official channels {was} Re: [UbuntuWomen] Sites and site edits

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On 3/19/06, Sébastien Nicouleaud <seb.nicouleaud at laposte.net> wrote:
> Le dimanche 19 mars 2006 à 00:19 +0600, || vid || a écrit :
> > Anyone can create an IRC channel and an Ubuntu Member would manage the
> > channel and be the sysop as its done for official Ubuntu channels.  I
> > had mentioned this earlier so maybe Mark or Henrik would like to
> > clarify the Canonical position on this.
>
> I believe that having official chans managed by official Ubuntu members
> is very important. Because, when not, channels can be managed by anyone,
> without consideration for the representation they give to users (through
> their behaviour).
>

Well, Ubuntu-Members are mostly, for the best part. drawn from the
volunteer community as recognition for their work. While certain
priviledges and responsibilities accompany this, they are expected to
follow the COC[0] but sometimes oversights may occur .... they are
human just like any of us.

[0] http://www.ubuntu.com/community/conduct


> I will take the example of the #debian-fr (unofficial) chan, which was
> one of my worst IRC experience. I once saw a guy insulting a novice girl
> asking for help on the #ubunfu-fr (unofficial ?). For no visible reason.

I am not an authority on this and am unaware of the exact procedure
for unofficial Ubuntu channels. However on an official Ubuntu channel
(or mailing list) if abuse does occur (repeatedly) and you think it is
a serious matter please dont hesitate to raise an item for discussion
here[2] and bring it to the notice of the CC[1] during the bi-weekly
CC meeting. Always maintain documentation of events occured and IRC
logs (if it occurs there) since its easier to re-direct the CC (who
are understandably busy) to take a look there rather than pointing
fingers at each other *1.

[1] http://www.ubuntu.com/community/processes/council
[2] https://wiki.ubuntu.com/CommunityCouncilAgenda

*1 : IMHO, its always better to keep discussions transparent and
publicly documented beforehand on the relevant list or IRC, especially
on matters pertaining to the Ubuntu community rather than having
private conversations (either on IRC or the mailing list). AFAIK, on
IRC only official Ubuntu channels have a log for reference (someone
correct me if wrong) so it will be nicer if people used such channels
instead.



> Then, connecting to #debian-fr, I realize that the same guy was op on
> this chan. I started a private conversation with another op of the
> #debian-fr chan, telling him the story. The op answered me he didn't
> care. He then started "making fun" (something stronger would be more
> appropriate) of me on the chan, saying that #debian-fr was not debian
> (so how can they just use the name ?!). I and some others were insulted

As I mentioned earlier, anyone can start a new IRC channel and it is
very difficult to monitor each and every one of them or tell people
what to do. Hence the official Ubuntu channels.  As for debian
channels, I cannot comment since its not relevant on UW and we could
not possibly solve that here anyway.  Sorry!



> Once again, it is not Debian specific. I also regularly saw some,
> generally less serious, abuses on #ubuntu-fr. But their number and their
> repetition are significant. Even if the #ubuntu-fr is (in my opinion)

As mentioned above, please raise the issue with the CC if it is
significant abuse.


> I have not been using IRC anymore since it happened (I'm too much
> disgusted for now). That's also my main reason for joining this
> mailing-list. I used to believe that "separating" women from average
> users was not a solution. But today, I hope this to be a way for them to

Here I would like to say this : IMHO, its better for each of us a
Ubuntu users that we approach Canonical directly*2 from the beginning
for a new (sub)-project rather than randomly and arbitrarily creating
channels and/or websites without official Canonical/Ubuntu approval.
Lack of transparency and communication only confuses, complicates
issues further and wastes time and resources for all concerned which
could rather have been channelled to productive use in taking the
community further ahead.

*2 : Or on the relevant mailing list as appropriate. If unsure, use
-sounder mailing list where anything goes :-).

Hope that helps.
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