Dispatch

From Paulo:
January 4, 2010
Dear VVA310 Website Committee,
(with cc to Elmer White and Gary Lillie)

I have just returned from a basketball game, in which the Michigan Wolverines decimated Ohio State 73-64. Annie is in Hong Kong this week, so it was just me at the game. After that, I stopped by Sidetrack for dinner and desert, to celebrate the victory. I also made a reservation for our lunch on Monday Jan 4, 2010 at 12:00 Noon. The reservation is in the name of "Veterans."

Tim suggested we bring laptops for the lunch meeting. Great idea!

You'll see that one important focus is to get lots of people involved with the various aspects of the VVA310 Web presence: Facebook, photos, music, radio interviews, current events, merchandising, and so forth. With regard to the VVA310 Web presence, this is one instance in which "many cooks do *not* spoil the broth." The involvement of more people means more energy, more creativity, more exposure, and more motivation.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as we prepare for the lunch meeting:

1. How much money is the VVA310 Chapter prepared to spend to create a first-class, high-tech, award-winning Web presence?

2. What features can/must we emulate from excellent VVA Websites such as http://www.vva528.org/ (except for their annoying sounds)?

3. What features should we have in our Homepage?
(Vance, you can't make it for this meeting, but I know the homepage is especially important to you. I hope you can guide us here about flags and banners we should have on the Homepage).

4. I'd like to have one person in charge of Current Events. It does not mean this person needs to do all the work him/herself, but he/she needs to make darn sure the Current Events keeps absolutely current and relevant.

5. I'd like to have one person in charge of photos. When the time is right, we should make use of a photo-sharing Web service. Not a "free" one, but a service that we pay a small fee for and receive excellent services from. Please recommend a photo-sharing Web service if you know of a good one. It would be nice to have a point person to take care of the photo-sharing site. In other words, we need a point person for VVA310 photos.

6. Taking a cue from Pete Belaire, how about creating a "Cause" on Facebook to support our troops? It would be great to have a point person for this "Cause" on Facebook. I've sent a message to Tammy Hall inquiring about Causes on Facebook and will report information as it unfolds.

7. We need a splendid page for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, with a professionally made panoramic view of the memorial. This page should have an outstanding historical account of the Memorial. It would be nice to have a point person for the Vietnam Memorial page.

8. I believe VVA310.org is the ideal and natural place to have a display for the USS Washtenaw County Memorial. We need an outstanding page for that, including a complete historical account and excellent photos. It behoves us to have a point person for the USS Washtenaw County Memorial page.

9. We need an outstanding page for the Veterans Radio programs that have a direct impact on the Vietnam War. Gary Lily has already provided the raw material for this page.

10. Vance and Elmer are organizing a meeting with Steve Pierce in Ypsilanti (See Google Docs for full documentation) to help us enhance our Web presence.

11. Here are a few ideas on how to bring the VVA310 Chapter to a high-tech status in its Web presence:

   a. Let's get a DSL/Cable Modem at the VFW hall.
   b. Let's look into getting streaming video of Chapter meetings.
   c. VVA310 meetings should have a conference line for members to call into meetings.
   d. Members should have an easy and fluid relationship with the VVA310.org Website, sending info to the Webmaster and various point persons so that the information can get posted.
   e. We should have a wireless network at the Chapter.

12. Goal for the Website Committee meeting for January 4, 2010, Noon: The goal is to prepare a proposal for submission to the Chapter, requesting approval.

Thank you.

Paulo
-----
Paulo-Juarez Pereira
1st Signal Brigade
In country: 1969-1970
Long Binh, Tan Son Nhut Airport, An Khe
Airborne!

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January 4, 2010
Vance,
(with cc: to Elmer White -- posted to Google Docs)

Okay, we can take one step at a time. There's no need to hurry and start paying for photo-sharing services until we are sure that is what we want to do.

Yes, let's meet Steve Pierce at the VFW Post in Ypsi on Saturday, January 9th at 8:00 am.

Just to make triple sure, here's where I'm going:

C. Robert Arvin VFW Post 2408 PO Box 970680 616 W. Michigan Avenue Ypsilanti, MI 48198-0812

I understand Steve's wife is a Univ Mich Hospital medical doctor and a Colonel in the USA Res Medical Corps. She has served short tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

From what I've heard, Steve has a "Server Farm" in Ypsilanti that hosts Websites. His "Server Farm" in his fortress-like brick home in Ypsilanti. Steve offers to host a website FOR FREE for non-profit organizations with No Paid Employees.

Here are a few issues:

1. Web address stays the same;
2. Forwarding addresses stay the same;
-- membership@vva310.org
-- president@vva310.org
--webmaster@vva310.org.
and so forth….

Elmer has pointed out the advantage of having Steve Pierce host our website: local service. I'm interested to know if Steve can help us with more than just the Web hosting. We need to bring the Chapter into high tech. Perhaps Steve can help us get there.

I understand Steve needs the domain name we
have registered: VVA310.ORG . Steve will point the name servers (DNS) to

ns3.HDL.com
ns4,HDL.com

Next, we will choose a password.

Here are my questions for Steve:

QUESTION 1: Is it possible to maintain the current Website at the old hosting location while we are in the process of building the new Website at the new location? Once we are satisfied that the new Website is exactly what we want, we can then simply switch to the new hosting location. That would allow us the time to build the new Website, while continuing to use the old one. I wonder if that is doable.

QUESTION 2: Is it possible to keep VVA310.org totally free from any advertising, even though we are receiving this service free of charge?

Here's a caveat: Free Web-hosting sites usually have advertisements attached to them. Free sites have so much stuff attached to them that usually they do not pass the typical firewall security put up by businesses. We definitely do not want that.

Our cost is only about $130 per year, and our site is paid up until the end of May. This dovetails splendidly with our plan to create a Website before the Vernal Equinox. But to convince us to change to Steve Pierce's hosting service we need something more than money as an advantage. We need to be convinced that the new service is a lot better: secure servers, backups, storage capacity, customer-service availability, and so forth. If those conditions are there, the time seems right to make the change.

Here's the information about Steve:

Steve Pierce
HDL
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Ypsilanti, Michigan
(734) 482-9682
Steve@HDL.com | www.HDL.com

Sorry that we could not accommodate you online this time for the lunch meeting on 1/4/10. It would be great if we could do that.

Your idea to have a board meeting prior to the membership meeting on the subject of our Web presence is excellent. That is exactly what is to be done.

Thanks,
Paulo
--
Paulo-Juarez Pereira
409 966-4395
paulo2020@gmail.com
US Army Vietnam Veteran
First Signal Brigade
In country: 1969-1970
Long Binh, Saigon, An Khe
******************

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From Paulo:
January 1, 2010
Dear Website Committee Members,

I'd like to confirm our Planning Lunch on Monday, January 4th, at Noon, at Sidetrack.

We know that Veterans fight for every inch of progress they make. That is especially true with regard to Vietnam Veterans. Shouldn't we make use of all the tools available? Makes sense to me! That's why it makes sense to build a world-class Web site, with state of the art technology. That is the goal of the Website Committee.

One of the goals of the VVA is to make sure that never again a Veteran coming home from battle will be made to feel alone and unappreciated. But these Veterans coming home from battle speak high-tech. They have grown up with high-tech and live and breathe in a high-tech environment. We can hope to be of any help to them only to the extent that we can speak their language: high-tech.

Right now, the VVA310.org Web site is not using one tenth of its potential. Our Website Committee can do something about that.

But of course, any plan must first be approved by the Chapter. And the Chapter will not approve anything unless we have a concrete plan to present to it for approval. That is where we, the Website Committee, come in. Our goal and job is to present the Chapter a workable plan--with goals and costs--asking the Chapter for approval.

I must say that, the credit for us having come this far in our discussions goes totally to you, members of the Website Committee. You have in your hands the power to kill this project; yet, you have chosen to give it life. You have responded with enthusiasm and energy. All credit goes to you!

One thing I know about Digital Media tools is this: If you don't have it, you don't miss it. Once you have it, you wonder how you were ever able to live without it. Take Facebook: Just recently Tammy Hall created a Facebook page for VVA310. At last count, the VVA310 Facebook page had 102 Fans. It has become an invaluable complement to VVA310.org. Also, we are finding new uses for Facebook. Pete Belaire has suggested we create a "Cause" on Facebook to support our troops. And that is just the beginning!

I'll see you at Sidetrack Monday, January 4th, at Noon.

Thank you!

Paulo

*********

Vance: Hey - noon works for me for on-line. I have visited 538's site and I agree that they have lots of info but our current configuration looks better. Still haven't heard from a developer I know. Don't know whats going on with him. What is skpye? Looks like a missed spelled word of mine.
Paulo (Jan 4, 2010): Vance, Skype is the following [based on info from the Skype Website]: Skype is a type of software that enables the conversations among people all over the world. Individuals and businesses use Skype to make video and voice calls, to send instant messages, and to share files with other Skype users. For a small fee you can use Skype to make calls to landlines and cell phones all over the world. Check it out!

******************

Paulo-Juarez Pereira" <paulo2020@gmail.com>, "Vance McCrumb" <dogman2@gmail.com>, "johnalva" <Johnalva@aol.com>, "Jane Kinzinger" <Jjkinzinger@aol.com>, "Pete Belaire" <ringneck4@gmail.com>,
cc: "President - Tim Driscoll" <timaok@comcast.net>,
December 23, 2009
Dear Committee Members,

Thanks for your input. I have visited the Web site of VVA 528 and was extremely impressed with the vastness of their information. Take a look: http://www.vva528.org/chapterwebpages.html

I also created a page on Google Docs dedicated to the work of this committee. Each of you has been sent a link to open, view, and change the document. Find out more about Google Docs here:
http://www.google.com/google-d-s/tour1.html

I ask each one of you to get a Skype account: http://www.skype.com/
It's free and will enable us to conduct meetings online, if the need arises. My Skype name is paulojuarezpereira.

So, now we have two tools: Google Docs and Skype. Google Docs enables us to keep track of every idea presented; Skype enables us to conduct meetings over the Internet.

Our next step is to pin down a ballpark figure of how much a professionally developed website could cost the Chapter. Pete Belaire is in conversation with his nephew about a couple of recommendations for a website developer with a possible break in price--plus some good ideas. Vance McCrumb, also, has an iron in the fire about a possible website developer. With three options, we can go to the Chapter with something to show and a pretty good idea of how much the project will cost.

Here's what I suggest: Let's get some concrete results by Monday, January 4, 2010. On that day, I'd like to set up a meeting with all of you. We can have the meeting online, or we can meet at Sidetrack for lunch. The agenda for the meeting will be to prepare a proposal to be submitted to the Chapter on January 14th. Having this proposal, we will ask the Chapter to approve a general framework for the project and a ballpark figure for the expenses. Does that sound like a good plan?

Here's what I need from each of you:

1. Please tell me if you prefer an online meeting or a meeting person-to-person. (I am open either way.)
2. Please tell me if Monday, January 4th at noon at Sidetrack (or at noon online) is a good time for you.
3. Please suggest ideas on how we can make this project more efficient, less cumbersome, and even more fun.... :)

Thanks, guys, for your input, energy, and enthusiasm.

Cheers,
Paulo-Juarez Pereira
Airborne!

Paulo Pereira: December 23, 2009
Dear Website Committee Members:
Google Docs is free and enables us to have an online location for the immediate and interactive development of our VVA310.org project. Each member of the Web site committee can have access to this page and can make changes, as needed. If this becomes a tool that we can use, we can even have different colors for different individuals, so that we can quickly scan as to who wrote what when. This will enable us to keep track of every idea and every proposal, so that nothing falls through the cracks. Here are a few examples:

Paulo Pereira
Pete Belaire
Vance McCrumb
John Kinzinger
Jane Kinzinger
cc: Tim Driscoll

Pete Belaire: December 21, 2009
I had a conversation with my nephew about website development. He has a name or two that he recommends. We might also get a break on price. Also gave me a few ideas.
Semper Fidelis,
Pete

John Kinzinger: December 21, 2009
I like what you are doing.   Tom Brown is the web master at VVA 528. He may be able to help you too. He has put a lot of work into their site. I know their Chapter depend on their site a lot from my talks with members. They have over 66,000 visits in 2.5 or so years.
I think the home page is the most important in attracting attention and draw folks to the rest of the site. The way our Operation Never Forgotten home page appears is interesting with the slide show. I do not know anything about web site development, so I cannot offer much in that line.
I will help whenever I can. Count on that.
Have a most Blessed Christmas.
John Kinzinger

Jane Kinzinger: December 21, 2009
This sounds great. What we needed was someone like you who would get things started. You can count on us for support and help.
A professional is the best idea. I don't know but I'm sure others could give you insight into who could help veterans the most.
Let me know when we meet or whatever. THANKS!
Jane

Paulo Pereira: December 21, 2009 -- Winter Solstice
Hello Website Committee Members,

I stayed up late to watch the vote to invoke cloture in the US Senate for the Healthcare bill. All the time I had one thought in mind: How will this bill impact Veterans?

I am saying this, because the proposed date for the start of our Web site committee work has arrived. Today is December 21st--the Winter Solstice. The earth is all about change, and today is a big one, as the sun begins its symbolic journey from south to north.

This change should inspire us to undertake an important change in VVA310--namely, the development of our Web site. After being a member of VVA310 for a few months, I have come to realize that most of the progress that Vietnam Veterans have been able to make, have come at the cost of great work and sacrifice. The Vietnam Veterans have had to fight for every inch of progress. A lot of times they have done that without any help.

That struggle is likely to continue. Our VVA310.org website can be an important tool in securing to Vietnam Veterans the place in our society and culture that is due to them. I think our Web site is not using one tenth of its potential. We can do a lot better, provided we have the proper tools for it.

In order to develop our Web site to its fullest potential, the first step is to have a proposal for our Chapter. We won't get anywhere unless we have Chapter sanction for a plan.

Our next Chapter meeting is January 14th. By that date, we should have a plan to submit to the Chapter for approval. And here you guys are a lot more experienced than I am in terms of how to get this done. We have in our Web site Committee all the talent and expertise that we need to get this job done.

I believe the best course of action is to find a professional Web site developer--preferably a company that employs Veterans--who will create a new Web site for us according to our specifications and at an affordable price. I am counting on you, guys, to submit names of companies that fit the bill.

By January 14th, we need at least a ballpark figure of how much this would cost the Chapter. We can then ask the Chapter for approval. Having that approval, we can get to work to get it done.

So, are we agreed that we should have a new Web site? I'd like to have your views on that, if you would kindly let me know.

Cheers,
Paulo

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