Re: [tdf-discuss] Community Management

Hello,
> On 12/16/2010 3:45 AM, Cor Nouws wrote:
> > Benjamin Horst wrote (14-12-10 16:21)
> >
> > > I agree with you about the possible negative connotations of the term
> > > "manager," but I think it's just a terminology problem. You could
> > > think of the role as "Community Facilitator" or even "host" if you
> > > prefer. The actual tasks inherent to the role are similar to the host
> > > of a party--introducing people to others with similar interests,
> > > helping to coordinate times, places and necessities, etc.
> > >
> > > In practice, it's hugely helpful to have someone walking around to
> > > make sure that good ideas don't get lost and plans receive
> > > encouragement and assistance until they are completed. They can also
> > > play the role of matchmaker, to help find volunteers for important
> > > initiatives that don't have enough helpers.
> > >
> > > I also understand the desire to form a clean break from the past and
> > > to build our own thing this time. I think it's the right approach,
> > > but I don't think it means we can eliminate the role of the community
> > > manager, though renaming it to better suit our project's culture
> > > certainly makes sense.
> >
> > +1
> > Very well said, IMO.
> > A good manager serves the community. A manager is not a commander.
> > Being a good manager is a time-consuming task. It involves knowing 
> > what is going on, understanding the 'how-to's' of many community 
> > members, and finding a balance between letting flow, and linking 
> > actively, proposing, intervening etc.
> > I am sure our bye-laws provide us with some officers, of which I 
> > expect one to do this job.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Cor
>
> I agree -- and to avoid the negative implications of "manager" how 
> about calling this valuable person the Community Coordinator?

What's the construction we talk about?
If we install someone like a community coordinator, than the term says 
he/she coordinates the community.
What than does TDF or the steering committee? Their mission is to evolve 
the OpenOffice.org-Community into a new open ... and so on.
I think we have not enough clearness about the things TDF/LO consists 
of. There is in a rough form:
a Community - a Product (LO)
the Community is build of developers, users, sponsors, contributors and 
so on
the Product is at the moment the sequel of OOo; later on it could be 
additional software too in the kind of open-source
the Community as a whole works to offer the software to the public.
and that all should "work" with a global dimension as well as with 
national or local basis.

I propose to think it from the core. And that is at the moment:
We construct an organisation (TDF) to develop and contribute a 
software-product (LO).
Or a little bit harder: We build a kind of MS in an open and 
non-profit-oriented form ;-)
Than the elementary question is: How has a structure to be to fulfill 
our goals in the best way it could be done?
Also this structure has to include the "tools" to reach as many people 
as possible (for development, testing, marketing, sponsoring and so on).

With this aspects we have to proof the current form of TDF, trim it to a 
better level, proof the goals, check the construction, trim it and so on.
For that we need an adequate exchange of information. For example the 
best configuration of mailing-lists, collaborative working, and others more.
Because nearly all of this has a global basis and a national one, 
regional or local, the relevant information has finally to spread to 
every member of the community. Also every (good) idea of a member has to 
reach the national or global basis.

And now another important question: Should we begin right now - or 
should we wait till the final release of LO?
Because many people are in the preparation of this release.
Otherwise the clock is ticking and some people dont develop, test and so 
on. They could work on a (rough) sketch of the fundamental aspects of 
the TDF-structure, to bring it forward as fast as possible.

At last back to the "Community Coordinator". This function we have 
install on the best position inside the best construction of TDF we 
could make. Eventually in the beginning like a joker without a 
determined position.

Regards,
Johannes


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