h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi PC

I thought I'd start a conversation on your space so that you couldn't feel that you were butting into anyone else's conversation ..

Here's a link to the Great Big Document:

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B2ZHau0jbhEIYTEwMjkzMmUtNzA0NC00YTY1LWJhMDYtNDNlOWQwNWZmNDNk&hl=en&authkey=CLvWzbIH


We know that you've not commented much, but we'd really like to know what you think, we want to make sure we hear all voices, not just those that shout the loudest.. this has been an attempt to summarise what the community thinks, and we need to hear all opinions, including yours.. so please do let me know what you think, or e mail me on [email protected]

Z

Thank you, Z. I appreciate your coming over here to leave the link.

I've given it a quick glance, but obviously I need to give it a more thorough read. Sadly, as of last week my position at work was eliminated and I'm no longer employed at the moment, so I'll have plenty of time to read and offer some feedback tomorrow. It's very kind of you to go out of your way to make sure everyone is heard.

And for the things I did moan about, a number of suggestions and ideas have sounded really good, so I'll make sure to squeak up about those, too.

Hi PC, I am really sorry to hear about your work situation. I hope that things look better dor you soon.

I'm subscribing to this thread so that when you get time, I'll be here to listen.

If the word document doesn't work, there's a pdf here http://www.tinyurl.com/noohootoo

Hi Mrs. Zen.

Thanks, first off, for the well wishes. It's my nature to anticipate the worst and do the doom-and-gloom, worst case scenario thing, but I'm resigning right now not to go about this that way. With luck I'll find something soon and won't have to adjust to too drastic a reduction in income. Otherwise I guess we'll have to manage anyway. Meanwhile I will try to get some spring cleaning done, and tend to some necessary dental work while I'm still on my former employer's insurance (still on the payroll while they pay out my unused vacation and severance pay).

On to the GBD. My gosh, that is big. So much to take in! I'll endeavor to offer some useful feedback. Starting with this- the presentation of the document alone is really impressive.

The only thing I can think of off the top of my head right now, besides the two issues I mentioned already in Bel's journal, is that I do think we need to keep moderation volunteers separate from the other volunteer schemes if at all possible. I was an ACE for a year or so around 2002-2003, and my experience was that the group could be a bit clique-y. Even still, there is sometimes a feeling of in group/ out group with the volunteer schemes, and a lot of people, myself included, often feel a bit ostracized by the "Underlines" or the "in" crowd. (And yes, I totally appreciate that limited participation in the active threads isn't exactly conducive to being in the "in" crowd... but I think you'll see what I mean.)

I think recruiting researchers who've been around long enough to understand the site and its ins and outs- as well as the rules and the problems with the current system- but without current involvement in other volunteer schemes, should be the default. Obviously many researchers are happy to serve in more than one capacity, and should do! But I've *seen* preferential treatment in moderation- though I oughtn't itemize instances as we're not supposed to discuss moderation issues on site. I'm just a little concerned about putting a small number of people "in charge" of too many things and having no recourse if some heads become too big. If certain individuals get so worked up about the number of little "badges" on their PS as some do, imagine how those same individuals might behave were they to feel that they could pick on posts by people they don't like- the Phantom Yikeser is a good example.

And speaking of the Phantom Yikeser, while I am not in favor of identifying users who report posts, I do think that if someone is repeatedly abusing the system, they *should* be disciplined somehow. The overall impression, otherwise, is that this individual gets away with it so must "know someone". Perhaps no need to name and shame... but at least a temporary suspension or something?

I'll have more to add later, here and/or via email. Thanks again.

ooh, I also see someone suggested an automated greeting for newbies. I think that'd be a great idea- then, rather than leaving a standard, impersonal greeting, ACEs could follow up in a more personal way. I like that idea. When I first registered, I left a couple journal entries and everything, and when no one really engaged me, I almost didn't post back, until I stumbled across some silly Ask threads that caught my interest.

Plus I always hated the "don't say anything to any newbies on their space till an ACE does" thing (even as an ACE), because sometimes a new user would post something to a thread that totally made me want to run over and talk to them, right away. Half the fun of places like this is meeting people with similar interests, and an automated greeting would both alert an ACE to check in on the new user while allowing others to initiate conversations or messages right away as well. I like it.

Hello!

Gosh - how things have changed since we last typed in...
Re the grandmother in law

I tend to go with 'Please don't wave that murdered corpse in front of me again I worry I may be sick if it comes near me'.

Perhaps on a second occassion run out the room feeling queesy.

Hiya Z!

Yes, well, I am seeing things a little differently now, for a variety of reasons. And here I am back at work now since last posting to this, too...

Now with regard to the meat-flapping granny, I think running from the room and being violently ill would make the point most eloquently. I am going to try that sometime, I think!