Update on Discourse Project

Newsgroups Archive Prior to 2025
1

It seems like a good idea to periodically provide an update on the status of our exploration into using Discourse. This is a first attempt into what might become a weekly update.

https://n26-115-233.discourse.group/t/weekly-discourse-update-1/91

Jon Lewit
N26 #115 - Inua - Kingston, NY

2

Thanks for the update, and I appreciate that you and Rob C. and Bob N. are exploring options. Are you also looking into importing all historical INA Google Group conversations into Discourse?

Mike
NS30 #26 Port Moody, BC

3

Hi Mike,

Quick answer - Yes, looking into how to move over our 10 years worth of content from GG was a part of my investigation.

Longer answer - There are postings on the Discourse support site from people who have done it and also from those that have run into issues but eventually worked things out. It comes with a few caveats about whether your data is clean or is corrupted in a couple spots which will require extra manual work. There is information (and scripts) available covering how to do it. I located a Discourse consultant who has done it several times before, and he provided an estimate that was somewhat reasonable.

We exported our Google Group content successfully a couple of years ago as part of an AI project, so we know we can do that again. I have a high level of confidence that we can make this work, and it is a part of what we want to see happen if we go ahead and adopt Discourse.

A footnote here - bringing over all of the older data and having it readily accessible would be great. It means, given the way that Discourse works, that as you enter the subject for a new topic, there will automatically be a background search of previous postings to see if any might match. Wow - great! But it would also mean that when you do a search, you will get a match on all of the related topics that have been posted over the past ten years. Gee, really? So - Great news / possibly annoying news.

Jon
N26 #115 - Inua
Kingston, NY

4

Hi Mike,
Could you elaborate a bit about how you use the historical information in the group ? In evaluating how much effort to invest in moving content to Discourse versus leaving it in Google some questions have been rolling around in my mind. Some of them are :

  1. When you have a Nonsuch question about where do you typically look first, second, and third ?

  2. How often are you able to get an answer from the INA website ?

  3. How often are you able to get an answer by searching the discussion group ?

  4. How often are you able to get an answer by having a discussion with others in the group ?
    I’ll volunteer my answers below, since it’s interesting to understand the differences in how others use the group and our other INA resources.

  5. Searching is an art these days, as AI gets more common we’ll probably see more folks start with an AI query so far my favorite is Gemini ( google ), but I know others like products from Apple and Microsoft also.

    • My first stop for Nonsuch questions is Google search, sometimes google refers me to the discussion group or the INA website, but often other less relevant results appear.
    • My second stop used to be the INA discussion group, but after a bit of prodding from Mark Powers, I’ve realized there is a wealth of curated information published on the INA website. Now my second stop is the INA website, but you kinda need to know where to look because the content there is mostly behind a pay barrier and search spiders seem to have trouble accessing it. We could ( and probably should someday) make it more visible, yet still protected with some use of SEO ( search engine optimization ).
    • My third stop is the discussion group. Searches in the group generally result in OK results, but to really feel confident I understand, I usually post my question along with context specific to my boat and sometimes pictures. The most enjoyable part of the above has been interacting with other Nonsuch owners, the culture in our group is much friendlier and informative than other marine groups that I visit.

  6. I’d say 90% of the time I find relevant info on the INA website. However, the information usually leads to more questions and it really helps to interact with someone who has “been there and done that” before.

  7. When I search the website I also find relevant information, I’d guess about 15% of the time the discussion archive returns info that wasn’t already discovered on the INA website. Again, I still usually end up posting my question to benefit from the wisdom from other Nonsuch owners. It’s worth noting that the curated info on the website is MUCH easier to follow and slightly more accurate than the discussions in the group.

  8. I would say I get satisfactory answers, confirmation, and understanding about 90% after interacting with others. The other 10% of my questions are answered by experts like Mike Quill, and some local guys that I trust.

Rob Cohen
s/v SOAVE
NS33 #009
Westport, CT

5

Hello, Jonathan.

I think you may have misaddressed your note below. It was probably meant for another “Mike.”

On a different item, I love my Nonsuch and am glad to support the INA. But one of my New Years promise to myself is to trim down my email clutter. Could you tell me how to take me off the group discussion?

Thanks,

Mike Wheeler

Nonsuch 30 Ultra, Sequel

6

Thanks Jon for the additional info.

7

Hi Rob C,

Though I may not be representative of the average Nonsuch owner, here is my approach:

  1. When you have a Nonsuch question about where do you typically look first, second, and third ? If Nonsuch specific, 1st a search of the INA Group, 2nd the INA curated info on the website, 3rd Google, 4th post a question to the INA Group. If not Nonsuch specific, I stick with Google.
  2. How often are you able to get an answer from the INA website ? 25% of the time. I certainly appreciate the effort that has gone into the owners guides and other docs on the website.
  3. How often are you able to get an answer by searching the discussion group ? 30% of the time. My impression is that if the search engine was better or if some kind of (AI based?) topic summarization was available, it would be more useful
  4. How often are you able to get an answer by having a discussion with others in the group ? If I ask a question, there is usually a helpful owner who knows the answer or can suggest a process that worked for them. I prefer to RTFM, so to speak, before asking for help.

Mike

8

In reference to the question “How often are you able to get an answer by searching the discussion group ? 30% of the time” - Having been on this site for over 20 years, and being one of the monitors of same, I would say that should be maybe 75%. When you ask a question, there may not be someone with an answer. It would be unusual to not receive an answer when someone does have the info.

Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA

9

Hi Joe,
I had asked two questions, one was success searching the previous conversations, the other was asking the group.

My experience is also very good when I ask questions ( above 90 % ). Even more importantly the group has introduced me to other Nonsuch owners in my area.

I think Mike was saying the searching prior posts and the the INA website is less likely to result in a useful answer.

Rob Cohen
s/v SOAVE
NS33 #009
Westport, CT