Organizers

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Fwd: Query: Tools to search for stale links (was Re: is NEFFA LinkFest still active)

by Jack Mitchell via Organizers

There is an extension for Chrome that will go through and check links for a particular page. https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/link-checker/aibjbgmpmnidnmagaefh… I ran it on the NEFFA Link Fest and this is what I got (or at least is the first screen): Purple is sites that couldn't be reached, and red is not found messages of various types. [image: pasted1] On Wed, Apr 26, 2017 at 3:55 PM James Saxe via Organizers < organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > I have a question for any of you who are involved with website > administration (e.g., for your local dance organization): > > Do anyone know of good tools that will automatically go > through a site searching for stale links? > > I've been prompted to make this query in part by the recent > messages about the NEFFA LinkFest, which is apparently no longer > maintained because it got to be too much work relative to the > perceived benefit (particularly relative to perceived benefit > for the volunteer maintainer(s)). However, I've noticed that > many local dance groups' websites include lists of external > links, and that while these lists are typically much smaller than > the LinkFest (containing perhaps a dozen to a hundred links vs. > almost 3000 in the LinkFest), they also often are not assiduously > maintained and so often include at least a few links that no > longer point to the expected content. > > I recognize that the automatic detection of stale links may not > be a trivial problem, since there can be a variety of different > symptoms. I'e just gone looking through lists of links on > several different sites. Among the things I've found are: > > * Links that fail with Error 404 (Not Found) > > * Links that fail with Error 403 (Forbidden: You don't have > permission to access ...) > > * Links that fail because the browser cant find the server. > > * Links that get to the site that apparently used to contain > the desired page but now show a message like "We're sorry, > but we were unable to locate the page you requested." > (Perhaps attempts to follow these links actually produce a > 404 code even if the text displayed to the user doesn't > include the string "404".) > > * Links that go to sites offering to sell you the (expired) > domain name that included the target page. > > * Links to pages that appear to have been taken over by new > owners and no longer display the original content. Among > other things, I've found pages full of text in Chinese > or Cyrillic characters; pages that used to have dance > information and seem to have been taken over by real estate > agents or financial service organizations; and pages that > say "WARNING!! THIS SITE CONTAINS ADULT MATERIALS ..." > (I did not click on the "Continue" button after the warning > to see whether it got me to traditional-dance-related > cotent). > > * Links to pages that admit to being no longer maintained. > > * Links to pages that in turn offer a (possibly good) link > to a new page with the desired content. > > * Links that go to what seem to be the original target > pages, but that also seem not to have been updated in > several years. (For example a site might refer to > "upcoming" event that are now several years in the past. > One might then wonder whether there's a new, actively > maintained, site somewhere with similar, but current, > information.) > > If someone creates a link the points to a recent blog entry, > someone who follows the link several years later might get to > now-most-recent page of the blog and only be able to reach > the originally referenced content by clicking something like > "older posts" a large--and unknown--number of times. Similarly, > links to online newspaper or magazine content might now point > to pages that are evidently full of newer content. The old > content might or might not be available somewhere, but there > may be no visible advice about how to find it. > > When people migrate their websites, it seems to be common that, > if links into the old site get redirected at all, they end up > redirecting to some place like the home page of of the new site > instead of to the exact page (if one exists) corresponding to the > old target of the link. > > Despite these comments about how links can go stale in various > ways that aren't immediately obvious, it seems to me that stale > link detection would be a useful feature for a wide variety of > website administrators--and not just for dance organizers. So > perhaps someone somewhere has put some effort into doing a good > job of it. I'd be interested if anyone knows of examples. > > Thanks. > > --Jim > > _______________________________________________ > Organizers mailing list > Organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/organizers-sharedweight.net > -- Jack Mitchell Durham, NC -- Jack Mitchell Durham, NC

8 years, 1 month

Re: [Organizers] Organizers Digest, Vol 30, Issue 1

by Emily Addison via Organizers

Hi Orin, Al, and others, Al - your Sierra Club Singles newsletter sounds great! I'll ask around in our community if there's anything similar here. (We've got outdoor clubs but I'm not sure if for singles). And Orin - we've tried the Celtic Studies program and the grad associations. I love the idea of the dance department ... unfortunately we don't have one in the city. We've tried to infiltrate the swing clubs but that hasn't panned out yet. But I'll dig to see what other dance clubs are around the post-secondary institutions. Thanks for the leads! Emily

8 years, 2 months

Re: [Organizers] Organizers Digest, Vol 28, Issue 13

by Emily Addison via Organizers

Hi Dana (Monteplier) and fellow organizers! I'm digging back into my inbox for interesting things I had read but couldn't get to. Anyway, I think your dance series sounds really innovative and quite neat. :) I love the idea of the little skits. We did just one back in the fall on how to hold your partner... just before the break in the dance. This because lots of our regulars pull on shoulders etc.... even though many go to the beginner lesson to help out, we wanted to get the message clearly but in a fun way out to everyone. I'm curious - do you have a running list of what you've done for skits? How you've covered those subjects? It would be neat to do a group sharing of ideas if others are also interested! Emily > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2017 17:09:02 -0500 > From: Dana Dwinell-Yardley via Organizers > <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > To: organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > Subject: Re: [Organizers] Organizers meeting at Flurry. > Message-ID: > <CAM1RjTvAqu=9_njhbub4hD82tdjXHjD9ujgVAWY+ > r4JOkwKCUg(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > Hi friends, > > I missed this session at Flurry, but my co-organizer, Alice Smolinsky, was > telling me about it! We run the Montpelier Contra Exchange dance ( > www.contraexchange.org) together, along with four other folks. > > We are the series that does half contra, half featured dance. We do contra > for the first half, and it's a long half: 8?9:45. Then we have a short > workshop on the featured dance from 9:45 to 10. Then we take a break, and > come back for 45 minutes of the featured dance (swing, Cajun, waltz, etc) > from 10:15 to 11. > > We also do the organizer-led skits on various aspects of being a better > dancer: asking your partner if they prefer twirls, listening to the caller > and not chatting, being a "dance ambassador" and looking out for the > benefit of the whole hall, etc. We believe that it's powerful when teaching > moments come from the "laypeople" ? dancers/organizers ? not just the > caller. > > Let us know if you have more questions about our unusual but super friendly > little dance! > > Dan >

8 years, 2 months

By-Donation

by Greg Allan via Organizers

Hey Folks, About two months ago, I had mentioned that by-donation models, in my personal opinion, would be great for folk dancing groups and mentioned one dance I was organizing in March would be by-donation. A few asked to know how it turned out. Well, it happened on the weekend, to great success. The number of attendees was extremely low, for a variety of reasons unrelated to the price of the dance. After all, I hardly think a lower price was going to turn people away! However, many of my musician friends showed up, put on a great set, I introduced a young fiddler to the stage who performed well, and everyone had a blast. Regarding the cost, I believe everyone averaged a donation of 15 dollars - more money than I had charged for any other contra dance I organized in Winnipeg previously. My math could be off. However, a conservative estimate of an average 10 dollar donation is still quite encouraging and promising, in my opinion. Apologies for inaccurate calculations, but since it was by-donation, I didn't mark anything down when people dropped money in the jar. Hope to see more of this in the future! Thank you for your interest. Greg

8 years, 2 months

Re: [Organizers] Organizers Digest, Vol 29, Issue 5

by Greg Allan via Organizers

Indeed, someone who's resistant to being helped is certainly a problem. Which means David' suggestion would be to ask him how he feels about that. Ask him if he wants help or not. And if he doesn't, maybe work up a few three-person alternative figures :P Greg On Tue, Mar 7, 2017 at 5:59 AM, via Organizers < organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > Send Organizers mailing list submissions to > organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/organizers- > sharedweight.net > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > organizers-request(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > organizers-owner(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Organizers digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: What to do with a really bad new dancer? > (Paul Pindris via Organizers) > 2. Re: What to do with a really bad new dancer? > (David Kirchner via Organizers) > 3. Re: What to do with a really bad new dancer? > (Marie-Mich?le Fournier via Organizers) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2017 21:31:29 -0500 > From: Paul Pindris via Organizers <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > To: Marie-Mich?le Fournier <mariemichele.fournier(a)gmail.com> > Cc: Marie-Mich?le Fournier via Organizers > <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> > Subject: Re: [Organizers] What to do with a really bad new dancer? > Message-ID: > <CAFwDPfgBcaq6xxX5Ob_hxQb=a2ChfMJGwYNWJ2WrxyVJpHM60A@mail. > gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > I am quite astonished -- actually, troubled -- that anyone would have the > insensitivity to refer to another dancer as a "speed bump." I am proud to > relate that I have yet to see any physically challenged dancer at the > several monthly contra dances in my area of southern New Hampshire be > anything less than totally accepted as part of our community. Whether > dancers have had difficulty because of a medical condition, the > after-effects of a car accident, or simply the problem of "two left feet," > they have in every case that I am aware of been made to feel as comfortable > as possible. The adage I share with every new dancer I cross paths with is > that contra dancers are three things -- welcoming, helpful, and forgiving. > In New Hampshire that applies to everyone, and I have yet to encounter any > exceptions. > > Paul Pindris > Deerfield, NH > > On Mon, Mar 6, 2017 at 2:31 PM, Marie-Mich?le Fournier via Organizers < > organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: > > > Hi everyone, > > Lately a new dancer has started coming to our dance and he is bad > > enough that he will often make the set break if the dance is moderately > > challenging. He seems to have some kind of impairment and walks very > > stiffly which means he will often not be on time for a figure and also > > often does not remember what is coming next. > > We want to be inclusive but at the same time his presence negatively > > impacts other dancers in his set and while some of the experienced > dancers > > will take one for the team and dance with him, it is an unpleasant > > experience to be his partner. Unfortunately, we always have many new > > dancers and having one couple not be where they should be can really > throw > > them off in some dances so I feel like I have to push and pull him around > > to be on time, despite the fact that it's a little rude. > > A recent caller to our dance called him a "speed bump" which was quite > > accurate. I'm sure other dances have had experience with similar > troubles, > > does anyone have advice on how to deal with this so that other dancers > > still have a good time yet we are nice to this problematic dancer? > > Thank you > > Marie > > ContraMontreal > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Organizers mailing list > > Organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net > > http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/organizers-sharedweight.net > > > > >

8 years, 3 months

What to do with a really bad new dancer?

by Marie-Michèle Fournier via Organizers

Hi everyone, Lately a new dancer has started coming to our dance and he is bad enough that he will often make the set break if the dance is moderately challenging. He seems to have some kind of impairment and walks very stiffly which means he will often not be on time for a figure and also often does not remember what is coming next. We want to be inclusive but at the same time his presence negatively impacts other dancers in his set and while some of the experienced dancers will take one for the team and dance with him, it is an unpleasant experience to be his partner. Unfortunately, we always have many new dancers and having one couple not be where they should be can really throw them off in some dances so I feel like I have to push and pull him around to be on time, despite the fact that it's a little rude. A recent caller to our dance called him a "speed bump" which was quite accurate. I'm sure other dances have had experience with similar troubles, does anyone have advice on how to deal with this so that other dancers still have a good time yet we are nice to this problematic dancer? Thank you Marie ContraMontreal

8 years, 3 months

Re: [Organizers] Leading Contra Dances in non-english-speaking countries

by John Sweeney via Organizers

Hi Claire, This was the programme for the first session in Paris: Paris 31/05/2014 Afternoon: Short Lesson with everyone in a circle – focus on finishing swings well Family Contra – no swings – learn how to progress East Litchfield Volunteers – learn Allemandes & Long Lines (with 1,2,3, stamp) (with Stars instead of Circles as we used Circles in the previous dance) The Big Whoop - Circle Mixer - learn Balance & Swing, Balance the Wave (Box the Gnat/Pull By too disorientating, so replaced by Slide Left & Dosido) Flirtation Reel – Learn Hey, Gypsy New Age Petronella – Learn Becket, Petronella ABC – learn R & L Through Skaneateles – nice easy dance to use what you have learnt Evening: Short Lesson with everyone in a circle – focus on finishing swings well Moving Along – Circle Mixer with Allemandes, Dosidos and balance & Swings for all those who just arrived Ellen's Green Jig (Chris Page’s version) – fun dance with easy progression Tica Tica Timing - starting to dance easy dances now with more confidence Chaining Square – simple square to teach Ladies’ Chains, with Grand R&L Butter – Heys & Ladies’ Chains Trip to Lambertville Variation – all the fun of the Tidal Waves, but a modified, easier ending Double Bow Knot – crazy square with longer and longer lines going through arches – success not relevant – just fun without worrying about swings or progressions There Is No Way To Peace; Peace Is The Way – great dance with Star Promenades and Butterfly Whirls New Age Petronella – repeat from the afternoon so people can relax and have fun Flirtation Reel - ditto The Yellow Cat Jig – Circle Mixer – easy fun dance to make sure everyone dances the last dance and gets it – go home with a sense of satisfaction Happy dancing, John John Sweeney, Dancer, England john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent From: Organizers [mailto:organizers-bounces+john=modernjive.com@lists.sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Claire Takemori via Organizers Sent: 03 March 2017 19:35 To: organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net Subject: [Organizers] John Sweeney Hi John I’d love to see the program that you used for the beginner heavy French session. Thank you! Claire Takemori Dance Caller, Campbell CA On Mar 3, 2017, at 11:23 AM, via Organizers <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net <mailto:organizers@lists.sharedweight.net> > wrote: Let me know if you would like a copy of the dance programme that I used for the first session.

8 years, 3 months

John Sweeney

by Claire Takemori via Organizers

Hi John I’d love to see the program that you used for the beginner heavy French session. Thank you! Claire Takemori Dance Caller, Campbell CA On Mar 3, 2017, at 11:23 AM, via Organizers <organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: Let me know if you would like a copy of the dance programme that I used for the first session.

8 years, 3 months

Leading Contra Dances in non-english-speaking countries

by Karlsruhe Contra Dance via Organizers

Hi! I am in Germany and am new to event organizing. I have my first event planned for June. I have offered a few small workshops and family dances since November. An issue I have had with my smaller workshops (and am worried about my larger event) is language. With the smaller workshops, I just kinda wing it depending on who is there. But for a larger event, winging it is probably not the best tactic. I am wondering if there are a few other planners here that are not based in English-speaking countries and can share with me how things have worked out with for them. Do you stick to all English? or have the beginner lesson and/or walkthrus in the majority language? or everything except for the actual calling in the majority language? I am especially interested in the scenario of hiring a caller who doesn't speak German at all and curious if/how this will work out. Incidentally, the caller I have hired for my June event does speak German, so it won't be an issue. tia, Rebecca

8 years, 3 months

Leading Contra Dances in non-english-speaking countries

by Scott Higgs via Organizers

At 12:04 PM 3/3/2017, Rebecca wrote: I am in Germany and am new to event organizing ...An issue I have had with my smaller workshops (and am worried about my larger event) is language. With the smaller workshops, I just kinda wing it depending on who is there. But for a larger event, winging it is probably not the best tactic. ...Do you stick to all English? or have the beginner lesson and/or walkthrus in the majority language? or everything except for the actual calling in the majority language? My experience organizing and calling in France: 1) I decided in advance what English terms to use, and kept the list short and consistent (e.g., skip the word "allemande", just use "turn"). A limited vocabulary is pretty easy for folks to digest -- not really much different than English speakers learning "hey for 4" or "petronella". 2) During walk-throughs, I gave *explanations* in French, but used the English terms for the calls/prompts, so they would associate the terms from the start. 3) I used my body (and other people I could guide) *a lot* to demonstrate, rather than get caught-up in too many words (in part, because my French was not-too-great, but this is generally good policy) Overall theme; Keep the dances simple, and use the local language to set an easygoing mood in the room. It's most important to help folks feel comfortable with mistakes, and not worry about getting things 'right.' With language differences, some folks will be rather anxious already about misunderstanding, or doing the wrong thing -- reassure them that getting things right is not the point ... If you have a caller who does not speak the majority language, it can still work. I have attended a workshop in Argentine tango like this. A translator was beside the teacher, and checked-in to translate questions and answers as needed. Good for you getting dancing going in Karlsruhe ! Take care, Scott -------------------------------------------- Scott(a)ScottHiggs.com

8 years, 3 months

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