[Thanks for your vote of confidence, it's truly appreciated.  We are still in the planning stages but have a reasonable game plan established which should allow us to move forward at a steady pace.  Donations can still be sent to my Paypal account at marv@lancair.net.  That will likely change once the LLC is established, at which time we'll make that announcement accordingly.  For those of you who are uncomfortable with Paypal I can accept checks to Marv Kaye at PO Box 362, Mims, FL 32754-0362.  

SInce the entire current subscription roll will be imported into the new system, all current LML members will retain their subscriptions and have full access to the site, complete with posting privileges.  Tentatively, folks who donate less than $100 will be identified as "Supporter"s and those who contribute $100 or more will be recognized as "Founder"s. I say tentatively because the forum software supports the use of avatars and levels of membership for purposes of identification, so until we come up with something more apropos to our community these few divisions will allow us to get things started.   

If you have any other questions or suggestions, please post them under this topic and we'll deal with them one at a time.  Thanks........

    <Marv>     ]

>From:  <marv@lancair.net>
> Reply-To:  Lancair List <lml@lancaironline.net>
> Date:  Monday, December 16, 2013 at 10:00 PM
> To:  <LML@domain.invalid>
> Subject:  [LML] The next level
>
> Dear LML'ers:  
>
> I'm a little late getting this out but the recent talk about supporting the
> list coincides with my plans to improve the way we communicate so I wanted
> to let you know what is underway.
>
>First, let me thank all of you who have supported the LML, other owners and
> prospective owners for so many years.  It is gratifying to have such a
> giving community of people who are willing to share their talents with the
> many Lancair folks around the world.
>
> Second, this list is many years old, filled with words of wisdom and ideas
> and history that needs to be protected and accessible for future users.
> Technology has made advances such that pictures, video, PDFs and memory
> limits are not what they were 10 years ago and "mailing lists" are almost
> extinct, replaced by blogs and software that allows a higher degree of
> interaction, detail and information sharing.  I am adopting new technology
> in my business.  I see new turbines, new avionics and the products are all
> more capable and user friendly than what I was working with way back when
> LML was born.  It is time to move the LML forward and, with the continued
> prodding and support of members, I have a plan that I hope all of you will
> support.
>
> To accomplish the transformation will require support from a number of
> people and many have already indicated support through private discussions.
> The LML has typically required my attention to each message and it is now
> time for me to acknowledge that a better system for users can be implemented
> with the help of the community, leaving me to enjoy the LML and use the
> extra time for my personal and business life.
>
> The plan is to create an LLC where the assets of LML will be placed.  The
> bylaws will keep it true to the LML mission and allow it to grow in a way
> that I believe is best for all LML'ers.  I will be looking for Founders to
> provide funding of US$100 each to get things underway.  I will ask for a few
> people to volunteer time to share the duties of moderating content so I can
> free up some of my time and keep things moving no matter where I am.   My
> intent is allow LML to grow, to have longevity and to cover its own costs
> going forward.
>
> What will it look like?    I have decided to use a forum-based web presence
> to permit a fast response and much more content and detail.  We rely on
> visuals today to share a large portion of our work and the site will
> accommodate that.   I want to improve searches, preserve our historical
> messages, allow digests to people who want an email of "what's happening"
> and much more.  I will also allow a modest amount of advertising.  It will
> not be the in-your-face Google-style ads that target individuals, but it
> will be specific to Lancairs, aircraft and the things we use and need every
> day and they will be helpful and peripheral -- not distracting or intrusive.
> This change will support the LML in a fair manner.   It will expose owners
> to many new products and it gives suppliers a way to support our group.  I
> want suppliers who support the LML to have an opportunity to discuss their
> products and provide direct support to owners.   I also want the site to
> show all the wonderful Lancair projects and let people see these examples so
> that our efforts can be viewed and serve to motivate future builders.
>
> Changes are underway and it will take time.  But, I want you to comment on
> the changes, ask questions, volunteer to fill a position or suggest features
> we don't have.    I'm convinced we can benefit from upgrading our site and I
> know it needs to be done.  I want it to be painless and enjoyable for
> everyone and I hope I have your support going forward.  Again, thank you for
> trusting me with your time and materials--I hope LML will be better than
> ever.
>
>   <Marv>
> --
>
>For archives and unsub http://mail.lancaironline.net:81/lists/lml/List.html
>
>