#ubuntu-ops policy discussion

[Aaron Toponce]

Juha Siltala wrote:
> Some discussants were not happy with the current level of transparency,
> and offered suggestions as to how to handle an open channel:
> 
>     * allow open discussion on the channel, handle distractions on a
>       case-by-case basis
>     * allow anyone to join and idle, moderate the channel and figure out
>       a way to voice those needing voice
>     * allow interested parties or monitors to join under strict moderation
>     * two channels: issue management channel and a general discussion
>       channel
>     * two channels: the current -ops channel, and an open, moderated
>       mirror channel where all discussion on -ops is relayed

I'm just going to weigh in my two cents, and then I'll step back. I
don't want to cause any ripples.

I have only encountered -ops a few times, mostly before I became an
Ubuntu Member. A few times after. I always felt that -ops was some sort
of elitist channel, and that I was only welcome in the channel if I had
done something bad. I felt like I was being punished, and I had to have
a "pep talk" with the higher-ups. Every time I've visited that channel,
I've felt very intimidated and very unwelcome.

On the flip, whenever I've visited #freenode for a support topic
regarding the network, I've always felt welcomed. There are a ton of
users there willing to offer support that aren't Freenode staff, and I'm
welcome to hang out, even if I'm idling.

Of course, I recognize I'm comparing apples to organges. #freenode is
the support channel for Freenode while #ubuntu is the support channel
for Ubuntu, not -ops. But, there is no #freenode-ops, or something else
that users are sent to, should they have a problem on the network.
Again, apples and oranges- #freenode doesn't have half the amount of
users in #ubuntu, so it can afford that flexibility.

I guess what I'm saying is, -ops seems very, very unwelcoming,
intimidating and uninviting for someone like me. This seems to go
against the very grain that is our community. Some operators even have
rougher edges than others, and make it seem all the more elitist.

What would my solution be? Allow the idling and random chat. If a
problem arises that needs privacy, put it in /query, as should be the
case anyway. Otherwise, let others hang out and help when the ops are
either tied up in #ubuntu, or away. Make it more inviting and less elitist.

-- 
 ,-O  Aaron Toponce
O   } Ubuntu Member
 `-O  http://www.ubuntu.com

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