Cool Drink, Cool Idea?

While having this slush float at Rainbow Drive-In a couple of nights ago, a cool idea popped into my head.  I'd like to share my idea and have you share your thoughts, if any.

Over the past couple of months, the comments section of this blog has turned into a virtual forum of sorts.  I find that the comments left there are not related to the actual content of my posts, but are often about unrelated subject matters.

A while back, I was forced to close this post to comments because readers were leaving messages on my blog for other readers rather than e-mailing them directly.  I don't like, or want, to censor the comments left on the blog, nor do I want to close any more of my posts to comments.  BUT...these comments, and the subsequent replies, all utilize valuable bandwith and storage space. 

In light of this, I am considering starting an 'ono kine grindz forum.  Readers of this blog will be able to use the forum to share recipes, cooking techniques, dining experiences and everything in between.  What I need from you, is a commitment to use the forum for just that purpose.  Like anything else, there is a cost involved, however, if the forum will be put to good use, then it will be worth it, right?

I'm looking forward to hearing from all of you. 

THANK YOU ALL for your time, your patience, and your consideration.

Comments

[AugustusGloop]

Sounds like fun!

ps. I've tagged you for a meme. It's an easy one (and interesting to see what your archive digs up as well).

http://grabyourfork.blogspot.com/2005/09/post-23-what-do-you-see.html

[Dan]

It's a good idea. I think one way to oversee how the forum is used is to set up distinct threads and pretty much crack down on anything outside of narrow bands.

One thing I like about your website it that it's about food food food mostly in Hawaii. No political flamewars.

[Clinton]

Good idea Reid. I personally think you should preview all of the comments and sort them for publication like you suggested. I know I'm one of the guilty ones who gets off the subject quite often (and I apologize) but your blog is very interesting and very international for me and for lots of others. I do know one thing, and that is we all enjoy and share one central theme and that is FOOD! I will be the first one to admit that your blog is one of the first things I look at when I turn on this computer every morning. I and everyone else need to see what and where you've been and what you had to say about your travels and experiences. You deserve a standing ovation for a job well done. You must really love doing this since it does take a lot of time and effort maintaining this site.

[Kirk]

Hi Reid - That must have been some inspirational slush float! :o)
Sounds like a great idea.....

[Jo]

I was pondering this very issue myself. Discussions that are only on the fringe of the original topic yet clearly there is a want/need/desire to continue on the particular tangent. The Palace Saimin discussion that is currently taking place is what I'm thinking of particularly and what got me pondering a way to continue in a more appropriate venue. Will the cost be minimal? Will you need some help in that area? If you set it up, I do believe we will all read Reid.

[lance]

Sorry Reid. Guilty to the max. Been computer illiterate, I didn't think about utilizing valuable bandwith and storage space. I'm glad you brought this up. You've done so much by sharing your time and interest in presenting such a good site and bringing people together. Don't want you to "spread yourself to thin" spending more time administrating a forum as well. At times, Ono Kine Grindz seems to be taking up a lot of your time already, staying up to 1:00-2:00am. I'll try really hard not to get "carried away" and stick to the forum. I guess I, as well as many others, look at you as the "safe connecting point". Sorry.

[ju]

slush float, yummy! i miss the old Kenny's Burger House.

[Trisha]

OH Reid I haven't one of these in ages! I love their slush float!!!

[jupiter]

How about pointing folks towards the egullet forums?

[milgwimper]

Reid,

Oh the slush looks really good. There are supposed to places here that sell Hawaiian ice but either I have no money or they are closed. *sigh* I can't wait to come and visit Hawaii again (crossing fingers).

Reid about the forum I think it is a good idea, and it probably be somewhat moderated. I am guilty to max on using your comments sections and I apologise. :D I will definitely use it!

[Big BoK]

Haven't had a slush float in ages..! yums..!

[Reid]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you all for your support over the past year. The final decision on the forum will be rendered in the next couple of weeks.

Those of you who regularly visit this blog and post comments shouldn't feel that this is directed towards you. It's actually something that I've been thinking about for a while now.

Hi AG,

I'll work on it and post on Sunday. Thanks for the heads up! =)

Hi Dan,

Thanks for dropping by!

I'm glad you enjoy the site and my primary focus is food. I want to try as hard as possible not to deviate from that theme, but sometimes it can be difficult.

Thanks for the support.

Hi Clinton,

Thanks for the kind words and I really do appreciate the support.

I do love food, I do love Hawaii, and really, the reason why I continue to do this is for all of you.

Hi Kirk,

Actually, the slush float helped clear my brain. =)

I've thought about this for a while now...so yeah. I really don't know what else to say.

Hi Jo,

Censorship is a bad thing, and I do like the discussions that occur here. The main reason for my throwing this out there is because I want to get a feel for what everyone thinks. Makes sense?

Not to worry. The cost is actually not that high and will not be an issue at all.

Hi Lance,

No one here is guilty of anything. My main concern is that the blog maintains its focus. If other things develop because of it, then that's a good thing right?

I'm glad people feel they can discuss things here because that's the type of thing that I want to have happen. I just don't feel like the comments section of the blog is the right place for it.

Make sense? =)

Hi ju,

Welcome!

I miss the slush floats from Kenny's too. I used to go there all the time since we lived within walking distance.

Hi Trisha,

I normally don't have slush floats, but for some reason, I had one the last three times that I was at Rainbows. I love 'em too!

Hi Jupiter,

Actually that was a thought, however, there are issues with doing that which I really won't discuss here. In fact, there are somethings that may be happening with the Hawaii e-Gullet forum soon. Just don't know what.

Hi Milgwimper,

No need to apologize, really! =)

I'm looking forward to your visit to Hawaii. There are a couple of places that I'm sure you'd love to eat at. I'm keeping my fingers crossed too.

Hi Big BoK,

Yums indeed! =)

[James]

Sounds like a great idea Reid.

BTW, the slush float reminds me of Blane's drive inn version here.

[Reid]

Hi James,

I must remember to visit Blane's if/when I make it to Hilo. I was supposed to go next month, but I'm not sure that I can go now.

The problem is a thing called work! ARGH!

[Joanne]

I think that's a great idea!

[Rachel]

mmm used to have those slushee floats at 7-11 in Singapore when I was a kid. Major brain freeze but oh so refreshing and leaving you with the strange desire to take another big slurp again.

[RONW]

If the main concern is the cost incurred dollar wise of having the comment section thread off to infinity and eat up your alloted bandwidth, my suggestion is to hold an annual fund drive. I'll kick-off the whole thing with a $20 myself, for the reason that I sorta like the buffet style commentary which is more characteristic of, if not, desirable in a food blog. Forums can be too time intensive for the administrator to maintain, and that's even, when everything technical, works as they should, with glitches, you might get sidelined away from your main pursuit while you're chasing the gremlins. Probably counter-productive cost-wise in practice even.

A caveat though....is avoid being tenative if you do infact decide to opt to hold a fund drive....always comes off sounding bad when it's pitched in a beating-around-the-bush voice. The only thing offensive about bloggers who I've come across attempting fund drives are those who are energized to update regularly during the period of their fund drives then taper off inexplicitedly once the checks clear the bank back to their usual intermitent schedule. It's obviously not the case at this site with your own frequency of posting. I'm presumming that contributions received would cover the operating cost of the blog itself, not the operational (restaurant) tabs which would more appropriately fall upon your side of the ledger.

[Reid]

Hi Joanne,

Thanks for dropping by and thank you for the support. I'm still thinking about the logistics and how I can do something that works out to everyone's favor.

Hi Rachel,

Thank you for visiting my blog!

I have to agree with you on the brain freeze thing there. In fact, I think I'd like to have my brain frozen right about now. Especially with all the heat and humidity that we've been having!

Hi RONW,

Thank you once again for your kindness, your generosity and your support. It's people like you, and all the other readers for that matter, that make this worthwhile for me.

Money is really not the issue here, and to be really honest, it's not the fact that comments go off on a tangent either. I'm not sure what the issue really is, but sometimes I feel that people will get more out of a forum than a blog. I don't know really.

I just have to take some time to think about it all. Maybe I've gotten in over my head. Who knows?

I can't thank you enough for offering to kick off a fund raising drive for me. That was a really nice thought.

BTW...tamales were great!

[Colette]

This sounds like a wonderful idea, Reid! Thank you for all your hard work in keeping this blog up-to-date. I swear I don't know how you find the time to eat, take pictures, post, AND respond to all of our comments.

By the way, back from Europe (massive jet lag). Had a wonderful time, ate lots of good food (learned how to make pasta from scratch in Tuscany), and surprisingly, lost quite a bit of weight! If you like, I'll email you details and some pics.

- Colette =)

[Reid]

Hi Colette,

Welcome home!

I'd love to hear all about your trip. You're more than welcome to e-mail me with the details. Did you by chance happen to visit Gordon Ramsey? I ate there when the restaurant first opened. Quite a number of years ago.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do about the forum idea, I'm still trying to work out all the details in my head, but one idea is to have some help with the administration of the site. We'll see what happens.

I look forward to hearing from you!