Serious Games Discussion Listserv
We are now operating email discussion list for at-large support of the growing community of individuals and organizations building computer/console/mobile games for applied purposes other than entertainment. This encompasses a wide range of discourse within this area but most is focused on education, training, as well as policy and management exploration initiatives.
As a secondary role it is also a support and evangelization network for the Serious Games Initiative at The Woodrow Wilson Center.
We invite other projects or organizations of a similar nature to use this list to evangelize their projects as well.
Who runs the list?
This list is run by Digitalmill, Inc. www.dmill.com which works on the Serious Games project with the Woodrow Wilson Center. The moderator is Ben Sawyer. He can be reached off-list for questions/tech support at bsawyer@dmill.com
How do I join?
You can join by filling out the following form. In order to stop spam bots we have added a new subscriber password. The password is "Serious Games" without the quotes.:
Can I ask others to join?
Absolutely!
How do I leave?
It's at the bottom of every email from this list. Click the link. Or send an email to: leave-seriousgames@listserver.dmill.com
How do I get the digest version?
Send an email to: digest-seriousgames@listserver.dmill.com
How do I switch back from digest mode?
Send an email to: mail-seriousgames@listserver.dmill.com
I'd ask you only to switch to the digest version if you feel you must. If everyone or a significant portion switches to digest we'll severely dampen the conversation flow a bit.
I think I missed a post or posts are coming out of order!
The nature of listservs, and the Internet does not garauntee every posting gets through at all or perfectly in order. If you see serious problems or consistent problems please email bsawyer@dmill.com We are doing our best cocerning uptime and to make the list work well. Your feedback on problems helps with that process.
Do not repost your item for 24 hours if you think it didn't go through unless you get a specific notice from the listserver.
Are userse moderated?
Not exactly. We do approve new members when they join to make sure no spy/spam-bots or misinformed users join. From time-to-time new members posts may be moderated for the first 2-3 posts to improve against listspam.
Are there basic rules/issues for the list I should know?
Yes...
- Cut down on posts as best possible when replying.
- Please improve and change subject lines when changing topics or threads
- Please make sure the name of the person you are responding to is included in your replies
- Don't use the list for what should be off-list items like requesting someone to call you, or obtaining their contact information, or emailing logistical items to the moderators
- Stay on topic. This is not a list for an all-encompassing talk about games, game development, or the games industry, or how to finish level 10 in Medal of Honor where I'm currently stuck. There are other forums for superset discussions.
- Don't say anything you don't want out in public. The list is a public forum. Don't ask the moderator to remove posts. If you hit send. It's going to get posted.
- Shorter is better (that goes double for the moderator!)
- Controversy is welcomed. If controversy = good debate it is welcomed. If controversy != good debate but something else it is not.
Is advertising or other blatantly commercial posting ok?
If it's tastefully done, a job posting, or a contractor need for a specific project are fine. Announcing some cool news is fine. Posting a "we're open for business give us money!" item is NOT. If you're unsure of a potential post, please email me at bsawyer@dmill.com.
Can I be kicked off the list?
Yep. But you'd have to do something really dumb and offensive to the community or post way off topic stuff consistently to do so. Making the admin mad or telling him he is a moron is not grounds for being kicked off. Any action that is borderline results in a warning. Any action that is over the top will be swiftly dealt with.
Who owns the posts and what else will they be used for?
The digests are going to be public. The list is public and you should treat it as such.
The list archives are "technically" owned by Digitalmill. We will not otherwise use any portion of a post commercially without proper accepted use of attribution, or permission.
We would also ask all other posters utilizing the archives or posts to utilize the same discretion.
There is interest by The Wilson Center to potentially republish some posts or exerpts from them on the Serious Games web site to enhance the promotion of the "serious games" concept. Anything that will be done here will NOT happen without explicit permission from the post's author to which it applies.
What is the rule about the email addresses associated with the list?
We don't resell them, we don't give them to other people, they are private.
What if I suspect that my email address was acquired innapropriately via this list?
Send Ben a note to bsawyer@dmill.com He will investigate and otherwise deal with on a case-by-case basis. We can't 100% garauntee that emails won't be found through your posts, or a hack of our site/list infrastructure. We are otherwise doing our best to properly protect the privacy and securtiy of your information.
Do you need any help with the list?
If you'd like to help with the list beyond being an active member email bsawyer@dmill.com offlist and I will reply as needed. Assistant moderators are more than welcomed.
I have other questions, should I post them to the list?
If they deal with operational matters of the list please email bsawyer@dmill.com off list. He will reply to them ASAP. If you have an abject emergency (and We mean EMERGENCY) and we don't respond in several hours please send an email address: updates at the dmill.com domain which goes to the entire staff at Digitalmill.