[plug] Forum Software

[Tim Bowden]

On Wed, 2007-07-25 at 16:21 +0800, James Drysdale wrote:
> G'day,
> 
> I've only been a member here for a short while, just over a month, but I
> agree with this.
> For the sake of convieniently & neatly arranged topics of discussion,
> there would be a lot less interaction.
> This group does seem "small" enough to continue with email based
> contact, and is more efficient as a base for discussion.
> 

The point of the forum is not to replace the list, but to provide a more
newbie friendly venue for those seeking answers.  Things like flamage
can be better managed on a forum.  With the mail list, once it's there,
it's there.  In forums it can be deleted.  Threads can be moderated if
they get too heated.  Those who are inclined to help newbies can check
the forums from time to time, while those who have no tolerance for
"stupid questions" and are more likely to respond with rtfm or other
suitably colourful flame[1] can avoid dealing with such questions.  At
least, that's the idea.  It may just work if those so disposed to
helping out with "stupid questions" make a point of checking out the
forums on a regular basis.  Remember, this is geared to serving the
needs of those who are not yet part of our big happy family, and /not/
those of us who already feel at home here.  If we don't care about
helping those who are "still on the starting blocks", then it's a waste
of time.

> It's not unusual for email clients to quietly run in the background, but
> keeping a forum window open, or browsing it more than twice a day on the
> off-chance that a topic of mutual benefit presents itself is not
> something I would necessarily do.
> 

I can't stand forums myself, but I'm prepared to stick my head in from
time to time to see what help I can give.  If it breaths new life into
plug, then it's worth it.  At the moment we (plug) are a shadow of what
we were a few years ago.

> I haven't been here for very long, so I reckon this would be my $0.04
> worth :-P
> 
> Cheers,
> James.
> 

Oh dear, inflation is biting isn't it!

Regards,
Tim Bowden
[1]  If the forums work and become the haunt of gentle newbie souls, can
we loosen up the rules a bit and allow some mature (for suitable values
of mature) flamage in the name of fun?
> 
> 
> Gavin Chester wrote:
> > On Wed, 2007-07-25 at 10:15 +0800, W.Kenworthy wrote:
> >   
> >> The basic problem is that a forum requires the user to go there and
> >> participate.  Email is more in your face and comes to you.  you can
> >> then
> >> stay informed or choose to participate - much less effort and only
> >> takes
> >> a few seconds in comparison to browsing forums 
> >>     
> >
> > ... and therein lies the nub of the problem. In other contexts they
> > refer to it as 'push' vs 'pull' technology and 'push' is known to be
> > more effective. That is, I know from my experience that unless it's
> > pushed at me my interest wanes. Surely, only the dedicated user logs on
> > and surfs around a forum several times a day. That's not me. 
> >
> > Alternatively, plug is good because we* are small and intimate and
> > mental filtering or 'rules-based' filtering is a snap. Consider bigger
> > mail lists where I get more than a hundred messages a day. It can seem
> > daunting to find the gems in the poo, but it is still do-able. I
> > wouldn't bother on a forum.
> >
> > BTW: I think this issue/dilemma comes up on many mail lists ;-) Just
> > another $0.05 worth ;-)   
> >
> > Gavin
> >
> > (* : I boldly say 'we' because the group is small and you get to know
> > something of each other through postings. However, I am not a financial
> > member because I live too far for meetings and am an impoverished
> > student. Sorry about that apparent lack of commitment, but nevertheless
> > I think the plug list is great!) 
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > PLUG discussion list: plug at plug.org.au
> > http://www.plug.org.au/mailman/listinfo/plug
> > Committee e-mail: committee at plug.linux.org.au
> >
> >   
> _______________________________________________
> PLUG discussion list: plug at plug.org.au
> http://www.plug.org.au/mailman/listinfo/plug
> Committee e-mail: committee at plug.linux.org.au