[bksvol-discuss] Re: Bookshare's Perspective On Its Lists
- From: David Andrews <dandrews@xxxxxxxx>
- To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:27:02 -0600
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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