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| Author |
Message |
| 25 new of 52 responses total. |
davel
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response 25 of 52:
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Jan 9 02:19 UTC 1995 |
Re #5: One comment on Chris's comment (which I intended to add the first time
around): we're going to have to work out some way not involving meetings -
at least in the long term. Some staff jobs (backups, moving chips
or cards around, etc.) are going to require presence in the AA area, but
most software-maintenance jobs won't. With a growing fraction of our
users from elsewhere, we don't want to build in any barriers not required
by the staff functions in question.
In the short run, a meeting may well be worthwhile - but a couple of well-
directed (& - dare I say it? - well-managed) items might do as well. Or
the development of a mailing list for interested parties (victims?).
FWIW, I absolutely agree that the process should remain somewhat _ad hoc_,
BTW; I'm inclined to think that we're at (or nearing) the point where
it needs to become somewhat less haphazard.
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steve
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response 26 of 52:
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Jan 9 04:33 UTC 1995 |
The part of your comment I don't understand Dave, is making is less
haphazard. I don't think we've been haphazard--just unsuccessful in
getting many staff types on board. But then again, there aren't too
many that we've seen hang around here, who were capable of the job.
One reason I'm going to do the system admin 101 class is to start
the process of creating "home grown" folks.
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bartlett
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response 27 of 52:
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Jan 9 04:42 UTC 1995 |
Mdw, I'm a little confused, are you saying that adding staff members can
only harm Grex at this point? It seems to me that even if new staff can't
help with the intractable problems (dis, news, etc), that maybe they (we?)
could take some of the mundania off the shoulders of those who are needed
for other stuff.
I also agree that meetings ftf aren't a long-term solution, but when I
started this item, it was my belief that the process of recruiting staff
members needed a kick-start, and an ftf meeting is one way to do that. Is
there disagreement that new staff would be desirable at this juncture?
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srw
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response 28 of 52:
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Jan 9 05:58 UTC 1995 |
To the best of my knowledge, there is general agreement among the staff
that it would be helpful to have more staff. We are looking for people with
skills we can use, who are dedicated to Grex as shown by their contributions
to the conversations taking place here in coop, who are reliable and
trustworthy, and who are interested in donating their time. That is a hard
combination to locate, but we need people like that and will be happy to
accept them as staff candidates.
People like this do occasionally turn up.
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mdw
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response 29 of 52:
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Jan 9 06:59 UTC 1995 |
The thing that needs to happen right now, is the move. *That* is much
more important than more warm bodies, and is practically a prerequisite
for almost anything else. Kick-off meetings are good when you are
trying to start from scratch, and need a lot of warm bodies. They don't
work so good when the goal is trust and productive continuity: both
pretty tricky to make.
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kentn
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response 30 of 52:
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Jan 9 16:05 UTC 1995 |
We need more staff...not only computer experts, but people who can
handle other regular duties (like a newsletter, publicity, fundraising).
I hope we don't get too hung up on the idea that a person needs a
degree in computer science and needs to be a regular "good 'ol person"
at UM to become staff in some capacity for Grex. Clearly, this isn't
the case now, but I think sometimes we overlook the skills that people
have because they don't fit a computer/technical view of skills. Finding
out what skills people have, and are willing to donate to Grex is something
that should be more than an ad hoc process.
In re warm bodies: what rare technical skills are necessary to help
with the move, assuming the current staff are there to supervise
handling of delicate equipment, and installation? Sometimes we need
warm bodies in the worst way, and seeing people work on non-technical
projects is one way for staff to help their ad hoc recruitment process
to fill future needs for staff. You never know, you might be surprised
what some of those warm bodies know or can do...
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bartlett
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response 31 of 52:
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Jan 9 16:44 UTC 1995 |
The question becomes, how do we recruit these ideal people? How ideal
should they be? I trust the current staff because for two years I've had
no reason not to do so. Other than that, it's complete faith, since while
I've met most of you, Remmers is the one I know best, and him only because
I took a class from him back when I wanted to be a computer weeny. <grin>
How would you establish my trust-worthiness? I can certainly code,
though I'm no Unix master, and would have to get back into the coding part
since it's been a while.
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rcurl
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response 32 of 52:
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Jan 9 18:07 UTC 1995 |
Re #30: the definition of "staff" on Grex is evolving. The following
motion was adopted by the board on 94-11-16:
Staff with permanent root access may at its discretion grant
specific resources to qualified individuals for the purpose of
performing work that is beneficial to Grex. Examples of such
resources would be write access to selected directories in
order to modify data files or to install software. In the the
event of an emergency, temporary root access may be granted by
any permanent root.
Permanent root access, access to the staff conference, and
access to the "baff" mailing list shall be with the advice and
consent of the Board.
Note that it is implied that there are "staff" without root access.
The full scope of identifying a function as "staff", or not, has not
been addressed. I do think it would make the term meaningless to
call everyone performing any volunteer service to Grex has staff;
they should have their own function identifications.
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avi
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response 33 of 52:
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Jan 23 15:17 UTC 1995 |
Are there any applications to staff trainees who don't live near the machine,
but knows alot about setting up IRC clients, really likes grex, knows a enough
about unix to get along, will be good, willing to learn, willing to donate,
won't use any powers given wrongly, could handle any staff obligations given,
willing to meet people close to him, could advertise a whole lot, knows how
unix works, set up an IRC client before, knows how to be nice to users ;),
REALLY REALLY REALLY likes grex, would be willing to settle for any temp
job..etc.etc..? The only thing that I would like changed to grex, is some user
accounts. There are some users that haven't logged on for like, a year now.
Some users logged on once, just sent mail or something with that account, and
haven't logged on since. Some of them are just accounts that they saw
"cybersapce.org" decided to see if they could get free access, and when they
saw they had to PAY, they left. I'd be willing to wager that a good 10 meg is
wasted on those users. I'm willing to take any interrogation about anything
I've ever done.
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srw
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response 34 of 52:
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Jan 23 16:15 UTC 1995 |
Quibbles:
(1) We reaped a lot of users in November. I don't think there are users on
who haven't used us for a year. We are planning another reap according to
our 3 month reaping policy.
(2) Access to Grex is free. Only access to outgoing internet protocols is not.
Yes, some people lose interest in Grex when they find they can't use it to
telnet wherever they want to.A
(3) We can afford to carry 10MB of deadwood in /home.
Answers:
I don't think living near Ann Arbor is a requirement for applying to be
a member of staff. There are a number of requirements, though.
One is that the current staff must feel comfortable with the applicants
trustworthiness, judgment, skill, and devotion to Grex.
How does one become trusted by current staff members? Participating
actively in coop is a good start.
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avi
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response 35 of 52:
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Jan 23 17:10 UTC 1995 |
Well, I'm on grex every chance I get, (I think i've sold my soul to this
computer actually). I can't make up your mind what people think about me...but
I'm willing to learn anything people are willing to teach, and I'm often
complimented on how well i picked up on unix. Umm..
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srw
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response 36 of 52:
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Jan 24 08:28 UTC 1995 |
That's commendable avi. I think we all feel like we sold our souls to it.
You should find some time to read the currently active items in coop if
you aren't doing so already. We're going to go back to having meetings once
a board has been elected, and even though you can't attend the meetings
you should have ample chance to see and comment on the agenda beforehand,
as well as to read and comment on the minutes afterwards.
The people who read coop regularly are the ones in the best position to
influence the future of the system. These people form a subcommunity
of the larger conferencing community. Among them are the board members and
staffers. It takes time and effort to keep up, but this time and effort
represents only a small portion of what is spent by a staff person.
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avi
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response 37 of 52:
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Jan 24 21:41 UTC 1995 |
Thanks. =) I guess, I've just found grex to be neat-o and more. I'm
still working up to 60 bucks for a membership. Even though I have
internet access from telerama and about 4 other sites, so I'm not looking
for that, I'm trying to see grex have more members. :)
Anyway, I've been trying to keep on the up-and-up on grex affairs.
I don't read coop/agora EVERYday, but everyother day, sometimes 5 times a week.
(which still kinda is a lot ;>) I'm usually not one to comment unless I
see DIRE need for an opinion that hasn't been stated already.
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scg
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response 38 of 52:
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Jan 24 22:52 UTC 1995 |
(when srw says you can't come to bard meetings, that's because you aren't
in Ann Arbor. You would be welcome to show up if you wanted to come all
the way to Ann Arbor to go to it, and anybody else is also always welcome
to show up)
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rcurl
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response 39 of 52:
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Jan 25 07:04 UTC 1995 |
Everyone should go to the bard meetings - they are very dramatic.
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srw
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response 40 of 52:
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Jan 25 08:47 UTC 1995 |
Thank you for clarifying my ambiguity, Steve. All who can are come are
certainly welcome. Meetings are open to the public.
(The misspelling *I* would have chosen is "bored" meetings. :-)
I don't want to encourage "me too" posts, Avi, but I think your opinions
expressed in coop would help others to get to know you better.
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avi
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response 41 of 52:
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Jan 26 22:13 UTC 1995 |
Hmm, I was thinking of highjacking a bus and coming up to Ann Arbor.
I wanted to see a few concerts, meet some people, I guess I'll add
"go to a grex board meeting" to the agenda....=)
I guess I'll hafta come at the right time though.
I'll hafta think all this over.
vbtw: for you people who don't get my stoopit humor, the bus hijacking
part was a joke.
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popcorn
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response 42 of 52:
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Jan 27 03:16 UTC 1995 |
Hey, it sounds like a good excuse for another pot luck dinner!
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avi
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response 43 of 52:
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Jan 28 17:24 UTC 1995 |
Heh heh...
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nephi
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response 44 of 52:
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Feb 12 09:04 UTC 1995 |
Is the system admin 101 class going to be online? I would really like
to learn some of this stuff, too. (And I would like to help.) 8*)
By the way, if there's anything that y'all think I am able (or could be
conviently taught) to do, please feel free to ask. What seems mundane to
you may just excite me.
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helmke
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response 45 of 52:
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Feb 12 16:32 UTC 1995 |
Weel, after 3 years as a sound man a nd 2 years in industrial software, if
anybody needs to have custom cables, whatever else made up, I could handle
most of that...
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wind
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response 46 of 52:
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Mar 8 16:25 UTC 1995 |
<<speak softly and carry a large staff>>
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tsty
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response 47 of 52:
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Mar 9 09:51 UTC 1995 |
hello?
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steve
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response 48 of 52:
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Mar 9 14:22 UTC 1995 |
What?
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rcurl
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response 49 of 52:
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Mar 9 19:42 UTC 1995 |
hello!
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