[mapserver-users] slightly offtopic -- mapserver forums

[Hockaday, John]

I agree with Daniel.  I wouldn't look at the web pages but I do look at
emails.

Please keep the email list.

John

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Daniel Morissette [SMTP:morissette at dmsolutions.ca]
> Sent:	Tuesday, December 18, 2001 9:13 AM
> To:	Puneet Kishor
> Cc:	mapserver-users at lists.gis.umn.edu
> Subject:	Re: [mapserver-users] slightly offtopic -- mapserver forums
> 
> Puneet Kishor wrote:
> > 
> > Hmmmm... I knew there would be detractors, but I didn't expect the voice
> of
> > dissent so soon. :-)
> > 
> 
> I was waiting quietly in the hope that there would be more supporters of
> the web option to consider their arguments... but since you ask... ;)
> 
> ... I vote for keeping an Email-based list (just like I did last time
> this question came up)... I *never* have time to browse the web for
> interesting threads to read... so if it doesn't fall in my Inbox then
> I'll never know that an issue came up.
> 
> This being said, if you want to mirror the list on the web somewhere
> with a better archive then I'm with you on that, but the basic concept
> has to remain IMHO: there has to be a 100% Email service for those who
> prefer that.
> 
> 
> > >
> > > To address a couple of your wishes: you can search the
> > > archives for this
> > > list at http://mapserver.gis.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wilma/mapserver-users and
> > > you'll find the archives there as well. You can browse by date or by
> > > thread, in one-month chunks.
> > 
> > I know. I've done that. And it sucks.
> > 
> 
> I agree with the need for a better archive and search engine.  But that
> can be done without changing the current Email-based system and could
> address most of the needs that you expressed.  You could even host this
> secondary archive yourself without even telling UMN if you wanted.
> 
> 
> > That said, how do I do the following with the current setup --
> > 
> > 1. Get emails only on a particular thread (most impt) ?
> 
> But how do you learn about that thread in the first place?  Most threads
> on the MapServer list are 2 or 3 messages long at max, so by the time
> you subscribe then it's over.
> 
> > 2. If I am following the thread by searching the archives (as suggested
> > above), then how do I post to the thread -- I can't post unless I am
> > subscribed, and as soon as I subscribe I am back to problem #1 above.
> 
> The requirement to subscribe in order to be allowed to post was added in
> order to limit SPAM AFAIK.  If you switch to a system where you can post
> by Email in a specific thread (you suggested that in your reply to
> Allan) then you're back with the SPAM problem.  More limited maybe, but
> the potential for SPAM comes back.
> 
> > 3. How do I access my emails when I am away from my computer (I am
> assuming
> > not everyone has IMAP)?
> 
> You can always browse the web archives...
> 
> > 4. And (2nd most impt. after #1 above) how do I send an attachment for a
> few
> > folks to view without having it broadcast to all 4 million (last count)
> > Mapserver users :-)?
> > 
> 
> How about sending a personal Email to those individuals with just the
> attachment in parallel to the list message? 
> 
> > I understand not everyone is gonna like the web way of doing forums. I
> do
> > think it has some major advantages over the old listserv way.
> > 
> 
> I guess I'm old then... and probably getting stubborn too!  ;)
> 
> -- 
> ------------------------------------------------------------
>  Daniel Morissette               morissette at dmsolutions.ca
>  DM Solutions Group              http://www.dmsolutions.ca/
> ------------------------------------------------------------
>   Don't put for tomorrow what you can do today, because if 
>       you enjoy it today you can do it again tomorrow.