[plug] Forum Software

[Arie Hol]

On 26 Jul 2007 at 0:56, Tim Bowden wrote:


> My initial reaction was to agree with this, but on second thoughts I
> don't think it's so good.  If the forum is run by plug, we have to take
> ownership of the success or failure of it.  We have to take 
responsibility
> for making sure there are enough "experts" who look in from time to time 
to
> make it a valuable resource to newbies.
> 
> If the forum is run by someone like LA and shared by any lug's that care 
to
> point enquiries in that direction, there is the very real risk that no 
one
> will take ownership of it.  If it's not working, none will feel 
responsible
> for making it work.  It will always be a job for someone else and it will
> most likely fail.
> 

Often referred to as "Passing the Buck".

Most successful organisations adopt the outlook of "The Buck Stops Here".

Let's keep it local, for a moment try and take the point of view of a 
Newbie.

1 - You hear about this free software thing called Linux going around, and 
you get curious.

2 - So you ask around a bit, and find out - there is a local group called 
PLUG, that  specialise in Linux.

3 - You then realise you have an interest and/or more curiosity about 
Linux.

4 - You pluck up the courage to approach someone from PLUG and end up 
sending an e-mail to the mailing list thingy that PLUG has running.

5 - Then you get passed off to some forum thingy in the "Eastern States".

6 - You are confused, annoyed and give up on the idea.

7 - Do you then consider going out and "Paying" for a newer version of 
Windows.

Is that what we want to do to any newcomers to PLUG and LInux ???

Do we really understand exactly what it is that Newbies are after ?

How can we, if we cannot get them to come forward and tell/ask us ?

Free software with all packages included - that gets a lot of people 
interested - especially with the promise that everything will work.

BUT for a newcomer, Linux is a daunting prospect - especially that first 
round of partitioning - "What's that ?" - if they want to keep Windows for 
a while longer. Then the actual install followed by hardware idiosyncrasies 
and dependency problems ? Not to mention driver problems.

Regards Arie
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 For the concert of life, nobody has a program.
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