Procedure for approving small dictionary updates

James Hester jamesrhester at gmail.com
Wed Nov 25 05:26:44 GMT 2009


I would like to suggest some common-sense refinements to the fast-track
procedure:

(1) If all members of a DMG have responded to a proposal before the six-week
time limit, there is no requirement to wait six weeks
(2) If all voting members of COMCIFS have responded to a proposal before the
six-week time limit, there is no requirement to wait six weeks

I would also ask the chairs of the various DMGs to periodically (perhaps
once a year) check on the willingness of their members to continue in the
role, to avoid situations where ghost members hold up these types of
processes.

James.

On Tue, Nov 3, 2009 at 12:30 PM, James Hester <jamesrhester at gmail.com>wrote:

> Dear COMCIFS members,
>
> The following proposal for fast-track approval of minor dictionary
> updates has now been approved, as a six-week discussion period has
> expired with no unresolved comments.  Note the following changes to
> the original proposal arising from the discussion:
>
> (i) the time-limit for making comments will be six weeks, rather than
> one month as was originally suggested.
> (ii) following the conclusion of the 6-week comment period, the Chair,
> or designee, will explicitly state to the COMCIFS list that a proposal
> has been approved.
>
> I will coordinate with Brian to update the website with information
> about this new procedure.
>
> Best wishes,
> James.
>
> On Wed, Aug 19, 2009 at 5:48 PM, James Hester <jamesrhester at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > Dear COMCIFS members,
> >
> > Currently the procedure for making any changes to the dictionaries
> > requires putting those changes to a formal vote on the COMCIFS list.
> > This may be seen as heavy-handed for small updates and additions.
> > Following discussions with David B I would like to propose the
> > following fast-track procedure for dealing with minor updates to the
> > dictionaries:
> >
> > 1. Anybody can propose a change to the core dictionary either through
> > the IUCr web site or by contacting the chair of the appropriate DMG.
> >
> > 2. In conjunction with the DMG chair, they can work out a proposal for
> > new dictionary code.
> >
> > 3. This code is then submitted to the DMG for comment and eventual
> approval.
> >
> > 4. The change is then posted to the COMCIFS discussion list for
> > comment within a given time limit.
> >
> > 5. If no comment is received, or if all the comments are resolved, the
> > change is accepted, otherwise it is refered back to the DMG.
> >
> > I suggest that a 'small change' is one that creates no new categories
> > and affects no more than two definitions.
> > A one month time limit for initiating comments seems about right to
> > me, as it should allow those that happen to be on holiday to make it
> > back in time.
> >
>
>
>
>
> --
> T +61 (02) 9717 9907
> F +61 (02) 9717 3145
> M +61 (04) 0249 4148
>



-- 
T +61 (02) 9717 9907
F +61 (02) 9717 3145
M +61 (04) 0249 4148
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