Reasons for having a website

A website for the society
It seems appropriate in the modern world that The Society is represented online. Many Macfies round the world no doubt have questions about their origins and if the society is to play a part in answering these questions it is an obvious step to use technology to make such answers universally available at the click of a mouse. It is also useful that creating such a resource costs virtually nothing.

A way of providing information to prospective members.
If the society is to attract new members they must know of its existence. In contrast to taking out adverts in local press or printing leaflets to distribute to appropriate places, a website is virtually free and can reach a much greater general audience, particularly the under 40s who now use search engines such as Google as a first choice means of looking for answers to virtually any question including, “is there a clan macfie society which I can join”?

A means of publishing the Galley online, allowing colour photographs to be shared at negligible cost.
Also allows events to be reported as they happen as opposed to waiting for the next publication date of a Galley.

The Blether blog
A way of letting members talk to each other online. It may be appropriate to start up a full Forum for such interaction but initially the Blog page will do the job. This system virtually runs itself as members use an online interface to post their own comments pictures etc. If you wish to try it contact me at web@clanmacfie.co.uk and I can issue you with a username and password.

Running the facility
I am happy to provide the expertise to add relevant content to the website as and when necessary. My view is that most pages will become static i.e. not change on a regular basis, providing core information about the society such as office holders names and contacts, history, genealogy etc. The Blog section ( “The Blether blog”) and the publication of online versions of the Galley should take care of most information that needs updating on a regular basis. I am sure the overhead of running the site will become clearer as it evolves.

Robin McFee

for website problems contact web@clanmacfie.co.uk last updated 16/11/2011 copyright © Clan Macfie Society. The galleys in the banner and watermark were drawn by Des Duffy(all rights reserved)