While working on the final stages of forming AP RALO, I tend to agree what Jeanette wrote below. Or, because I have been working on it, I see the chaleenges clearler. And I also agree with quality vs. quantity discussion, yes quality is important and quantity is not the answer. However, quantity was also seriously questioned - as to how much "representative" are thesee ALS - RALO - ALAC for global individual users? 95 is far from ideal, but still better number, I feel. Now that external evaluation on ALAC is to be started, it's a good time to come up with answers to these questions and I hope we find better one this time. A user SO is certainly a direction worth to consider. For that, ALAC has completed the "self-review" last year. It is available on ICANN wiki. I hope that will help our discourse to advance. best, izumi, still "interim" ALAC member 2007/2/8, Jeanette Hofmann <jeanette@wz-berlin.de>:
Hi Vittorio,
This new setup of global + regional mailing lists where messages flow in all directions, though a bit chaotic, seems to have prompted many more interventions by ALS representatives. I am actually wondering whether we should rather have one single global list to this effect, keeping regional lists only for strictly regional discussions.
Some people have suggested just that for a long time. A global entity is much more encouraging and empowering, at least as long as participation is low. Regional sub-divisions should grow out of a global group, not the other way around.
jeanette