I would like FTDNA to require all Projects to have more than one Admin - preferably three (or more).
The reason for this is that I am finding Projects I wish to join that have a decent number of members (data) and the right names, clades, geographical, or whatever, but the project is effectively 'dead'. That can be because the project Admin has moved on to other interests, or gotten involved in more pressing personal issues, or now raising young children, or partner doesn't approve, or ..., or ..., even to the demise of the Admin (accident, illness, or age).
I don't want to list "my" 'frozen' Projects here, but they are definitely out there including two that specifically are of great interest to me. One Admin did reply to a personal email via FTDNA and he simply said that the project has not been 'tidied' up since mid-2010 due to other pressing matters, but he hoped to get back to it 'later'. Another simply has moved on (and is visible elsewhere) and it is 2 years since any activity. One I could join (automatically, it seems), without approval, although it was effectively a dead end. The other could not approve my joining automatically, so the matches only available in the project remain invisible.
On the other hand, I hasten to add, many (single) Project admins are doing outstanding work from what I can see, and are quick to respond and assist. It would be wrong to paint every Project with the same brush. But the best Projects I have seen have multiple Admins and the projects seem to be really 'buzzing'. And they have built in redundancy, which surely must please all project members, and ultimately improve FTDNA services in the public eye.
With the 'frozen' projects, it may be necessary to set a time limit on Admin inactivity (6 months ??) and then look for a way to transfer the names and data elsewhere. Not sure how that would work, but it would be a shame to lose the work entirely.
My two cents.
The reason for this is that I am finding Projects I wish to join that have a decent number of members (data) and the right names, clades, geographical, or whatever, but the project is effectively 'dead'. That can be because the project Admin has moved on to other interests, or gotten involved in more pressing personal issues, or now raising young children, or partner doesn't approve, or ..., or ..., even to the demise of the Admin (accident, illness, or age).
I don't want to list "my" 'frozen' Projects here, but they are definitely out there including two that specifically are of great interest to me. One Admin did reply to a personal email via FTDNA and he simply said that the project has not been 'tidied' up since mid-2010 due to other pressing matters, but he hoped to get back to it 'later'. Another simply has moved on (and is visible elsewhere) and it is 2 years since any activity. One I could join (automatically, it seems), without approval, although it was effectively a dead end. The other could not approve my joining automatically, so the matches only available in the project remain invisible.
On the other hand, I hasten to add, many (single) Project admins are doing outstanding work from what I can see, and are quick to respond and assist. It would be wrong to paint every Project with the same brush. But the best Projects I have seen have multiple Admins and the projects seem to be really 'buzzing'. And they have built in redundancy, which surely must please all project members, and ultimately improve FTDNA services in the public eye.
With the 'frozen' projects, it may be necessary to set a time limit on Admin inactivity (6 months ??) and then look for a way to transfer the names and data elsewhere. Not sure how that would work, but it would be a shame to lose the work entirely.
My two cents.
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