The Brittany Forum

Patricia · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:11 pm Post subject: entry form and computers

I am sure most of us have computers and many look like they are "masters" of those machines. However I still come across some people who either do not have a computer, do not know how to get the best out of it, or not interested for various reasons. Do I take it that ALL information, entry forms, and various bits and bobs will ONLY come by the means of downloads???
I still think there is room for the good old fashion paper. I suppose, you can find a friend who can do it ...or?
What to do for these poor people who feel alienated?
Would it not be for my son, I would be pretty stupid with "that" thing Rolling Eyes

Any suggestions out there?

guy · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:23 pm Post subject:

There is a place for both paper and electronic. I understand that the 'online' entries for a show will at best only equate to about 60% of total entries.

Electronic I personally believe needs to be an 'opt in' rather than a 'default' option.

What is important is that as many possible become aware of events.
_________________
Guy, Ellie, Topaz, Catja and in memory Barley
Beauty from Structure
www.epagneulbreton.org.uk

doganjo · Posted: Fri Oct 10, 2008 9:24 pm Post subject:

I think there is still a place for paper. The 'paperless' office is still very far away. However, for the majority of people in this world the aim is to make use of machinery of any sort, whether it be as simple as the broom or as complicated as the computer. As a result many people wish to save time in their busy lives by entering shows, competitions, bingo - all sorts of activities by making use of another tool - the Internet. It also provides a permanent record of such, and ensures safe arrival with proof of the same in an instant. A Bingo game or a lottery ticket won instantly must be very exciting!
We are all different, we all like doing things in our own way - it woudl be a boring old world otherwise!
_________________
Annie

Handle every situation like a dog, if you can't eat it or play with it, just pee on it and walk away

eddieh · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 12:26 am Post subject:

Patricia

I don't think there is any reason for anybody to feel alienated. Whenever I have heard of a process which was paper based, being made available as an electronic option, it is just that, an option. I did, at the weekend, turn this argument on it's head. I have a really grotty postal service. To deny me the option of receiving documents and information electronically puts me at a disadvantage to those who have a reliable postal service and it may well happen that I am excluded from activities because of this. In fact, I am of the opinion that the more people elect to receive information via e-mail etc, the more those who don't have this option can benefit from the reduced workload for the people whose job it is to distribute that information.

I'm sure that the option to receive paper will continue for a while after it has ceased to be necessary
_________________
If a job's worth doing, it's worth paying somebody else to do it properly

Patricia · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 9:23 am Post subject:

I don't have a problem with this...For instance, I look on the BCGB web to enter a trial. Fine, I download my form and send it.I often look at the info.
BUT...I know of 3 people who are computer illeterate but...would still like to have access to the info. What to do?
I am only reflecting those opinions which I think is fair enough.I was aware of the entries through Dog World and Paul writing all details on the breed notes.
I have just received all entry forms for the trials from the Norfolk and Suffolk.by post.
I would like to ask how can we give ALL informations of any events so everyone is aware they are happening. Please help? for the sake of others?
Thank you!!! A bit like driving, it becomes so automatic, one can take computers for granted?
Patricia[/b]

doganjo · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 4:21 pm Post subject:

When joining a Club one normally expects to receive information about ALL activities run by that Club. However, that can be a costly exercise, so some clubs ask their new members which particular activites they have a special interest in - Field Trials, Showing, Agility, knitting, sewing, crafting, swimming - whatever that Club provides events in. They would therefore expect to receive information on the type of event they have opted for, and if they became interested in different events then perhaps they might let the Club Secretariat know of that change, so that they would then automatically receive all relevant schedules, entry forms etc. And new members would receive everything till they had stated their preferences. This would of course all be in paper.
_________________
Annie

Handle every situation like a dog, if you can't eat it or play with it, just pee on it and walk away

guy · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 5:42 pm Post subject:

This is a very interesting question. We have to understand the difference between the 'game' of dog events and the 'business' of dog events.

i am going to draw on my experience as a scout leader here-
To be completely all inclusive all details need to be sent to all members - but there is a cost - 300 stamps each post out plus envelopes and paper - let alone the labour involve to print and fill envelopes and stick on stamps. To provide this info electronically is infinitely cheaper to the club, moving as it does the printing costs onto the member and saves the person responisble for envelope filling an imense amount of work. (.

When activities are run at cost rather than for a profit it becomes very hard to make ends meet and fund the promotion of the next one.

Perhaps we could find a sponsor for a promotional newsletter or something. (our village magazine for instance has a different sponsor for each issue)
_________________
Guy, Ellie, Topaz, Catja and in memory Barley
Beauty from Structure
www.epagneulbreton.org.uk

barbara · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 6:42 pm Post subject:

I know of one instance where a non member phoned for a FT entry form and schedule, yesterday or the day before and was told by John that the trial in question was already over subscribed. The closing date is Monday so it would be touch and go as to whether the entry would have been back in time. Even if information was posted out to all interested parties the person is not a member so would not have been included.

Patricia · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 9:00 pm Post subject:

That is fair comment Barbara. Anyone knows the rules of not being a member of a club minimises your chances of an entry...
However how do we know that the trial is oversubscribed ? and the member in question( and I am NOT defending him) was a Brittany owning member until not that long ago. I insist I am only debating here...
As for the post, how did the club manage before when old fashion mail had to be used? What extras do we get for our money now the membership fee has increased? Just curious. Maybe our treasurer will answer? Wink

I will stress that I am speaking for maybe a few, but computers and the internet are not used by everybody I am aware of...

doganjo · Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 10:24 pm Post subject: