any suggestions for a good networking site

[smojo]

Hi

Wanting to set up a small private networking site for the owners in our woodland and wondered if anyone can suggest a good free one. Don't even mention Farcebook please. Google + might be an option, reading the blurb from others it seems to have better security that F/book. You can set up different circles of "friends" for different interests. The downside might be for that same reason, that members who join might be tempted to allow other non-owner "friends" into their circle. I want to be able to keep it strictly for owners only so that we can pass info, arrange meet-ups etc in a strictly private network. Ta

[oldclaypaws]

You can exchange emails and set up a yahoo group with membership restricted to known owners. Members can choose to be copied on all individual posts or read a daily digest. It works well for a group I share an interest with on coins. Curiously, there doesn't appear to be a woodland group comparable to this one. The group owner has the ability to chuck people off if hard work and vet new applications. See create a group link on the left;

https://uk.groups.yahoo.com/neo

[smojo]

Ta Paws - yes I am on a Freecycle one. I don't think you can post photos directly though can you? You can do on their sister site Flickr but that means two sites to deal with.

[boxerman]

Personally, my preference is always for a forum such as this which would do everything you want. It can easily be set to be invisible other than a log-in page that says no forums exist and there is absolutely nothing for anyone to see other than registered members which can easily be set to be manually activated by yourself.

The only problem is that the free ones out there insist on the forum being readable so that their adverts are displayed (they have to pay for it all somehow). Just checked my host and you can currently buy a small package that would do what you want for 99p + VAT for the first year and then 4.99 a month after that - might be worth considereing a trial for 12 months at 99p..... http://www.1and1.co.uk/?__reuse=1404053084604 I could always hep with set-up and forum installation tho you'd be on your own for updates.......

If it helps the decision I could easily set up a test one on my server for you to have a play with - just let me know.

[smojo]

Boxerman - thanks for the info and very kind offer. I'll give it some thought, don't want to rush into it and find I've lumbered myself with a load of work.

You obviously run some forums yourself. Just out of interest is it what you do for a job or what?

[Dexter's Shed]

I know you said don't mention it, but I will, as facebook is great, I run an "owners of snarkhurst woods" group, it's only open to members/ plot holders, they cant add friends, and it's a great way to keep in touch, leave notes on your next planned visit etc, and posting pictures/videos

[oldclaypaws]

Re Yahoo groups,

I don't think you can post photos directly though can you?

You can post pictures to Yahoo groups, I've posted many on our coin site. They have secure group photo files. Alternatively you can link to another photohosting site like photobucket as Dexter does.

[boxerman]

No, I most definitely don't do it for a living....... Can be fun in small doses but would be damned hard work and frustrating all the while.. I'm a BMW motorcycle specialist and run one or two websites plus a couple of forums so everything I know has been learned the hard way and I'm not trying to sell you something..

Have just set up a quick test forum for you to try - it's simple and basic but I think most is set up about how you'd need it. Stuff is only visible to registered users and Admin has to manually activate accounts so you can be as careful as you like with accepting folk.

If you want to have a play just register here http://www.boxerbikes.co.uk/Forums/spro ... /index.php and I'll add you as an Admin then you can access the workings and have a nose - there's a lot that can be played with but I think it's set up to work pretty much how you'd need it.

[Meadowcopse]

A northern cider group I'm part of uses:

https://trello.com

More of a project collaboration package, but pretty good...

[oldclaypaws]

While Smojo might well take up your kind offer Boxerman, the name you gave his woods is a) Misspelt b) not the name of the woods; its a village some distance away surrounded by several different woods ! He prefers to keep the precise location of his wood to himself, as is his prerogative, but I'm sure he'll give you the correct name off-group if deciding to go with your idea.