OpenGeofiction
Hi all,
I had an idea the other day to suggest some kind of video conference via Skype or similar amongst the members of the community. This was mainly after the debate about the football World Cup which has led to a very long talk page, but also just to discuss the community work as a whole, and to see who the real people are behind the countries.
Now the obvious issue with this is that we all live on different sides of the world, so getting everyone together would require some careful timing. My feeling is that the majority of users live in United States (which itself has four time zones…), the next most common is the UK and Western Europe (two adjacent time zones) and then there are people like Luciano who live in Korea. Not aware of any others in the Far East though. Anybody from Australia/NZ?
What do we think?
Sarepava
Discussion
Comment from Demuth on 12 February 2016 at 19:31
Could be interesting! What would be the agenda?
Comment from Thunderbird on 13 February 2016 at 00:25
I’m certainly interested and would participate. I’m in GMT -5.
Comment from Sarepava on 13 February 2016 at 01:12
Well, I’m not going to dictate exactly what should be the agenda, but I think topics to be considered should include:
Comment from Easky30 on 13 February 2016 at 01:15
Sounds interesting. I am in GMT -5 as well.
Comment from BelpheniaProject on 13 February 2016 at 01:37
@Sarepava That sounds nice, and I would like to talk about the world history and advice, but I don’t have Skype to join in the video conference. I’m in GMT -6 too. I wonder what time does the video conference will start so I can watch it?
Comment from Maxwell Black on 13 February 2016 at 02:24
Great idea. Also, should there be an official log or transcript of that (or those) events to be available for later possible use?
Comment from Ernestpkirby on 13 February 2016 at 18:38
I can’t video chat via skype but I do have the regular chat capability of Skype. I’m Eastern Standard.
Comment from Yuanls on 13 February 2016 at 19:20
I might be able to do it, providing I’m available for the date and time scheduled for chat. The internet at my house is really bad so I might not be able to video chat, but any other method will be ok. Also I live in the GMT time zone.
Comment from Leowezy on 13 February 2016 at 19:21
GMT+1 here ;D I’d like the idea, although we should keep in mind that too many people at once won’t very likely lead to the most productive conversation ;) Especially thinking that most of us aren’t native speakers of English. Also it would be a pitty if (and I’m honestly concerned about that) misunderstandings during such a round would damage the community; in writing people tend to have a “healthy distance”, but in a free conversation between people who nevertheless don’t personally know each other slight tensions could come up and intensify. Don’t really know how to put it into words… Maybe it would be a good idea to start off with smaller skype rounds, let’s say between 3 neighbours, and over time these groups could occasionally merge to discuss larger issues? I just think having 8+ strangers starting a skype call is not the most planned out thing; but that might just me the ze German in me ;D
Comment from Sarepava on 13 February 2016 at 19:32
That would probably be a sensible plan Leowezy. Actually, to be truly representative in making big decisions we really ought to have every OGF user active in the conversation at once, which clearly is not practical…can we all take our holidays in the same place at the same time this summer?
Perhaps have a European group chat and a USA group chat?
Also, Skype is not the only software we might use (and not the best these days). There is also Google Hangouts and many free alternatives.
Comment from UnSoiDisantOracle on 13 February 2016 at 19:55
GMT +1 here. I leave the agenda and format of the discussion to others but would be happy to chat!
Comment from Rasmus Rasmusson on 13 February 2016 at 21:24
Sounds interesting! I’m in GMT +1 (Lëtzebuerg / Luxembourg). In another geofiction project (a fictional earth organisation called FICT) we managed to hold skype meetings with participants in Luxembourg, Sweden, São Paulo, and Canberra, so it’s doable :)
Comment from isleño on 13 February 2016 at 21:27
Thanks for the idea, Sarepava. As has been mentioned, I don’t think it can be seen as a forum for decision making. But as a forum for free discussion of any topics people want to discuss, and as a fun way for interested users to get to know one another, I think it sounds great. :-)
Comment from Thunderbird on 14 February 2016 at 06:02
I would also suggest at the beginning we let each mapper introduce themselves, discuss their country, and anything else they might want to talk about before it turns into a big free-for-all. (This way we get some idea of who all these new voices are!)
Love the idea :D
Comment from deltanz on 14 February 2016 at 06:29
I love the idea! GMT -2 here, south of Brazil. My spyke name is “deltanz”, you guys feel free to add me! :)
Comment from tparigo on 14 February 2016 at 11:22
This is a great idea. I could be like an assembly of nations meeting. I am GMT+1
Comment from Demuth on 14 February 2016 at 13:15
I agree with Isleño that it’s probably not the best forum for decisionmaking, but a way to get to know fellow OGFers better and more general discussion. And I’m in GMT +1 as well. And Sarapeva’s suggestion of time-zone groups makes sense. Although an Asian time zone would be much smaller, Luciano in S. Korea and Okiazr in Indonesia are the only ones I can think of that are in close-ish time zones.
Comment from thilo on 14 February 2016 at 19:42
As others have said, probably not really suited for making decisions, but nevertheless a great idea. I’m definitely interested. GMT+1
Comment from Pawl on 14 February 2016 at 21:27
I’m in GMT+0. I think it’s a great idea to chat and see the real people behind the names, but I agree that it can’t be a forum for decision-making and it shouldn’t leave non-participants “out in the cold”.
Comment from Ūdilugbulgidħū on 14 February 2016 at 22:32
I’m also GMT+0. I have an extremely dodgy satellite uplink connection here, have never managed more than about a minute on skype. I think it’s been said already - the idea to put more of the ‘human element’ into the community is great. Maybe it can be done on skype, maybe not, but I’ve always imagined that one day far in the future when the world is ‘finished’ (ok, that’s going too far) we’ll all meet up, have a good discussion and laugh at how we sound and what we look like.
Comment from Portopolis on 15 February 2016 at 01:38
By the time this world will be done I think I would be entering my 40’s, and I am a teenager now. I am in Houston,Texas, I think that is GMT-6. I could probably do a skype chat but not video.
Comment from _zM on 15 February 2016 at 07:40
Am GMT+1, would participate, but I don’t have skype.
Comment from clik on 15 February 2016 at 13:19
I’m very interested too. GTM+1 (winter). GTM+2 (summer).
Comment from alb120 on 15 February 2016 at 15:35
I can do skype, voice no video.
Im in gmt - 6, and can probably participate depending on the time frame
It would be neat if we could have a recording of certain parts of the conference, so those that cant participate can listen to it later.
I think we can all agree that this would have to be done over a weekend, right?