[plug] Forum Software

[Ben Jensz]

<IMHO>

The PLUG list has changed substantially from when I first joined the 
list.  It did used to be fairly active, but it also used to have a lot 
more people who knew a lot about Linux contributing than seems to be the 
case recently.

The problem is that by "dumbing" down the content on the list, you then 
lose the interest of the people who have a large amount of knowledge.  
Those people are a very valuable resource and losing them IMHO is a very 
bad thing.  Sure, this could be seen as being an "exclusive" or 
"elitist" group trying to maintain the list as it was, but the list as I 
saw it when I first subscribed was a very technical list about Linux and 
is the reason why I joined the list in the first place.

The biggest problem as I see it, is that there has been a shift in the 
way people use (and exploit) resources on the internet as a whole (this 
mailing list included).  There has developed a culture of people simply 
visiting a resource, asking a question and never contributing anything 
back again, basically a taking and no giving mentality.  In my mind, 
this goes against the "culture" and "ideals" that a lot of people seem 
to associate with Linux and open source software and the associated 
community.

As I see it, two questions need to be asked going forward for this 
mailing list:

Does PLUG want to encourage this behaviour AND additionally provide 
increased access to the users who will add to and perpetuate this behaviour?

Does the PLUG mailing list exist as a mailing list for Linux related 
discussion, or does it exist as a mailing list for Linux users to 
discuss topics of interest (that may or may not be specifically Linux 
related)?

As I see it, the latter part of the second question is what has been 
occurring far too often recently and is what the mailing list has turned 
into.  I think that an official response and action needs to be taken by 
those in control of the mailing list in relation to this behaviour if it 
is to be stopped.  By no "official" response or action being taken in 
regards to this, this itself indicates to those who are posting this 
material that they have free reign to continue doing so.

</IMHO>

My two cents worth.


/ Ben

Arie Hol wrote:
> There is one major difference with Linux user groups, this relates to the 
> difference in the level of "skills" between the people at the "top" and the 
> people at the "bottom" of the skills range. 
>
> This difference can be very  divisive, when it comes to group politics.
>
> Most newbies start of with curiosity, some get bitten by the Penguin and 
> prosper and grow to become very capable  as Linux users, but not every one 
> has the ability or desire to become a hacker or a guru of some sort. 
>