Post by Paul on Jul 19, 2005 5:24:51 GMT
I have some ideas on how to get moving and I think it's time for a round-up of where we're up to. I think we're agree on the following:
Society Aims
We're gonna be called the "International Gastropod Society".
We have the aims stated in the society aims thread.
We will have a seperate website domain that is entirely society focussed but it will be a way into the whole petsnails infrastructure so we have members accounts and collaborative working.
We'll create a regular magazine/newsletter drawn from various websites including petsnails and this forum.
We'll try to archive/catalog any information we find on the petsnails knowledge base and keep an archive of all publications on the society site.
We will produce an electronic copy to be distributed with a view to possible hard-copy distribution.
Newsletter
In terms of the newsletter, there are few approaches:
Personally my vote goes to method 2. I think in the short-term we shouldn't aim to do that many. Monthly may sound like a big gap inbetween to some people but I think we'll be doing well to do them quarterly. Unless we aim much smaller, in which case, with enough help monthly may be possible. This gap means that whatever the situation is like, we'll get a reasonable effort out there. Things just eat time.
I suggest we establish a rough way of working, try to knock up a possible Issue 1 contents list, see who wants to do what and start compiling it. That way it can be jigged about and edited etc until we're happy with it. I think the first few issues will establish our methods and things will be easier.
Newsletter Jobs
I really do think we need an editor or some editors. Then I think all the journalists and contributers send all their article suggestions to them (or post on the forum - we'll make a private section if possible.) and they select which will get used. While these articles are being written,compiled and created, the overall order can be decided and our graphic designers can decide the overall look and start compiling it.
So I think we need:
Senior Editor - This person will have the final say on what makes it in an issue. Obviously in a benevolent way, so opinions will be listened to. They need to have a wide interest in all aspects of snails and be fairly knowledgable so as to pick a good balance of stuff for all interests and ages.
Editors - Possibly a editor for each main area of interest. This is so articles can be read through and corrected or researched further or cross-referenced or anything like that. These people will also be responsible for extras in that section so for example, in a techincal one, they may compile a glossary.
Graphic Designers - All this info needs putting into an overall newsletter design, will it be different each time or the same or what? Either way, these people will be responsible for creating the newsletter. So, great computer design skills are needed and knowledge of constructing documents in a flexible way. By this I mean, you'll may often be designing before you have all the articles, so you need to create documents in DTP software and export to PDF. That means the document can be edited and isn't fixed in stone. And it means, bits can be re-used for next time to speed things up.
Proof-readers - We need people to eyeball the newsletter and catch all the typos and mistakes.
Contributers - In the beginning I imagine the website and forum and other websites will be relied on fairly heavily but we need as many contributions as possible. And suggestions of what you intend to have a crack at. That'll give the editors chance to figure out what sections to create and what ongoing articles to run.
Distributors - Those of us with websites can provide electronic distribution easily enough, and I can do an email request service so you get them automatically. But if we do venture into printing, we need someone to print and send them within their own country. We'll see about costs and subsidising it later.
To be as fair and as flexible as possible I think we should rotate or swap the jobs as necessary. But rather than each issue, I think if someone is happy with what they're doing and they're doing a good job they should be allowed to do a for a number of issues to give them a fair crack of the whip. But it means if there are people out there dying for a chance, they'll get it.
For the moment, we need to try and pick the most-suited and keenest people for the jobs to save ourselves hassle. Also, I'm hoping that way the standard will be set with issue one and we'll all know what we're aiming for.
So who wants to do what? I'm gonna opt-out of volunteering for any of these posts though I'll help wherever I can. I'll help compile content but I have my hands overflowing as it is . I suggest everyone posts what they want to do and if we get far too many people for a job we'll figure out a fair way to decide or share.
Another huge post from me, I hope one idea/point doesn't squash another. Comments anyone?
Society Aims
We're gonna be called the "International Gastropod Society".
We have the aims stated in the society aims thread.
We will have a seperate website domain that is entirely society focussed but it will be a way into the whole petsnails infrastructure so we have members accounts and collaborative working.
We'll create a regular magazine/newsletter drawn from various websites including petsnails and this forum.
We'll try to archive/catalog any information we find on the petsnails knowledge base and keep an archive of all publications on the society site.
We will produce an electronic copy to be distributed with a view to possible hard-copy distribution.
Newsletter
In terms of the newsletter, there are few approaches:
- The first is to take our time creating each publication and releasing them as and when they are ready.
- The second is to take our time creating the first publication, this will give us a good template and benchmark for subsequent ones which will then be regular.
- The third is to release them regularly with whatever we have got ready by the deadline.
Personally my vote goes to method 2. I think in the short-term we shouldn't aim to do that many. Monthly may sound like a big gap inbetween to some people but I think we'll be doing well to do them quarterly. Unless we aim much smaller, in which case, with enough help monthly may be possible. This gap means that whatever the situation is like, we'll get a reasonable effort out there. Things just eat time.
I suggest we establish a rough way of working, try to knock up a possible Issue 1 contents list, see who wants to do what and start compiling it. That way it can be jigged about and edited etc until we're happy with it. I think the first few issues will establish our methods and things will be easier.
Newsletter Jobs
I really do think we need an editor or some editors. Then I think all the journalists and contributers send all their article suggestions to them (or post on the forum - we'll make a private section if possible.) and they select which will get used. While these articles are being written,compiled and created, the overall order can be decided and our graphic designers can decide the overall look and start compiling it.
So I think we need:
Senior Editor - This person will have the final say on what makes it in an issue. Obviously in a benevolent way, so opinions will be listened to. They need to have a wide interest in all aspects of snails and be fairly knowledgable so as to pick a good balance of stuff for all interests and ages.
Editors - Possibly a editor for each main area of interest. This is so articles can be read through and corrected or researched further or cross-referenced or anything like that. These people will also be responsible for extras in that section so for example, in a techincal one, they may compile a glossary.
Graphic Designers - All this info needs putting into an overall newsletter design, will it be different each time or the same or what? Either way, these people will be responsible for creating the newsletter. So, great computer design skills are needed and knowledge of constructing documents in a flexible way. By this I mean, you'll may often be designing before you have all the articles, so you need to create documents in DTP software and export to PDF. That means the document can be edited and isn't fixed in stone. And it means, bits can be re-used for next time to speed things up.
Proof-readers - We need people to eyeball the newsletter and catch all the typos and mistakes.
Contributers - In the beginning I imagine the website and forum and other websites will be relied on fairly heavily but we need as many contributions as possible. And suggestions of what you intend to have a crack at. That'll give the editors chance to figure out what sections to create and what ongoing articles to run.
Distributors - Those of us with websites can provide electronic distribution easily enough, and I can do an email request service so you get them automatically. But if we do venture into printing, we need someone to print and send them within their own country. We'll see about costs and subsidising it later.
To be as fair and as flexible as possible I think we should rotate or swap the jobs as necessary. But rather than each issue, I think if someone is happy with what they're doing and they're doing a good job they should be allowed to do a for a number of issues to give them a fair crack of the whip. But it means if there are people out there dying for a chance, they'll get it.
For the moment, we need to try and pick the most-suited and keenest people for the jobs to save ourselves hassle. Also, I'm hoping that way the standard will be set with issue one and we'll all know what we're aiming for.
So who wants to do what? I'm gonna opt-out of volunteering for any of these posts though I'll help wherever I can. I'll help compile content but I have my hands overflowing as it is . I suggest everyone posts what they want to do and if we get far too many people for a job we'll figure out a fair way to decide or share.
Another huge post from me, I hope one idea/point doesn't squash another. Comments anyone?