[bksvol-discuss] Re: Bookshare's Perspective On Its Lists
- From: "Pavi Mehta" <pavim@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:36:34 -0800
Hi David,
Thanks for sharing your perspective and the benefit of your considerable
experience. 140 lists! I can't even begin to imagine how you keep track of all
of them (smile). For now, I think the system we have proposed for managing the
Bookshare lists will serve all of us well. If down the line, it appears not to
be working we will be happy to revisit the subject and implement any changes
necessary at that time.
Warm regards,
Pavi Mehta
Volunteer Coordinator, Bookshare
Benetech
480 S. California Ave., Suite 201
Palo Alto, CA 94306-1609 USA
Phone: +1 650 644-3459
pavim@xxxxxxxxxxxx
www.benetech.org
The Benetech Initiative - Technology Serving Humanity
A Nonprofit Organization
-----Original Message-----
From: bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of David Andrews
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 10:27 AM
To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Re: Bookshare's Perspective On Its Lists
Hi:
Not to debate you, but from my experience with lists, what Bookshare
needs is to take responsibility for its lists. That means run them
on your own system and have one or more employees or publicly
designated persons read the lists daily, and interact actively with
people, set the tone, and generally moderate the lists. While you
don't have to comb through every word, and be the heavy-handed list
police, you do need to actively participate, set the tone etc. You
ultimately can't have it both ways, wanting the lists to be something
they are not, but holding them at arms length.
I speak from experience -- some people will recognize my name. I run
approximately 140 lists for the National Federation of the Blind, and
have been responsible for many of their own-line vehicles since 1991,
starting with a dial-up phone-in bulletinboard, and progressing to
the Internet.
David Andrews
At 01:29 PM 1/27/2009, you wrote:
>Hi All,
>
>The subject of the need for a moderator on the Bookshare lists has
>come up at various points in the past, and again this last
>week. After discussion with staff, I'd like to share our
>perspective on the matter and a system for moving forward.
>
>In our view, what the list needs is not an eagle-eyed moderator
>combing through every line of every post, but simply defined
>objectives for the list, a clear set of guidelines for list users,
>and a system to report and address violation of those guidelines
>when necessary.
>
>List Objectives: Bookshare's primary objective in running these
>lists is to provide members and volunteers with a common platform to
>exchange ideas, questions and answers primarily relating to their
>work and experiences with Bookshare. In our view the lists are
>useful in as much as they facilitate sharing, foster cooperation and
>good-will, and promote lively, amicable discussion among its member
>and volunteer communities.
>
>Guidelines for List Users: When engaging in a debate or choosing to
>disagree with another member or volunteer, please be mindful of
>people's feelings. All posts whether on or off topic are expected to
>maintain the spirit of friendly cooperation, courtesy and mutual
>respect. Those folks unable or unwilling to follow these guidelines
>will be required by Bookshare to leave the list.
>
>Reporting an Issue: If a person on the list feels that another list
>user is abusing this platform with posts of an unduly negative
>and/or offensive nature we ask that they write in their complaint
>off-list to volunteer@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx I or another administrator will
>review the complaint and if deemed appropriate will write to the
>individual in question with an initial warning. If posts of the same
>nature persist they will be required to leave the list. We have not
>taken this sort of action in the past, but are happy to do so here
>on for the well-being of the lists.
>
>My own exposure to the list has led me to a real appreciation of how
>much each one of you has to share. Collectively you have taken this
>platform and helped create a unique and deep-rooted sense of
>community among Bookshare's members and volunteers. We hope the
>objectives and guidelines put forward in this mail will help put a
>stop to posts that have a detrimental effect on that sense of
>community. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions
>about any of the above.
>
>Warm regards,
>
>Pavi Mehta
>
>Volunteer Coordinator, Bookshare
>
>Benetech
>
>480 S. California Ave., Suite 201
>
>Palo Alto, CA 94306-1609 USA
>
>Phone: +1 650 644-3459
>
>
>
>pavim@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>www.benetech.org
>
>
>
>The Benetech Initiative - Technology Serving Humanity
>
>
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>1/27/2009 7:26 AM
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