[mapserver-users] slightly offtopic -- mapserver forums

[Puneet Kishor]

sorry... one last bit, and then I will shut up.

For those suspicious or not convinced about web-based forums -- while I
understand that there might be really sucky web-based forums (and there are
really sucky email listserv archives as well ;-) ), I recommend the
following two that I really enjoy and benefit from --

forums.allaire.com (for Macromedia's Cold Fusion -- based on CF)
discussions.info.apple.com (based on WebCrossing's WebX)

try them if you are CF or MacOS X inclined. You might see some benefit.

Thanks all.

pk/


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Puneet Kishor 
> Sent: Monday, December 17, 2001 6:00 PM
> To: mapserver-users at lists.gis.umn.edu
> Subject: RE: [mapserver-users] slightly offtopic -- mapserver forums
> 
> 
> ok... no need for any more votes. I admit defeat. Now, I go 
> back to my previously televised web program.
> 
> pk/
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Hockaday, John [mailto:JohnHockaday at auslig.gov.au]
> > Sent: Monday, December 17, 2001 5:02 PM
> > To: mapserver-users at lists.gis.umn.edu
> > Subject: RE: [mapserver-users] slightly offtopic -- mapserver forums
> > 
> > 
> > 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.
> > 
>