Not quite sure why maintaining the mailing list is such a difficult thing to do. As you guys have done this year, all that's needed is to type out the announcement and copy paste it into email, forums, and facebook. I do agree that the main site needs to be utilized more, though. With the alley, all the activity and communication this year seems to be going around everywhere BUT the main site. Even until the day of the con, there is still no link on the main site to http://apps.fanime.com/2011/artist, which is categorically the most important link for every artist involved in the alley.
The greatest concern about retiring the mailing list should be the lack of evidence that artists can use to support themselves. An example of this is this year's closing time. An announcement was made at 3.30pm on Monday that artists would have 30 more minutes to pack up, while the email sent out regarding hours clearly stated that artists will have until 4.30pm to clear up their table. Indeed this is trivial, but if bigger things happen, the emails sent out through the mailing list is a hard enough evidence for artists to be able to say, "wait a minute, that's not what's stated here." Information on the site can also be used as evidence, but even you folks have to admit that website information can be updated without leaving any trace, which is a very convenient way to cover up mistakes. If information distribution is centralized in the main site, then there has to be a way to notify all the artists whenever the page is appended or amended with new information.
Regarding this year's alley, everything was great and the staff was very helpful. Having that copier machine there to make copies of seller's permit is also a brilliant idea, hope that gets brought back next year, because there will always be some of us who forgot to make two copies. There is one incident, though, where I felt the staff basically built a rod for their own back: the sudden ban imposed on double-sided table display. There is absolutely NOTHING in the agreement that specified such a thing. The only line I can see that is close enough to that is #11, and even that is stretching it a bit.
"11. Any and all set-up or displays must not interfere with your neighboring tables or block any of the walkways. All displays must be secure and if it is a hazard AA staff will ask for it to be removed"
Arguably, having double-sided display does not interfere with any neighboring table, nor block any walkways. Don't get me wrong, us artists are more than happy to comply and have single-sided display, but my understanding (correct me if I'm wrong, staff) is that this issue was brought up because a small number of artists in the alley felt aggrieved when people come up to their table and ask about the posters displayed by the table behind them. Personally, I think this is a bit petty. I myself have been in this position before and frankly, I don't see why this issue can't be easily solved by making a simple remark to clarify the owner of the display ("oh those aren't mine! they belong to the table behind!"), which is also an amazingly effective way to start a conversation with your neighbor (and to make new artist friends!).
What's even more disappointing is the staff's stance on this. You guys could have easily told the complainers something along the lines of, "Sorry, there is nothing listed in the agreement that bans double-sided display for this year. We'll make sure to mention it next year but it's too late to do anything about it this year." But instead, you changed the rules on the spot and suddenly having double-sided display is a no-no. Everyone with a double-sided display was asked to take down the back side, or cover them up, saying that there's nothing you guys can do about it this year. Yes, there is. You made those rules: the rules in which there is no mention of double-sided display being an invasion of space for the artists occupying the space behind, the rules that all artists read and agreed upon when they signed up for a table. You can't have people sign an agreement and then later on change the terms, almost whimsically. This part I don't get at all. It gives the impression that anyone can file in a complaint about something and suddenly it will become the rule that gets imposed to all the unsuspecting artists at the alley.
An explanation from a staff member on this bit would be greatly, greatly appreciated.
The greatest concern about retiring the mailing list should be the lack of evidence that artists can use to support themselves. An example of this is this year's closing time. An announcement was made at 3.30pm on Monday that artists would have 30 more minutes to pack up, while the email sent out regarding hours clearly stated that artists will have until 4.30pm to clear up their table. Indeed this is trivial, but if bigger things happen, the emails sent out through the mailing list is a hard enough evidence for artists to be able to say, "wait a minute, that's not what's stated here." Information on the site can also be used as evidence, but even you folks have to admit that website information can be updated without leaving any trace, which is a very convenient way to cover up mistakes. If information distribution is centralized in the main site, then there has to be a way to notify all the artists whenever the page is appended or amended with new information.
Regarding this year's alley, everything was great and the staff was very helpful. Having that copier machine there to make copies of seller's permit is also a brilliant idea, hope that gets brought back next year, because there will always be some of us who forgot to make two copies. There is one incident, though, where I felt the staff basically built a rod for their own back: the sudden ban imposed on double-sided table display. There is absolutely NOTHING in the agreement that specified such a thing. The only line I can see that is close enough to that is #11, and even that is stretching it a bit.
"11. Any and all set-up or displays must not interfere with your neighboring tables or block any of the walkways. All displays must be secure and if it is a hazard AA staff will ask for it to be removed"
Arguably, having double-sided display does not interfere with any neighboring table, nor block any walkways. Don't get me wrong, us artists are more than happy to comply and have single-sided display, but my understanding (correct me if I'm wrong, staff) is that this issue was brought up because a small number of artists in the alley felt aggrieved when people come up to their table and ask about the posters displayed by the table behind them. Personally, I think this is a bit petty. I myself have been in this position before and frankly, I don't see why this issue can't be easily solved by making a simple remark to clarify the owner of the display ("oh those aren't mine! they belong to the table behind!"), which is also an amazingly effective way to start a conversation with your neighbor (and to make new artist friends!).
What's even more disappointing is the staff's stance on this. You guys could have easily told the complainers something along the lines of, "Sorry, there is nothing listed in the agreement that bans double-sided display for this year. We'll make sure to mention it next year but it's too late to do anything about it this year." But instead, you changed the rules on the spot and suddenly having double-sided display is a no-no. Everyone with a double-sided display was asked to take down the back side, or cover them up, saying that there's nothing you guys can do about it this year. Yes, there is. You made those rules: the rules in which there is no mention of double-sided display being an invasion of space for the artists occupying the space behind, the rules that all artists read and agreed upon when they signed up for a table. You can't have people sign an agreement and then later on change the terms, almost whimsically. This part I don't get at all. It gives the impression that anyone can file in a complaint about something and suddenly it will become the rule that gets imposed to all the unsuspecting artists at the alley.
An explanation from a staff member on this bit would be greatly, greatly appreciated.