Here is some background and my .02 worth. Clearly, my opinion on this is biased.... so factor that into your views.
The person who built the ASIA site and new forum software is Paul Dempsey. He is ALSO the designer for the Guitarmaker magazines. (you can see where this is going). With the incredibly tight publishing schedules it never seems like we can get enough of Paul's bandwidth to do everything we would like to. He has been an invaluable asset to ASIA, but alas... he too needs to put food on the table and cannot donate his entire career to us.
Bill and I have talked about canvasing the membership for volunteers to help with the site.
It is not necessary to have a technical background. Much of what we need is the organization and colation of content. The current ASIA site has a admin tool that makes publishing content a non-technical process.
Regarding GAL (or ASIA) ramping up yet another lutherie discussion board, that begs the question 'why'? Clearly the MIMF led the charge on this front, there is the OLF, AG Forum's Luthier's Corner, Luthier Forum, and a few other niche oriented boards. ASIA also has the challenge of representing all stringed instruments not just flat top guitars. I think given the level of competition that a new board will face a number of challenges.
I think that ASIA and anyone else entering this market.. should think outside the box and offer new interactive products and services ... things that we do not have yet.
Lance and I are really working hard on getting Auctions tied into the OLF and other new features that expand the idea of "community" not just the "forum" component of the OLF.
Again... this is just my .02 worth.
Thanks bud!