Posted by Dr. Bob on January 24, 2005, at 8:25:46
In reply to Re: smaller groups » Dr. Bob, posted by mair on January 22, 2005, at 17:34:01
> 1. How large do you envision that these groups would be?
I don't know, between 15 and 50 posters?
> 2. How would members be selected? Would it be a random process? Would it be a first come first serve process? Or would members select other members?
I was thinking first come, first served.
> 3. Will membership be capped, so that once filled, no one else may join?
Right.
> 4. May posters be on multiple small boards?
I don't know, if access is restricted, maybe it would be more fair if posters couldn't?
> 5. What happens if a member of a small board drops out or decides he or she needs to take a break from the Boards? Does he or she lose the spot? If there is an opening, who fills it?
If access is restricted, maybe it would be more fair if posters did? And they might be considered to have dropped out if they haven't posted for a while. Open spots would be filled according to #2.
> 8. Will these Boards be monitored differently? What I have in mind is the incident awhile ago when one poster, who was not a member of the 2000 Board, complained that he was offended by things written on the 2000 Board. (things certainly not written about him or with him in mind).
The small town boards would need to be civil, too. Maybe they could have their own deputy administrators?
> 6. Would groups be organized on a subject basis so you have people of like interests?
>
> 7. If they aren't organized on a subject basis, then are all subjects open for discussion, even if they are dealt with on other larger boards?
>
> 7. How do you think a system of smaller boards will develop? Would you be ok with an evolved arrangement where regulars will just consign themselves to smaller boards, and the subject boards (except perhaps the meds board) will be peopled mostly by newbies and the small board members who venture over, or perhaps the boardless returning babbler? Will it bother you if it develops that small board members really restrict their participation to their small board?If people stuck to small town boards, I'd assume that meant they preferred them, and I'd be glad they had that option. If OTOH there were no demand for them, I'd just delete them.
I wasn't thinking they'd start with a subject, but I guess they could choose one if they wanted. It might be a way to try out new subjects? And if there were continued interest, they could convert to being an open board?
Maybe one way of looking at it would be, in a small town, it's generally easier to get to know your neighbors. And in the big city, it's generally easier to find something (in this case, information). So with a combination, you could have both neighbors you know and access to information.
But someone might not be interested in both. They might want to spend all their time in the big city. Or they might never want to go. That would be fine, too.
Bob
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:441543
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20050116/msgs/446686.html