User:OneKarma/Forum/Communications

[note: 12 dec 2011 - contents of this page moved to User:OneKarma/Forum, this page now defunct]

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This page is intended to host discussion regarding the meaning and intent of the various media venues employed by Occupy Boston.

OccupyBoston.org

The meaning of the 'website' is clear: it is a public face - a 'news' outlet hosting only the most well-developed and/or urgent stories.

Wiki, Mailing Lists, and Groups

Communication between Occupiers is often chaotic and stressful because there is a lack of clarity in the meaning and intent of various communication mediums. The wiki, mailing lists, and .org group spaces are in conflict because they are neither clearly defined nor consistently utilized.

Wiki

Benefits

A wiki is intended to be the most complete resource for information on any great number of topics. The strength of a wiki comes from its public, transparent, autonomous, and open-source natures. There is room not only for the most pertinent information on every specific topic (on the 'Page' tab), but also for a discussion and evolution of those topics (on the 'Discussion' tab).

If the wiki's dynamic nature can be understood by the Occupy Boston community, it can be transformed into a centralized, collaborative space for anyone truly interested in societal progress.

Issues

Lack of 'Standard Practice': Collaborators may be unable to easily locate and/or post the information they desire because there is not a standard navigational structure (if there is a standard structure, it lacks clear representation).

Mailing Lists

Benefits

Mailing lists are the best medium for immediate and specific updates. A mailing list updates subscribers in nearly real-time, creating a kind of forum for very specific working groups. The newest reply is always at the 'top'.

Issues

'Forced' Participation: Subscribers receive every message sent to the group, without any potential for filtering per content. Many subscribers use their personal email addresses, and mailing lists tend to 'clog' that space.

Lack of 'Archives': Subscribers are unable to view messages occurring before their subscription request, so they may be unable to view pertinent discussions unless those discussions are updated within their subscription period. Those updates must also include all previous text from the 'thread', which is not a requirement for replies.

Groups.OccupyBoston.org

Benefits

The 'groups' section of OB.org is clearly a 'forum' for all working groups.

Issues

'Exclusivity': Membership to each groups must be approved by an admin, greatly slowing the process of contribution and creating an air of authority in what is otherwise meant to be open discussion space.