Comments on: Myparl.eu (well, theirparl.eu actually)

By: Pep-Net - Pan European e-Participation Network » Blog Archive » The end of MyParl.eu

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:55:24 +0000

[...] social networks like Facebook instead of building their own. (see Brussels Media, The Telegraph and Jon Worths weblog for [...]

By: Matt W

Matt W — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 03:03:02 +0000

>Could someone please enlighten me as to what the benchmarks for Myparl are? What exactly is this new tool supposed to achieve in 20 months?

Having worked on lots of consultancy projects I’d suggest a 50-70% gross margin

Personally I’d put it down to check box/cheque book procurement, lack of real nouse on behalf of the procurers and someone being well positioned to get the project rolling.

But I probably shouldn’t be saying that publicly.

Matt Wardman

By: Curious

Curious — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:31:38 +0000

And…. I’ve just checked WHOIS (see Jon’s original post). The domain Myparl.eu is owned by… a private individual of Euractiv fame. Hm.
So we have a publicly funded project here – to the heavy tune of four million euro – and whoeversincharge has given that single individual the right to even pull the plug on this project if and when he feels like.
Just what’s going on here??

By: Curious

Curious — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:45:51 +0000

Could someone please enlighten me as to what the benchmarks for Myparl are? What exactly is this new tool supposed to achieve in 20 months? Who and on what specific grounds would determine its success or failure?
Would the evaluation of the project be based on MP and MEP participation figures? If so, are they really using taxpayers’ money here to boost parliamentarians’ computer literacy? If not: what else? The 2009 European elections will take place no matter what. Some MPs of the 11,000+ out there will use this tool, others won’t. Who can tell? And who really cares?
I’m afraid the folks behind Myparl may have their sights set elsewhere. Let’s see: the price tag on setting up a platform (one single platform!) is not in the million euro range and it costs no euro to make MPs talk (it of course may, but let’s just hope it won’t for now…). The real value in such a network is the people who participate. Myparl will most likely have to hire at least one warm body in each EU capital to push the project forward. The project, I understand, lasts 20 months. What will happen to these people – hired with public money – when it’s all over? I really hope the private companies behind Myparl have a clear obligation not to hire any Myparl staffers themselves for several months after the expiration of their contract…
Mind you, one of the companies involved is busy setting up an EU-wide network for its own communications purposes. Would it be far off the mark to presume that these publicly paid national contributors would come in handy with such expansion plans?

By: FreshNetworks Blog » Blog Archive » European Parliament builds online community

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:15:09 +0000

[...] Myparl.eu (well, theirparl.eu actually) [...]

By: Gawain

Gawain — Sat, 31 May 2008 22:41:14 +0000

Howdo,
Guilty as charged on the UKIP front. Though I hope I don’t always come across as negative for negatives sake.

Jon I agree with you about the growing power of a few particular media players. It feels that whatever rock you turn these days you will find Mostra snuggling down. Euractiv with its blogactiv platform is a little bit odd as well.

The claims of Independence in Brussels based media outlets seem to be in direct proportion to the percentage of their income that comes directly from contracts and advertising sourced from the institutions.

MyParl.eu is doomed because those who want to be involved in this sort of thing already are. The others if they involve themselves at all will be doing it by remote via their staff, who are already overworked.

The problem that you flag up about the ability of MEPs or national parliamentarians just repeating party lines is very real. Whips office’s will not be happy with honest and open debate.

The basic idea of politicians from different countries talking about subjects of mutual interest and thus maybe discovering new perspectives is great. But why like this, why so much money?

By: Ralf Grahn

Ralf Grahn — Sat, 31 May 2008 10:36:59 +0000

Jon,

I agree with you that England Expects has useful information at times, although the style reminds me of turning every EU ‘worm’ found into a ‘boa constrictor’ size monster.

Jo,

You wonder about accessibilty, and so do I. Since their parliament is going to be open for citizens to read, nothing says that the parlamentarians are going to be more forthright than on other public forums.

But the special forum (and from a private blogger’s viewpoint huge budget) tend to create something of a yachting experience: the ones who own and use yachts and the ones who are mere onlookers.

Somehow getting the EU’s citizens on board seems to be an unworthy distraction.

By: Jon

Jon — Sat, 31 May 2008 10:33:53 +0000

@Olive: I'm actually happy it's an open source system they will be using. That at least means they will commit more money to content of the site and making it work. My favoured tool for this sort of thing would be ELGG though.