This past week, a worker in India wrote to inquire, “Might it be good to run Brigada off of Facebook?” He explained, “I am just experimenting with that for my India email group. I was able to upload my email list in Facebook and it automatically found existing members/friends. Plus, I can invite non members to join also who are on my email list. And I have an email group on Facebook that I use to email a newsletter to members/friends. Then they receive the email and it is also in Facebook. I will still probably use the regular email list too as a secondary system and for those who don’t sign up for Facebook. The possible advantages are interactions between members and less chance of losing track of members. If someone’s email changes then hopefully they will update it on Facebook and that would allow me to maintain contact with them. Whereas, many times in the past people who wanted my email forgot to tell me that their email changed, hence, they were removed from my list.” What do you think? Would such a version be helpful… or unnecessary… or weird? :-) We already send Brigada via GoogleGroups and YahooGroups (you get to choose which service you want), plus we archive it on the web. Should we add a fourth version? Please jot your opinion by clicking on “Comment” below the web version of this item.
Facebook is *the* thing these days, but not all of us are on it. So if you do post to Faceplant, be sure to continue doing the email version for those of us who are resisting the urge to join Facebook.
Yes do it but comtinue email list as well
I’m an avid Brigada reader and sometimes poster and have been for years. I’m enjoying the social connectivity and networking that Facebook offers, as well as getting in touch with long-ago friends and others who I ran across even ever so briefly. I say YES, give it a try, especially if it doesn’t require a lot of work to set up. If it’s a bomb, nothing lost, but this would be a great way to add more members I’m thinking.
I agree with the other posters – definitely try facebook, and continue the email verion for those who aren’t on facebook. I think facebook will help reach younger generations, and I think it could expand the current subscribers to include more folks globally.
Facebook isn’t available where I work for 3/4 of the year. It is blocked because it requires so much bandwidth. I’m sure there are other Brigada users who will have problems using Facebook because their connections are too slow, etc.
So, while it might be worthwhile to use as an additional means of communication, the email list will continue to be needed.
I like Brigada the way it is and I can’t use facebook. so..obviously I vote against facebook
I know a number of missions folk who can access Brigada in its current delivery formats but would not or are not permitted to access Facebook for work purposes.
I access Facebook every so often but wouldn’t visit a Brigada group on Facebook in the same way as I don’t often visit the FB groups I’m already linked to.
Facebook would be counter-productive unless it was an additional delivery format.
Andrew
I’m not so sure this is such a great idea for those who may have any sort of security issues. While I enjoy Facebook, I don’t join too many groups that might compromise this. if it’s a simple add and wouldn’t change the original email format, then why not – you could possibly reach a larger audience. but don’t stop what’s currently working. :)
I have to agree with Anonymous(2). The security (or great lack thereof) with Facebook makes me very leery of using it. Yes, I have an account, but I am thinking of shutting it down. It gives too much information about where I am and who I am linked to and how. While that data may not be accessible through normal channels, all it takes is one slip up for everything to be visible to anyone.
However, as many have said, it could generate a “buzz” around Brigada that would expand the reach. Unfortunately, I don’t believe that the buzz will be sustained. Also, with greater exposure comes the greater risk of those following Brigada that maybe shouldn’t be. Facebook just doesn’t allow quite as many “checks and balances” as the word of mouth scheme. There could still be those that get through on the current scheme, but it “feels” a little more controlled now.
Thanks
I avoid Facebook now for security reasons. I will continue to avoid it regardless of whatever Brigada does with it.
I rarely look even at the brigada website, and when I do so, I need to use a VPN, and both of my posts (including this) have been anonymous. I much prefer receiving emails on my SSL email account.
Hi Brigada folk.
I have been getting Brigada for about 15 years now and have enjoyed the info in there.
The work i do requires a reasonable amount of security and would not welcome to have any link between my facebook (which i monitor and scrutinise for security issues)and Brigada.
Please think thru the security issues before going on a public domain.
Thanks
I appreciate the security concerns, and for the most part, the plain type version I get via Gmail works for me. But I also would love to be able to use my Facebook account the way my friend in India uses his or hers. I guess the most important thing is to protect the privacy and security of my fellow kingdom workers, so if that means doing without Facebook for their sake, I would recommend against it.
In the same way as crappie fishing, having a FACEBOOK presence is not a bad thing.
I am there with you. :)
In fact, I think I’m number two.
You are smart to have a placeholder. It would be even better to have an API interface that updated FACEBOOK when you posted here.
How does Facebook raise a security concern for Brigada.org which is already totally available to anyone with an internet connection? I’m missing the link?
Do It!!!
To the Anonymous poster that asked about the missing security link between Facebook and Brigada:
The link is not a problem between Brigada and Facebook, but between a specific user Facebook account and Brigada. If Brigada is to have a Facebook presence, it must be seen as a placeholder. If it becomes anything more, there will be two Brigada communities. One community will be on Facebook, another community will be via an anonymous website such as it currently is.
While there is a low danger of exposure when people simply don’t join the Facebook group/community, there is a high potential for this “fork” in the community. Sometimes forks are good. Sometimes they are indifferent. Sometimes they are deadly. The danger/benefit must be weighed. Ideally, the Facebook stuff goes directly to this website, almost like a Facebook wrapper.
Make sense?
Leave me out of Facebook. Security reasons
The thing is you have to measure what success is, so if you know if you try Facebook you know whether it measures up or not.