Yesterday (Jan. 30, 2008) marked the one-year anniversary of this blog. It all began with a post I called Welcome to the conversation. With that note, we encouraged readers to visit this blog for updates on the name change process and to share their views about it.
Did we accomplish what we had hoped? Let's look at the numbers.
Over the past year, we've posted 83 entries on this blog. Those entires received a total of 494 comments, giving Name Change Conversations a conversational index of 0.17. (The conversational index is calculated by dividing the number of posts by the number of comments or trackbacks. An index of less than 1 is considered very good. A more intuitive way of calculating the effectiveness is to look at the ratio of comments per post. In that case, our "index" is 5.95 comments per post. Again, a pretty good indicator of reader interest.)
Based on this simple metric -- measuring the level of conversation we've had on this blog -- I think it's safe to say that we accomplished what we set out to accomplish.
With most of our name change work now behind us, I don't know how much longer we'll keep this blog online. But I'd like to keep it around for historical purposes.
What do you think? What should become of Name Change Conversations? Tell us in the comments section. The usual rules apply, as spelled out on day one: "focused on the topic, cordial and respectful in tone, and as brief as possible."
The true defining moment of the name change: The day Facebook updated to Missouri S&T. :) Congrats on the successful name change! It's been great to read all about it.
I'd like to see the blog stay around for about a year after the official name change, or at least until the end of summer 2008. That would complete the school year that contained the official date.
I do think that it makes sense to keep it around for historical purposes in some form for much longer than that, though.
You say all the name change stuff is behind us? I have a question that I don't think was answered elsewhere. All the new building signs have actual street addresses listed. The business card website will automatically give you the actual street address of the building. Why a shift from 1870 Miner Circle to having individual addresses for each building?
Good question, Joe. The reason has to do with assisting first responders in the event of an emergency. As we discovered during an incident that occurred on campus in February 2007, some emergency responders had a tough time finding the right building. In addition, providing specific street addresses for buildings, rather than the generic but descriptive "1870 Miner Circle" address, will make it easier for freight deliveries.
More information about the new address system, including a listing of all the street addresses, is available online at the printing and mail services website.
I agree to keep it active through the end of summer 08. Beyond that, it should be archieved as historical.
People looking back in 2058 will think the name change surely was automatic.
Looking at history will help them understand any change such as this is a difficult and challenging (although very worthy) pursuit.
People just do not like change. It is human nature. It takes visionary, wise leadership and perseverence to make changes that are needed.