Who has noticed anything new at SoylentNews these past couple days?
We have a new editor who has just come on board and has posted his first two stories to the site (one each for the previous two days).
You may recall that I posted a request for help a little over two weeks ago. I am happy to report that we had a positive response to the request... and a new editor has been in training starting a few days later!
Please join me in welcoming spiraldancing to his new role as an editor on staff. He is not new to the site as he created an account here a bit over 4 years ago. He worked his way through training on our development server. (Under the watchful eye and guidance of janrinok. JR not only walked SD through the mechanics of how to post a story, but also a goodly amount of what to be mindful of during the whole process. It is all too easy to make a mistake... which I can attest from personal experience!)
I look forward to seeing him bring his perspective and input to our team.
Welcome
Aboard!
Related Stories
The observant reader will notice that we have reduced the number of stories we post on weekdays from about 15 stories per day to about 13 stories per day. We would certainly like to continue with the higher rate, but we have been struggling to do so with current staff.
We try to post enough stories each day so that there is "something for everyone". Ultimately this site is for the community. It is also by the community; it does not run all by itself.
We Need Your Help
People's lives change. They move, get married, have health issues, change jobs, etc. All of these place additional demands on their spare time. SoylentNews is not immune to this; in fact we have experienced all of these. With less free time available, more work falls upon the other staff members — whose lives are already quite full.
What would help?
Volunteer! Have you ever thought about being an editor at SoylentNews?
You'll get to learn a super-sekret handshake, the passcode to enter our volcano-lair, and the admiration of your fellow Soylentils!
Right from the start, let me point out that we — SoylentNews — aim to be impartial. If you have an agenda that you would like to push or advocate (or denigrate) then skip to the next story.
On the other hand, not a great deal of time is needed. Even if you have only an hour or two per week that you could contribute, that would be greatly appreciated!
An earlier request for help summarized things nicely (slightly updated here):
Well we are all volunteers, so we contribute what we can, when we can, no one is expected to edit X stories/day (make your own hours). I would say a strong recommendation (maybe not requirement) is signing onto IRC once in a while (especially when editing) so one can communicate with the other editors. Editing a few stories a day, or even a few a week would be welcome. A typical submission takes me about 15-30 minutes to edit, usually on the longer side if I'm expanding or adding a balanced point of view without trying to put words into the mouth of the submitter. The rest is pretty much what you'd expect:
- Opening up a story
- Checking links
- Checking basic grammar and spelling
- Correcting wording
- Expanding a weak submission (sometimes it's just a few links and a sentence or quote)
- etc.
One also needs to:
- Learn the editing interface (not particularly hard but it has its quirks like UTC 24 hour time and the interface could use a little polish)
- Learn the SN Style Guidelines
How else could I help?
Nominate someone. Have you noticed someone who tends to compose well-written comments or journal entries? Think they might be a good fit? Please let us know!
How else could I help?
Submit a story! A well-written story that needs little editing takes a huge load off of the editorial staff. If just a few Soylentils submitted a story each day it would make a world of difference. Ideally, a story submission would be grammatically correct, have no spelling errors, be balanced and impartial, and be "publication ready". But even if your writing skills are not up to (or are even far from) that level, we are experienced at "cleaning things up", so do not let that keep you from making a story submission! If you see something tech-related that you think would be of interest to the community? Send it in!
How can you reach us?
Send an email to editors (at) soylentnews (dot) org. Or drop a message on our IRC (Internet Relay Chat) channel. Just issue the command "/join #editorial" and leave a message expressing your interest, along with your SoylentNews nickname, and someone will get back to you.
What's in it for me?
That is a good question. Speaking for myself, it started with my getting onto IRC and occasionally pointing out an error I'd seen in a story. Sometimes it would take a while before I could get the attention of an editor who could make the correction. I got frustrated. Finally, I suggested that if I were made an editor, I could fix things myself without having to track people down. Over the 5 ½ years since then, I have made mistakes... and learned how to own them, in writing, in front of all of you. I've developed a thicker "skin". I've made great friendships with people all around the world. The technical expertise on staff here is amazing; they've taught me so much. And, I hope, I've been able to teach them a thing or two, too.
(Score: 3, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 31 2020, @01:09PM (9 children)
Could you reveal his political bent so we know where he fits in? Or as a proxy, could you let us know how many aristarchus submissions he's rejected thus far?
(Score: 5, Funny) by spiraldancing on Friday January 31 2020, @01:38PM (6 children)
He's a wannabe Conservative who sides with the Dems year after year, 'cuz the Repubs, year after year, just keep redefining 'batshit crazy'.
Alternately, he actually tried arguing in favor of an aristarchus sub, until he was talked out of it.
At least that's what I heard.
Lets go exploring.
(Score: 2) by Bot on Friday January 31 2020, @02:22PM (1 child)
>He's a wannabe Conservative who sides with the Dems year after year, 'cuz the Repubs, year after year, just keep redefining 'batshit crazy'.
Which is like siding with Kim because Duterte is too much of a dictator. Welcome aboard, have fun.
Account abandoned.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 31 2020, @04:06PM
You just described Trump, except he seemed to side with both! Def favors kim though
(Score: 2) by Coward, Anonymous on Friday January 31 2020, @04:12PM
I wonder why he capitalizes "Conservative". British? Canadian? A US veteran who needs to be told how to vote [conservativepartyusa.org]? Maybe just reading a lot of Twitter.
Thank you for your service.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by captain normal on Friday January 31 2020, @05:13PM
Welcome aboard, you seem to have just the right grasp of the temperament needed for the task. Thank you for stepping in to help out.
Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts"- --Daniel Patrick Moynihan--
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 31 2020, @05:53PM
From "spiraldancing (5894)" and the *spoiler* in tfa, it looks like you set up a new login for this gig.
Smart move! In the old days there was lots of talk about fireproof underwear, that may also be helpful?
(Score: 2) by edIII on Saturday February 01 2020, @08:43AM
LOL. You got the right kind of crazy to work here. Looking forward to your contributions :)
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
(Score: 4, Informative) by janrinok on Friday January 31 2020, @01:39PM (1 child)
(Score: 4, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 31 2020, @03:38PM
Wuhan virus and now this...
(Score: 2) by maxwell demon on Friday January 31 2020, @01:09PM (2 children)
I don't have anything meaningful to say here that would go beyond the title, so I won't.
The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 31 2020, @01:13PM (1 child)
You could offer condolences and wishes of a late onset of PTSD (large grin)
(Score: 3, Funny) by Gaaark on Friday January 31 2020, @01:20PM
So we now have SD on SN with PTSD!?
SpiralDancing; SN,PTSD,RIP.
;)
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 31 2020, @01:10PM (3 children)
What is new?
Ah, so SD is not a somebody/who, it's a something/what.
So I see, indeed.
(Score: 3, Touché) by maxwell demon on Friday January 31 2020, @01:24PM
Well, according to the spoiler, SD is not new at SN. What's new is his role as editor.
The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
(Score: 4, Funny) by Bot on Friday January 31 2020, @02:18PM (1 child)
> Ah, so SD is not a somebody/who, it's a something/what.
And what would your problem be with that? -.-
Account abandoned.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 02 2020, @11:37PM
The mistake, obviously. Everybody has problems following mistakes.
(Score: 1) by HurdleBunter on Friday January 31 2020, @02:13PM
Look forward to lurking in @spiraldancing posted stories...
One day I may submit one worth publishing.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 31 2020, @02:15PM (5 children)
n/t
(Score: 5, Informative) by janrinok on Friday January 31 2020, @02:19PM (4 children)
(Score: 5, Funny) by Bot on Friday January 31 2020, @02:24PM (1 child)
>And I am available to begin training from Monday.
About time you got some training.
Account abandoned.
(Score: 4, Touché) by janrinok on Friday January 31 2020, @02:28PM
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 31 2020, @03:45PM (1 child)
So from a training perspective, wouldn't it have made more sense to make him approve/post his announcement story as sort of a final exam?
(Score: 2) by janrinok on Friday January 31 2020, @06:57PM
(Score: 3, Funny) by conn8d on Friday January 31 2020, @02:48PM (3 children)
Welcome spiraldancing.
We respect and deeply, extremely deeply love all our editors. Please remember to watch the first episode of Star Trek: Picard, it's free on youtube. See? That's how we show our love around these parts.
(Score: 3, Funny) by Runaway1956 on Friday January 31 2020, @03:14PM (2 children)
That's what we always say to all the girls. But, do we respect them in the morning? Mehhh . . .
(Score: 3, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 31 2020, @03:40PM
Man, that's deep. Like balls deep.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday February 01 2020, @06:06AM
ok boomer
(Score: 3, Insightful) by DannyB on Friday January 31 2020, @05:04PM (1 child)
I'm sure it's a thankless job that pays even less. Hopefully you'll hear about things that go right and not just complaints about what goes wrong.
So again, thanks!
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.
(Score: 3, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Friday January 31 2020, @06:03PM
Yes, welcome and thank you, spiraldancing. (sotto voice) you poor bastard
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Phoenix666 on Saturday February 01 2020, @05:34AM
Thank you for stepping up. Break a leg!
Washington DC delenda est.
(Score: 2) by The Vocal Minority on Saturday February 01 2020, @07:15AM
for being willing to help out Spiraldancing.
(Score: 1) by RandomFactor on Saturday February 01 2020, @06:32PM
"Journalism is straying into entertainment. The lines between serious news segments, news entertainment, and news comedy are blurring." --Drew Curtis
Have fun!
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