The web board and the webcam were essential tools of the Youth, Environment and Economy conferences in sou'west Newfoundland.
Ryakuga has been hosting web boards for non-profit groups since January, 1998. A few groups have requested private boards for internal use but most are public. Some work and some don't. It would seem that boards work the best when people know each other - sort of the old fashioned party line concept. We encourage a social and easy going approach to the boards. It's a pretty funky form of communication after all.
In our opinion, boards are non formal communication. That is, the human element is more important than the technology. A human being hosting the board is essential. There should be a response to every posted message.
All in all, a web board is just another tool for communication. Some positive aspect of boards are:
1. Boards can be accessed at any online computer anywhere. You just need the url.
2. The messages on the board, unlike emails, don't get erased or filed away in a file.
3, Boards have threads, You can either respond to somebody else's message or start your own topic.
