Killing the list ? (was: Re: New Wiard Module: Borg"Assimilator" Filters)

[Stefano Costa]

"Byron G. Jacquot" wrote:

> >Yes, having a FAQ is a good thing - but there lies a hidden danger in it as
> >well.
> >
> >The trouble is that a FAQ may also to some degree kill of questions which
> >make the old timers tick and refer to various stuff and all of a sudden a new
> >discussion have spawned off. A FAQ could thus to some degree divert some of the
> >usefull triggers alongside the not so usefull ones.

There is no perfect solution for either sides. IMHO a FAQ does not hurt. Many
people, even if exists, does not read it in the first place ;).

> Maybe we should include some information in the FAQ to doublecheck or
> clarify anything people feel like, and use it as a tool to invite some
> better informed participation.
>
> Whereas lots of groups or lists use FAQs as a way to cut down on answering
> the same questions over and over, maybe we could use it to invite more
> discussion, with a common reference for newcomers.

My 2 cents: there is a lot of basic questions which are very helpful to mantain.
Links, bibiliography are #1.

> >There are things that should be part of a FAQ, other that should just be
> >usefull information, links, vocabulary etc.
>
> How about an appendix that explains a lot of the acronyms?  VC_, OTA, PNP
> and MIDI might be a start...

Yes, I agree. A small dictionary is perfectly suited for a FAQ. I think that the
best way to avoid the "list diversions" problem is to keep the FAQ as a
consultation-only resources, i.e. does what a vocabulary do: explain basic
terminology, but little or o no "broad vision" answers.

Stefano