[_] Meeting that Is Not UnderScore
Alex Stanhope
listalex at lightenna.com
Thu Feb 24 15:18:01 GMT 2005
Hi All,
I thought the meeting was great last night and I really think there's a good
chance of building something which can realise some of the goals we laid out
(Dan, thanks for the manifesto photo).
Making decisions
Somehow we've got to make lasting decisions because otherwise I don't think
we'll do anything. What I'm suggesting is that each meeting is divided into
two halves: the first half is debate and the second half is voting on
proposals. Decisions are made by those who turn up. Each week we take a
list of proposals and vote on each one in turn. Whatever sticks, goes out
in the minutes the day after.
In the beginning
Now I totally appreciate that in the beginning there's a hell of a lot of
stuff to decide, not least of all who we are, what we meet for and what we,
as a group, want. I'm hoping that once we get through this start up phase
that'll settle down.
Agenda
You define the agenda. If you want to raise an issue: show up. This
meeting is not underscore, which in my opinion is an excellent technical
forum, but as a mailing list [_] cannot possibly address all the things we
want/need/demand as a community. This group can if you want it to,
individually.
Scope
I don't think the group needs to be limited in its scope. One of the things
it might do is lobby South West Screen. One of the things it might do is
run a set of Industry Awards. One of the things it might do is promote
Bristol's Interactive media community on a wider stage, by sharing press
releases and building a brand that inspires press-interest. One of the
things it might do is form a Media Villiage. The thing is, I think we can
define who the group represents by who turns up. If you turn up with a New
Media agenda, then great, that's what we'll talk about. If you turn up with
a film & TV agenda, then fine, although my gut feeling is that there may not
be a lot of support in this forum compared to something like PACT. The
point is that if you want a voice for your Interactive Installation work or
your web design or your freelance Flash programming or your fledgling media
company, this group happens once a fortnight and shares your enthusiasm.
Suggestions
All this stuff is just my suggestion after listening and participating in a
lively debate last night. Like all decisions, it will only be made by,
guess who, the group! If you don't like these ideas, then come and vote no
and shape this group so it's the shape you want it to be. And if you wanna
just bitch about it online, that's fine too, but nothing changes.
Name
I think we desperately need a working title. It's never going to be used on
a press release, or website, or in a group-pitch (as I hope the eventual
name will), but I think we need some name to refer to this group by.
the Meeting that Is Not UnderScore
seems to have got us so far, so how about MINUS (or shift underscore).
Cheers, Alex
I thought the meeting was great last night and I really think there's a good
chance of building something which can realise some of the goals we laid out
(Dan, thanks for the manifesto photo).
Making decisions
Somehow we've got to make lasting decisions because otherwise I don't think
we'll do anything. What I'm suggesting is that each meeting is divided into
two halves: the first half is debate and the second half is voting on
proposals. Decisions are made by those who turn up. Each week we take a
list of proposals and vote on each one in turn. Whatever sticks, goes out
in the minutes the day after.
In the beginning
Now I totally appreciate that in the beginning there's a hell of a lot of
stuff to decide, not least of all who we are, what we meet for and what we,
as a group, want. I'm hoping that once we get through this start up phase
that'll settle down.
Agenda
You define the agenda. If you want to raise an issue: show up. This
meeting is not underscore, which in my opinion is an excellent technical
forum, but as a mailing list [_] cannot possibly address all the things we
want/need/demand as a community. This group can if you want it to,
individually.
Scope
I don't think the group needs to be limited in its scope. One of the things
it might do is lobby South West Screen. One of the things it might do is
run a set of Industry Awards. One of the things it might do is promote
Bristol's Interactive media community on a wider stage, by sharing press
releases and building a brand that inspires press-interest. One of the
things it might do is form a Media Villiage. The thing is, I think we can
define who the group represents by who turns up. If you turn up with a New
Media agenda, then great, that's what we'll talk about. If you turn up with
a film & TV agenda, then fine, although my gut feeling is that there may not
be a lot of support in this forum compared to something like PACT. The
point is that if you want a voice for your Interactive Installation work or
your web design or your freelance Flash programming or your fledgling media
company, this group happens once a fortnight and shares your enthusiasm.
Suggestions
All this stuff is just my suggestion after listening and participating in a
lively debate last night. Like all decisions, it will only be made by,
guess who, the group! If you don't like these ideas, then come and vote no
and shape this group so it's the shape you want it to be. And if you wanna
just bitch about it online, that's fine too, but nothing changes.
Name
I think we desperately need a working title. It's never going to be used on
a press release, or website, or in a group-pitch (as I hope the eventual
name will), but I think we need some name to refer to this group by.
the Meeting that Is Not UnderScore
seems to have got us so far, so how about MINUS (or shift underscore).
Cheers, Alex