Re: Weekly discussion/randoms thread..

On Fri, Dec 23, 2011 at 10:27 AM, Cal Leeming [Simplicity Media Ltd]
<cal.leeming@simplicitymedialtd.co.uk> wrote:
> I'm thinking that if we keep this a strictly on-list event, it will
> encourage people to get involved at any time, simply by replying to the
> thread.
>
> We'd pick a day which consistently shows most activity, and someone would
> just start the thread off on that day.
>
> Maybe a few 'etiquette' rules for the thread - like keeping replies to under
> a certain amount, removing any unnecessary 'filler', limit to either bullet
> points or single sentences - to allow for easy quick reading, rather than a
> book essay.
>
> I think the most important aspect is to keep this integrated into the list,
> and not require the user to break off to another service. - It also means
> that there's very little admin involved, and it's easily contributed by
> anyone on the list.
>
> @Russ - do you feel this would be a good approach to take??

Personally, I can't say I'm very excited by this particular idea. One
of the things that makes a good newsletter, blog, or any other content
worth reading is a consistent editorial voice. This "voice" governs
what gets published, how much is written, and in what style.

What you're essentially describing is like a wiki page, done on a
mailing list, once a week. In my humble opinion, I can think of
exactly one example where the "wiki" style of editorial management has
produced a worthwhile body of content -- Wikipedia -- and they spend
almost as much time (possibly more so) debating and discussing
editorial policy as they do actually writing content. The utopian
ideal of wikis being a place where anyone can edit and a wonderful
result organically emerges is, in my experience, not borne out by the
evidence.

That said -- I'm happy to be proven wrong if someone else thinks this
idea will work and wants to take the lead. If you want to try and
organize a weekly event like this one, go right ahead.

Yours,
Russ Magee %-)

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