community
one of the problems with the current dance-tech list has been the offhand reception newcomers receive. one of the common critiques dance and technology receives is «the application of technology for its own sake, without thoughtful implementation».
yesterday marlon added to the examples of both these things.
thus far we only have more confusion. it is clear a social networking site would be useful to dance and performance technology practitioners, but what is its remit? should it:
- replace the existing list entirely (close the list)
- only focus on networking and event management / listings
- be an alternative to the existing list
kristin’s offer seemed a good solution. she has some experience of running a social network site, and as a «new » person to the list is somewhat free of the existing political structure. with kirstin as a locus, and with support from individuals with time and expertise, a new site could help re-invigorate the community and public face of dance-tech.
on the(inter)mission the profile questions on signup are numerous, but focused to give context. what information should we be asking for in profiles on the dance-tech networking site. it should be easy to search for shared interests, projects worked on, institutions, skills, (etc. etc.).
on a basic level there is the issue of how should the forums be arranged and moderated. for example, will there be a section for «frequently asked questions». i also feel that there should be a dedicated url so the site is simpler to find / search for. there is also the question of should the network be public (i think so), and should membership requests be «approved»? (would help reduce spam).
most importantly there needs be be openness in the way the site is run, and someone to take the lead. the site administrators and moderators should have a clear remit, and level of commitment to adhere to.
i don’t know how many people are on the dance-tech list, nor out of those (passively) active members how many would like to see it invigorated.
perhaps there should be a poll asking ten key questions about the future of the list and a social networking site. an attempt to find out what the dance-tech community wants and needs. the poll should be anonymous and not held on the dance-tech list or neo-network.
because i was unsure about the social network idea, and had some concerns about its suitability, i’ll write a post this evening about those issues. it may help people think about some of the wider issues and advantages / cons of moving platforms. that seems important to me.