7 replies to this topic

[awood]

I generally like Facebook as it allows for efficient communication with others of similar interest.  In most cases, the most communication is with friends (old and new) that you may not physically see very often for whatever reason. 

Recently I have seen a lot of group pages popping up re: things specific to Folsom.  I can certainly appreciate the benefit of having a group that would allow geographic neighbors to communicate.  I would love to go door to door and meet all my Folsomites, but its just not practical with my schedule.  Some of my friends I see regularly are speaking often about the happenings within these groups.  Among those mentioned are the following;

Folsom Watch, Folsom Chat, Folsom Findings, Folsom Exchange, Folsom-Free / Pay it Forward, Folsom Cordova Education Association, Folsom High School PTSA, Folsom Community Builders, Folsom High School Wrestling, Folsom Lake Rotary Club

 

The oddity (in my mind) is that of those listed above (again just a sample) only 2 of the 10 listed are NOT closed groups?  In the interest of sharing with folks of common interest, wouldn't an open group that allowed and encouraged participation be more effective?  I just cringe when I match words like watch, chat, exchange and community with closed?  Isn't it tough to "build community" in a group that is closed?

People (group administrators) have their reasons for doing what they do and while I may not understand them, I respect them.  Personally, I have specifically chosen to not be part of any closed group.  It's based on a deep seeded gut feeling carried over from childhood.  I was raised to not have a lot of trust in things that were done in secrecy.  The idea that you join a closed group that is concealed from public view just doesn't sit right.  If it can't be said in public, maybe it shouldn't be said.

Looking to hear other folks thoughts.....here in the OPEN topic! HAHA

 

[keyplayer]

Closed groups are to help keep the trolls out.  The admin needs to spend so much time deleting posts that are inappropriate open groups can just become unmanageable.

[Steve Heard]

Closed groups are to help keep the trolls out.  The admin needs to spend so much time deleting posts that are inappropriate open groups can just become unmanageable.

This is true, and admins are quickly finding out that even with closed groups, they are dealing with people who want to sell, insult, spread rumor and launch personal attacks.

 

Also, with open groups, you can have thousands of people creating or replying to threads. Readers can't keep up.

 

 

 

 

The oddity (in my mind) is that of those listed above (again just a sample) only 2 of the 10 listed are NOT closed groups?  In the interest of sharing with folks of common interest, wouldn't an open group that allowed and encouraged participation be more effective?  I just cringe when I match words like watch, chat, exchange and community with closed?  Isn't it tough to "build community" in a group that is closed?

Looking to hear other folks thoughts.....here in the OPEN topic! HAHA

 

 

You can request to join those closed groups. The only requirement for most is that you are in or around Folsom. 

[awood]

Closed groups are to help keep the trolls out.  The admin needs to spend so much time deleting posts that are inappropriate open groups can just become unmanageable.

I guess it depends on the topic of the group.  I have only "started" 1 group myself and set it up as public (again anyone can see what is posted) but only members can post to it.

It's a small group (130 members) and rather easy to manage.  As admin, I simply check to see if there is 1.) Anyone else in the group that knows them and if not, 2.) Anything in their profile that would suggest that they would have any interest in the topic.

I would think that in the "Folsom" groups, if they were set up similarly as open with a requirement for being a member to post, it would be to everyone's benefit to be able to see the information posted.  If one felt compelled to chime in on a topic, then they could apply to be a member.  Requiring a Folsom address would be an obvious selection criteria and if it turned out that the person was just there to cause trouble or sell something, kick them out and block them (I have had to do this a few times).

It just seems odd to me that something titled "Folsom Watch" or "Folsom Chat" or "Folsom Cordova Education Association" would not have content available to be viewed by the public?  Assuming that "Folsom Watch" is the cyber equivalent to a neighborhood watch program, wouldn't the benefit be to share information with the general public versus only members?  What would be the harm in allowing viewing privileges to all and posting to only members?

Hypothetically, lets say a mountain lion shows up at Gold Ridge Elementary (apply any scenario, fire, pedophile, drunk driver, rattlesnake, etc.).  It is witnessed by a member of one of the closed groups and posted immediately.  Should only "members" be alerted?  Wouldn't this information be critical to share with everyone?

I am not usually a paranoid person, despite what I am writing at the moment.  I just noticed that it appears that a lot of information that may be critical (or at least useful) to all Folsom residents is being shared in a format that prohibits the majority of it's residents from seeing it.  I don't have a compelling need or desire to comment on anything, but I don't understand the need to "hide" information from anyone that it may be useful to.

But then again, I rest assured that most anything worth talking about is done here anyway.

[mrdavex]

Technically, MyFolsom is a closed forum.  You do have to register to post.  However, unlike the Facebook groups, it is viewable to anybody.  Like awood suggested,could these Folsom FB groups be viewable to the public but only members could post?

[folsom500]

The FB groups are really a pain in the backside as with FB - nothing is organized at all...  

You cannot look at a set of topics posted and choose unless you want to scroll through hundreds of posts... 

I like the format of this forum better , but seems that even with the poor organization, FB has more posts and viewers-- 

Guess it shows what people will go through these days just to be on FB ----   

[gbfolsom]

I can see your point with a group like Folsom Watch. El Dorado County Watch is visible to anyone, but you have to be a member to post and comment.  I do venture over to that site if I need information from that county, but have never felt the need to join/comment.  For the groups such as Folsom Findings, Folsom Exchange, etc. I prefer the closed groups because I don't necessarily want all of my Facebook friends knowing what I'm selling and buying. And, they do limit those pages to Folsom residents for the convenience of the buyers/sellers which I like.  You couldn't pay me enough to be the admin of a Facebook Page. Too much drama and they do it for free.

[aztransplant]

Out. Don't do Facebook. Period.