On Feb 12, 2019, at 18:01, Ned Deily <n...@python.org> wrote:
> 
> On Feb 12, 2019, at 20:36, Barry Warsaw <ba...@python.org> wrote:
>> On Feb 12, 2019, at 13:59, Antoine Pitrou <anto...@python.org> wrote:
>> I know I can browse easily through a 161-message mailing-list or
>>> newsgroup thread using a traditional threaded view, read what I want,
>>> come back later to read the rest, etc.  But Discourse's linear
>>> presentation pretty much kills that ability.  It doesn't even allow
>>> *seeing* the structure of the discussion.
>> That’s pretty much my same, biggest gripe about long GitHub issues and PRs. 
>> ;)
> 
> But you realize that this a feature, not a bug? :)
> 
> https://blog.codinghorror.com/web-discussions-flat-by-design/

Unfortunately, that post doesn’t talk about all the problems with flat 
discussions, and there are many.  So if we have to, we can agree that both have 
advantages and disadvantages, both have their proponents and detractors, and 
very likely both are appropriate to some forums and discussions and 
inappropriate (or ineffective) for others.  Or maybe more succinctly: both are 
terrible. ;)

That tells me either that the problem is fundamentally unsolvable due to the 
nature of online discussions, or we’re asking the wrong questions.

As far as software darwinism is concerned, we can also admit that top posting 
has won, but not necessarily because it’s superior (in fact, IMHO it’s not).  
It’s just that mobile and webmail has taken over and either because of laziness 
or U/I difficulties, inline replies are too difficult.

We live with plenty of inferior technology for reasons that aren’t entirely 
based on actual efficiency and ease of use.  Techmology! (with apologies to Ali 
G).

-Barry

Attachment: signature.asc
Description: Message signed with OpenPGP

_______________________________________________
python-committers mailing list
python-committers@python.org
https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-committers
Code of Conduct: https://www.python.org/psf/codeofconduct/

Reply via email to