OK, the forum is coming..

[Jonathon Suggs]

Ted Lemon wrote:
>> Quite frankly I am completely, totally, 
>> overwhelmingly baffled at the resistance to the forums.  Quite a few 
>> people have expressed their dislikes of mailing lists and how they were 
>> *very* reluctant (like myself) to join.
>>     
>
> Worrying about your email address being exposed is pretty silly.
Glad you can read my mind and figure out why I was reluctant to join a 
mailing list.  Here's a hint, it has nothing to do with my email being 
exposed.  Honestly, I just really don't like mailing lists...you can 
give me all the reasons in the world why *YOU* like them, but that will 
not change my opinion.  I would be willing to bet (even quite large 
amounts, seriously) that I am not alone in this feeling either.

Mailing lists are very efficient if you use them correctly.  Several 
people have explained their overall technical benefits.  However, even 
though it is by no means as difficult as compiling a custom kernel, the 
people are we are eventually going to be targeting will view it that 
way, and *WILL NOT USE THEM*, therefore rendering them useless as a 
communications method with that demographic.  Until you (the collect 
you) realize this, there cannot be a meaningful discussion on this topic.

The bottom line is that mailing lists are not an acceptable means of 
communicating with technical novices.  AGAIN, we are not talking about 
discontinuing the development list (that is/should be used by 
*developers*).  We are talking about Joe and Jane Sixpack, people that 
don't understand the term MUA, people that would be HORRIFIED if they 
started getting 70-80 email in a day, people who *don't* use email for 
project collaboration or searching for answers.  *THAT* is the reason 
that we are requesting a forum.  Not for me, and certainly not for you 
(again, the collective you) that look down upon anyone who can't figure 
out how to setup email filters, conversation threading, and whatever 
else is required to make mailing lists be the more efficient means of 
communicating.  Get off your technical superiority high horse and 
realize WHY we are requesting this...for improved communication with 
those who are less technically savvy.

Sorry for the rant, but the arrogance and snobbery are killing me in 
this discussion if you can't tell...

-Jonathon