[New-imc] Handing out local URL's through the IMC-UK network
Tony
cactus at zetnet.co.uk
Thu May 8 18:31:31 PDT 2003
Thanks Bart for your response - but we were hoping that we would not
have to go through the usual process - otherwise there is no point in
our trying to set up a local process... maybe i wasn't clear enough
before...
The way i see it is that we are not applying for a new site - there
will still be one IMC-uk site - but with new sub-groups/collectives
working on there own sub pages like imc oxford or imc manchester. As
IMC-uk is already part of the global network, and we have set up a
process to make sure that any new groups in the UK are accountable to
the UK site and its mission statement etc - then we would be able to
ask for the DNS/URL's (is there a difference?) for that group.
I can imagine that this would be a problem if these sites were then
listed in the long list of imc's - but if they remained under the
IMC-uk banner then i would rather they not have to go through the
whole global process. Maybe only those groups thet want to have a
separate listing should do that - like IMC- lancaster and scotland
have.
Any ideas?
cheers tony
>Tony wrote:
>> Hello New-imc'ers
>>
>> Below is an explaination of where imc-uk is heading with its
>> decentralisation precess - a bit of history and background - For the UK
>> (United Kollectives) Network to work well we hope to be able to have our
>> own 'new-uk-imc' application process - where new regional collectives in
>> the UK can be given their own URL (ie. oxford.indymedia.org) when they
>> agree to the Mission statement, Working practices, and Principles of
> > Unity etc...
>
>
>> We would most likely use the UK-process list for new applications, but
>> first i need to know if we can hand out our own URL's and who /where
>> /how we can do this. (I am not sure at the moment if all these would be
>> listed on the global list of IMC's - maybe all of us would come under
>> 'UK' banner - to be discussed) We would of course be putting together an
>> application proceedure much like the global one but regionally based -
>> to come soon but based on alot of this text.
>
>Hey Tony,
>
>sounds ok to me.
>if you want to give indymedia.org subdomains i gues you'll have to send
>them through new-imc and imc-process deadlines (they'll recognised as
>seperate imc's then ?)
>
>anyone a better / other solution ?
>
>
>Bart
>
>
> >
> > cheers tony
>>
>> =================================
>>
>> WORKING PRACTICES ON uk.indymedia.org/ mir
>>
>> uk.indymedia.org is a collaborative project of local imc groups who
>> agree on some basic common grounds. Participation involves taking
>> responsibility for shared tasks and gives each group access to the
>> knowledge and resources of other groups. Transparency is crucial -
>> especially on the tech side.
>> uk.indymedia.org is run by volunteers. A part from agreed shared tasks,
>> everything relies on the motivation of individuals or groups - a good
>> reason to maintain a spirit of solidarity and support in our communication.
>>
>> -------------------------------------------
>> I. historical bits
>>
>> Since a few months, imc uk has kicked off as a network.
>> In the first years, imc uk was mainly maintained by a group in London -
>> we simply could not find other imc groups in the uk who were willing to
>> join in. Then the network slowly started to build. Bristol set up their
>> separate website, Scotland is working on one. Imc uk temporarily hosted
>> imc ireland while they were setting up their separate site. Manchester
>> and Scotland asked for subsections on the UK page. We started to have
>> network meetings. Lancester, Sheffield and Leeds joined in. Oxford and
>> Cambridge applied for imc lists. The contact page was updated to include
>> new groups
>>
>>[http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/imc-uk-network/2003-March/000253.html]
>>
>> Several groups started to share "housekeeping duties" like newswire
>> cleaning, the editorial guidelines were updated
>>
>>[http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/imc-uk-process/2003-March/001105.html].
>>
>>
>> -------------------------------------------
> > II. Migration to MIR - a collaborative project
> >
>> The first major project of the imc - United Kollective network is the
>> migration to mir. This is much more than just a change of software. It
>> is the outcome of a years long process to establish imc uk as a network
>> of local imc groups who work together on a shared website, to build a
>> platform where people from all over the country can share information/news.
>>
>> The final deadline of the migration, the looks of the site, and the way
>> we set up the admin depends on the input of each imc group. The
>> development of the MIR site works a bit like opensource software
>> developing, very pragmatic. Some people do things, then it's wait and
>> see if others take them up. At the same time, imc uk has elements of a
>> more structured, collective approach, because there are some things that
>> we have to find consensus about.
>>
>> -------------------------------------------
>> III. uk.indymedia.org Communication tools
>>
>> The consensus process is non-hierarchical, there is no formal
>> decision-making body of delegates. But some communication tools for
>> sharing knowledge, discussion and decision making have developed.
>> Generally, things are being discussed in a variety of communication
>> channels, before they come up as a proposal.
>>
>> /1 face to face meetings
>> Although we are using a variety of electronic communication channels,
>> local imc groups rely on face to face meetings in intervals that suit
>> them, mostly announced on their publicly archived imc list.
>>
>> /2 Lists
>> Every local imc group currently liaises with some uk lists:
>> [imc-uk-network] for information, [imc-uk-process] for discussion,
>> developing proposals etc, [imc-uk-tech] to sort out how to do things.
>>
>> Every imc worldwide is committed to be in touch with some global imc
>> lists. Reports from global lists are fed to [imc-uk-process]. Sometimes,
>> global lists are asking for feedback.
>>
>> /3 Network Meeting
>> Every local imc group can propose a f2f network meeting. If a critical
>> mass of local groups agrees that a network meeting is needed or that it
>> would be fun, time and place are being sorted.
>>
>> /4 irc (internet relay chat)
>> The channels on irc.indymedia.org is helpful to discuss things,
>> establish common grounds, work out how to proceed, share infos,
>> knowledge and resources. Irc logs are being archived on the appropriate
>> list. While major proposals often develop on irc it irc is not a
>> decision making channel, because so far, only few imc uk'ers use it.
>>
>> /5 twiki
>> imc uk uses the indymedia twiki on [docs.indymedia.org]. Twiki is a
>> piece of opensource server software that allows users to freely create
>> and edit Web page content using any Web browser. Everybody can register
>> on the twiki and start using it. A special site has been set up for the
>> migration to mir:
>> http://docs.indymedia.org/view/Local/MovingToMir Like irc, twiki is not
>> a decision making body, because not many imc uk'ers are using it so far.
>>
>> -------------------------------------------
>> IV. Shared tasks
>>
>> imc uk has developed a supportive attitude. People help each other out
>> with major and minor questions, and generally respect each others work
>> and listen to each others points of views.
>> Some tasks are shared between all local imc groups who work on
>> uk.indymedia.org:
>>
>> /1 crucial from the beginning: liaising with 3 uk lists:
>> [imc-uk-network], [imc-uk-process], [imc-uk-features], [imc-uk-tech].
>>
>> /2 liaising with global lists:
>> Every imc worldwide is committed to be in touch with some global imc
>> lists: [imc-finance], [imc- process], [imc-communication], [new-imc].
>> There are a few other useful lists, like [imc europe]. Since imc uk is a
>> network, we can share this workload between the local groups. Each group
>> should be prepared to take on a global list for some time and
>> occasionally forward reports from those lists to [imc-uk-process].
>>
>> /3 list admin:
>> The administration of the shared [imc-uk] lists rotates within the local
>> imc uk groups, both to share the workload and to make sure that power is
> > decentralised.
>>
>> /4 newswire cleaning
> > Presently, on the imc uk active site, every newswire posting goes
>> straight to the frontpage. Admins from local imc groups then screen the
>> newswire and hide postings if necessary according to the editorial
>> guidelines.
>> The main point is that all regional pages on imc uk mir will continue to
>> share one database for newswire postings, i.e. the regional imcs will
>> have to take responsibility to look after the main newswire, not only
>> after their own.
>>
>> /5 features:
>> Presently, features for the imc uk middle column on the active site are
>> being proposed on [imc-uk-features]. All local imc groups are
>> responsible to look after the uk middle column.
>> On the IMC UK Mir page, each imc group with their own site will produce
>> their own features. In addition, the startpage of uk.indymedia.org will
>> also have features. We haven't discussed yet how these will be
>> generated. Options are:
>> - to generate them automatically from the local middle columns (needs a
>> tech to implement).
>> - to generate them manually, for expl by a dedicated startpage features
>> group, a dedicated list, individuals or a mix of all.
>>
>> -------------------------------------------
>> V. Setting up a regional page on IMC UK mir
>>
>> To run a regional page on IMC UK mir means to be part of a network. Each
>> local imc group that runs a regional page on IMC UK mir positions itself
>> on the common grounds of the uk network, agrees to the "principles of
>> unity" and takes on some of the shared tasks. The following paragraphs
>> refer to those groups who are working on the uk.indymedia.org site - I
>> assume that separate sites like Bristol have their own process.
>>
>> /1 Common Grounds
>>
>> * Agree with the UK "Mission statement" [link]
>>
>> * Agree with the current "Working practices" of the site [link]
>> The paragraphs on communication (III) and shared tasks (IV) sum up some
>> of the current working practices of uk.indymedia.org. It would be good
>> to work on and discuss a document which can be approved by the
>> uk.indymedia.org network.
>>
>> * Agree in Spirit to the "Principles of unity" [see below 3/]
>>
>> * Have open and public meetings
>> This is to make sure that indymedia uk has a presence outside the
>> virtual world of digital communication channels, to encourage more local
>> participation, transparency and face-to-face contact. (...more?)
>>
>> * Participate in outreach of uk.indymedia.org to local groups,
>> encouraging more people to understand and use the site.
>>
>> 2/ steps towards a regional site on uk.indymedia.org
>>
>> * Make sure you have enough people to run the regional page - and to
>> keep in touch with the uk network. Please be aware that imc is a global
>> network, i.e. every imc group should keep track of what's happening there.
>>
>> * Tell the UK Process list that you're interested. Somebody will get
>> back to you.
>>
>> * customise your regional page. Manuals and documentation are on a twiki
>> page [http://docs.indymedia.org/view/Local/MovingToMir] - incomplete but
>> better than nothing. Check also mir.indymedia.org.
>>
>> * if you want your local imc group listed on the global linklist of all
>> imcs, i.e. have your own localgroup at indymedia.org URL, you have to go
>> through the new imc process via the global [new-imc] list. More info on
>> the new imc process here:
>> [http://docs.indymedia.org/view/Global/NewImcHowTo]
>> We are thinking of moving this process to the UK, so that you don't need
>> to go through the global lists, but this is only at the beginnings.
>>
>> 3/ principles of unity
>>
>> A draft UK version of global "principles of unity":
>>
>> [1] Indymedia UK Network is based on principles of equality, and local
>> decentralisation, made up of self-organised autonomous collectives that
>> recognise the importance of developing a union of networks.
>>
>> [2] IMC-uk considers open exchange of and open access to information a
>> prerequisite to the building of a free and just society.
>>
>> [3] Contributers and readers can use the open web based publishing to
>> express their views freely, based on the trust and aderhence to the
> > Editorial guidlines.
> >
>> [4] Indymedia is a non-profit network
>>
>> [5] IMC-uk recognises the importance of process to social change and is
>> committed to the development of non-hierarchical and anti-authoritarian
>> organising.
>>
>> [6] IMC-uk is committed to the priciple of Consensus decision making and
>> the development of a participatory democratic process that is
>> transparent to its members.
>>
>> [7] IMC-uk is commited to sharing of resouces including skills,
>> knowledge and equipment where possible.
>>
>> [8] ....
>>
>> The current global draft for principles of unity is included in an
>> email:
>> http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/new-imc/2001-May/000159.html
>>
>>
>> Please note: this snapshot is an effort to to describe the present
>> shared working practices on uk.indymedia.org and the development of the
>> new IMC UK mir site - i.e. the consensus that we have developed over the
>> past few weeks/months. The process is still ongoing and can be found on
>> the UK 'network' and 'process' lists.
>>
>> imc-UK-network.
>>
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>>
>>
>>
>
>--
>
>http://wvl.indymedia.org | bart at indymedia.org
>http://thepits.be | bart at thepits.be
>http://pseudopunk.be | icq: 48682266
>
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