[uf-discuss] inappropriate behaviour (was: Discussion of public domain declaration template usage)

[Ben Buchanan]

> > Once again, there is the impression that microformats fora are being run
> > by an unelected cabal, using arbitrary, personal interpretations of
> > vague and unwritten "rules", applied with no sense of even-handedness.
> > Still, I suppose that's easier than actually addressing the governance
> > and rights issues which I and others have raised.
> Apparently they travel in black helicopters too

I don't think we should make light of this point. I've heard several
people cite this impression as the reason they don't contribute to
microformats. If we can't address the problem then I don't see how we
can attract and retain active members.

More than once I've observed unresolved discussions cut off with a
post saying "wiki updated, issue closed". So, why would someone take
time out of their day to contribute to a discussion if they expect to
be ignored?

To put it another way, if the core group is going to do as it pleases
regardless of community discussion, why are the rest of us here?

The core group is not a defined/invited/elected group so it's not like
a W3C discussion list, where people understand they are giving
feedback but will not be involved in the final decision. The
expectation was that everyone could contribute, but that's not how it
actually feels.

I am not trying to be troublesome, I am expressing a genuine concern
about this community. I don't think it serves anyone's purpose to
ignore what many people feel is true.

The informal approach worked well when the community was new and
smaller, but now that it's ramping up it doesn't seem to be coping.
I'm not claiming there's an easy answer, but we should start by
accepting there's a problem.

cheers,
Ben

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