[EBB Sightings] Administrator's Message

As Ann mentioned last week, I sheepishly received a promotion (or 
perhaps a sentence?) from the safe obscurity of "deputy" list 
administrator.   I appreciate your patience while I muddle through 
the learning curve for my new job. 

Ann worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this list a great 
forum for sharing information about bird sightings.   She fielded 
inquiries and complaints, and privately counseled members about the 
appropriate use of our list.  Under her watch, the list quadrupled in 
size in just two short years. 

That growth presents many challenges to our birding community.  For 
one, it is even more important than ever that we stick to the stated 
goals of this list.  667 birding enthusiasts eagerly read each 
message that is posted here.  They have a fair expectation that all 
messages follow the rules established for the list, which is to tell 
people where to find notable birds in Alameda and Contra Costa 
County. 

The homepage for our list was recently updated to more clearly 
reflect this mission:

http://www.diabloaudubon.com/mailman/listinfo/sightings

As each person will view the list's mission through their own senses, 
there will be understandable disagreements about whether particular 
posts are good for our  list or not.  However, please note the list 
page identifies three specific "no-no's":   political statements, 
events, and out-of-area sightings. 

If you do see off-topic posts, feel free to write 
sightings-admin at diabloaudubon.com, which is a direct route to me.  If 
you write the entire list, that would make my job easier but it just 
doubles the clutter for everyone else.

As for out-of-area sightings, luckily all regions in California have 
their own lists.  The "list of lists" is compiled at the link below, 
so you can visit there to get a complete picture of all cool birds 
seen in California, and you can join and post on the appropriate 
regional lists. 

http://www.sialia.com/s/calists.pl

FYI, Mount Diablo Audubon may end up sponsoring a community-based 
birding forum, where the public can start discussion threads, post 
images for comment, share information about conservation, vent, rage, 
and etc.   If the community website idea ever gets off the ground, 
there should be a local outlet for all topics that interest you.  We 
are also considering additional lists just like the Sightings list 
for other purposes.  Anyone interested in helping?


--Patrick

sightings-admin at diabloaudubon.com