community Digest, Vol 36, Issue 45

[Adam Krikstone]

IRC and lists are great tools at sending and distributing information 
fast.  However, as more users, especially ones with little to no 
experience with linux, begin purchasing neo's these lists will be 
inundated with drivel.  There is only ~1000 people on this list and look 
at simple problems with a glitch with gmail.  I get 90+ messages about 
"is gmail broken," "gmail isn't working," "I think it is gmail," etc.  
Do you really want to check your inbox and get 5000-10000+ messages 
about simple mundane things as the neo's are released to the mass 
market?  I suggested a forum to act as a buffer between the public and 
IRC/lists.  The IRC/lists can be for developers/advanced users and 
consumers can stay in the forums.

adam


Jeff Rush wrote:
> Steven ** wrote:
>   
>> Is that searchable?  Is it threaded?  Will there be someone on 24/7 that
>> is knowledgable and helpful?
>>
>> I understand that some people love IRC and mailing lists.  But users
>> expect to search and ask questions in a forum, not on a mailing list and
>> IRC.  I think it's about time for some forums.
>>     
>
> I'm not sure where you get "users expect to search and ask questions in a
> forum" from.  And how does a forum provide "24/7 someone knowledgeable" in
> such a way that a mailing list cannot.  I'm confused.
>
> Mailing lists aren't exactly fading away, and many people dislike forums.  In
> this case, it won't help if those with questions i.e. users flock to the
> forums, if those with the answers, the more core developers use mailing lists.
> You'll need community concensus, or a team to copy material between the two
> discussion arenas, similiar to how we have people who have stepped forward
> (thanks!) who clip useful stuff from the lists and put it on the wiki.
>
> -Jeff
>
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