[bikeqld] Mailing list name (and purpose)

[Peter Whittle]

Hi Ian

I'm not too worried about the confusion - maybe it's good sometimes to be able to say, No, this is the Bikeqld where you can go feral ;)

As to going to Roadgrime or MTBDirt, try getting a political discussion going there, and you'll be shut down in short order. They have a bigger uptake, but they refuse to be a forum for advocacy.

Perhaps it would be good to take up Chris 'Malvern' Star's suggestion of getting a Brisbane version of Melbourne Cyclist going (http://www.melbournecyclist.com/ )? I understand the framework is all there and it just needs rebadging. I've no idea what is involved in running it, but Chris would let you know.

Pete

-----Original Message-----
From: bikeqld-bounces at bikeqld.org.au [mailto:bikeqld-bounces at bikeqld.org.au] On Behalf Of Ian Lister
Sent: Monday, 1 June 2009 10:14 PM
To: bikeqld at bikeqld.org.au
Subject: [bikeqld] Mailing list name (and purpose)

Hi all,

I'd like to get input from list members on the idea of renaming this 
mailing list. Although it has had the name "bikeqld" since its inception 
more than thirteen years ago there is arguably potential for the name to 
be confused with that of Bicycle Queensland, which has now gone by that 
name for more than ten years. This has been an ongoing irritation at BQ 
for quite some time, and I must admit I've found it awkward to talk about 
the list verbally without risking confusion with BQ. I don't think the 
risk of confusion is in either group's best interest. Given that BQ seems 
unlikely to change its name again in the foreseeable future, I think we 
should look at changing ours.

What do others think? Should we choose a new name? Do you have any 
suggestions?

While we're here, is this a good time to reconsider the purpose of the 
list, and perhaps adjust the list charter? Currently the list description 
is:

> Bikeqld is an unmoderated mailing list for cyclists in Queensland. It's 
> designed to facilitate discussion about cycling related topics in 
> Queensland. Such topics may include discussions of policy and planning 
> issues, announcements of rides, local touring information and trip 
> reports etc.
> 
> Announcements of the private sale of bicycle equipment is acceptable, 
> but no commercial use of this list will be tolerated.
> 
> This list is not intended to subvert the various bicycle related 
> internet newsgroups - particularly aus.bicycle - but rather to 
> supplement them. Items of general interest should be posted to the 
> newsgroups (if you have access to them). Faster, more detailed responses 
> to specific questions, a slightly more private forum in which opinions 
> can be expressed with reduced fear of repercussion, and (mainly) a place 
> to carry on about cycling in Queensland far beyond what might be 
> considered "polite" in the general purpose newsgroups are some of the 
> benefits of the mailing list.
> 
> This list is NOT affiliated in any way with Bicycle Queensland, although 
> you are strongly encouraged to consider joining that organisation too.

   - http://www.bikeqld.org.au/mailman/listinfo/bikeqld

That has been the description used more or less unchanged since 1996, and 
could probably at least do with some freshening. Perhaps it should 
indicate that the list is currently quite oriented towards advocacy? 
Perhaps we should try to be more focused on that? Perhaps we should try to 
be more diverse? Perhaps we should separate advocacy (or any other area) 
from the rest, and have two (or more) lists? Similarly, geographical 
coverage - we're pretty Brisbane centric but we do have list members from 
elsewhere in Queensland and even interstate. Perhaps we should narrow our 
focus, or perhaps we should broaden it? Perhaps we should just pack it all 
in and head over to Road Grime or MTB Dirt (or back to aus.bicycle)?

If you've got some thoughts, please don't keep them to yourself. Send them 
on, either on-list or privately, and let's see if we can get some kind of 
rough consensus on where we'd like to go.

Cheers,

Ian
bikeqld list admin

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