Mailing lists

[Matt Zimmerman]

On Sun, Oct 03, 2004 at 12:57:07PM +0800, John wrote:

> Matt Zimmerman wrote:
> >My feeling about an ubuntu-beginners list is that if we divide the lists
> 
> I didn't say "beginners." I expect a lot of first-time installers won't 
> be beginning users of Linux, and if Canonical wants to have someone keep 
> an eye on the list, then the workload should be relatively light,

A recurring request in this thread and others was for a list targeting less
technical users, so I was addressing that idea as well.

> I think that inviting people to subscribe before they download or 
> install will help ensure that questions regarding installation issues 
> will be directed to the appropriate list.
> 
> Similarly, ensuring that they know about the next level of (free) 
> support _after_ successull installation will help ensure those questions 
> go to the correct list.

Think about this from the perspective of the people who will need to use the
lists.  Why should they need to use one list when they're installing, and
then another list after they've successfully installed?

This sort of division is more workable in forums, where there isn't much
overhead to switch between topics, but with mailing lists and their
subscribe/unsubscribe paradigm, it's very awkward.

> I note with interest in people's interest in discussion forums. My
> experience with them hasn't been so attractive. I think that it is more
> likely that users will visit, register if they must, ask their questions
> and leave. Clearly some stary longer than that, but I find I have to make
> a special effort to go to a forum whereas in contrast, mailing lists
> arrive in my inboxes and demand my attention.
>
> If I think the demand reasonable then I accept it; otherwise I am likely 
> to leave (as I did wrt some Debian lists recently).
> 
> 
> If this list were a forum, I'd have dropped out long ago.

It has been clearly stated on this list that these mailing lists will not be
replaced by forums.  The forums will augment the available facilities and
integrate with them.

-- 
 - mdz