The difference not only lies in the format, but also in the user base. I'm 30+ years old, and I grew up using bulletin boards, newsgroups and mailing list, but there is a big generation of "programmers" (emphasis in the quotes) that will never subscribe to a mailing list, some don't even know what a mailing list is. They grew up using sites like Yahoo Answers, and expect the same for their programming questions.
I guess it is the same that happened in the transition from newsgroups to mailing lists, and as in the bbc to newsgroups, and newsgroups to mailing lists, every new generation seems to me like an order of magnitude bigger. I think BOTH options are okay, it is, a user list and StackOverflow like websites. The SEO of the later is really good. The flattening of the question/answer curve may have to do with the fact that most questions have been answered and they start to repeat. I use StackOverflow and SuperUser on a daily basis. And I do find most of the answers I need. To me the radical choice would be to merge both users and development mailing lists. The separation is okay from an organization point of view, but the volume today is no that big as to justify fragmentation, seems like an "early optimization". Regards, Esteban A. Maringolo 2013/9/23 H. Hirzel <[email protected]>: > On 9/23/13, Stephan Eggermont <[email protected]> wrote: >> Kilon wrote >>>Here is a radical suggestion you probably don't want to hear. >>>Close down Pharo users mailing list, redirect everyone to stackoverflow. >> >> Definitely not. Stackoverflow is nearly dead, and seriously unsuitable for >> small languages. > > There are obstacles but one cannot say that it is "seriously > unsuitable". Stackoverflow question demand a certain format, typically > something like > > - statement of what you want to accomplish > - attempt a solution with code which has problems > - question > >>Good questions will get closed by clueless people. > Mostly if the form does not fit. > And if there are Pharo people (maybe earned in another area) with > enough reputation points this may be prevented > >> Good answers will get downvoted because they go against majority >> views. > > Why? > >>The ranking system is heavily skewed towards popular languages. > > It is based on the number of hits which is naturally less in less > popular languages. > However subcommunities may function well in stackoverflow. > > the tagging and referencing system is excellent. > >> Stackoverflow doesn't allow discussions (and interesting questions), > > No, but that is not the aim of the site. It is a question and answer > site for _coding_ and maybe _design_ problems to a certain extent. > > However it allows for wiki pages. Any answer may be turned into a wiki page. > >> which is a major reason to have these lists. > > List are good in addition. > > --Hannes > >> To see for yourself, take a look at the questions related to OODBs. >> >> Stephan >> >> >
