FAQ
1. When did VI83 alumni decide to have it's own web?
We decided to have our own web last August 2004 during the Merdeka reunion and at the same time, agreed to start a Yahoo VI83 group as a new base of communication with the members. Unfortunately, there were limitations to Yahoo VI83 group. For example, it only allowed limited photo uploads due to limited space given. We had to delete old photos in order to upload new ones. We were even more motivated to have our own website due to this limitation and also because many advantages that came with it. Some of the advantages:
1. Allow us to design our own web to our own specification i.e. logo etc
2. Allow us to have our own menus, subjects and titles
3. Allow our members to express their creativeness and allow freedom of speech
4. Allow us to fine-tune the web according to our own tone and policies
5. Easy to find and remember due to our unique and personalized address www.VI83.com
Five years from now if we were still active, we could have all photos and write-up in the web. Imagine. If there were 5 functions a year x 5years x 20 photos, we would have 500 photos to view. History will be written without us realizing it. The web now becomes the most important tool that we should safeguard because it will be the bedrock of VI83.
2. How much did it cost and how did VI83 raise the money to pay for it?
The web cost initially was at RM1500 or 10% market price of a commercial web. But, we also learned one good thing about Yahoo VI83 group, the power of the forum. Forum was a place where members could discuss and express themselves on many issues related to VI83 and its members. We decided to have our own forums section and call it "Let's Forum" and this cost us another RM500. Total cost now is RM2000. Currently, we have paid the designer RM1500 or 75% collection from Corporate Sponsors program, donation from members and selling of VI83 products.
Initially, we started selling personal items like camera, framed pictures and books to raise the money. We did collect RM250 from these sales. We eventually sold VI83 T-shirts and mugs to bring more interest on the fundraising.
We paid our 1st RM500 in August 2005 and in 3 days had VI83 web online along with proposed web framework (menus and design). We had text to members for their inputs on design and framework and we had much positive feedback, which we took them as cue to continue with the project. Once we had it online, the next agenda was to have members sign-up as VI83 Official members. We started with about 10 members and increased to 20++ after September 24, 2005 reunion. As at December 5, 2005 we had 68 Official members. As mentioned earlier, we did continue with our fund raising by meeting some Corporate Sponsors like Eralogika Sdn Bhd, www.themugstation.com, EKLAS LIMO and MSET Shipbuilding Corporation Sdn Bhd . We charged RM250 for advertisement base on anniversary year where the logo of companies will be listed in the home page and Corporate Sponsor page. Currently, we have collected from 3 of the 4 Corporate Sponsors and we should be able to collect the balance before year-end. We hope to pay for the total cost by end of the year. If you want to contribute to the payment of the web, please contact the moderator or participate in the Corporate Sponsors program.
Note: As at Dec 11, 2005, we have paid RM1750 or 88% of total cost.
How does VI83 tone and policies relate in this web?
When we talk about tone, what we meant was the atmosphere or ambience that we want to project to our members. The tone is light and easy or inline with our mission and goal statements which is pure friendship. We want a relax atmosphere where members can go to the web and loosen-up a little bit after stressful work in the office. We would have more photos versus write-up so that members can focus on actual happenings versus reading texts that are more taxing to the eyes. We have menus like Yesteryear where our goal is to bring back good old memories and a section called Jokes of the Year that emphasize clean and funny jokes. These are some examples that allow a two-way communication with members and moderator to participate either by lending us photos to scan or forward clean jokes for all to read.
How is having VI83 web helps?
Web is a very powerful thing. It is a double sword thing. It is like having your own newspaper. Any wrong reporting could damage a person's credibility or even create uneasiness among members. It can also be used to build credibility of a person. It is very important that we be as neutral as possible in giving or taking credit. This is where the charter of VI83 is most important where policies can be implemented smoothly either in the meeting room or in the web. The web helps in uniting all members by giving a solid, unbiased and correct reporting along with useful and current information that members can attain at their fingertips. We believe that by giving fair and correct reporting members will continue in supporting the group and maintain that close friendship. We actually have the best tool of the 21st century at our disposal. It is a huge responsibility. It is up to us to capitalize on this opportunity.
What is TCM?
TCM stands for Temporary Committee Members. The Committee was elected on September 24, 2005, which the main function is to oversee the VI83 members or (future association), until the actual/official committee member's election. The official committee will be elected tentatively on 1st February 2006 as we had passed the acid test; 1st 50 VI83 official members.
Who can be a Committee Member?
The policy of who should or could be a Committee Member will be written in the future charter of VI83. But, basically any official member of VI83 can run for the election. We suggest you wait for the official charter to be sure or wait for the announcement for the election.
What is the role of a moderator?
The role of a moderator is to run the web base on basic policies agreed upon with TCM. A moderator will at his discretion create a new menu or new title page whenever he sees fit but most menus and pages were create after discussion with the Chairman or group of Committee members. For example, a moderator can create a title page called "Mai Futsal" or "Jom Futsal" if he thinks that VI83 members have special interest in this game through his fact-findings, conversations or market intelligence. From there he will design a special logo as a base interface with the members. Whenever, the members see the logo, they can click on it and go to that specific page. The current moderator is the writer, photographer and coordinator for the web. In other words, he is responsible to set the tone base on recommendation or advice from TCM.
We hope to have many moderators that responsible for different functions. For example, from committee members we will select one "Sport Ambassador" where he is responsible from planning to execution of the sport activities. He will also be the writer in the sports section in the web. But of course, there will be a moderator that will oversee the whole web to ensure that the tone and policies of VI83 is maintained or in the framework at all times.
FAQ as at December 2005
