Announcement RandomData regarding Communication Channels
There has been some ambiguity recently about which communication channels RandomData should use. Various needs, interests, and desires have emerged and were discussed during the last member meeting. With this document, we aim to provide more assistance and clarity. We would like to achieve this by identifying the needs we have heard and seen and explaining which channels currently meet these needs. During the member meeting on August 22nd, we also shared which channels we intend to use and explained the needs and goals central to this.
TL;DR
With this plan, we aim to bring more clarity to our communication, ensure that important information is preserved, and make it easier for both members and new people to find their way and be facilitated. We invite everyone to help with the transition so that we can make this process as smooth as possible together.
Primary Needs
- Instant Messaging – For quick communication. For example, when pizza is ordered in the space, or something short is shared/asked by anyone.
- Discussion – For longer, substantive conversations.
- Announcements, Public and for Members – To record some announcements from the board.
- Documentation – Documentation on projects or projects being done in the space.
- Social Media – Social expressions for the space that draw attention to the hackerspace.
- Facilities – Services such as a MATE payment system, LDAP for accounts, and virtual machines/data storage for projects.
Fulfillment
| Fulfillment | What | Where | How | Retention | Moderation | Onboarding |
| Instant Messaging | short, urgent communication (“Who is in the space?”, “Pizza tonight?”, “USB sticks on sale”). | Signal | Only short, transient messages.
No discussions or documentation. |
1 Month | members remind each other of use (“let's discuss this further on Mattermost”). | new members automatically receive an invitation to the Signal group. |
| Discussion | substantive discussions, ideas, but also chatting and fun. | Mattermost | Everyone can participate. | 1 Year | we create a fixed set (General, Technology, Projects, Lounge). New channels only after consultation, to prevent proliferation.
managed by the communication group; they close old or unused channels. |
new members receive explanation and link to Mattermost in their welcome message. |
| Announcements | official announcements (events, important updates). No discussion. | Signal Announce-group (only administrators can post).
Mattermost Announce-channel, Always with reference to a permanent source (Wiki or website). |
Signal for Member announcements
Mattermost, Wiki / Website for Public statements |
Forever. Retention on the Wiki or Website | only communication group posts messages. | N/A |
| Documentation | knowledge sharing, manuals, reports, projects. | Wiki | Everyone can contribute.
Wiki is the source for all lasting information. Signal/Mattermost refer to the wiki. |
Forever | Wiki-workgroup keeps an overview and removes clutter. | Request account from board. To combat bot traffic |
| Public Statements / Social Media | news, photos, activities, external promotion. | website, Mastodon, Flickr, possibly wiki as a public website. | Messages on behalf of Randomdata are posted by the communication group. | Forever | Moderated by RandomData. Messages should be short, inviting, and accessible. | new members are informed that personal posts are welcome but not automatically on behalf of Randomdata. |
| Facilities | practical matters such as LDAP, MATE-payment, data storage, VMs. | separate technical documentation in the wiki. | contact point is the board. | As long as the facility service exists | Managed jointly or by the board. Depending on the facility | On own initiative or request from the board |
Phase Out
For now, we are not adding any new communication channels. However, we will keep a close eye on whether different or additional needs arise in the future so that we can respond if necessary.
Feedback
Feedback on the way of communicating and the channels is welcome; feel free to let us know about any problems you encounter. We will collect all responses and discuss them in the member meetings so that it remains clear and everyone gets a chance to contribute their thoughts.