Open Stack

We're still so small it's very reasonable for all members of the community
to want to have some say here. Plus there's a lotta overlap in these two
groups, dev and SA. :)

- we're highly interested in defending OpenStack as a brand and as such,
don't see value in "ugly" unofficial forums
- we want to participate but only if it's a tool we like and feel we've
given input into
- we don't want to further dilute the resources we have with yet another
login-based website
- we somehow tied it into the Launchpad/Github debate as Launchpad Answers
is one solution to the types of problems that a "forum" solves

I think a clearer restatement of the end-goals of forums would be helpful.
Here are some ideas. Please offer your input as well.

1. Efficiency and reduce confusion: Offer one place to ask and answer
questions.
2. Efficiency and reduce confusion: Decrease user-question-type traffic on
#openstack IRC.
3. Reciprocity: Offer a place to help others expecting help in return.
4. Reputation: Offer a method for proving your knowledge of OpenStack.
5. Efficiency and reduce confusion: Eliminate the scattering of places where
you can ask and answer questions now: docs.openstack.org comments, Launchpad
Answers, and IRC.

Adding a forum without eliminating at least one other of these options does
not seem efficient without proving the gains you expect to see. We have to
keep monitoring all sites including Twitter for questions, yet Twitter in
itself does not provide a tool for a community support site.

Since docs provide support and also an opportunity for Q&A I'm pretty vested
in the solution as well. I'd prefer we find a way to integrate with a site
that could become a community support site, not just a forum. I think that
distinction is at the heart of this discussion.

Does that help?
Anne


On Thu, May 5, 2011 at 1:06 PM, Jordan Rinke <jordan at openstack.org> wrote:

> I don't see why developers are weighing in so heavily on something
> specifically for the user community? Many of you have specifically said you
> wouldn't visit a forum so why do you care so much about what software it
> uses, or if it even exists?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "Chad Keck" <chad at chadkeck.com>
> Sent: Thursday, May 5, 2011 12:55pm
> To: openstack at lists.launchpad.net
> Subject: Re: [Openstack] Creating a forum
>
> What does it matter what the forum looks like? If you are implying that
> forums are largely unpopular today because of StackOverflow you would be
> wrong. Of course StackOverflow is popular, for some, and it works great for
> a specific type of community.
>
> Maybe someone should clearly articulate what problem we are trying to solve
> here. If it's direct Q&A then a StackOverflow style site is probably better,
> if its a place for conversation, exchange of ideas or asking indirect
> questions I think traditional forums are better, IMHO.
>
> -- Chad
>
> On May 5, 2011, at 11:21 AM, Ed Leafe wrote:
>
> > On May 4, 2011, at 10:44 PM, Chad Keck wrote:
> >
> >> How about this...
> >>
> >> www.stackertalk.com
> >>
> >> Since I'm not a developer I'd like to contribute in some form or another
> :) There is a lot more refinement that needs to go into the site but I'm
> happy to run this forum. If anyone would like to help moderate/administer
> please let me know.
> >
> >       -1
> >
> >       This looks like every other run-of-the-mill forum circa 1999. The
> reason StackOverflow is so popular is largely a reaction to fora like this.
> >
> >
> > -- Ed Leafe
> >
> >
> >
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