[New-imc] Handing out local URL's through the IMC-UK network
Sheri Herndon
sheri at speakeasy.org
Fri May 9 00:17:58 PDT 2003
hi tony,
i think evan's last email in response to your questions had some good
suggestions, particularly the less bureaucratic and more flexible while adhering
to the values and principles, etc. having some accountability.
to use the examples of the imc brasil collective and talk to them as well as
italia indymedia. they do something similar. what would then be great is if
that information about how they are doing it on the national level would be
shared wtih the new imc list. that way some of that would be transparent and
then the information would be available for others in similar situations who are
seeking some models and templates to check out.
peace,
sheri
>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.
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> New-imc mailing list. Lista de correo New-imc
>>> New-imc at lists.indymedia.org
>>> http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/listinfo/new-imc
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>--
>>
>>http://wvl.indymedia.org | bart at indymedia.org
>>http://thepits.be | bart at thepits.be
>>http://pseudopunk.be | icq: 48682266
>>
>>gebruik vrije software -- Debian GNU/Linux -- http://debian.org
>>
>>gpg --keyserver keys.indymedia.org --recv-keys be196251
>>
>>_______________________________________________
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>>http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/listinfo/new-imc
>
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