Community reaction to proposals system

[Larry Sanger]

A new system that provides a single, central place where you can start and manage proposals for improvements to CZ, is here:

http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/CZ:Proposals

The system lets people develop proposals (and also raise issues for decision), and then channels the results to one of various (assigned) decisionmaking groups, such as the Editorial Council.  It's a "front end" for community policymaking.

The system is now under discussion by the Executive Committee (in lieu of any more specifically-tasked group), but I also want to gauge general community support for the system.  So I'd like your feedback, before we declare that it is "definitely open for business" and we can start linking to the page from the Main Page & sidebar (if we want to).  Also, if we "officially adopt" this system, as several people have pointed out, we might want to shut down several forums boards.  But I don't want to "officially adopt" this system and make these changes before giving people a chance to respond (and, if necessary, object).

The way the system works is explained at the above URL.  If you want to see some examples of new proposals, they're here:

http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/CZ:Proposals/New

And here:

http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/CZ:Proposals/Recently_moved

Finally, the full details of the innards of the system, which you need to read ONLY IF you want to become a proposal "driver" (champion), are here:

http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/CZ:Proposals/Policy

I'll be looking for a sober, fair-minded thinker to serve as Proposals Manager, to actively, daily administer the system.  This should be interesting work (I've been doing it and that's what I think, anyway).  Please let me know if you want to be considered for the position; the Executive Committee will consider candidates, and the selected person would join the Executive Committee, if he or she is not already on the committee.

[Hayford Peirce]

.org/wiki/CZ:Proposals/Policy

I'll be looking for a sober, fair-minded thinker to serve as Proposals Manager....

Well!  That certainly disqualifies me, hehe!

[Larry Sanger]

.org/wiki/CZ:Proposals/Policy

I'll be looking for a sober, fair-minded thinker to serve as Proposals Manager....

Well!  That certainly disqualifies me, hehe!

I was sorely tempted to make a joke as I wrote that... 

[Derek Harkness]

Several proposals have been made which don't clearly state the problem that the proposal is supposed to solve. While it may be self evident to regular users what the problem was/is, it is not always so for all people. Without understanding the problem the proposal solves, you cannot evaluate the merits of the proposal or whither it will perform the function for which it is intended.

A section should be added before (or within) the 'Complete explanation' in which the problem is specified. This should be in detail not just one line. It is basically to tell people why this proposal is needed. Once we understand the requirement we can ascertain whither the proposed solution is grounded or unfounded, whither it solves the problem or fails to do so.

[Larry Sanger]

You make an excellent point, Derek.  I just think that this should be a constraint on the "reasoning," however; explaining how a problem is solved is exactly what the reasoning behind a proposal should include.  I'll fiddle around with stuff so this is clearer.