☎ protocol: CALLS


< RFC >

Revisions:
    20190730 draft
    20190914 add <d
    20190921 cleanup
    20190921 overview +lies during call
    20200722 first working call after L leaves cht7bf
    20210209 D+L "retry using this" →D
    20210228 quick ping
    20230207 ping → needs work [!!**]
    20251104 quick overview →RFC

Ties to:
    * XXX🔗calls #TOMERGE !!!!!!
    * 🔗postchatter: chats are bad
    * 🔗workflow

Table of Contents
1 *** GRAPH (BASICS)
2 *** Protocol: INITIATION & REGULARITY
2.1 ————— CALL INITIATION STYLES
2.1.1   A) Just call anytime. (This is best.)
2.1.2   B) Call via shared availability slots
2.1.3   C) Schedule a call ("Let's talk at XY")
2.2 ————— PATTERNS
2.2.1   * Establish interest (or obligation)!
2.2.2   * Reasonable Regularity
2.2.3   * Good agendas make for short calls
2.2.4   * Don't message about calls
2.2.5   * Repeat unanswered calls to show urgency
2.2.6   * "Ping-pong" when returning calls
2.2.7   * Switch call initiation
2.2.8   * When to call?
2.2.9   * Pause 2 hours before retrying
2.2.10   * Set a regularity expectation
2.2.11   * Deal with broken regularity
2.2.12   * Maintain responsibility for regularity
2.2.13   * Raising regularity ("short week")
3 *** Protocol: CORRECT TOOLS & WORKFLOW
3.1 * (Inform / apologize in advance if any of these are missing !)
3.2 * Pre-setup quality Audio & Video
3.3 * Pick call channel
3.4 * Use best data channel
3.5 * Establish recording policy
3.6 * Use Cues !
3.6.1     * "What's going on?"
3.6.2     * "I'll be there in 1min":
3.6.3     * "UH-HUH" (nods)
3.6.4     * "CONTEXT CHECK!"
3.6.5     * "TEST!"
3.6.6     * "THIS IS TERRIBLE!"
4 *** Protocol: AGENDA
4.1 PART -1: PRE-PREP
4.1.1     * The agenda !
4.2 PART 0: HELLO
4.2.1     * (Sound check)
4.2.2     * (Finish what you're working on)
4.2.3     * (Chat what's up)
4.2.4     * (Establish time constraints)
4.3 PART 1: AGENDA SETTING
4.3.1     * Go to appropriate pad
4.3.2     * Brainstorm agenda at end
4.3.3     * Take a short break
4.3.4     * Superfast overview
4.4 PART 2: →MAIN WORK←
4.4.1     ————— GOOD PRACTICES
4.4.2     * Facilitator guides current fragment focus
4.4.3     * All take notes (especially the listening!)
4.4.4     * Quick+Repeated > Slow+Stuck
4.4.5     * Always brainstorm (but note quickly, don't takeover)
4.4.6     * Continously improved process & structure for new collaborators
4.4.7     * Execute > Plan
4.4.8     ————— AGENDA BITS
4.4.9     * regular, random updates
4.4.10     * agenda: pre-prepared, for-call
4.4.11     * overview: general project queue
4.4.12     * overview: general works & todos
4.4.13     * ping: personal work indexes
4.4.14     * overview & salvage old calls
4.4.15     * padwork: editorial on specific pad
4.4.16     * padwork: reporting
4.4.17     * padwork: (via tools)
4.5 PART 3: WRAP UP
4.5.1     * Do a quick full-pass
4.5.2     * Discuss next call
4.5.3     * Establish/repeat "urgent todos for right now"
4.6 PART 4 : POST CALL
4.6.1     * Add pads to index
4.6.2     * Clean up & cut up / "salvage" the pad
4.6.3     * Shape agenda for next time
4.6.4     * →→→ PRE-PREP
5 *** PAD
5.1 [!!**] WORKFLOW/TOOLS/ETHERBEAMER— We need a screen-sharing #workflow
5.2 [!!mi] SOURCE— Find & merge good meetings resources


*** GRAPH (BASICS)
[!!!] Proposal: Only keep initiation parts for graph

You have INITIATOR(A) and RECEIVER(B).

Analysis->Pre-Prep Analysis->(optional) Establish an Agenda Analysis->Cut up the notes Pre-Prep->(optional) Establish an Agenda Pre-Prep->INIT Pre-Prep->(optional) establish call duration need Pre-Prep->(optional) establish general schedule / frame for calls RECEIVER must propose schedule->{{X}} {{X}}->{{X}} {{X}}->{{X}} {{X}}->{{X}} {{X}}->{{X}} ... call rejected 3x.->(Switch Init Method) (Switch Init Method)->RECEIVER must propose schedule INIT->... call rejected 3x. INIT->... call picked! good! INIT->... call gets rejected - no explanation needed INIT->INITIATOR calls anytime INIT->Regularity, based on Relation Type ... call picked! good!->CALL ... call gets rejected - no explanation needed->... RECEIVER calls back later (and becomes INITIATOR) CALL->Analysis CALL->Follow Agenda CALL->Make notes - Do padwork CALL->Have a Wrap-Up CALL->Use the correct, pre-prepared tools START->Pre-Prep ... RECEIVER calls back later (and becomes INITIATOR)->INIT "SHORT" ~10-20min->(optional) Establish an Agenda (optional) establish call duration need->"SHORT" ~10-20min (optional) establish call duration need->"OPTIMUM" ~1-2h (optional) establish call duration need->"MARATHON" ~4h (optional) establish general schedule / frame for calls->Find on personal website (optional) establish general schedule / frame for calls->Assume defaults (=1PM-8PM) (optional) establish general schedule / frame for calls->Individualy inform Regularity, based on Relation Type->First Contact (1x Optimal) Regularity, based on Relation Type->Regular Updates (Short & Daily) Regularity, based on Relation Type->Close Collaborator (1x Marathon / week) Regularity, based on Relation Type->Close Friend/Family (3x Short / week) Use the correct, pre-prepared tools->headphones Use the correct, pre-prepared tools->laptop Use the correct, pre-prepared tools->network redundancy Analysis Analysis Pre-Prep Pre-Prep (optional) Establish an Agenda (optional) Establish an Agenda RECEIVER must propose schedule RECEIVER must propose schedule ... call rejected 3x. ... call rejected 3x. (Switch Init Method) (Switch Init Method) INIT INIT ... call picked! good! ... call picked! good! ... call gets rejected - no explanation needed ... call gets rejected - no explanation needed CALL CALL START START ... RECEIVER calls back later (and becomes INITIATOR) ... RECEIVER calls back later (and becomes INITIATOR) INITIATOR calls anytime INITIATOR calls anytime "SHORT" ~10-20min "SHORT" ~10-20min (optional) establish call duration need (optional) establish call duration need "OPTIMUM" ~1-2h "OPTIMUM" ~1-2h "MARATHON" ~4h "MARATHON" ~4h Cut up the notes Cut up the notes (optional) establish general schedule / frame for calls (optional) establish general schedule / frame for calls Find on personal website Find on personal website Assume defaults (=1PM-8PM) Assume defaults (=1PM-8PM) Individualy inform Individualy inform Regularity, based on Relation Type Regularity, based on Relation Type Follow Agenda Follow Agenda Make notes - Do padwork Make notes - Do padwork Have a Wrap-Up Have a Wrap-Up Use the correct, pre-prepared tools Use the correct, pre-prepared tools First Contact (1x Optimal) First Contact (1x Optimal) Regular Updates (Short & Daily) Regular Updates (Short & Daily) Close Collaborator (1x Marathon / week) Close Collaborator (1x Marathon / week) Close Friend/Family (3x Short / week) Close Friend/Family (3x Short / week) headphones headphones laptop laptop network redundancy network redundancy




*** Protocol: INITIATION & REGULARITY
Skip this step if you already have an agreed initiation style.


————— CALL INITIATION STYLES

  A) Just call anytime. (This is best.)
Call anytime on GSM, we can then move to another channel.

Channel options are:
    A) stay on GSM
    B) Telegram
    C) a trusted Jitsi instance, like ###


  B) Call via shared availability slots
For "busy people" — please publish, on your personal site:
    A) "free slots" calendar
    B) (the reverse) "busy slots", usually semi-obscured calendar

Example:
    * "I am free _____ ("afternoons 3-7PM every day)"
    * (or link to your calendar app)


  C) Schedule a call ("Let's talk at XY")
But, this can be a complication if you are not sitting in an office every day  (so, especially for nomadic people):
    * "Is this specific office-time slot good for you?", "How about 11am next Sunday?"
    * "What time is convenient to talk to you"?

Responses:
    A) (probability):
        --"OK, might work 70%"
    B) (urgency!):
        --"I will be there for sure, because it's urgent"
    C) (availability):
         --"I will be there for sure, because I generally have nothing to do"



————— PATTERNS


  * Establish interest (or obligation)!
* "Hey, wanna talk sometime next week?" -- "Yes sure !"

* If you agreed to call & exchanged numbers, make (at least a short call) in reasonable time!
if not, just stop pretending you want to call & tell them to fuck off


  * Reasonable Regularity
    * 3 days? 1 week?
    * depends on urgency the initiator gives to call!
    -------
    * ESTABLISH: during Pre-prep?
    * CONFIRM: during Call


  * Good agendas make for short calls
Short Calls MUST have a pre-defined agenda


  * Don't message about calls
Never send "when can I call you" messages ... just call, no overhead!
#antichatter
 EXCEPT IF ... / IN THE FORM OF ...

  * Repeat unanswered calls to show urgency
(as commonly recognized)


  * "Ping-pong" when returning calls
A calls, B doesn't answer → B calls back
if you get called, it's your responsibility to call back !


  * Switch call initiation
A calls week 1,
B calls week 2.


  * When to call?
    A) anytime !
    B) base on approximate regularity
    C) base on commonly understood SCHEDULE / SCHEDULE FRAME
    D) call more regularly if you think things need to move:
        (because they are not)
        (this might feel counter-intuitive)


  * Pause 2 hours before retrying
(When to call back, or expect being called back?)
→ Maybe in an hour or two.


  * Set a regularity expectation
Like "every week or two", "about 2/week, one time in weekend".


  * Deal with broken regularity
1) try impromptu (3x)
2) try scheduling (3x)
3) re-set regularity expectation


  * Maintain responsibility for regularity
    * Whose fault is it, if calls are not made?
    * How bad is this?
    * Should there be a baseline for different levels of collaboration?:
        YES!
        Mainline people are working together, see eachother every day, have regular meetings, etc!
        We should be at least as serious!


  * Raising regularity ("short week")
If we talk (I "pinged") on Wednesday, it's best if you pong on Monday or Tuesday.
The ideal is to go towards have more & shorter regularity, super-fast calls, and more work done off-call.
Otherwise, a connection should be intentionaly downgraded.





*** Protocol: CORRECT TOOLS & WORKFLOW
Equipment & Context

* (Inform / apologize in advance if any of these are missing !)


* Pre-setup quality Audio & Video

* Use earplugs (headphones), with mic !!

* Don't do it in external noise situation (except if urgent & agreed!)

* Set (lower) to correct earphone volume on phone:
    (to not get headaches over it)
    ### establish with "what did you have to eat" or "recite me your national anthem"


* Pick call channel
Proposed:
    * Establish connection with GSM
    * Have free minutes?:
        YES) KEEP GSM
        NO) Use:
            *) jitsi ON PHONE/LAPTOP
            *) telegram ON PHONE
            *) whatsapp ON PHONE


* Use best data channel
* 4G often works better than Wifi !:
    If you have a bad connection, first, try disabling wifi and seeing if it improves in a few seconds!
* You need to experiment and know this in advance (for all locations where you might telephone!):
    Know where the best signal in is!
    At least start the connection there!


* Establish recording policy
Options:
    A) We agree & assume that there will be no recording:
        (default, but to discuss, as not neccessary the best/most functional one)
    B) Yes, if somebody remembers:
        * informing it's recording
        * start recording
    C) Somebody is responsible:
        (as above and also...)
        * checking up on recording (make sure you don't run out of tape/space/x)
        * keeping & regularly syncing the recordings

Tools:
    * android call recorder
    * jitsi has recording
    * [...] ### #workflow

Recordings should be properly managed, available later, ideally synced with text, etc.


* Use Cues !
Also see 🔗cues.
### [!!**] probably merge

    * "What's going on?"

    * "I'll be there in 1min":
See 🔗time about that!

    * "UH-HUH" (nods)
Give regular "nods" throughout the call.
    * "uh-huh" so to clearly affirm you are there, on the right line, etc
    * "i see" : i'm on the right line in a pad.... (= just wiggle your cursor!)
    * ###

    * "CONTEXT CHECK!"
If it's too loud, etc.

    * "TEST!"
In bad connection, when switching microphones, etc.

"test test test"
-- "OK". 

    * "THIS IS TERRIBLE!"
Change equipment!
Re-establish the call!







*** Protocol: AGENDA

PART -1: PRE-PREP

    * The agenda !

* create day pad
* apply the theme
* replicate meta-agenda
* check the last one (or few!) and refer to those points !


PART 0: HELLO

    * (Sound check)

    * (Finish what you're working on)
(outside of the call, like eating, writing something, etc)

    * (Chat what's up)

    * (Establish time constraints)

* Decide on approx time interval (length):
    * "short" ~20min
    * "optimum" ~1-2h
    * "marathon" ~4h




PART 1: AGENDA SETTING
Start with an "off-the-cuff" agenda reflection.

    * Go to appropriate pad
(Main pad / Date pad / Interpersonal pad)

    * Brainstorm agenda at end
(ping-pong: one each)

    * Take a short break
Independent review of agenda:
    * re-prioretize (especially time critical!)
    * clean up, merge fragments, etc

    * Superfast overview
    * "break out" parts (=B+U)
    * make quick remarks
    * ... and try to form "fragments" like pieces:
        (sometimes even already making them DONE)



PART 2: →MAIN WORK←
Recomposing & shuffling different agenda bits / patterns / modules.
aka "MODULAR CALL TEMPLATES"
aka "OTHER AGENDAS"
aka "SUB-AGENDAS"

    ————— GOOD PRACTICES

    * Facilitator guides current fragment focus
A) Auto-guided:
    Using 🔗middlemachine
B) Essential
    "We must always push 2 or 3 pads."
C) Cycles
    "We haven't done Works in a while"
D) Shuffle
    == "pick a random task → just do it"
    "Throw a dice! Ok, let's salvage some old pads!"

    * All take notes (especially the listening!)
This also helps to see if we understand eachother!
Obviously, use 🔗ethering !

    * Quick+Repeated > Slow+Stuck
Do the more regular parts really fast.
Especially "all tasks" — learn to just run through them!
Keeping time of this helps.

    * Always brainstorm (but note quickly, don't takeover)
"This semi-related idea is currently on my mind, let's quickly note it, before I forge it"

    * Continously improved process & structure for new collaborators

    * Execute > Plan
Don't spend more time on planning than on doing!
"Does it make sense to keep re-reading the tasks?"
(Though at the beginning in "brainstorming" phase, a lot of writing & editing is expected).



    ————— AGENDA BITS

    * regular, random updates
* Outside main project:
    * what have you been up to, where do you find yourself
    * what's new on work on other (non-CHT) projects

* Inside main project:
    * news from outside
    * new tasks
    * brief reports
    * [...] ###


    * agenda: pre-prepared, for-call
aka "DATE PADS" !


    * overview: general project queue
aka "MAIN PAD" !


    * overview: general works & todos
Go to regular todo docs.

🔗works, XXX🔗todos, 🔗todos, XXX🔗agenda (mid-term plans), 🔗projects, [...]


    * ping: personal work indexes


    * overview & salvage old calls
Check 1-3 previous call logs.


    * padwork: editorial on specific pad
Pick randomly, quick-read & improve pads.
From current work, 🔗RFCs, 🔗oversee, via personal indexes, ...
or XXX🔗queue.


    * padwork: reporting
Either via a work-log, or (by editor) pod diffs.


    * padwork: (via tools)
Use XXX🔗dev-hyperpods !

Use auto tools! :
    * find "!!!!!!" and "??????" tasks
    * overview NOW points




PART 3: WRAP UP

    * Do a quick full-pass
(of the pad)

    * Discuss next call
(timing, expectations, etc)

    * Establish/repeat "urgent todos for right now"
(even though they're also written down etc)




PART 4 : POST CALL
Moslty, work for facilitator / editor.

    * Add pads to index

    * Clean up & cut up / "salvage" the pad
* Mark down the fragments, fold the TOC
* Move fragments:
    * to topic pads
    * to todos (or Just Do It)

    * Shape agenda for next time
Keep & continue a common agenda!
    * overview it every time
    * respect now-point

    * →→→ PRE-PREP





*** PAD


[!!**] WORKFLOW/TOOLS/ETHERBEAMER— We need a screen-sharing #workflow

* would be faster for many tasks we are doing
* perhaps two-sided would be best !!!
* consider security! (→ self host)

Options:
    * jitsi
    * BBB
    * more dedicated app ???:
        anything free, but cross-platform?:
        just ... VNC i guess?



[!!mi] SOURCE— Find & merge good meetings resources

* https://meetingexpectations.surge.sh/#/20
<dmytri

* ###

<-------------------------- ((new))