Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Harringay Online - Whither Now?
As we welcome our 1,500th member, my mind has turned to the future. How can the potential of the site to do good be harnessed? How can it be managed and fostered so that it remains a force for good in the area.
I have some ideas about what things I think work well and which don't. What are your thoughts. What should we be doing to keep the site as a great place to meet neighbours that's welcoming for the maximum range of people and can act as a catalyst for positive change - as well as a place to have some fun!
I have some ideas about what things I think work well and which don't. What are your thoughts. What should we be doing to keep the site as a great place to meet neighbours that's welcoming for the maximum range of people and can act as a catalyst for positive change - as well as a place to have some fun!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by StephenBln on
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good question... !
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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How can you distinguish between positive change and negative change? Something that is a powerful tool for good is also a powerful tool for bad. My worst nightmare is that this becomes "party" political.
I would like to see us provide some more "web 2.0" tools for users, even if we have to pay for them.
I think that the "maintenance and fostering" of the site has to be an ongoing job, much as it has been. Sorry, but there is no magic pill for that IMHO.
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Permalink Reply by Dan on
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I love Harringay Online. Congrats and thanks to Hugh and all involved for setting it up and making it what it is.
One idea: promote it more offline. It's a local community site, but I've never seen its url appearing anywhere in Harringay. If I didn't already spend a considerable amount of time on the internet, I may never have come across the site.
I daresay there are lots of people that use the web for a few functional tasks and would love to discover Harringay Online.
Advertising costs, obviously, but maybe some sort of reciprocal agreements with shops/organisations could work? Stickers on every PC in GL internet cafes would be a good start.
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And why not replace 'McBridge' with 'HOLBridge'. Mmmm..I'm loving it already.
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Permalink Reply by matt on
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Dan, agree that more advertising off-line is essential. There has been some of this already; posters, cards have been put in local shops, pubs, schools and people have joined via those media.
I think it is important to promote this site via the Greek, Turkish, Kurdish community centres and the mosque on Whightman Rd etc.
Regards admin of the site, there are currently just two administrators (Hugh & Liz). With 1500 members it might be a good idea to add a least one other or, to rotate that responsibility every say 6mths, keeping Hugh as a permanent administrator obviously.
With HOL now with a bank account & a constitution this site is now well placed to look at bringing some investment into the area. Why not look to start with a small-ish project for our area. Put a thread up for ideas for a first project?
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HoL does not have a bank account. Hugh and Liz are trying to be as hands off as possible and nobody moderates content on here.
The HoL sustainability group has a bank account which it will use to pay HoL's online bills. It will not be for "bringing some investment into the area" - I did not sign up for that much work.
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Permalink Reply by Liz on
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Thank you John.
I think there has been some misunderstanding of the role of the HOL group. We are certainly only making decisions on how to manage the bills that are incurred running the site and how to raise funds to meet those demands. We have not set ourselves up to undertake attracting major funding for "small-ish" projects, unless they are related to digital inclusion. The Residents/Traders and Friends groups in the area are much better placed and infinitely more qualified to do that kind of thing.
Do you have anyone in mind, Matt, to "rotate that responsibility"? Mostly, the admins job for me is putting together the weekly update which takes a few hours a week, adding content, particularly to groups, and improving navigation of the site. I think they would have to join the HOL Sustain group and also be prepared to deal with questions and complaints in their inbox pretty much immediately.
It is a fair amount of work and requires quite a big commitment but if you have any suggestions as to who might be willing to do the job, please let us know.
btw re "moderation" I have been known to remove offensive content but I can count this on the fingers of one hand and in response to complaints.
I think we have to remind everyone that this site is unmoderated before publication and we rely on people's common sense and judgement not to post things that contravene the rules.
Personally, I'm interested in how HOL can harness other media such as podcasting, video, live blogging etc. There are people who are interested in leading on this and I will be hosting (as in not leading, I am a real novice and very keen to learn) a meeting on this in the Salisbury (date tbc).
If you are interested or have experience in this area, please come along and/ or drop me a message to ensure you get an invite.
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Permalink Reply by Birdy_Too on
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No HOL doesn’t have moderators in the traditional sense, but I think some common sense has to be and has been applied in the past should a discussion get into vulnerable territory. I think 'moderating' and undergoing administrative tasks are or could be separate.
As John has said HOL SG has a bank account and a constitution with the aims of supporting the website and trying to help Hugh and Liz with odds and sods.
There are a few avenues of revenue in the pipeline, which hopefully will make HOL sustainable, and hopefully to halt the financial burden that Hugh incurs.
If the SG can get or apply for funding, that will be discussed at future SG meetings. We don’t have the luxury of a professional fundraiser so anything would have to be done within our restraints.
I think the “Support HOL” link via pay pal or bank account should be up and running soon, so should you want to support your local community website you can.
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The site doesn't say anything about moderation.
There is a rumour that it is moderated but that is unfounded. Some people post when they're drunk and insist that they've hit the "add your reply" button when in fact they closed the browser and passed out.
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Anyway, let's get back on topic for Hugh.
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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Yes, quite! (But to clarify what you said see Terms of Service on About HoL tab drop-down menu).
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I don't think we need 'rotating moderation' and to be honest I don't like the idea. I'm quite happy with the way things run now.. and can't see any major problems.. surely rotating moderation would only cause more problems than it would solve.. Changeover periods etc., different styles of moderation..
I imagine most of us have come to expect HOL to be the way that it is.. and would prefer it to stay that way..
So I'd say If it ain't broke - don't fix it..
All those that already do lots of work for HOL - a big thank you from me..
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