Distinguished Guest topics

Janet Kenny · #1 08-01-2008, 05:48 PM

Before the translation discussion started I tried to start a new Frost thread for the radio interview with Jay Parini who had to speak, about Robert Frost and poetry in general, to the young vandals who trashed Robert Frost's house.

I saw that Peter Chipman had started a topic thread about Frost. I received an automatic message saying that only moderators could start threads. As far as I can tell Peter is not a moderator.

I appended my post to the end of Rhina's thread although it embarrassed me to do so.

[This message has been edited by Janet Kenny (edited August 01, 2008).]

Maryann Corbett · #2 08-01-2008, 06:12 PM

Janet, I'm sorry you felt this was awkward. The post about Parini doesn't seem out of place.

Peter's participation in the Frost discussion was part of the plan for the "event," and so his permissions were set within the system, in advance, to allow him to start a thread for the duration.

Starting new threads on Distinguished Guest is something we regulate now, ever since we've said that anyone can invite a distinguished guest. Limiting thread-starting ensures that plans for the guest and the discussion have to be made in advance and okayed with the moderators.

Janet Kenny · #3 08-01-2008, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Maryann Corbett:
Janet, I'm sorry you felt this was awkward. The post about Parini doesn't seem out of place.

Peter's participation in the Frost discussion was part of the plan for the "event," and so his permissions were set within the system, in advance, to allow him to start a thread for the duration.

Starting new threads on Distinguished Guest is something we regulate now, ever since we've said that anyone can invite a distinguished guest. Limiting thread-starting ensures that plans for the guest and the discussion have to be made in advance and okayed with the moderators.

Maryann,
I just wish I'd known what to do. Almost certainly my own fault.

The link is definitely relevant to the general discussion. If I'd known I would have contacted you but by the time I was ready with the link I had run out of time. I thought it should be part of the Frost discussion anyway.
Janet

Tim Murphy · #4 08-02-2008, 07:52 AM

Thanks for posting the link, Janet, definitely apropos. I didn't learn until recently that one required clearance to initiate a thread at Distinguished Guest. As you might expect, this has caused a runaround for Maryann to clear all my guests, hiccups and embarrassments. But I've just discussed this at length with Alex, and I agree with the staff's rationale for requiring clearance. I do want to see members initiate their own events, bring in their own guests. But my notion of "distinguished" is pretty lofty. And since I resumed my role, the calendar has been crowded.
The Sonnet Bake-off, May. Kerrigan, May. Frost Fest, All Summer. Martin on Translation, August. I think Tim Love is planning a fiction event, perhaps September. Steve Collington hosting Lee Gurga on Haiku in October. Leslie Monsour hosting many distinguished guests on the historically unprecedented centrality of women to cutting edge verse in November. Maryann hosting Rhina's Deck the Halls in December. In short, my old board is back, and we require planning and coordination.

Janet Kenny · #5 08-02-2008, 08:20 AM

Tim, I've no problem with any of that. It just seemed a shame to muddy Rhina's stream and another shame not to have the link in a prominent place so that it could be appreciated as an important part of the Frost discussion.

Maryann Corbett · #6 08-02-2008, 08:33 AM

Janet, there's also an "Open Mic" thread for the Frost discussion. It's gone more than 20 days without a new post, so it doesn't show unless you pull down the menu that shows older threads. Take a look, and if you think the Parini link is a better fit there, do post it and I'll delete the post on Rhina's thread.

Tim Murphy · #7 08-02-2008, 08:44 AM

aye, pray do

Janet Kenny · #8 08-02-2008, 04:28 PM

Can a magic moderator do it with a wave of a wand?

Sorry, I might be able to later but I just don't have the time at the moment.

Actually, I didn't have the faintest idea what "Open Mic" meant. I think the link I posted was more important than a general thread. Sam has responded. I will shift it ASAP.

It would be rude and intrusive to continue the Frost discussion now that the translation theme is underway. Still, some may be interested to listen to it.
Janet

DONE. Now in Open Mic.

[This message has been edited by Janet Kenny (edited August 02, 2008).]