[Sigia-l] [Admin] Improving the Quality of IA-L

Richard Hill rhill at asis.org
Wed Apr 16 09:02:44 EDT 2003


At the IA Summit in Portland I reported that this list had grown to over 
2000.

Since March it has shrunk to about 1850.

There have been comments on the list recently about declining quality 
(signal to noise ratio), and we take that seriously.  Suggestions have 
included shutting the list down for a “cooling off” period, moderation, 
mommying, and splitting into multiple lists.

We think SIGIA-L serves a valuable function as a general forum on 
Information Architecture, so splitting the list isn’t desirable and other, 
narrower lists exist.  Moderation isn’t very feasible and is 
objectionable.  Mommying is possible, but there is no reason why list 
subscribers can’t do that themselves – and OFF LIST; it doesn’t require 
administrative blessing.

In the first 15 days of April, 315 messages were posted: 49 from one person 
(15%, 3.2/day) and 25 from another (8%, 1.6/day).  If self-moderation isn’t 
possible, one easy solution the software allows is restricting the number 
of posts by any person per day.  That shouldn’t be necessary but is being 
considered.

The welcome message to new subscribers is appended below, but I call 
particular attention to  4 items:

*  6.Stick to the topic of Information Architecture.
*   7.Every e-mail should have added value/substance. "Me too" mail without 
added value is not acceptable.

and of course
    1.Avoid negative comments about any individual. If there is a problem 
with someone on the list, then e-mail that person directly. Also, avoid 
mention of any names if the associated comment is not positive.
    3.Excessive negative generalizations will not be tolerated.

Suggestions MADE OFF LIST are always welcome.

Dick Hill

----- entire welcome message ---
    1.Avoid negative comments about any individual. If there is a problem 
with someone on the list, then e-mail that person directly. Also, avoid 
mention of any names if the associated comment is not positive.
    2.Do not include any foul or obscene language on any message sent to 
the list.
    3.Excessive negative generalizations will not be tolerated.
    4.Do not send any chain letters, virus warning letters, or any other 
type of "pass it on" e-mail under any circumstances to the list.
    5.Do not forward private e-mails to the list.  It is OK to copy part of 
a message that has appeared on the list, but it is not permitted to copy or 
forward part or all of a message that someone sent to you off-list.
    6.Stick to the topic of Information Architecture.
    7.Every e-mail should have added value/substance. "Me too" mail without 
added value is not acceptable.
    8.If you are receiving the digest form of this list, please do NOT 
allow copies of the digest to appear in any of your posts.     You may 
selectively cut and paste relevant portions of a given post to include in 
your post, but including the entire digest is not allowed.
    9.Please make sure that the subject line matches your post. If you are 
taking an existing discussion off on a specific tangent, make sure the 
subject line reflects the change in conversation direction.
   10.Please do not send attachments to the list.

Executive Director
American Society for Information Science and Technology
1320 Fenwick Lane, Suite 510
Silver Spring, MD  20910
FAX: (301) 495-0810
PHONE: (301) 495-0900

http://www.asis.org  




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