[Mapserver-users] Other MapServer mailing lists

[Manfred Meier]

Hi Tyler and others,

- I think it is a good idea to separate the questions and discussions 
into  three or four mailing lists. But i would not think, that "newbie" 
or not "newbie" is the right criterium. I can learn from messages even 
if i do not understand them to the last bit.

- The different lists should be created by the theme like (as you said) 
"mapscript", "postgis and wms specific", perhaps "raster data".

Instead of creating a newbie list, i think it would be better to make a 
FAQ page with a lot of reciepes. The mail archive is for a newbie of 
less use.

- I don't know what an "announcement only" list is. Perhaps someone can 
explain.

- The quality of answers is sometimes good and sometimes not. But the 
quality of questions is more not so good. Sometimes i have not an idea, 
what the people are asking for. But I don't know, how to improve that.

- My personal opinion: I do learn a lot from looking over the mailing 
lists. I'm relatively new to mapserver and have a lot of problems 
understanding the philosophy behind mapserver and perl/mapscript and 
often i don't know why something is not working. The documentation is 
not a big help because it covers mostly details and not the structure of 
the system and the co-working between the classes. But because I did not 
contribute to mapserver anything until now, i may not complain.

- And i have a question: How do the people like you and the others with 
a high rate of answering output take the time for this????

- And at last: When new lists will be created, could you please replace 
the relativ long prefix "[Mapserver-users]" by a shorter one? So I can 
see more of the subject text. But a reference to "mapserver" should be 
included.



Thank you
Manfred


-------------------------------------------------------------

Tyler Mitchell schrieb:

> Some of us have been discussing/debating about how to improve the
> MapServer community, specifically via the mailing lists.  The idea is that
> there might be some benefit gained from creating a new list or two.
> 
> I am not sure how well all the questions get answered, especially
> considering the volume of mail coming through these days.
> 
> - I've heard from more than a few people that they unsubscribe after their
> question is answered because the traffic is so high.  Do you think new
> users would benefit from a less threatening (lower volume!) newbie list?
> - Would some specific technical areas benefit from having a list (i.e.
> Mapscript)?
> - Would an "announcement only" list be useful?
> 
> What do you others on the list think?
> 
> Tyler
> 
> p.s. for those of you who were overcome with guilt for never replying to 
> my surveys, now's your chance to participate ;) ha!
> 
> 
> 
> 
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>