[okfn-discuss] introduction to okfn-discuss: purpose and overview

Fri Nov 18 10:29:21 UTC 2005

Dear Rufus,

This is a really important effort, but was wondering whether we end up
over-fragmenting the whole movement with that many lists.

For instance, there are two CCEW related events that I would like to
post information on and are interesting for a number of these lists.
One is on health education and open content schemes and the other on
digityal archives. Should I post everywhere?

Best,
pRo

On 10/31/05, Rufus Pollock <rufus.pollock at okfn.org> wrote:
> Dear All,
>
>
> The okfn-discuss list, which is public, has been set up for discussion
> among the board, between the board and the members, and between members
> themselves (if this list ever gets too busy then we will move
> administrative stuff elsewhere).
>
> The purpose of setting up the OKF Network was twofold:
>
>    1. To provide a loose community of similar minded projects/groups
> (analogy with Apache Software Foundation)
>    2. To provide infrastructure to 'open knowledge' projects, especially
> campaigning ones, in a sustainable and responsive manner
>
> Point 2 is of particular importance. It has been my experience that
> technical stuff (webhosting, mailing lists etc) while secondary to the
> activities of a project/group can often make a major difference (either
> for good or ill) in allowing the project/group to pursue its primary
> objectives (we have probably all experienced the situation where we
> can't alter some vital web page or set up a mailing list because the
> sysadmin was away or too busy or ....).
>
> It is my hope that the Network by being a bit more 'institutional' (e.g.
> having a governance document, having this list) can avoid some of these
> pitfalls, for examply by ensuring there isn't just one person on whom
> all access depends, that there is a good balance between responsiveness
> to members and good, secure sysadminning etc. Some of you I know,
> (Martin, Pete especially) have had experience with similar projects in
> the past and I hope you will share the wisdom so gained with us as we go
> forward in this endeavour.
>
> Regards,
>
> Rufus
>
> Current members of this list
> ============================
>
> (* indicates OKFN board member)
>
> Jo Walsh (*)
> Martin Keegan (*)
> Francis Irving
> Prodromos Tsiavos (*)
> Pete Clay
> Tom Chance
> John Bywater (*)
> Julian Priest
> Saul Albert (*)
> Peter Lockley (*)
> Rufus Pollock (*)
>
> Network members to whom technical services are provided
> =======================================================
>
>    * Freeculture-UK
>    * WSFII
>    * Geo
>    * DRN
>    * KnowledgeForge
>    * OKFN and OKF themselves
>
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>