On 5/2/11 5:10 PM, "Matt Dietz" <matt.di...@rackspace.com> wrote:
>Fair points. I can see it being used for user support. > >"Another way to have these sorts of discussions would be an >openstack-users >list, but I think lists present much more friction to tire-kickers or >intrigued admins. Forums have a much lower barrier to entry, and >consequently (IMHO) they are better tools for building communities. >Controlling forum spam is an amazing pain, but that's another issue. :)" > > >Can you explain this a little? I don't necessarily object, but I frankly >don't see the difference, either. Hmmm... it's possible that statement is more a reflection of my own preferences and experience. My experience is that I will peruse mailing list archives, but I will rarely *post* to mailing lists. Something about the formality of it or the pain of subscribing and unsubscribing (or something!) makes me much more reluctant to join a mailing list than to post a question in a forum. If I do join a mailing list, it's because I'm actively using a product or project -- I've already made the commitment to be a long-term member of the community. I won't use the list just to ask a simple question about installation or configuration. Forums just seem to me to be much more immediate. Conversely, I'm also much more likely to answer a question on a forum than on a mailing list. I also find that forums generally have better search capabilities than most list archivers, and I have better luck digging an answer out of a forum than a list archive. It's possible I'm the only one that feels this way, though, so feel free to disregard this data point. :) -- Ron > >On 5/2/11 5:01 PM, "Ron Pedde" <ron.pe...@rackspace.com> wrote: > >> >>On 5/2/11 4:03 PM, "Matt Dietz" <matt.di...@rackspace.com> wrote: >> >>>I think a forum as a means of communication is great. However, I'm not >>>sure I feel it's the right fit here. My main concern in this regard is >>>that there would be a separation of important discussions. >> >>I think the class of questions on a forum would be wildly different than >>the questions on a dev mailing list. Forums would be a great place to >>ask >>questions like "How do I set up my bridge interface to persist on >>reboot"? >> Questions like these aren't the right questions for the openstack >>mailing >>list, and end-users don't want to bother devs with this sort of thing, so >>they walk away from the project before getting it set up. Properly >>moderated, the forums could push dev questions to the mailing list, while >>removing distraction from devs and building a community of users. >> >>>I would also be >>>concerned about a feeling of false consensus on hot-button topics that >>>see >>>activity on one channel but not the other. Finally, we'd be introducing >>>yet another fire hose for project communications, and frankly I >>>personally >>>wouldn't feel compelled to check both, and I'm sure I'm not the only >>>one. >> >>I don't see forums as a channel for project communication or consensus >>building. I see it more as a way for users-to-user discussion on topics >>like "how I implemented X on top of openstack", or "How can I integrate >>system X with my openstack cluster". Things that don't get discussed on >>the dev list. >> >>Another way to have these sorts of discussions would be an >>openstack-users >>list, but I think lists present much more friction to tire-kickers or >>intrigued admins. Forums have a much lower barrier to entry, and >>consequently (IMHO) they are better tools for building communities. >>Controlling forum spam is an amazing pain, but that's another issue. :) >> >>Just my opinion, but I think end-user/sysadmin focused forums are a great >>idea. >> >> -- Ron >> > > > >Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message (including any attached or >embedded documents) is intended for the exclusive and confidential use of >the >individual or entity to which this message is addressed, and unless >otherwise >expressly indicated, is confidential and privileged information of >Rackspace. >Any dissemination, distribution or copying of the enclosed material is >prohibited. >If you receive this transmission in error, please notify us immediately >by e-mail >at ab...@rackspace.com, and delete the original message. >Your cooperation is appreciated. > > >_______________________________________________ >Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~openstack >Post to : openstack@lists.launchpad.net >Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~openstack >More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp _______________________________________________ Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~openstack Post to : openstack@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~openstack More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp