[diversity-talk] Further Discussion on Increasing Diversity

[Randal Hale]

I think the biggest problem in general is attracting new people - be 
they black white male female or green.

OSM is a niche thing - It doesn't matter what is done with new editors 
and new ideas - your typical user isn't going to muck around in the wiki 
(which is a mess) OR get on a talk list and hope to get one of the 
people that don't consider OSM their own personal playground.

If you want to learn OSM on the WIKI one of the first things covered it 
loading GPX data - once again new users don't care about that (maybe 
when they get more advanced - yes). The LearnOSM site is good - BUT - 
which is definitive? The wiki OR the LearnOSM site (or maybe they both 
have their own merits.

I always try to look at it from a "win" perspective - how does OSM win? 
For me it's a win if I can convince an elderly  person to map their 
neighborhood or a kid to map their elementary school or something they 
enjoy. I have tried these very things - but knowing I would be the 
portal into OSM - there isn't a good spot for them to get that type of 
support and understanding and get questions answered. I spent a 
wonderful amount of time in the US Virgin Islands working this previous 
summer - and that was always something I wondered about "How can I 
convince a resident to show what they "love" on OSM - be it their 
neighborhood or school or church?" The second question became if I do 
this - "who will they end up talking to if they get active". The second 
question always worried me.

We've had conversations on this end about the "community map" aspect to 
OSM - is it really just that? We've been beating a dead horse on other 
talk lists on "OSM Community" - and I think that is something that needs 
definition - who do you want in OSM? Is it everyone? Is it only a select 
group? What is the current community? How is that defined?


Randy

-----------------
Randal Hale, GISP
North River Geographic Systems, Inc
http://www.northrivergeographic.com
423.653.3611 rjhale at northrivergeographic.com
rjhale at northrivergeographic.com
twitter:rjhale
http://about.me/rjhale

On 02/13/2014 08:29 AM, Alex Barth wrote:
> My top two priorities for increasing diversity, especially at events, 
> are:
>
> - Appeal to newcomers. We're never going to create diversity with the 
> people who are already part of OSM, so I try to make sure I'm speaking 
> to the people who I haven't met yet rather than the crowd who's in the 
> know.
> - I make a personal effort to reach out to women to get involved. 
> Diversity is not just more women, I know, but this is actionable.
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Feb 12, 2014 at 3:44 PM, Fozy 81 <fozy81 at hotmail.com 
> <mailto:fozy81 at hotmail.com>> wrote:
>
>     Hi All,
>
>     Yes, I'd be interested to attend a meeting on Diversity.
>
>     And on mapping parties/meetups. The wiki could be updated to
>     include a few tips on how to be inclusive.
>
>     So in my experience - first I started in a pub on a week night.
>     And to be honest that is an easy way to start (no room hire,
>     convenient, beer). And nothing wrong with that . But have made the
>     effort to mix it up with different venues and times to possibly
>     attract different groups (which has worked to some extent).
>
>     So I guess, the main thing is to run an event - it's a fun thing
>     to do and will gather the existing community and may attract new
>     people. But IMHO if you are planning on running a series of events
>     - try to mix the venues, times and groups you are interacting
>     with. And try to find different contacts/ways to broadcast your
>     event (social media, email, notices etc).
>
>     + 1 all the advice on atmosphere/welcoming/questions etc
>
>
>     Tim
>
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>
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