Re: (ET) What for our future?

["SteveS" <ssawtelle fcc net>]

Nice to see a robust discussion going.

I like the present format. The mail list is almost conversational, which I
really enjoy. Sometimes it's redundant, but don't we all have friends that
have repeated the same story? The elec-trak.org site is wonderful,
especially, as others have mentioned, when viewed as a repository. The ads
work well there too.

Now in particular:

>
> - I don't feel like our numbers are increasing much. If you look at some
of the other tractor clubs, they seem more robust. What to do (or is it not
a problem) ?

- I think what is important is that we welcome newcomers aboard when they
first post - which I think we do. I know I felt very welcome when I started
out. The elec-trak.org site clinched it for me as I saw the info was
available to help fix these things.

>
> - It breaks my heart to think running (or nearly running) ET's are 
> sitting
unused or in the junkpile. Why can't we as group make some of them running
and GIVE them to groups (like a church, city, any enviromentally-active
company or whatever) to use? The more folks who see an ET makes more folks
who might want one.

- Great idea. Need to work on that.

>
> - I feel that we all answer the same questions over and over again. As we
do not have an indexed archive for our email messages, a lot of info gets
lost.

If we helped fill in the FAQ, etc you have outlined on your site, that 
would
help with basic questions. The archive is searchable, and I've had decent
luck with that.


> - We lack a registry of existing tractors.

- Looks like we are working on that! Mine is below.

>
> - We lack a concise history document for them as well.

- I would love to see this. Several members have alluded to inheriting 
their
tractor from a GE employee. Anyone have a connection to GE to get this 
info?
I tried contacting them about motor data sheets, but was rebuffed. We need
to find an inside contact that has personal interest.

>
> - We still don't have PDF's of every Owner's Use and Care Manual on the
www-sites collectively.

- I'm working on what I have and am willing to help others that have
material but no means to scan it.


> The ISP is paid up for the next two years (cost is $240/year). We're only
using about 35% of the allocated disk space, and about 5% of the bandwidth.


- If you have a PayPal or equivalent account I imagine most of us would be
happy to support your web site with donations. Let us know!


Steve Sawtelle
Leesburg, VA
- E12S runs good, looks ??? with mower, blade, snowblower
- E12S needs work
- E20S in pretty good shape - next project