| The Chapala
community is loaded with helpful seniors ready to provide assistance
to those wanting to know more about the area. This is apparent from
the heavy
involvement
of lakeside folks on forums such as those sponsored by Mexico Connect
and the Chapala.com Webboard hosted by a local real estate firm.
Both of these forums are frequenly visited by members
of the community and contributors who have visited or who simply
dream of joining the community. Discussion threads are searchable,
though little effort has been put to organizing FAQ (frequently asked
question) summaries. Many new users seem unused to searching for
information, though they seem to quickly get the hang of it. |
The board seems to serve the community well, and
may be one of the most vibrant examples of community BBS on the Internet.
Periodically there are eruptions on the board as
the humor of posters is misunderstood, as issues become controversial,
and sometimes one suspects, as alcohol plays out its effects. At
such times, a responsible moderator will feel a need to close or
delete a threat. Some members of the community seem to value qualitative
discussion while others see the board's purpose (answering the questions
of newbies) as being threatened by off-topic discussions.
One
wonders if there is a need for other forums or internet tools to
support a broader range of needs for the community.
|