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ICC Survey Regarding Bulletin Boards

I took the survey. I reiterated whay I told them in Baltimore last year (Peach was there in the discussion, too.) They didn't listen then, and now I believe it's much too late to get anyone back.

Here's what they don't get: If you allow/encourage NON-members to participate in the BB, they might see value, and join the ICC!
 
looks to me like icc has about 92 discussions since 10/27/2009 with about 80 original posting members;

the most replies on one discussion post is 10; a large majority of the posts had either 0, 1 or 2 replies....

it's ashame...

thanks jeff for doing this one....
 
cboboggs said:
Has anyone else received the email from ICC about their bulletin board survey?
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I did. I answered their questions from my perspective and helped to explain what made the existing bulletin board as great and suggestions. I have no problems with the new features but I think having the existing bulletin board (on its own isolated server to protect the database - in order for it to function properly) along with the new features and Communities of Interest. But it needs a more public access in order to stimulate discussion. Maybe some improvements other technical improvements and visual layout.

The idea of the new features are fine and great but they borked it when the bulletin board they had got closed for a period (and closed from new posts to it) and when access was only to ICC Members. Eventually, they implemented access to former members like me and I believe some others but the "John Q. Public" was the important people. They brought questions that stimulated discussions. This is a key to the recipe for a good flow of discussions.
 
texas transplant said:
BTW, my email was addressed to my screen name on this bulletin board not my name and I don't use this screen name anywhere else. How was everyone else's email addressed?
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My email was addressed to my old screen name on the ICC Bulletin Board (fw, without the period, need 3 characters here). I too blasted them for the changes. Best part was I was on the second to last page when there was a problem on their end and I had start all over again. I think I typed inspectpa.com too many times.
 
One thing that I did not mention, but all should know here, the control is pretty heavy-handed over there, I started a thread on how to find ICBO Legacy Reports, I was specifically interested in the DuPont Tyvek Legacy Reports, the thread immediately disappeared, I did not mention that I wanted them for legal purposes. A question then remains, do we really want a forum moderated to the extent that they attempt to deny access to information?
 
Sour Grape "Crock of Crap"

I got the survey and deleted it before I really knew what it was, so I guess my answer to them would be an old favorite movie line from George Kennedy in Thunderbolt and Lightfoot...."Hey Kid why don't you go %$*# a Duck"

Looked at it per UB's request about fifteen minutes ago and it's as dead as it was 1.5. years ago when I believe I last posted on it.
 
I just finished the survey and I'm copying below my general comments to them as I think this group lacks one thing (ability of average Joe with a question to find a place to ask that question).

"I have little reason to come back to the ICC bulletin board as there is a thriving group elsewhere. The only thing the ICC offers over that group is the ability for someone with questions to easily find a place to discuss their question (provided the discussion board is open to all). I miss the occasional home or building owner who is not understanding something and coming to the ICC board looking for some help, guidance and/or clarification of their issue. This type of person isn't likely to find the alternate newsgroup."

Another comment to the ICC, is I would be much more active if (this group or) in any group that was made accessible using a newsreader like Outlook Express, Thunderbird or MS Live. Autodesk recently moved all their groups to online and I have yet to visit the online forums. Probably will at some point, but I really don't like online newsgroups. I've never had a choice with this or the old ICC group. Or if I did have a choice, I didn't know about it.

Rick, they (ICC) allowed you to continue posting without being a member? Was that early on or after they realized they weren't getting enough people there to make it useful? I guess once they closed the system to non-members, I gave up on them.
 
The biggest problem is NOT the new tools and features. But how they implemented it as a "Member's Only" board, caused a big disruption. I don't mind the new features but if they had kept the old BB (even if the BB is technically operating on a separate webserver with its own SQL database) and with links to it without requiring membership and access to some of the Communities of Interests features such as the Discussion Board and not require ICC Membership to access and use.

The thing that they borked the hardest on is the ICC Membership requirement to access. That is what hurt them the most in my objective opinion. If they brought it back to full-functioning order (such as posting) and some of the Communities of Interest features - accessible to the general public (and NOT just ICC Members) would go along way in improving on this end. There are others that ICC needs to improve upon as well. That is for another discussion.

I would be willing to participate on that board. Now, this does not mean we stop participating on this forum, either. It be a correction of their course of action. There is NO technical reason where they can't make it all work. It can all be solved.

If ICC takes this seriously then it be great. I think it will be best that we respond objectively. Blast them civilly on what they did and borked. Then civil suggestions about how to improve things. The new features are not the problem in my eyes. They are just that. What the big problem, in my opinion, is how they initially implemented it: ICC Member only among other things. This killed existing discussions with general public that stimulated much of the discussions. It can be restored over time and more discussions can occur but some technical improvements can help a little but getting it open to public and having the "Code Talk" forum we originally had - available (with posting ability) will help. Communities of Interest's Discussion Boards should also be available to anyone. Some other features might not need to be available to everyone - thus requiring ICC Membership.

Closing off from the public and requiring ICC Membership was the big problem.
 
MarkRandall said:
I just finished the survey and I'm copying below my general comments to them as I think this group lacks one thing (ability of average Joe with a question to find a place to ask that question)."I have little reason to come back to the ICC bulletin board as there is a thriving group elsewhere. The only thing the ICC offers over that group is the ability for someone with questions to easily find a place to discuss their question (provided the discussion board is open to all). I miss the occasional home or building owner who is not understanding something and coming to the ICC board looking for some help, guidance and/or clarification of their issue. This type of person isn't likely to find the alternate newsgroup."

Another comment to the ICC, is I would be much more active if (this group or) in any group that was made accessible using a newsreader like Outlook Express, Thunderbird or MS Live. Autodesk recently moved all their groups to online and I have yet to visit the online forums. Probably will at some point, but I really don't like online newsgroups. I've never had a choice with this or the old ICC group. Or if I did have a choice, I didn't know about it.

Rick, they (ICC) allowed you to continue posting without being a member? Was that early on or after they realized they weren't getting enough people there to make it useful? I guess once they closed the system to non-members, I gave up on them.
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It was an after-thought. I was surprised but I think they did that around the time they brought the old "Code Talk" forum back in Read-Only format.

That also is part of the problem. Lack of communication. They failed to let many of us know. So, some improvement would help in how ICC does things like communication and getting opinion from the public and others can be improved upon. This survey could be a good start. I don't have a problem with the new features so much but I certainly would have liked to have been talking and continuing to discuss topics on the old "Code Talk" and have at least SOME of the features of the Communities of Interest areas like the Discussion Boards and other features without having to be ICC Members.

Making it clear and open to general public is key. With some features available only to ICC Members. Which is fine. But the rest of us can continue like we have been. Of course, it would take time for any forum to get discussions moving and public involvement. I think, that is the most important message. In itself, it is an ICC "Outreach" to have an open access. I feel it was a shot in their own feet to close off from the public.
 
FredK said:
Well I typed back that I didn't think many would change from another code board back to theirs.
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If they make corrective measure then some of us may return to participate BUT we aren't going to discontinue using the other forums as well like this one.

It will be a matter of time and if they can get the general public involvement again, it would be good to see.
 
The ICC has been busy today, I just go this:

Code Development Committee Meeting UpdateDear Members:

The Code Development Review Ad Hoc Committee (CDRAC) recently completed its first meeting. Chaired by Board member Cindy Davis, and composed of seven code official board members and six industry members, the CDRAC is charged with addressing critical issues impacting the code development process. Please click here to review a summary of the first CDRAC meeting. In August the CDRAC will discuss an integrated approach to issues ranging from ratification to remote voting and other issues, which collectively require a strategic focus. Your ongoing feedback is very much appreciated as the CDRAC continues its work.

Sincerely

The International Code Council
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Now just who might Cindy Davis be?
 
Mule,

Thanks for the update. Nothing has changed.

By the way; when they first started the new forum; I found that they had made up fake questions and attempted to answer them in order to start the threads. Probably still some of that going on.

Their survey is most likely a ploy to get some of us to come back; the people in charge of the BB will most likely use any sign-ins to show they are doing their job.

They didn't listen before and won't listen now; unfortunately.

Any meeting they invite some of us to; will be controled and intimidating; just like the last one.

Uncle Bob
 
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Uncle Bob said:
Mule,Thanks for the update. Nothing has changed.

By the way; when they first started the new forum; I found that they had made up fake questions and attempted to answer them in order to start the threads. Probably still some of that going on.

Their survey is most likely a ploy to get some of us to come back; the people in charge of the BB will most likely use any sign ins to show they are doing their job.

They didn't listen before and won't listen now; unfortunately.

Any meeting they invite some of us to; will be controled and intimidating; just like the last one.

Uncle Bob
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I'm not holding my breath but I'll sit back and see if things happen. It be interesting out of shear curiosity sake.
 
Personally, I like vB. Point well taken on bbcode/html, but vB is really on the forefront of bulletin board systems. I'm on many sites and they all run vB. It's what I'm used to.

If Ford released a car and put the driver's seat on the right side and said "hey, it's easier to parallel park like this", I would be equally resistant. I like function and familiarity. Personally I don't think their new format was of any benefit at all.
 
A little testy in the last post.......picked the wrong week to give up my bad habits.....I'll do similar as Rick and wait to see where this goes and absolutely take nothing away from this forum and it’s contributors and readers.
 
For those who didn't or couldn't take the survey; towards the end; we were asked for our phone number and e-mail address (how do they think we got survey?).

The purpose was stated; that they plan to invite (a select few) to meet with them and discuss how they can improve the crap they have now.

I'm sure they are reading these posts; to determine which of us will conform to "their ideas"; and, hopefully have enough influence to come back here and persuade the rest of us to go back; "without any signifiant changes".

I don't see any changes coming forth.

Uncle Bob
 
Here's the strategy... answer all the survey questions with as complimentary a tone as you can, towards the "Communities of Interest". Be as positive and courteous as you can, supporting their effort to improve the BB. Then you will be selected as one of the select few who will be invited to participate in the meeting... then tell them what you really think!
 
I did Just that three times for three different ahj's! Do you think they got the message. They are reading this BB and tracking its progress. The BB is growing slowly and has an average of just under 300 active members. The members from the old BB are the back bone. I wish we could reach more private people. Also, would like to see an increase in DP & E come on. So reach out to those around you and encourage them to join. Raise some question and improve each other. Just remember it is free.
 
Now just who might Cindy Davis be?
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Looks like Cindy and Peach have a passion for codes

Board Profile: Cindy Davis

Disaster could strike at any moment and threaten the safety of thousands of Pennsylvanians. Luckily one of the Keystone State’s First Preventers, Cindy Davis of Butler, is in a position to prevent harm before a disaster occurs. Davis, Building Official and Zoning Officer for Butler Township, recently was elected to the International Code Council Board of Directors.

“Being a part of the Code Council is being part of an organization that is of paramount importance when it comes to our nation’s safety,” Davis said. “I am committed to educating the public on the crucial work of Code Council members, the many unsung First Preventers who work daily to save lives and protect property.”

First Preventers are those many unheralded code officials who check and double-check code compliance. First Preventers, and the building and fire safety codes they enforce, play a major role in saving lives, protecting property and reducing recovery costs often paid for by taxpayer dollars.

As a member of the Code Council Board, Davis will help oversee the complex process of creating building and fire safety codes that protect life and property in Butler and jurisdictions across America and around the world.

“We must continue to cultivate relationships with local, state and federal government to raise the profile of our profession,” Davis said. “Because you cannot quantify what doesn't happen, the importance of codes as proactive measures is often overlooked.”

A 20-year veteran of municipal code enforcement, Davis holds numerous professional certifications and is an instructor for the Pennsylvania Construction Codes Academy. She was honored as Pennsylvania Code Official of the Year in 2002.

“Cindy’s passion for building safety makes Butler and the world a safer place,” said International Code Council CEO Rick Weiland. “Her commitment to providing a safe environment speaks well of the community she serves every day.”

Cindy L Davis Butler, PAAccessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner

Building Inspector

Certified Building Official

Commercial Building Inspector

Commercial Energy Inspector

Commercial Mechanical Inspector

Commercial Plumbing Inspector

Fire Inspector I

Fire Inspector II

Mechanical Inspector

Residential Building Inspector

Residential Combination Inspector

Residential Electrical Inspector

Residential Energy Inspector/Plans Examiner

Residential Mechanical Inspector

Residential Plumbing Inspector
 
ibid... ditto.. my comments were pretty similar (but I did send it back).

haha RJJ... you're right (I have more certs).
 
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