Before I had read this, I composed and posted a diary to hopefully collect the requirements for what we want and need in a state-level website.  There are other local websites that I think are good too.  http://www.alexdems....

Props to ACDC Communications Director Antonia Scatton and Webmaster David Milstein for making that site the way it is. They recently revamped the site, and it is *great*. Anyway, kudos. The ACDC site is a what-could-be scenario statewide.

There are plenty of talented Democrats all over the state who would likely do this for free, if only they were asked.  Which raises the question once again, why aren't they being asked?!?

I suppose this is as appropriate a time as ever to bring up our continuing push for a state-wide volunteer / netroots website (YouRoots). We've pitched it to the DPVA several different ways, and they've shot it down every time as "unnecessary."

http://www.dempac.org/?q=node/6

DEMPAC is the group of us from the Webb Campaign trying to *do* something about this whole online coordination / netroots issue with DPVA. So far we've had very little success. A lot of people saying "great idea!" but no actual support (except from a few, very wonderful supports - you know who you are).

Open invite. Join us. Help us solve this problem.

I am VERY disappointed that the DPVA would not only fail to support this, but even say that it's "unnecessary."  That's simply not acceptable.

I just went to the YouRoots site and looked at the slideshow and read the "talker" on the YouRoots concept.  I think it's a fantastic concept.  Being from a county whose committee never contacts me (much less to volunteer), I'm really anxious to see this thing develop and be used.  I can understand why the DPVA is jealous of such a thoughtful concept. 

Lowell, why don't you put a link on RK?  Or is it there and I haven't seen it yet?

it was ready to go.

If anyone wants to popularize these ideas, feel free. We're just trying to spread the gospel of the netroots!

I may be sticking my head in the donkey's mouth just now, but to an uninformed outsider on this issue, it almost seems as though this is a matter of sour grapes on the part of people whose idea didn't get taken up?  I don't mean to sound like I'm playing the concerns about the Democratic Party website down (because I think that there can be vast improvements, and I've personally told a staffer for the state party that), but I'm still wondering why the animous tone here, that it seems like many on this blog are taking with respect to other Democrats.

Maybe I'm missing something, but where does this tension arise from?  And if we are trying to get the people in Richmond to listen to our suggestions, isn't it always better to catch flies with honey, rather than vinegar?

Just playing the devil's advocate, please don't take this the wrong way.

We've been peddling these ideas for months now, and we can't get any traction with the state party. It's not like Lowell Feld and Josh Chernila are lightweights when it comes to this arena. Many in the state party just don't seem ready to embrace the technological shift that needs to occur. Jim Webb got elected because of these guys and what they did. Harnessing that power on a statewide scale is a paradigm shift, but one that has to happen (and soon) if we want to win.

Just don't know what is wrong at the DPVA.  Clearly this is a concept that, if promoted, could really help the Democrats.

I've complained quite a bit on RK that the DPVA only reaches out to their committee Chairs and ignores all those other Dems on the outside.  Pity, as it's obvious that much of the talent, inventiveness, etc. is outside of the DPVA and could be utilized.  But what is more worrisome is the lack of response of the DPVA to things like this.  At the Arlington website, the header says that all Democrats are welcome and there are no requirements and no dues.  They ask the website visitors what they think of their new site.  They ask for volunteers to do specific jobs.  It's an informative and welcoming website.  A refreshing website and refresing attitude.

It's really strange that we never hear from them on the website or receive any e-mail communication from them.  Something seems wrong there and seriously strange.  Democrats just don't usually act that way .... so uncommunicative.
 

About the new RPV website, Shaun wrote: http://www.rpv.org/2...

In fact, we have only used some very basic tools to jumpstart the old site. It's when we start rolling out the red carpet for our other ideas, things will get really impressive. Podcasting is coming... videocasting is coming (sooner rather than later)... tutorials are coming... and quite a bit more.

Succinctly, as usual, Waldo Jaquith responded:

That's the lesson here, Shaun: it doesn't take fancy software and the latest technology to make a useful website. It simply requires an understanding of what one's audience wants and needs, and what the organization needs to present to that audience. There's no reason why that can't be done in HTML 2.0, sans images, audio, Flash, Java, or video.