-----
Here's my two bits on the transition
of the list server to First Step.
1) Keep the list unmoderated. I was
not a list moderater, bur rather a list
manager. I made sure people got subscribed/
unsubscribed properly. That was the
extent of my responsibilities. I never
intervened based on the subject content
of a message because that was not my role.
If there is to be a "cop" on the list to
intervene if/when the discussion gets
ugly, it probably ought to be members of
the vision2020 steering committee, not
a single list manager who sits in
judgement. Honestly, with the small
size of the list, this simply has not
been a problem nor would I anticipate
it being a problem. So, my advice is to
keep the list open without a moderator per
se. Call the individual making sure
things run smoothly the list manager.
And self-policing should be the norm.
2) Keep the list open and keep the list
of members available. People should have
a way to find out who their audience is. Let
me give you an example: I managed another
environmental discussion group that was
open to the public. Most people were
avowed environmentalists on that list.
As the list manager, I saw someone from
industry (the enemy in some people's minds)
join the list. Was it my place to announce
the arrival of this individual to prevent
the potential embarrassment of others not
realizing who was now on the list? I didn't
think so given the list was advertised
as open to the public. But any list member
could have found out who was on the list
at any given time and posted accordingly.
Just my thoughts.
-- Greg Brown (gregb@siu.edu) Assistant Professor,Dept. of Forestry Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL 62901-4411 (618) 453-7465 FAX: (618) 453-7475