All posts in the topic Stratford Council on Twitter (Short link)

2008 Jun 30 12:14 UTC

Well done to Stratford-on-Avon District Council who have a twitter
account and are displaying it on their homepage!

http://www.stratford.gov.uk/

http://twitter.com/StratfordDC

--
Dave Briggs
<email obscured> | http://davepress.net | 020 8133 8008 (Skype) 07525
209589 (Mobile)
Sorry to be a bore... but why well done!?!?

I don't see how Twitter is relevant to Stratford DC's residents and
the posts on their page so far reinforce that view. Isn't this just
buzzword compliance?

All the best,
Jason

On 16 Jun 2008, at 13:40, Dave Briggs wrote:

> Well done to Stratford-on-Avon District Council who have a twitter
> account and are displaying it on their homepage!
>
> http://www.stratford.gov.uk/
>
> http://twitter.com/StratfordDC

--
Cllr Jason Kitcat
Green City Councillor, Regency Ward
Chair, Brighton & Hove Green Party

http://www.jasonkitcat.com
+ 44 (0) 7956 886 508
Hi Jason,

It is a question worth asking and I'm not sure if Stratford have asked
themselves.

However, I would still say well done because they are trying new things
to reach out to their residents and they are doing it boldly.
Traditional methods of communication between council and residents
generally are not great.  50,000 16pp A3 newsletters anyone?  Very dry,
impenetratable websites?

Perhaps Twitter isn't /*the */answer, and perhaps nor is Facebook,
Pownce, Plurt, or the multitude of buzzword platforms missing vowels,
but it is only by trying that councils will find what works for them in
their area.

So well done Stratford for trying, and trying boldly.

Shane

Jason Kitcat wrote:
> Sorry to be a bore... but why well done!?!?
>
> I don't see how Twitter is relevant to Stratford DC's residents and
> the posts on their page so far reinforce that view. Isn't this just
> buzzword compliance?
>
> All the best,
> Jason
>
> On 16 Jun 2008, at 13:40, Dave Briggs wrote:
>
>
>> Well done to Stratford-on-Avon District Council who have a twitter
>> account and are displaying it on their homepage!
>>
>> http://www.stratford.gov.uk/
>>
>> http://twitter.com/StratfordDC
>>
>
>

--

Shane McCracken
Director
Gallomanor Communications Ltd.

creating community conversations

www.gallomanor.com <http://www.gallomanor.com/>
civicsurf.org <http://civicsurf.org/>
www.bigvote.org.uk <http://www.bigvote.org.uk/>
www.lifeswap.org.uk <http://www.lifeswap.org.uk/>

<email obscured> <email obscured>>
mob:07720 297515
tel:01225 869450
fax:0870 7627 451

31 Silver Street
Bradford on Avon
BA15 1JX

Gallomanor Communications Ltd.
Registered in England & Wales, No. 03980700.
Registered Address: Duckmead Cottage, Farleigh Wick, Bradford-on-Avon,
BA15 2PU
Thanks Shane - that's exactly it.

1. It's been there 3 days. Give it time to bed in.
2. Someone has stuck their necks out and given something new a go.
They deserve praise for that alone.
3. Why do you assume the residents of Stratford are unable to take
advantage of tools like Twitter? And even if only a handful of
residents read the feed on a regular basis, given the cost
implications (ie none), it's a job well done
4. Tools like Twitter are moving into the mainstream, as Downing
Street's use of it has confirmed. I don't see why local gov should
exclude itself

Dave

On Mon, Jun 16, 2008 at 2:08 PM, Shane McCracken <email obscured>> wrote:
> Hi Jason,
>
> It is a question worth asking and I'm not sure if Stratford have asked
> themselves.
>
> However, I would still say well done because they are trying new things
> to reach out to their residents and they are doing it boldly.
> Traditional methods of communication between council and residents
> generally are not great.  50,000 16pp A3 newsletters anyone?  Very dry,
> impenetratable websites?
>
> Perhaps Twitter isn't /*the */answer, and perhaps nor is Facebook,
> Pownce, Plurt, or the multitude of buzzword platforms missing vowels,
> but it is only by trying that councils will find what works for them in
> their area.
>
> So well done Stratford for trying, and trying boldly.
>
> Shane
>
> Jason Kitcat wrote:
>> Sorry to be a bore... but why well done!?!?
>>
>> I don't see how Twitter is relevant to Stratford DC's residents and
>> the posts on their page so far reinforce that view. Isn't this just
>> buzzword compliance?
>>
>> All the best,
>> Jason
>>
>> On 16 Jun 2008, at 13:40, Dave Briggs wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Well done to Stratford-on-Avon District Council who have a twitter
>>> account and are displaying it on their homepage!
>>>
>>> http://www.stratford.gov.uk/
>>>
>>> http://twitter.com/StratfordDC
>>>
>>
>>
>
> --
>
> Shane McCracken
> Director
> Gallomanor Communications Ltd.
>
> creating community conversations
>
> www.gallomanor.com <http://www.gallomanor.com/>
> civicsurf.org <http://civicsurf.org/>
> www.bigvote.org.uk <http://www.bigvote.org.uk/>
> www.lifeswap.org.uk <http://www.lifeswap.org.uk/>
>
> <email obscured> <email obscured>>
> mob:07720 297515
> tel:01225 869450
> fax:0870 7627 451
>
> 31 Silver Street
> Bradford on Avon
> BA15 1JX
>
> Gallomanor Communications Ltd.
> Registered in England & Wales, No. 03980700.
> Registered Address: Duckmead Cottage, Farleigh Wick, Bradford-on-Avon,
> BA15 2PU
>
>
> Member profile for Shane McCracken:
> http://groups.dowire.org/contacts/shanegallomanor
>
>
> -----------------------------------------
>
> Group home for UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange:
> http://groups.dowire.org/groups/ukie
>
> Replies go to members of UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange with all posts
on this topic here:
> http://groups.dowire.org/r/topic/6QPDaaOSVQj3qpfZKqWQZk
>
> For digest version or to leave UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange,
> email <email obscured>
> with "digest on" or "unsubscribe" in the *subject*.
>
> UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange is hosted by Democracies Online -
http://dowire.org.
>

--
Dave Briggs
<email obscured> | http://davepress.net | 020 8133 8008 (Skype) 07525
209589 (Mobile)
I guess our expectations of local government are so low that such a
small step needs to be celebrated.

Still I do wonder whether we and they shouldn't apply some judgement
before celebrating such moves.

Shane mentioned 50,000 newsletters. In my experience we get much, much
better responses to printed newsletters than anything else tried
online or off. Sad but true!

All the best,
Jason

On 16 Jun 2008, at 14:53, Dave Briggs wrote:

> Thanks Shane - that's exactly it.
>
> 1. It's been there 3 days. Give it time to bed in.
> 2. Someone has stuck their necks out and given something new a go.
> They deserve praise for that alone.
> 3. Why do you assume the residents of Stratford are unable to take
> advantage of tools like Twitter? And even if only a handful of
> residents read the feed on a regular basis, given the cost
> implications (ie none), it's a job well done
> 4. Tools like Twitter are moving into the mainstream, as Downing
> Street's use of it has confirmed. I don't see why local gov should
> exclude itself
>
> Dave
>
>
>
> On Mon, Jun 16, 2008 at 2:08 PM, Shane McCracken
> <email obscured>> wrote:
>> Hi Jason,
>>
>> It is a question worth asking and I'm not sure if Stratford have
>> asked
>> themselves.
>>
>> However, I would still say well done because they are trying new
>> things
>> to reach out to their residents and they are doing it boldly.
>> Traditional methods of communication between council and residents
>> generally are not great.  50,000 16pp A3 newsletters anyone?  Very
>> dry,
>> impenetratable websites?
>>
>> Perhaps Twitter isn't /*the */answer, and perhaps nor is Facebook,
>> Pownce, Plurt, or the multitude of buzzword platforms missing vowels,
>> but it is only by trying that councils will find what works for
>> them in
>> their area.
>>
>> So well done Stratford for trying, and trying boldly.
>>
>> Shane
>>
>> Jason Kitcat wrote:
>>> Sorry to be a bore... but why well done!?!?
>>>
>>> I don't see how Twitter is relevant to Stratford DC's residents and
>>> the posts on their page so far reinforce that view. Isn't this just
>>> buzzword compliance?
>>>
>>> All the best,
>>> Jason
>>>
>>> On 16 Jun 2008, at 13:40, Dave Briggs wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>> Well done to Stratford-on-Avon District Council who have a twitter
>>>> account and are displaying it on their homepage!
>>>>
>>>> http://www.stratford.gov.uk/
>>>>
>>>> http://twitter.com/StratfordDC
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Shane McCracken
>> Director
>> Gallomanor Communications Ltd.
>>
>> creating community conversations
>>
>> www.gallomanor.com <http://www.gallomanor.com/>
>> civicsurf.org <http://civicsurf.org/>
>> www.bigvote.org.uk <http://www.bigvote.org.uk/>
>> www.lifeswap.org.uk <http://www.lifeswap.org.uk/>
>>
>> <email obscured> <email obscured>>
>> mob:07720 297515
>> tel:01225 869450
>> fax:0870 7627 451
>>
>> 31 Silver Street
>> Bradford on Avon
>> BA15 1JX
>>
>> Gallomanor Communications Ltd.
>> Registered in England & Wales, No. 03980700.
>> Registered Address: Duckmead Cottage, Farleigh Wick, Bradford-on-
>> Avon,
>> BA15 2PU
>>
>>
>> Member profile for Shane McCracken:
>> http://groups.dowire.org/contacts/shanegallomanor
>>
>>
>> -----------------------------------------
>>
>> Group home for UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange:
>> http://groups.dowire.org/groups/ukie
>>
>> Replies go to members of UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange with
>> all posts on this topic here:
>> http://groups.dowire.org/r/topic/6QPDaaOSVQj3qpfZKqWQZk
>>
>> For digest version or to leave UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange,
>> email <email obscured>
>> with "digest on" or "unsubscribe" in the *subject*.
>>
>> UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange is hosted by Democracies Online
>> - http://dowire.org.
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Dave Briggs
> <email obscured> | http://davepress.net | 020 8133 8008 (Skype) 07525
> 209589 (Mobile)
>
> Member profile for Dave Briggs:
> http://groups.dowire.org/contacts/davebriggs
>
>
> -----------------------------------------
>
> Group home for UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange:
> http://groups.dowire.org/groups/ukie
>
> Replies go to members of UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange with
> all posts on this topic here:
> http://groups.dowire.org/r/topic/4QhHJDLa3MWaBWSdTfGFyP
>
> For digest version or to leave UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange,
> email <email obscured>
> with "digest on" or "unsubscribe" in the *subject*.
>
> UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange is hosted by Democracies Online
> - http://dowire.org.

--
Cllr Jason Kitcat
Green City Councillor, Regency Ward
Chair, Brighton & Hove Green Party

http://www.jasonkitcat.com
+ 44 (0) 7956 886 508
Hi Jason,

It doesn't need to be celebrated but my guess is that whoever proposed
it is taking a risk and feeling nervous about it.  It doesn't hurt to
encourage in the early days.  If nothing comes of it they can quietly
remove it and carry one as before.

In regards to the 50,000 newsletters - no surprise that they give the
best response given that the coverage is near 100% and that the people
that normally respond to council communication expect them. Do they give
the best response in terms of money spent?  Do they reach out to new
people? What response do you get from young people from the
newsletters?  How often do the newsletters go out?  What if you want to
gather views the week after you've gone to press?

Newsletters have their place, an important place, but so do other ways
of communicating *with* residents.

Thanks,

Shane

Jason Kitcat wrote:
> I guess our expectations of local government are so low that such a
> small step needs to be celebrated.
>
> Still I do wonder whether we and they shouldn't apply some judgement
> before celebrating such moves.
>
> Shane mentioned 50,000 newsletters. In my experience we get much, much
> better responses to printed newsletters than anything else tried
> online or off. Sad but true!
>
> All the best,
> Jason
>
> On 16 Jun 2008, at 14:53, Dave Briggs wrote:
>
>
>> Thanks Shane - that's exactly it.
>>
>> 1. It's been there 3 days. Give it time to bed in.
>> 2. Someone has stuck their necks out and given something new a go.
>> They deserve praise for that alone.
>> 3. Why do you assume the residents of Stratford are unable to take
>> advantage of tools like Twitter? And even if only a handful of
>> residents read the feed on a regular basis, given the cost
>> implications (ie none), it's a job well done
>> 4. Tools like Twitter are moving into the mainstream, as Downing
>> Street's use of it has confirmed. I don't see why local gov should
>> exclude itself
>>
>> Dave
>>
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Jun 16, 2008 at 2:08 PM, Shane McCracken
>> <email obscured>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Jason,
>>>
>>> It is a question worth asking and I'm not sure if Stratford have
>>> asked
>>> themselves.
>>>
>>> However, I would still say well done because they are trying new
>>> things
>>> to reach out to their residents and they are doing it boldly.
>>> Traditional methods of communication between council and residents
>>> generally are not great.  50,000 16pp A3 newsletters anyone?  Very
>>> dry,
>>> impenetratable websites?
>>>
>>> Perhaps Twitter isn't /*the */answer, and perhaps nor is Facebook,
>>> Pownce, Plurt, or the multitude of buzzword platforms missing vowels,
>>> but it is only by trying that councils will find what works for
>>> them in
>>> their area.
>>>
>>> So well done Stratford for trying, and trying boldly.
>>>
>>> Shane
>>>
>>> Jason Kitcat wrote:
>>>
>>>> Sorry to be a bore... but why well done!?!?
>>>>
>>>> I don't see how Twitter is relevant to Stratford DC's residents and
>>>> the posts on their page so far reinforce that view. Isn't this just
>>>> buzzword compliance?
>>>>
>>>> All the best,
>>>> Jason
>>>>
>>>> On 16 Jun 2008, at 13:40, Dave Briggs wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Well done to Stratford-on-Avon District Council who have a twitter
>>>>> account and are displaying it on their homepage!
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.stratford.gov.uk/
>>>>>
>>>>> http://twitter.com/StratfordDC
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> Shane McCracken
>>> Director
>>> Gallomanor Communications Ltd.
>>>
>>> creating community conversations
>>>
>>> www.gallomanor.com <http://www.gallomanor.com/>
>>> civicsurf.org <http://civicsurf.org/>
>>> www.bigvote.org.uk <http://www.bigvote.org.uk/>
>>> www.lifeswap.org.uk <http://www.lifeswap.org.uk/>
>>>
>>> <email obscured> <email obscured>>
>>> mob:07720 297515
>>> tel:01225 869450
>>> fax:0870 7627 451
>>>
>>> 31 Silver Street
>>> Bradford on Avon
>>> BA15 1JX
>>>
>>> Gallomanor Communications Ltd.
>>> Registered in England & Wales, No. 03980700.
>>> Registered Address: Duckmead Cottage, Farleigh Wick, Bradford-on-
>>> Avon,
>>> BA15 2PU
>>>
>>>
>>> Member profile for Shane McCracken:
>>> http://groups.dowire.org/contacts/shanegallomanor
>>>
>>>
>>> -----------------------------------------
>>>
>>> Group home for UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange:
>>> http://groups.dowire.org/groups/ukie
>>>
>>> Replies go to members of UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange with
>>> all posts on this topic here:
>>> http://groups.dowire.org/r/topic/6QPDaaOSVQj3qpfZKqWQZk
>>>
>>> For digest version or to leave UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange,
>>> email <email obscured>
>>> with "digest on" or "unsubscribe" in the *subject*.
>>>
>>> UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange is hosted by Democracies Online
>>> - http://dowire.org.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> --
>> Dave Briggs
>> <email obscured> | http://davepress.net | 020 8133 8008 (Skype) 07525
>> 209589 (Mobile)
>>
>> Member profile for Dave Briggs:
>> http://groups.dowire.org/contacts/davebriggs
>>
>>
>> -----------------------------------------
>>
>> Group home for UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange:
>> http://groups.dowire.org/groups/ukie
>>
>> Replies go to members of UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange with
>> all posts on this topic here:
>> http://groups.dowire.org/r/topic/4QhHJDLa3MWaBWSdTfGFyP
>>
>> For digest version or to leave UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange,
>> email <email obscured>
>> with "digest on" or "unsubscribe" in the *subject*.
>>
>> UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange is hosted by Democracies Online
>> - http://dowire.org.
>>
>
>

--

Shane McCracken
Director
Gallomanor Communications Ltd.

creating community conversations

www.gallomanor.com <http://www.gallomanor.com/>
civicsurf.org <http://civicsurf.org/>
www.bigvote.org.uk <http://www.bigvote.org.uk/>
www.lifeswap.org.uk <http://www.lifeswap.org.uk/>

<email obscured> <email obscured>>
mob:07720 297515
tel:01225 869450
fax:0870 7627 451

31 Silver Street
Bradford on Avon
BA15 1JX

Gallomanor Communications Ltd.
Registered in England & Wales, No. 03980700.
Registered Address: Duckmead Cottage, Farleigh Wick, Bradford-on-Avon,
BA15 2PU
Yes, the interesting thing will be to see how Stratford (and other
Councils, as I have found*) handle Twitter as a feedback mechanism, as
opposed to a way to throw messages out to people. If a resident texts
a tweet asking when their bins will be emptied will they get a
response and how?

* http://davepress.net/2008/06/16/more-local-gov-twittering/

Dave

On Mon, Jun 16, 2008 at 3:48 PM, Shane McCracken <email obscured>> wrote:
> Hi Jason,
>
> It doesn't need to be celebrated but my guess is that whoever proposed
> it is taking a risk and feeling nervous about it.  It doesn't hurt to
> encourage in the early days.  If nothing comes of it they can quietly
> remove it and carry one as before.
>
> In regards to the 50,000 newsletters - no surprise that they give the
> best response given that the coverage is near 100% and that the people
> that normally respond to council communication expect them. Do they give
> the best response in terms of money spent?  Do they reach out to new
> people? What response do you get from young people from the
> newsletters?  How often do the newsletters go out?  What if you want to
> gather views the week after you've gone to press?
>
> Newsletters have their place, an important place, but so do other ways
> of communicating *with* residents.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Shane
>
>
>
>
>
> Jason Kitcat wrote:
>> I guess our expectations of local government are so low that such a
>> small step needs to be celebrated.
>>
>> Still I do wonder whether we and they shouldn't apply some judgement
>> before celebrating such moves.
>>
>> Shane mentioned 50,000 newsletters. In my experience we get much, much
>> better responses to printed newsletters than anything else tried
>> online or off. Sad but true!
>>
>> All the best,
>> Jason
>>
>> On 16 Jun 2008, at 14:53, Dave Briggs wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Thanks Shane - that's exactly it.
>>>
>>> 1. It's been there 3 days. Give it time to bed in.
>>> 2. Someone has stuck their necks out and given something new a go.
>>> They deserve praise for that alone.
>>> 3. Why do you assume the residents of Stratford are unable to take
>>> advantage of tools like Twitter? And even if only a handful of
>>> residents read the feed on a regular basis, given the cost
>>> implications (ie none), it's a job well done
>>> 4. Tools like Twitter are moving into the mainstream, as Downing
>>> Street's use of it has confirmed. I don't see why local gov should
>>> exclude itself
>>>
>>> Dave
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Mon, Jun 16, 2008 at 2:08 PM, Shane McCracken
>>> <email obscured>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi Jason,
>>>>
>>>> It is a question worth asking and I'm not sure if Stratford have
>>>> asked
>>>> themselves.
>>>>
>>>> However, I would still say well done because they are trying new
>>>> things
>>>> to reach out to their residents and they are doing it boldly.
>>>> Traditional methods of communication between council and residents
>>>> generally are not great.  50,000 16pp A3 newsletters anyone?  Very
>>>> dry,
>>>> impenetratable websites?
>>>>
>>>> Perhaps Twitter isn't /*the */answer, and perhaps nor is Facebook,
>>>> Pownce, Plurt, or the multitude of buzzword platforms missing vowels,
>>>> but it is only by trying that councils will find what works for
>>>> them in
>>>> their area.
>>>>
>>>> So well done Stratford for trying, and trying boldly.
>>>>
>>>> Shane
>>>>
>>>> Jason Kitcat wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Sorry to be a bore... but why well done!?!?
>>>>>
>>>>> I don't see how Twitter is relevant to Stratford DC's residents and
>>>>> the posts on their page so far reinforce that view. Isn't this just
>>>>> buzzword compliance?
>>>>>
>>>>> All the best,
>>>>> Jason
>>>>>
>>>>> On 16 Jun 2008, at 13:40, Dave Briggs wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Well done to Stratford-on-Avon District Council who have a twitter
>>>>>> account and are displaying it on their homepage!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://www.stratford.gov.uk/
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://twitter.com/StratfordDC
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>> --
>>>>
>>>> Shane McCracken
>>>> Director
>>>> Gallomanor Communications Ltd.
>>>>
>>>> creating community conversations
>>>>
>>>> www.gallomanor.com <http://www.gallomanor.com/>
>>>> civicsurf.org <http://civicsurf.org/>
>>>> www.bigvote.org.uk <http://www.bigvote.org.uk/>
>>>> www.lifeswap.org.uk <http://www.lifeswap.org.uk/>
>>>>
>>>> <email obscured> <email obscured>>
>>>> mob:07720 297515
>>>> tel:01225 869450
>>>> fax:0870 7627 451
>>>>
>>>> 31 Silver Street
>>>> Bradford on Avon
>>>> BA15 1JX
>>>>
>>>> Gallomanor Communications Ltd.
>>>> Registered in England & Wales, No. 03980700.
>>>> Registered Address: Duckmead Cottage, Farleigh Wick, Bradford-on-
>>>> Avon,
>>>> BA15 2PU
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Member profile for Shane McCracken:
>>>> http://groups.dowire.org/contacts/shanegallomanor
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----------------------------------------
>>>>
>>>> Group home for UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange:
>>>> http://groups.dowire.org/groups/ukie
>>>>
>>>> Replies go to members of UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange with
>>>> all posts on this topic here:
>>>> http://groups.dowire.org/r/topic/6QPDaaOSVQj3qpfZKqWQZk
>>>>
>>>> For digest version or to leave UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange,
>>>> email <email obscured>
>>>> with "digest on" or "unsubscribe" in the *subject*.
>>>>
>>>> UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange is hosted by Democracies Online
>>>> - http://dowire.org.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Dave Briggs
>>> <email obscured> | http://davepress.net | 020 8133 8008 (Skype) 07525
>>> 209589 (Mobile)
>>>
>>> Member profile for Dave Briggs:
>>> http://groups.dowire.org/contacts/davebriggs
>>>
>>>
>>> -----------------------------------------
>>>
>>> Group home for UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange:
>>> http://groups.dowire.org/groups/ukie
>>>
>>> Replies go to members of UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange with
>>> all posts on this topic here:
>>> http://groups.dowire.org/r/topic/4QhHJDLa3MWaBWSdTfGFyP
>>>
>>> For digest version or to leave UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange,
>>> email <email obscured>
>>> with "digest on" or "unsubscribe" in the *subject*.
>>>
>>> UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange is hosted by Democracies Online
>>> - http://dowire.org.
>>>
>>
>>
>
> --
>
> Shane McCracken
> Director
> Gallomanor Communications Ltd.
>
> creating community conversations
>
> www.gallomanor.com <http://www.gallomanor.com/>
> civicsurf.org <http://civicsurf.org/>
> www.bigvote.org.uk <http://www.bigvote.org.uk/>
> www.lifeswap.org.uk <http://www.lifeswap.org.uk/>
>
> <email obscured> <email obscured>>
> mob:07720 297515
> tel:01225 869450
> fax:0870 7627 451
>
> 31 Silver Street
> Bradford on Avon
> BA15 1JX
>
> Gallomanor Communications Ltd.
> Registered in England & Wales, No. 03980700.
> Registered Address: Duckmead Cottage, Farleigh Wick, Bradford-on-Avon,
> BA15 2PU
>
>
> Member profile for Shane McCracken:
> http://groups.dowire.org/contacts/shanegallomanor
>
>
> -----------------------------------------
>
> Group home for UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange:
> http://groups.dowire.org/groups/ukie
>
> Replies go to members of UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange with all posts
on this topic here:
> http://groups.dowire.org/r/topic/3OYm7hgx2Hah1AHbWlZWhv
>
> For digest version or to leave UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange,
> email <email obscured>
> with "digest on" or "unsubscribe" in the *subject*.
>
> UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange is hosted by Democracies Online -
http://dowire.org.
>

--
Dave Briggs
<email obscured> | http://davepress.net | 020 8133 8008 (Skype) 07525
209589 (Mobile)
It does no harm, costs nothing apart from a bit of time and effort and it might
do some good. Good on them for trying it. Let's not knock folk for doing
something (nicely integrated into the site too).

Has anyone noticed Parliament just started twittering...
http://twitter.com/UKParliament

Andy
Hi,
well it's good to hear you all encouraging a positive attitude. More
than one person has mentioned that this list can be a bit cynical or
seen it all before and this can discourage people posting stuff they
care about.

I can of course understand Jason's point though -buzz word compliance
can be irritating.
Edinburgh communicates with its citizens by posting A4 notices to
lampposts. These slide down so that only  foxes or babies in prams can
read them (or not probably) so if they started twittering I might be a
bit cynical.

-Ella

Ella Taylor-Smith

International Teledemocracy Centre
Napier University
10 Colinton Road
Edinburgh, EH10 5DT

Telephone: +44 (0) 131 455 2392  Fax:  +44 (0) 131 455 2282
Email: <email obscured>

http://itc.napier.ac.uk

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(Guardian University Guide 2009)

This message is intended for the addressee(s) only and should not be read,
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email or any attachment, or for errors or omissions arising after it was sent.
Email is not a secure medium. Email entering the University's system is subject
to routine monitoring and filtering by the University.
Napier University is a registered Scottish charity. Registration number
SC018373

Hi All,

Sorry to be so slow here, I have been on holiday and am sifting
through the email backlog.

I just want to leap in to defend both Jason and the role of
enlightened skepticism in general.

The internet is a terrifically harsh place for projects to grow and
thrive, and even those that appear to have everything done just
exactly right will normally ultimately fail anyway. Whilst Francis
(one of our senior team) often talks about not injecting 'stop energy'
into arguments, there's no doubt that much of mySociety's web
development philosophy is based on a very very pessimistic view of
anything succeeding at all, and prioritises expending efforts to do
everything possible to kill of bad ideas before they waste resources.

As for Straford's site - it lets people visiting the homepage find out
about twitter, but doesn't have a top-central-located box for
gathering email addresses to turn into email updates more akin to the
50,000 leaflets mentioned above. As far as me and my cynical troupe
are concerned, that's an inexcusable prioritsation of buzz word
compliance over tried and tested approaches that have far more user
recognition. Barack Obama doesn't do this - why should Stratford? In
the contemporary argot of internet hipsters...  FAIL.

best,

Tom

2008/6/17 Taylor-Smith, Ella <email obscured>>:

> Hi,
> well it's good to hear you all encouraging a positive attitude. More
> than one person has mentioned that this list can be a bit cynical or
> seen it all before and this can discourage people posting stuff they
> care about.
>
> I can of course understand Jason's point though -buzz word compliance
> can be irritating.
> Edinburgh communicates with its citizens by posting A4 notices to
> lampposts. These slide down so that only  foxes or babies in prams can
> read them (or not probably) so if they started twittering I might be a
> bit cynical.
>
> -Ella
>
> Ella Taylor-Smith
>
> International Teledemocracy Centre
> Napier University
> 10 Colinton Road
> Edinburgh, EH10 5DT
>
> Telephone: +44 (0) 131 455 2392  Fax:  +44 (0) 131 455 2282
> Email: <email obscured>
>
> http://itc.napier.ac.uk
>
>
> Napier University is the best modern university in Scotland and 5th in the
UK.
> (Guardian University Guide 2009)
>
> This message is intended for the addressee(s) only and should not be read,
copied or disclosed to anyone else outwith the University without the
permission of the sender. It is your responsibility to ensure that this message
and any attachments are scanned for viruses or other defects. Napier University
does not accept liability for any lossor damage which may result from this
email or any attachment, or for errors or omissions arising after it was sent.
Email is not a secure medium. Email entering the University's system is subject
to routine monitoring and filtering by the University.
> Napier University is a registered Scottish charity. Registration number
SC018373
>
> Member profile for Ella Taylor-Smith:
> http://groups.dowire.org/contacts/smithella
>
>
> -----------------------------------------
>
> Group home for UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange:
> http://groups.dowire.org/groups/ukie
>
> Replies go to members of UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange with all posts
on this topic here:
> http://groups.dowire.org/r/topic/3lRbEHUKH6FO7XNOGorVWk
>
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> email <email obscured>
> with "digest on" or "unsubscribe" in the *subject*.
>
> UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange is hosted by Democracies Online -
http://dowire.org.
>

--
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Hi Tom and all,

Firstly I hope there was no need to defend Jason.  There was certainly
no intention to attack.

And no need to defend enlightened scepticism (apart from the UK spelling
of it ;-) ).  I'm a natural sceptic and agree with many of the points
you make on the harshness of the internet and the need to prioritise
resources.  However I know you are in favour developing projects and
communication in the open and not suffocating ideas with excess
management and evaluation.

The point I attempted to make about Stratford's use of Twitter was that
they were actually doing something rather than nothing.  I've spoken to
some LA officers who've spent months and in one case years, putting
together plans for the politicians to reject wholesale.

That's why in Stratford's case I wanted to celebrate some innovation and
action.

You are right that collecting email addresses should have priority and
that councils should be creative about how they do so.  And perhaps I,
in future, should be more creative and constructive in my celebration of
innovative councils.

So, Stratford, if you're listening, well done on innovating with
Twitter.  It may turn out to be a useful channel of communication and it
is a modern looking mini-blog on your home page.  However a weekly or
monthly round up, sent out by email, is likely to have wider appeal and
you should collect email addresses on your home page.  As a group the
UKIE EDem list would be very interested in any evaluation you do.

Thanks,

Shane

Tom Steinberg wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Sorry to be so slow here, I have been on holiday and am sifting
> through the email backlog.
>
> I just want to leap in to defend both Jason and the role of
> enlightened skepticism in general.
>
> The internet is a terrifically harsh place for projects to grow and
> thrive, and even those that appear to have everything done just
> exactly right will normally ultimately fail anyway. Whilst Francis
> (one of our senior team) often talks about not injecting 'stop energy'
> into arguments, there's no doubt that much of mySociety's web
> development philosophy is based on a very very pessimistic view of
> anything succeeding at all, and prioritises expending efforts to do
> everything possible to kill of bad ideas before they waste resources.
>
> As for Straford's site - it lets people visiting the homepage find out
> about twitter, but doesn't have a top-central-located box for
> gathering email addresses to turn into email updates more akin to the
> 50,000 leaflets mentioned above. As far as me and my cynical troupe
> are concerned, that's an inexcusable prioritsation of buzz word
> compliance over tried and tested approaches that have far more user
> recognition. Barack Obama doesn't do this - why should Stratford? In
> the contemporary argot of internet hipsters...  FAIL.
>
> best,
>
> Tom
>
> 2008/6/17 Taylor-Smith, Ella <email obscured>>:
>
>> Hi,
>> well it's good to hear you all encouraging a positive attitude. More
>> than one person has mentioned that this list can be a bit cynical or
>> seen it all before and this can discourage people posting stuff they
>> care about.
>>
>> I can of course understand Jason's point though -buzz word compliance
>> can be irritating.
>> Edinburgh communicates with its citizens by posting A4 notices to
>> lampposts. These slide down so that only  foxes or babies in prams can
>> read them (or not probably) so if they started twittering I might be a
>> bit cynical.
>>
>> -Ella
>>
>> Ella Taylor-Smith
>>
>> International Teledemocracy Centre
>> Napier University
>> 10 Colinton Road
>> Edinburgh, EH10 5DT
>>
>> Telephone: +44 (0) 131 455 2392  Fax:  +44 (0) 131 455 2282
>> Email: <email obscured>
>>
>> http://itc.napier.ac.uk
>>
>>
>> Napier University is the best modern university in Scotland and 5th in the
UK.
>> (Guardian University Guide 2009)
>>
>> This message is intended for the addressee(s) only and should not be read,
copied or disclosed to anyone else outwith the University without the
permission of the sender. It is your responsibility to ensure that this message
and any attachments are scanned for viruses or other defects. Napier University
does not accept liability for any lossor damage which may result from this
email or any attachment, or for errors or omissions arising after it was sent.
Email is not a secure medium. Email entering the University's system is subject
to routine monitoring and filtering by the University.
>> Napier University is a registered Scottish charity. Registration number
SC018373
>>
>> Member profile for Ella Taylor-Smith:
>> http://groups.dowire.org/contacts/smithella
>>
>>
>> -----------------------------------------
>>
>> Group home for UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange:
>> http://groups.dowire.org/groups/ukie
>>
>> Replies go to members of UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange with all posts
on this topic here:
>> http://groups.dowire.org/r/topic/3lRbEHUKH6FO7XNOGorVWk
>>
>> For digest version or to leave UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange,
>> email <email obscured>
>> with "digest on" or "unsubscribe" in the *subject*.
>>
>> UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange is hosted by Democracies Online -
http://dowire.org.
>>
>>
>
>
>
>

--

Shane McCracken
Director
Gallomanor Communications Ltd.

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I like this as a practical framework:

'Barack Obama doesn't do this'

Email is *still the killer app is the US elections + Twitter seems to be down a
heck of a lot ;[

I totally agree, Paul, and I'm pretty neutral on twitter. I know I
would never have the persistence and enthusiasm to keep it up to date
myself, that's for sure. Even if I did, would anyone care? I sincerely
doubt it (in some ways, I hope not... it would feel kind of
stalker-ish if some did want that level of detail about what I'm doing
('writing email, eating ham sandwich') ;-) There are some pretty bad
(and sad) examples!

But I've got to say that the UK Parliament twitter has won me over.
There are a couple of reasons for this - first and most important is
that it provides me with information that I actually need to know to
do my job (or at least to make it easier) and second, because you can
get an rss feed from it, I can do this on my terms and in a way that I
want (through NetVibes in my case).

And there in lies the value proposition... it does something I *need*
(or would like to have!) better, faster, cheaper. So I'll use it. If
not, the novelty wears off pretty quickly.

Andy

2008/6/30 paul canning <email obscured>>:
> I like this as a practical framework:
>
> 'Barack Obama doesn't do this'
>
> Email is *still the killer app is the US elections + Twitter seems to be down
a heck of a lot ;[
>
> -----------------------------------------
> Group home for UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange:
> http://groups.dowire.org/groups/ukie
>
> Replies go to members of UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange with all posts
on this topic here:
> http://groups.dowire.org/r/topic/4iwcNS3LPXLkRyv3E5iTeJ
>
> For digest version or to leave UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange,
> email <email obscured>
> with "digest on" or "unsubscribe" in the *subject*.
>
> UK and Ireland E-Democracy Exchange is hosted by Democracies Online -
http://dowire.org.

>
>

--
Andy Williamson

email <email obscured>
website www.andywilliamson.com
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