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H-Net Network Preappproval
Questionnaire
The purpose of this page is to inform you about the procedure for creating
a new H-Net network and to gather preliminary information for the approval
process. Please be aware that H-Net considers its networks to be peered
publishing media, monitored by a team of editors and an advisory board as
members of H-Net, and created with a mission of service and publication to
an online community of professionals and the interested public.
Developing such an online community requires commitment to a long-term
professional partnership between H-Net and the editorial staff of the
network. As a general rule, H-Net does not sponsor listservs or websites
for transitory periods or short-term needs, unless requested by a
scholarly organization as part of a larger framework of collaboration with
H-Net. We encourage potential applicants to explore sites on the internet
- such as listbot.com or, for those
in the United Kingdom, the JISCmail
list service sponsored by the Higher Education Funding Council of England
-- which provide free or low-cost listservs and web space.
Overview of the
Network Approval and Creation Process
Overview of the Network Approval and Creation Process
Creating a network can be complex, depending upon the array of services
the network will offer and the number of individuals available to create
and maintain them. At a minimum, an H-Net network consists of an edited
LISTSERV electronic mail discussion list and a related network site on the
World Wide Web. This framework usually entails creating additional
internal discussion lists for the network advisory board and editors;
establishing at least one central editorial electronic mail account on the
H-Net server; and the appointment of online, book review, and web editors
by the advisory board.
The creation of the network follows a straightforward process:
- Submission and approval of a concept and mission statement by the
H-Net Council. The prospective network sponsor or lead editor prepares
a
concept statement briefly describing the network, its intended audience,
and editorial rationale. If the Council approves of this statement, then a
regular and more detailed proposal must be prepared. The proposal can be
submitted through the Network Application Page. Approval of the proposal
by the Council authorizes the H-Net staff to work with the applicants to
flesh out the plan, recruit a team of editors and board, and detail the
network's technical specifications.
- Final Network Plan: The applicant works with the H-Net staff
to
create a plan to be submitted to the Council; once approved, the editors
can be trained and the network prepared for launch. The plan comprises
several elements:
- Nomination materials for editor and board certification.
These
are prepared and submitted through the nominations page.
- Network configuration plan. The applicant works with the
H-Net
staff to create the list's informational files - its welcome, farewell,
INFO, and, if required, survey forms, along with its technical
specifications.
- Web site configuration plan. All H-Net lists have a
companion web
site. The applicant works with the H-Net programming staff to customize a
web template for the site, which houses the list's logs, founding
documents, and related resources.
- Refined list mission statement and staffing list. The
applicant
refines the mission statement so that it will be suitable for inclusion on
the list's web pages, its informational files, etc. The proposal also
identifies online editors, web editors, book review editors, and advisory
board members. When considering the proposal, the Council consults with
the editors of affected networks and other specialists as necessary.
- Training of editors to ensure familiarity with the programs
used
for network communications.
- Testing and launch of the list and unveiling of the web site.
Begin Application Process
Humanities & Social Sciences Online
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