Robert Alexander wrote:
> - Replies are directed to the POSTER and not to the list. This keeps traffic
> and clutter down.
At 22:12 +0100 2001/10/21, Mark Maunder wrote:
>Other authors wont be able to participate in a discussion and there wont
>be the public aggregation of viewpoints - just a reliance on the original poster
>(many of whom are newbies) to consolidate all replies they receive and post a
>coherent summary based on individual emails.
At 14:45 -0700 2001/10/21, Dennis Salguero wrote:
>This is one of the few points I disagree with. The archives of this list, if
>used properly, is probably one of the best support resources out there right
>now. One of the reasons is because there tends to be some "back-and-forth"
>until a correct answer is determined. Following the thread of responses to a
>particular query can be of great benefit.
At 18:19 -0400 2001/10/21, Victor wrote:
>This I think is the only point that I have an issue with. If you look above,
>there are two (at least right now) replies posting that this is a bad idea.
>however if all those replies went to the recepient, I wouldn't have known
>that this is posted and would post the same thing again.
Thanks so much for taking the time to respond, guys.
There does seem to be a general consensus about keeping more discussion on the list. I
confess it's one of the points I thought longest about. The SunManagers list is much
more of an "I need a solution NOW" kind of list, whereas the MySQL list has always had
more open discussion.
As a matter of fact, the SunManagers list has no discussion whatsoever. Ideally, the
only postings there are question and summary. It doesn't always happen that way, of
course, but that's what's strived for in that list.
I don't think I'd want the MySQL list to be completely 'discussion free' either.
That's why I included this:
>In particular, the following kinds of postings are NOT appropriate:
<snip>
> - Extended discussions about anything, including discussions about the list
> itself, or numerous followups to any posting.
Which would allow for some discussion, just not long, wandering, rambles. :> Is that
enough? Do we need more?
How do we walk the line between keeping lively discussion, and reducing the bulk of
postings? (open for ideas...)
---------------------------------------------------------------
At 14:45 -0700 2001/10/21, Dennis Salguero wrote:
>That's great! Overall, I think that these guidelines have a lot of merit,
>but I can't help but feel that they should be coming more from MySQL AB,
>than the list itself. If they have a vision for the resource that the
>mailing lists should provide, then its guidelines should come from MySQL AB.
Thanks Dennis.
IRT MySQL AB, I don't think I'm stepping on anyone's toes, here, and it's certainly
not my intent to dictate policy to the list or anyone else. If I am, I'm sure someone
from MySQL will let me know, at which point I'll gracefully bow out.
This is simply a proposed set of guidelines, meant to stimulate an exchange of ideas,
and lead to an even better discussion group. This is an Open Source community, after
all, :> and I think it's important to contribute. I'm just trying to do a bit of my
part, even if it's a relatively small task like this.
Whatever 'culture' or 'style' our on-line list community has is ultimately determined
by the actions of the individual people involved. If we can collectively agree on some
basic rules, we all benefit.
---------------------------------------------------------------
At 18:19 -0400 2001/10/21, Victor wrote:
>Another problem: suppose there are two solutions: a well known and not so
>well known. Suppose someone asks something and the first thing people do is
>send the well known idea. However if that doesn't work, since there is no
>feedback, noone even thinks to send the secondary rare idea (that might not
>even come to mind). Also, someones reply might be helpful but not great and
>someone else on the list might, looking at the reply, come up with an even
>better posting. The problem here is that usually posters will get a
>gazillion mails with same reply instead of two or three with possibly unique
>solutions.
At 14:45 -0700 2001/10/21, Dennis Salguero wrote:
>See above; this archive is a great resource because all answers stay on the
>list - we should definitely try to keep it this way.
Well, if people post their summaries, then the answers WILL always be in the archives,
won't they. :> And in a more concise, usable form because you won't need to search
through multiple messages to find that bit of wisdom you need.
Also, I've seen it happen often that someone may read a SUMMARY and realize that they
have something to add to the solution. That idea is also sent off the original
question-asker, who posts another summary. It's not uncommon to see second, and
sometimes even third, summaries to the same question.
Thanks,
/Rob
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