rBlock

Rather Than Convince You Ourselves

When neighbors join rBlock, their concerns quickly give way to their growing delight.  Below is a short list of common reactions we got two years ago when we first approached folks about launching their block on rBlock:

• this will take up time that I don't have;
• my privacy will be compromised;
• i don't want to share my email address;
• i'll receive unwanted emails from neighbors;
• i'll receive unwanted emails from rBlock;
• i'll feel obligated to respond to emails I receive;
• my postings may not be secure...

We understood these concerns, because we had tried every web application out there.  And so we designed our software with each of them in mind.  Several months later, residents who had launched their block on a leap of faith (we did not know them), commented on their experiences. Their comments are unedited in this file called Rather Than Convince Your Ourselves.

• this will take up time that I don't have;
• my privacy will be compromised;
• i don't want to share my email address;
• i'll receive unwanted emails from neighbors;
• i'll receive unwanted emails from rBlock;
• i'll feel obligated to respond to emails I receive;
• my postings may not be secure...

We understood these concerns, because we had tried every web application out there.  And so we designed our software with each of them in mind.  Several months later, residents who had launched their block on a leap of faith (we did not know them), commented on their experiences. Their comments are unedited in this file called Rather Than Convince Your Ourselves.

rBlock Has Benefitted Our Neighborhood

In the over two years our neighborhood has had its own rBlock site, it has been very useful in expediting and enhancing the communication function.  It does this by making it possible to have a discussion thread that can be viewed and followed much better than a series of emails to which different people respond.  This key feature is what has been the most valuable so far.  Alerts are also an important tool for neighborhood safety.

I look forward to rBlock's future ability to promote emergency preparedness organization for neighborhoods and offer group discounts, among other possibilities.  I appreciate Vivek's vision for community, to enable people to live up to a higher purpose for our lives than material consumption and self-absorption, a vision that includes connection, communication and commitment to a greater good.

In the over two years our neighborhood has had its own rBlock site, it has been very useful in expediting and enhancing the communication function.  It does this by making it possible to have a discussion thread that can be viewed and followed much better than a series of emails to which different people respond.  This key feature is what has been the most valuable so far.  Alerts are also an important tool for neighborhood safety.

I look forward to rBlock's future ability to promote emergency preparedness organization for neighborhoods and offer group discounts, among other possibilities.  I appreciate Vivek's vision for community, to enable people to live up to a higher purpose for our lives than material consumption and self-absorption, a vision that includes connection, communication and commitment to a greater good.