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Andy,<br><br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>This is no
surprise. People don't stick around OSM because no one reaches out to
them. They join and then it's like we forget about them. So they
leave.<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>Think of
how many would have stuck around if you sent a message that said
something like, "Welcome to OSM. We're really glad you joined. Your
contributions to OSM are very important as we grow our map of the world.
<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>"If
you have any questions that we can answer or need any help with your
mapping, don't hersitate to contact me or the "Newbies" mailing
list. We also have excellent guides and tools on the OSM wiki, starting
with the Beginners Guide at (link).<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>
"Again, welcome to OSM and keep mapping!"<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>This is
not rocket science. This is just basic good practice for any volunteer
organization, practices that are followed by most successful nonprofit or
volunteer organizations. And you don't reach out new members just once.
You reach out to them regularly. Outreach has to be done on an ongoing
basis if it is going to be successful. And our email lists won't cut it.
Frankly, our email lists are too geeky to be of much help for the average
mapper, and they certainly are not friendly.<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>What kinds
of things do we need to say to new members? <br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>First, we
need to keep them informed about what's going on in OSM, particularly
things they can get involved in, like Mappy Hour and mapping parties.
<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>Second, we
have to give them help with mapping, help geared to their level of
mapping. Some will be GIS professionals, some will be schoolkids or
retired people looking to get involved in something. So we have to have
tools that work for different levels of mapping experience.<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>Third, we
need to give encouragement. We need to emphasize that they are important
to the organization. We can just say that, but we also can do things like
give individuals or groups recognition for their efforts.<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>Again,
this is not rocket science. This is what successful volunteer
organizations do. It's not even hard to do. Just regular emails, at least
monthly but preferably more often, to all members for the first year
after they join.<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>In my
eyes, this is really basic. Frankly, I'm amazed OSM has stuck around as
long as it has, considering how little it does to hang onto new members.
But, this has to change, if OSM is to reach its potential.<br>
<x-tab> </x-tab>What does
everyone else think?<x-tab> </x-tab><br><br>
Charlotte<br><br>
<br>
At 04:17 PM 1/16/2013, you wrote:<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">I believe that I mentioned some
time ago on IRC that I'd go through the "messages to new
mappers" that I'd sent to mappers who started in around November
last year and tot up which new mappers are still mapping and which
not.<br><br>
I've finally done it, and put the summary behind my wiki user page
here:<br><br>
<a href="http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/User:SomeoneElse/contacting_new_mappers" eudora="autourl">
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/User:SomeoneElse/contacting_new_mappers</a>
<br><br>
Two things really surprised me:<br><br>
1) Of the mappers who I'd sent polite "please make sure roads and
paths join" messages to, 30% were still mapping as of a week ago - I
was expecting fewer.<br><br>
2) Of the mappers who weren't messaged, the vast majority edited on one
day only - they mostly made a successful change (e.g. mapped a building
or changed a street name) and job done, they didn't come back and edit
anything else.<br><br>
(apologies if this second point has been obvious all along to everyone
but me!)<br><br>
Cheers,<br>
Andy<br><br>
(see also
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/User:SomeoneElse/new_mapper_messages
for info)<br><br>
<br>
_______________________________________________<br>
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WelcomeWG@openstreetmap.org<br>
<a href="http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/welcomewg" eudora="autourl">
http://lists.openstreetmap.org/listinfo/welcomewg</a></blockquote>
<x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
Charlotte Wolter<br>
927 18th Street Suite A<br>
Santa Monica, California<br>
90403<br>
+1-310-597-4040<br>
techlady@techlady.com<br>
Skype: thetechlady<br><br>
<b>The Four Internet Freedoms</b> <br>
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Freedom to access any content or service that is not illegal<br>
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network<br>
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affect the first three freedoms.<br>
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