Thanks, I agree that we should post an answer after San Francisco has had an
opportunity to consider things. In the unlikely event that no-one dissents
from it I'll post my original draft at about this time tomorrow.
It seems clear to me that anything involving multiple questions and with the
intent of finding out what people's views are on a range of things involves
research. However the originators described their consultation as a
referendum, even though it didn't actually include the question "Do you
support this proposal?". So we shouldn't be surprised that those who oppose
the idea in principle would like it treated as a referendum rather than a
consultation. One possible way out of this mess would be to acknowledge that
the last exercise was a consultation, attempt to code the thing in a way
that resolves as many of the objections as possible and then hold a
referendum when people can see how it would work.
It is probably too late for us to get involved in this project, but I think
someone needs to get involved in this sort of thing for the future, and I
don't see anyone more appropriate than us. I would like our remit to include
reviewing any questionnaire broadcast to the community or parts of the
community whether by watchlists, site notices, talkpages or the email user
function. On that basis this would be in our remit, whilst a referendum with
a single yes no question would not be.
WSC
PS to Milos, I've commented several times, but only after the thing was
announced - I didn't have a preview. Some of my comments have been about
ambiguities among the questions, others have been about the idea. My first
comment was about the inadvisability of describing a consultation as a
referendum....
On 6 September 2011 09:28, Yaroslav M. Blanter <putevod(a)mccme.ru> wrote:
I agree, and I
thinbk it is important to do it quickly, nobody would get
interested in a week. May be just to wait till RCom member in California
have a chance to read this message later in the (European) afternoon.
Another question to discuss would be whether we should have been
consulted. I am not sure. This is not really research, this was supposed
to
be a vote.
Needs to read: members from California (meaning Pacific time).
Cheers
Yaroslav
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