Recently, Somebody Somewhere wrote these words
> Hi all,
>
> Thanks, for all the feedback!
>
[SNIP 442 LINES]
A couple of things become strikingly clear from that lot.
1. Everyone here loves the mailing list, but nobody uses it. It's gone
from 20+ messages a day to a couple per week, unless some topic gets
hold of people. Nobody has gone away - we just don't use it. Therefore,
we don't need it - we just like it.
2. A clear goal is lacking. There is no convergence of opinion as to
what Jaap is trying to achieve, and he hasn't really explained it
himself. Income? - hardly. Useful Service - maybe. Service to whom?
Keeping the Chipdir relevant? (i.e. not obsolete) - Possibly. Jaap?
Exactly what are the goals behind this? What is your target audience?
Did you simply roll this up one wet afternoon because you were bored, or
people were nagging?
3. That forum will probably founder if there is no pretty direct link
between the experts who currently populate the list and resist the
forum(Like myself), and the potential user who would be the lifeblood of
a forum. That also relies on us instructing them with patience. Fine if
I'm being paid for it (I could use a job). But otherwise there'd be a
limit.
4. There has been very little mention of the competition. What other
mailing lists do people sit on? I'm on one general linux list besides
this. I would like a more active hardware list as well. Any suggestions?
What other forums do people use?
The best use of the archives I have seen is when my prospective
son-in-law wanted my e-mail address, and he lives in Italy. He googled
for the expression "Declan Moriarty" and found it in the chipdir
archives. I think archives are hugely overrated and largely redundant.
Electronics is simply too varied - too many parts. There are very
interesting design discussions, enginneering standards, and
hairsplitting over engineering correctness, but otherwise they
are redundant. Who cares if I wanted data on an STK7138 chip two years
ago?
By contrast, Uwe's contribution to the "What is it?" debate some
time back listing links and papers to Bipolar Mode Fets a.k.a. Static
Induction Transistors a.k.a (I forget) a.k.a (I forget) was a landmark
piece of careful research that informed me about the devices I was
meeting. Coming across a SIT when you haven't ever seen/heard of them
was a mind bending experience.
A forum will be rated and reccomended only if it produces quick results
for a lazy generation. And websites (Including forums) are in the
business of selling advertising. That's the bottom line.
--
With best Regards,
Declan Moriarty.
--
Author: Declan Moriarty
INET: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Fat City Hosting, San Diego, California -- http://www.fatcity.com
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