Participation and presence
It has been over a month since this site was created, and there has been an excellent response to it. People are accessing the site regularly for information as well as sharing things they would like to share over here as well.
But so far, I am by and large the largest voice here. In fact, even people who wish to share information here tend to send it to me with a request for it to be posted here.
I don’t have a problem with this, obviously, but I would like to point out, that like a live ISABS community, this is also a place where anyone can speak up. There is a practical necessity for an administrator and coordinator on a website, but beyond that, I am no authority here either.
Suggesting ways you could participate and have a more vocal presence here:
- Comment on posts: When you read something you like, dislike or have suggestions for, or would generally like to talk about, you can easily post a comment, which is visible to everyone else who reads the post.
- Register on the site: While anyone can comment on posts, you need to login to participate on the discussion area. This is another good way to be able to interact with people. When you reply to a newsletter, its only me reading what you say. When you post on the forum, it becomes available to the entire community.
- Write on the site: After registering, you can contact me if you wish to write here. This place need not be limited to announcements. We can talk about initiatives, suggestion, articles of interest to our community….. the scope is endless. You will also be able to gain from responses to what you write, as your thoughts reach a wider audience. We all could benefit from your experience.
- Initiate discussions on subjects you would like to know other perspectives on: This is a resource available to you. If you wish, you could use it to your advantage (and ours too). A simple thing like beginning a discussion on a topic of your interest could result in a lot of sharing.
But most of all, like in a lab or community session, if there is something you have to share, go for it!
Vidyut @ February 13, 2008