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>