[Imc-web] Ideas for web group

[JASON MIEREK]

To all in the IMC Web-Group,

I am sorry that I cannot attend this evening's meeting.  I have just started 
a second job and so, at the moment, my schedule is very cramped and 
conflicted.  So please accept these ideas in lieu of my actual presence this 
evening.

I have been giving thought to the issue raised by Sascha, Clint, Paul and I, 
on general editorial policies for the IMC website, specifically on questions 
of what constitutes "features" and how we should go abour hiding posts.

1. Features
I agree with Paul that it would be better to establish a few general 
policies in the beginning, rather than have them hammered out continually in 
practice.

As for features, I think these rules should be as follows:
A) to qualify as a feature, the article should pertain to the U-C Community 
directly.  Maybe "community" could extend to Illinois in general, or 
non-Chicago issues, but that is a topic for further clarification.

B) to qualify as a feature, the material posted must not be a mainstream 
media repost.  Obviously, articles written by members of the community which 
reference mainstream sources are fully qualified to be features.  I think 
that non-mainstream media reposts, which involve the U-C community, are also 
fair game to be features --- this leaves us to define what exactly are meant 
by "non-mainstream" sources---The Nation?  Counterpunch?

2. Hiding Posts

I think that hiding posts is appropriate only after the prospective "hider" 
first sends out an email alerting other editors and web group members to the 
problematic post.  A straw pull is then attempted, and if the majority of 
respondants are in favor of hiding the post, it is hidden and likewise if 
the majority are in favor of not hiding the post.  If any editors have 
serious complaints about a piece that has not been hidden, they can post 
their critiques as commentary.  If no response is obtained within a set time 
of the original "hider's" post, then it would seem that the response is 
underwhelming, and so the "hider" may go along with his or her original 
intent and hide the problematic piece.

I hope that these ideas are incorporated into tonight's discussion, which I 
know will be fruitful.  Please email me with thoughts, comments, etc.

Hopefully my schedule will be straigtened out so as to allow me to attend 
the next meeting.

Sincerely,

Jason Mierek




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