Re: open forum about pkt

["C.N.Gomersall" <gomersni@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Pkt is pretty much OK the way it is. A few points, though, in no particular
order:

1. It's said that a few people fire off posts on every conceivable topic. I'm
glad they do. That way I can delete a post on a topic I'm not interested in,
without wondering if I should have scrolled to the bottom in case there should
be a pithy "p.s." on another issue.

2. Keep up the quality of the seminar discussions--perhaps improve them, as
another post has suggested, by encouraging a 24 hour wait after any given post
(a cooling-off period?) before others can reply.

3. It *is* hard for us newcomers to break in. We must, of course, be courteous
and patient, but when some of the old crowd delete messages from those they've
never heard of (as Bill Bootass probably isn't alone in doing), doesn't pkt lose
at least the possibility of new blood? Not to be confused with fresh blood, of
which there's usually a ready supply....

4. A suggestion: anyone who's an "old hand" should post at least one reply a
week to a newcomer (and I assume that there will be an adequate supply of these;
it shouldn't take long for the lags to work through). The reply should be
serious and helpful, and at least a paragraph long.

5. An aside: it's probably a gross breach of listserv etiquette, but I may post
my own initial offering again in the next few days. (No, not the one about Bill
Mitchell's signature.) I made the mistake of not listening properly, and butted
in on Paul's seminar. Another post has suggested that, during seminars, other
topics should take a back seat. Not a bad idea, but isn't it possible that they
already do?

6. During the (short) time I've been reading pkt, I've yet to see a post from a
woman. Could there be something about this list that discourages women from
contributing? Something "matey" about it--you know, "the guys"? I merely raise
the possibility, not having been a subscriber myself for long enough to judge.

7. We recently installed a computerised "decision room" here, one of those
set-ups designed to encourage "brainstorming". Although every participant in the
room can see and address every other person easily enough, each one nevertheless
sits in front of a computer and enters all his or her ideas at a keyboard, then
receiving other people's ideas at random--and anonymously--on which to comment
further. Research has shown (old copout when you can't remember the references)
that valuable ideas emerge more readily when the junior, or more timid,
participants don't feel any conformist pressure. Could we try something of this
kind on pkt for a week? Somehow disguise our signatures and addresses? (I wish I
could do so now, rather than be associated with such a harebrained scheme as
this.) I wonder if new ideas would flow and new people be encouraged to speak
up, without losing the benefit of the "old hands"' experience? And Bill B. could
take a week's well-earned vacation.

8. I'd much rather have "too many" posts than too few, as is the case on some
lists to which I susbscribe.

9. pkt is often valuable and usually interesting. Thanks to all concerned.



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      C.N.Gomersall   Luther College   Decorah Iowa 52101