[okfn-za] Time to create a super group?

Thu Feb 27 05:54:49 UTC 2014

Hi Rufus

You're right. The problem is that there has been pushback in the past
regarding joining a group that is affiliated with a particular
organisation. We really need a straight-up open data group for South
Africa. Unfortunately, due to a number of complaints about the opt-out
process, it seems that a mass migration to a new group is not a
popular idea. Creating a new opt-in list will result (as you say)  in
yet another list which is only representative of a small percentage of
the local community and will create further fragmentation.

In short, I think that we're stuck with a tangled mess of multiple
open data-oriented mailing lists. To help, I have put up an
instruction manual for getting involved in the community on our
website to help sort out the mess: http://www.code4sa.org/#community.

Unless someone has a bright idea, I think that we're stuck with this situation.

Adi

On 10 February 2014 15:00, Rufus Pollock <rufus.pollock at okfn.org> wrote:
> Hi Adi,
>
> The idea definitely is good to join people up more but I do wonder whether
> the solution to too many mailing lists is another mailing list ;-)
>
> I'd note that e.g. okfn-za list isn't confined to a specific geography or
> topic already (and that may be true for other mailing lists) so I'm not sure
> that's the issue (?).
>
> Rufus
>
>
> On 7 February 2014 06:22, Siyabonga Africa <siyafrica at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hey Adi
>>
>> I am totally behind this idea. I think our interests are relatively the
>> same in this area.
>>
>> Thanks and regards
>>
>> Siya
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Feb 7, 2014 at 8:18 AM, Adi Eyal <adi at code4sa.org> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi All
>>>
>>> I often cross post to multiple open data oriented groups. That's not a
>>> great system.
>>>
>>> It's problematic for people who are registered on more than one group.
>>> A reply to all bounces if you're not registered on a particular group
>>> It fragments the community.
>>>
>>> Are there any objections to create a super group the represents
>>> general open data interests nationwide? Obviously each group might
>>> have specific niche interests (e.g. hackshackers) so existing groups
>>> wouldn't disappear. I suggest something like opendata-za. We could
>>> automatically move everyone on each group to a new one.
>>>
>>> An opt-out might be better than an opt-in because otherwise we might
>>> lose half of the community due to the sheer volume of emails that most
>>> people receive  in the inboxes.
>>>
>>> Any reason why we shouldn't do it?
>>>
>>> A deafing silence will signal no objection. I'll create the group on
>>> on Friday next week unless good reasons are put forward not to do so.
>>> Also, send individual opt-outs off-list by then if you don't want to
>>> be added to yet another mailing list.
>>>
>>> Regards
>>> Adi
>>>
>>> --
>>> Adi Eyal
>>> Director
>>> Code for South Africa
>>> Promoting informed decision-making
>>>
>>> phone: +27 78 014 2469
>>> skype: adieyalcas
>>> linkedin: http://za.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Adi/Eyal
>>> web: http://www.code4sa.org
>>> twitter: @soapsudtycoon
>>>
>>> For more information on how to participate in the open data community
>>> in South Africa, go to: http://www.code4sa.org/#community
>>>
>>> --
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>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Siyabonga Africa
>> Ford Foundation Fellow 2010/2011
>> South Africa
>>
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>
>
>
> --
>
> Rufus Pollock
>
> Founder and Executive Director | skype: rufuspollock | @rufuspollock
>
> The Open Knowledge Foundation
>
> Empowering through Open Knowledge
>
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-- 
Adi Eyal
Director
Code for South Africa
Promoting informed decision-making

phone: +27 78 014 2469
skype: adieyalcas
linkedin: http://za.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Adi/Eyal
web: http://www.code4sa.org
twitter: @soapsudtycoon

For more information on how to participate in the open data community
in South Africa, go to: http://www.code4sa.org/#community