Pat et al, I'm new to OST, but have some ancient history with socio-tech and Search. I like what I've been able to discover about OST. Given my roots in technology, I began to explore how / if technology could be used in the Open Space process. Some preliminary thoughts:
Technology should not be used to replace face-to-face. The dynamic is wrong, ... but may be a practical alternative for children of different ages and experiences. With adults, I can't see using technology as the medium for Open Space. That said, there are possible roles for technology. Technology could be used to collect information, and then result in the instant publication of an event report. But technology used that way is pure support. Might technology be used to extend an event? To my mind, Wiki dynamics don't provide a virtual mirror for the actual event. I'm attracted by the idea of using Organic Groups within the Drupal Content Management System. Organic Groups can be made to mirror the sessions which are such a basic part of OST. Anyone (after registering) can (be allowed to) create an Organic Group. Organic Groups can be visible to all (or kept private), but to contribute you need to join the Group. They provide a reasonable virtual environment for use of the Law of Two Feet. The technology is inexpensive. Drupal with Organic Groups comes as an open source bundle and will run on an inexpensive virtual web server. Total out of pocket expense to set up and operate a site (technically powerful enough for thousands) would be less than $100/year. The virtual space can mirror the face-to-face Open Space. The dynamic will be different. Depending on the participants, the virtual space may be a turn-on, ... or a turn-off. But with the right group of participants, I'm optimistic that Drupal with Organic Groups could be an effective virtual extension of Open Space. Bob Fabian - www.fabian.ca * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected]: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
