>I have no objection to task-specific lists. We have had them before, in
>fact. They are active and effective only insofar as a particular activist
>leads them. And they tend to go into a state of suspended animation after a
>while, not quite alive, not really dead.
>
Just like the main discuss list. A subject flares then dies. What we do
know is that discussion on the main list produces nothing/very little. Just
drives a few people to delete mail as it comes in, ignore mail from the
list, or unsubscribe.
>I don't want newcomers to NCC to be confronted with 15 possible lists and
>not know where the real action is.
>
15 lists? How about 4 or 5 maximum at any one time, there isn't interest
for more (and Adcom shouldn't create more than 4 or 5.) I believe they
should be Adcom created, responding either to a request from a group of
members or moving a heavy thread off the main list. UDRP list example of
the first, moving the Love/Crocker, etc. discussion of trademarks to a
sub-list and example of the second.
The new web site will tell people about any lists. A link off the front
page to "constituency working group lists" ? On that next page would be a
description of the purpose of each list, how to sign up, etc.
Working web site = cure all.
>So creation of these alternate lists imposes administrative duties: whoever
>maintains the web site must constantly update the list of lists, remove old
>ones, etc. And we must have procedures for informing people that as
>newcomers they should join the main list, and then give them opportunities
>to scan the archives of other lists to see if they are interested.
>
You're making it too big a deal of this. The person who maintains the site
doesn't have to touch content, they just(!) give passwords to the Adcom and
a few trusted volunteers.
We already have procedures for telling people how to join the lists we
have. Keeping them on those lists is the problem. Newcomers can read
descriptions on the web site. I would leave the archives of issue specific
lists private, just let people get on with their discussion and produce
something to be presented to the main list as a resolution or whatever
appropriate.
Thanks,
Adam
>--
>m i l t o n m u e l l e r // m u e l l e r @ s y r . e d u
>syracuse university http://istweb.syr.edu/~mueller/
>
>visit the convergence center! http://dcc.syr.edu/home.htm
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