Re: [cobalt-users] Make this list better [was Re: OFF-TOPIC...]

["Steven Werby" <steven-lists@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

abc-123.net <abc-123@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> goto cobaltservers.com and you wil lsee one that has been up for a year,
and
> people just do not participate. I started this up, and it has helped some.

David, I'm well aware of the site you put up and I thought it was a great
idea, but what I envision is a lot more powerful than an UBB message board
with some FAQs.  I know people like to say "let's not re-invent the wheel",
but sometimes you need to try something different, especially if the current
tools have gotten out of hand and people aren't using the tools available to
them.

I'm talking about a well-organized, database-driven knowledge sharing
interface that is searchable and has components that are tightly integrated
with one another.  So everything will be categorized and keywords will be
hyperlinked within the webpage or at the bottom of it so users can freely
explore related topics, technology and terminology.  And I realize that it's
not the technology itself that will dictate the success or failure of the
project, it's the leadership and organization of the processes and people
involved in the planning stage (now) and as it is being built and
maintained.  And it's making sure that everything is written in a way that
the target audience (mostly Linux newsiest) can understand and having at
least a core group of people to help pull it together and educate the users
on the list about the current Cobalt list archives,
this_as_yet_un-named_tool and kindly asking them to do a cursory search of
at least these two resources before posting.  Since I feel I am very capable
of leading a project like this and I've already begun planning it, unless
there are objections I am going to proceed and I am going to build the site
on one of my servers.  Additionally, unless there is a reason people would
be opposed, all of the content will be made available so anyone that wants
to can mirror the site or use on their own support site.  I'll put together
a mailing list for the project so those that have offered assistance on and
off-list already and anyone else who is interested can join in and we won't
have to add to the deluge of emails already on this list.

I am very aware that this is not an insignificant amount of work.  And I *do
not* want to replace the Cobalt User list.  That's been discussed in the
past and there are enormous obstacles to making that succeed.  I just want
to supplement the list, save us all a lot of time and effort (except those
that help <grin>) and focus on building something that has value.  I'm
confident that with the involvement of those who have offered their support
and a few others this will be a success.  If I'm wrong it'll be a good
learning experience so it's moving forward.  If you want to offer any
assistance, no matter how small or infrequent it is welcome.  As is advice
and criticism.

Steven Werby {steven-lists@xxxxxxxxxxxx}