MGx is in the process of implementing some new features over the course of the next few weeks with the ambition of providing wider opportunity to discuss local issues and network. The main site will remain pretty much as it is but we, (myself and a couple of elves), will soon be adding a forum where users may choose their own topics of discussion. People can form public or private groups on any topic from politics, healthcare, cooking and fishing and establish forums specific to the group and if all goes well, later begin new group or individual blogs.
Members may upload photos and videos and chat online with other members and one of the most exciting additions, in my opinion, is the implementation of new Wiki pages. Registered users may collaborate on Wiki style pages about any topic from the Coos County Alliance for Progress, to SCDC, to ORC or the Port of Coos Bay or individuals or local places of interest. A ratPAC(K) Wiki is already underway…
The goal is to help make Coos County one of the most politically aware, informed and engaged electorates in the state if not the country.
These past few weeks I have been testing these features in the background and it is clear that in order to make the experience pleasant for the user I must first migrate to a dedicated server, hence the delay. With luck the migration will be complete in early February.
Since a growing number of readers are mobile, MGx will launch its own mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices to take advantage of the new network features once the bugs are worked out. Some of you have experienced the consequence of too many readers accessing the site at once when the site will not load. The dedicated server will allow much more traffic but will also triple the cost of maintaining the blog and I hope the new features and the faster delivery will be appreciated by our readers. MGx is a volunteer effort and so contributions to help offset costs are always appreciated. If you can spare a few shekels and you appreciate MGx, please visit our Donation page.
As stated above, MGx will remain the same except for a link to the new features. Many of the changes mentioned have been requested by readers and will reside separate from the main blog. You may ignore these additions if you choose
Many of us who visit frequently do not have lots of time. Please don’t spread yourself too thin creating too many individual forums or blogs causing us to search for items of interest and ultimately losing interest altogether. Thanks.