From vivek.inbox at sig9.com  Sat Jan  8 20:17:33 2005
From: vivek.inbox at sig9.com (Vivek Mohan)
Date: Sat Jan  8 20:15:03 2005
Subject: [Sig9works-chat] IRC-Talks at #sig9
Message-ID: <41DFF285.9060205@sig9.com>

Hey guys,
As discussed a few days back, I am in the process of implementing the 
Sig9 IRC-Talks. Sig9works-chat@lists.sarovar.org is, as of now, the 
official mailing list which will be used for all discussions pertaining 
to off-website acitivities of sig9, starting with #sig9 irc talks.

The basic idea of such talks is to create an open forum for learning new 
stuff in a more organised manner, rather than just using forums or 
mailing lists to discuss (albeit a rarity). IRC talks are fun, easy to 
conduct and the best part is - it is delivered right on to our desktops. 
The following are my ideas on how to conduct it. Although I don't want 
to be too formal, I'm calling it "the protocol for #sig9 talks". I 
intend on following it, regardless of the general public response, only 
as long as you guys support me.

[1] Talks will be held twice a week. Possibly,

	Every Tuesday  10:30 PM (IST, GMT +0530)
	Every Saturday 10:30 PM (IST, GMT +0530)

But, the timings will be posted two days prior to the scheduled date.
	
[2] Topics will be chosen by the person who is going to talk from a pool 
of topics maintained at the sig9 website --

	http://sig9.com/irc/topics

The list of topics will be updated based on suggestions posted to the 
official sig9 mailing list.

	sig9works-chat@lists.sarovar.org

A talk is scheduled once the talker commits to the mailing list, 
following which the announcement is posted to the list and

	http://sig9.com/irc

[3] There are two official channels for Sig9,

	#sig9 and #sig9-talk at irc.freenode.net.

#sig9 is where general discussions take place, but it assumes a special 
role during the "talk" sessions. #sig9-talk is dedicated to the "talk" 
sessions or to discussions pertaining to upcoming talks.

The #sig9-talk is read-only for the audience and only the talker can 
talk. Interruptions are not allowed. The audience can post any topic 
relevant doubts, questions, criticisms, additional pointers etc to #sig9 
such that the talker can monitor that channel and select good questions 
and answer them appropriately. Not all questions will be answered.

[4] After the talk is over, the log will be posted to the mailing list 
(and sig9.com/irc/<topic>) along with the unanswered questions from 
#sig9. This is done to facilitate follow up discussions.

Please reply with suggestions, criticisms and ideas. Lets make this happen!

Vivek