[maemo-community] A rant on 25th-hour hysterics...

[From: Brian Waite]

On Wednesday 03 September 2008, Tim wrote:
> Eric,
>
> > ----- Original Message -----
> >
> > > One of the most fascinating things that occurs within the maemo.org
> > > community (and most likely, every other passionate, close-knit
>
> community) is
>
> > > when people take little/no time to interact with ongoing planning
>
> activities
>
> > > and then suddenly exert interest in methods and practices that have
> > > been discussed for quite a while already.
> >
> > The problem is that in this "close-knit" community people often forget
> > that most people don't have time to follow all the possible places
> > these topics get discussed.  IRC and iTT while useful are not good
> > channels in which a community consensus can be made, the wiki is still
> > on the unstable side, and topics on the mailing list often do not get
> > proper airing before a decision is made.
> >
> > The Community Council is a prime example.  Because of the rules
> > decided on here by a consensus I am ineligible to vote or run for
> > office.  While it might have made a difference had I subscribed to
> > this list earlier, the topic was brought up by others.
> >
> > I am not one to complain after the fact, I don't have the time, but I
> > can see where people might be annoyed with the process as a whole.
> >
> > Don't get me wrong, I do agree with the spirit of your post, the
> > problem is there are too many, far reaching, places that important
> > topics get discussed.
> >
> > -Eric
>
> Yeah, you're right. But, I am one of those busy people too (e.g., I have
> not yet been able to participate in an IRC session). But, I do periodically
> have the time to read through my maemo-* mailing list digests. Likewise,
> "Watching" the wiki is a great way to stay up-to-date.
>
> Still, as we have often discussed, there are issues with the Karma system
> -- hence, your ineligibility, which is unfortunate. But, also as stated,
> these are things that will be worked out in time. And, I wouldn't assume
> whomever is chosen for the council will have life-time positions in the
> council -- meaning, many more people should have a chance to interact as
> council members in the future.
>
> All of this being said, I think the first council will have a lot to iron
> out in these regards.
>
> Tim
>
> ---
> Weblog ~ http://tim.samoff.com
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> Photography ~ http://www.flickr.com/photos/timsamoff
> Film ~ http://www.youtube.com/timsamoff
>
>
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No offense please. I repeat this is not an attack nor flame. I understand the 
feelings, as I too have little time for Real Time conversations/forums but I 
think  we should note a few things. 

1) We are talking about a candidate list. That means after the final list is 
assembled there is a voting process. This will be a check against the karma 
system. You can have all the karma in the world because you maintain 10 hello 
world applications on 4 different OS versions, but no one knows who you are. We 
are going to be the electorate, so we will be able to weed through the karma 
noise. 

2) Primarily for the first ever committee, but also for future committees, I 
think it is important to have people who do have the time, energy, and 
motivation to follow ALL the communications formats to hold prominent roles. 
In fact they often do. I am sure every one of us has a prioritzed list of 
people on ITT/list/wiki for whom their opinion weighs more than others. Thoes 
are the people who will steer this boat most effectively, as they are really 
already doing it informally.


Just my 2 cents. 

Thanks
Brian


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