(not subscribed to list) Terrence brings up a critical point about how the Apache Way works:
Terence M. Bandoian ([email protected]) wrote:
Date: Apr 15, 2014 10:40:46 am List: org.apache.incubator.callback-dev One nice thing about a mailing list is that it is delivered. The digest form provides an uncluttered, passive means to stay aware of issues and contribute when appropriate. I'm still new to this list but would like to listen in to the hangout if that's possible. How would I find it on Google Hangout? -Terence Bandoian
The obvious point is the reminder that any discussions or potential decisions made in realtime fora must be brought back to the relevant mailing list to give everyone in the community a chance to digest and comment. In particular, decisions about new development need to be brought back to the dev@ list so that other committers can comment and participate in the decision process.
The less obvious point - but just as important - is that while some may see mailing lists as old fashioned, they both foster a sense of a single community, as well as ensuring that contributors who aren't perhaps active every day can still both participate, and have an easy way to find out about past discussions and decisions.
Similarly, when thinking about long term community health, one advantage to mailing lists is that the ASF controls the infrastructure. Our mailing lists and archives will be around... well, for at least the next 50 years. There is no such guarantee from stackoverflow - no matter how popular the site is, who's to say that they don't start monetizing with a login, or start dropping old support questions when the project is no longer popular?
My typical response to a thread like this would be "you need to have a users@ list and use it". I would still hope to see Apache Cordova have a user list, and I do echo other comments that once started, they tend to also attract new contributors - even if they're only users who help answer other users' questions. The point is that on single list there's a chance to build some community.
Depending on the user base size and type of questions, I could also see linking to a StackOverflow site as well, in conjunction with a users@ list.
Just some perspective from a long time Apache Way guy, - Shane
