We asked the Chairman & Chief Executive, Prof. S L Rottenpig-Rules, a few questions about why he started the ISMS, the ISMS web site and later, in 2003, the ISMS Awards Scheme. This is his response:
ISMS: What made you want to host a web site dealing with isms?
SLR-R: I began the ISMS web site primarily for fun! I'd been collecting isms for years, at least since 1973, when I took up the early record keeping begun by PMcL and GS - now both Fellows of the ISMS. I initially recorded isms in a diary and then, much later, on computer - I still maintain the Excel spreadsheet database that I began in about 1995. Up until 2001 I had about 400 isms in the database, collected mainly from work colleagues. I'm really still into this for fun and since the web site became operational in 2002 my enjoyment has increased tremendously. The site has grown and developed significantly over the past two years, with something new being added almost on a monthly basis. Our major breakthrough came in June 2003 when the ISMS was selected as the BBC Radio 2 Miles Mendoza's web site of the day. Web site hits before that broadcast were standing at about 10,000, but they increased to 15,000 within a week. Contributions from all over the world helped to swell the ISMS database from about 400 to 700 in a matter of weeks. As I speak (April 2003) the web site hits stand at about 33,000 and we average between 80 and 100 hits per day.
ISMS: Why did you begin the ISMS Award Scheme in 2003.
SLR-R: The ISMS web site had always had a Lynx (links) page showing a list of sites that shared a common theme. In a small way I suppose this was a form of recognition for those web sites, and no doubt many visitors to the ISMS web site went on to follow some of the links. Following the ISMS mention on Radio 2 I received hundreds of email for people saying how much they had enjoyed visiting the ISMS website. The pleasure that recognition gave me made me want to help others to gain recognition for the hard work they have put in developing their own web sites. From there I began development of the ISMS Award Scheme.
ISMS: So what type of sites do you want to see the ISMS giving Awards to?
SLR-R: It is perhaps no surprise that a few of the sites on our original ISMS Lynx page picked up some of the early ISMS Awards; new Award winners are always added there now as well. Broadly the Award is for those sites that make me smile, laugh, want to revisit them again and generally take my breath away - but they must all have some link with wordplay or language. We give ISMS awards in order to recognize excellence in a site's content and, occasionally, design although content is by far of greatest importance. We do not give Awards just to get links back to our own web site; in fact the linking-back option is entirely up to the Award winner, not us.
ISMS: So how much do you get paid for running the ISMS site and Award Scheme?
SLR-R: To quote the ISMS President, I don't get paid, in fact I do it for free! I, and the other ISMS coordinators, do not receive any payment to run, maintain and develop the web site; nor do we charge a fee to evaluate other sites and design and confer our Awards. We don't treat this like a job, but rather, a hobby and a joy. Evaluating web sites gives us the opportunity to learn about the work of other people and, often, to be amazed at the content and quality of sites out there in the ether.
We do also take time to research and learn new things about other countries, cultures and interests through visiting the many sites submitted for Awards. The ISMS Award Scheme only exists because of applicants. Without them, the scheme wouldn't have a purpose so we always treat applicants with respect and courtesy. Good luck to all who apply!
ISMS: Thank you for sharing those thoughts with us.
SLR-R: You're welcome.