks think so. However, I do not anticipate ever charging for access to the forums. I have thought of setting up one or more 'private' forums for 'individualized' advice and help, but I don't see that as a saleable - in large part because so much is already answered in the forums as a whole. I know some sites, such as the ISO group up in Canada, offer such services. I think their access fee is about US$250 a year.

Some of this reaction is from Charlie's site. We've had audit check lists and such for free in the pdf_files directory - even to the newest standard. Sample quality manuals, etc. Other sites are charging for this stuff and for a small fee here you will be able to get what elsewhere you'd be paying probably hundreds for.

posted 13 July 2001 12:44 PM               

As it stands now, I spend considerable time in the forums. Management, upper level types, have approached me for something while the forum was on my screen. I have introduced them to the "Cove". When I want to "float" an idea, they are told that it came from the "ISO" site, yours. It would not be a problem for me to acquire the "subscription" price, if I ask for it. Simply, "Boss, I need it!", usually does the trick. Do your thing. It just becomes part of my "budget", which right now is my salary.

posted 13 July 2001 08:27 PM               

For most folks the change will have no effect. The forums will remain free as will just about everything else. So, for example, in your case, energy, there won't be a 'charge' because your resource is the forums.

The charge will be for people who want, for example, the Excel form I made for management review meetings rather than a pdf file of it - it's less work for them - they don't have to start from scratch, so to speak. They may have to make some changes, but the basics are there in Excel and all they have to do is 'tailor' the Excel document with company name and things specific to their company. If you want a PowerPoint presentation that you can edit and use for internal awareness (or whatever) - for the 'base' access fee you'll have access to many actual editable data files.

Here at the Cove for over 5 years I have tried to present people with information. For free. This goal will not change. When I started this site in late 1995 the first thing I wrote and put on what was then my 'main' page was this:

"The Elsmar Cove Site Mission Statement:

To serve as a Business Systems & Standards Information Exchange and Co-Operative" (see /entry2.html - it's still there).

The key words were, and remain, "Exchange" and "Co-operative". I see it as People helping People. And it has worked. And is still working.

The intention to charge for access to the raw data files is not an issue of the free exchange of ideas and information - that is still, and will remain, free.

It boils down to this: The information and ideas are free. If you want the actual data files (which will save many people much time such as taking data from a pdf file and making a Powerpoint file they can use for training or whatever), which I (and others) have spent time to create, then we're into another game.