Topic: FAQ maintenance and forum moderators

[gordonr]

Split from: http://forums.contribs.org/index.php?topic=35228.msg153640#msg153640

I will feel the negative waves coming over me, but I do have some comments here:

There's no need for waves of negativity. I may seem abrupt at times, but I really do want to push for the best outcome for all of us. And at times that means solving the problem for all, rather than for one individual. The forums are often focused on "Fix my problem, now!" whereas the dev team needs to take a longer-term view of fixing issues so that they go away for everyone.

4 I don't find the bug tracker the best structured source to look for a solution of a problem, I think that should be the forum. I would promote, when a solution is found, that it will be reported in the "normal fora" in a way that an average user/developer understands the problem and the workaround.

Unfortunately that doubles the workload for a very small, volunteer developer team. The only way we can make any progress is to track isssues in the bug tracker.

What we really need is an active, updated FAQ, maintained by the people who spend time hanging around in the boards.

Those people could chase posters to get the bugs raised in the bug tracker. They could also distill prominent bugs into workarounds if required and keep the FAQ up-to-date. We'd all win here:

- The FAQ could be the first port of call
- The forums would have less repeated questions
- The devs would spend less time chasing bugs from the forums to Bugzilla
- The devs wouldn't annoy so many people with short responses

So, who's going to take this on? I think a small number of new moderators could really help us here. If you think you should be one, contact staff@

[byte]

What we really need is an active, updated FAQ, maintained by the people who spend time hanging around in the boards.

I think the thing here is that which is currently our FAQ ? is it...

The one on smeserver which I know is a reprint http://www.smeserver.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=25

or

http://no.longer.valid/phpwiki/index.php/SME7FAQs - which I thought was read-only and makes me think why is it under "Archived wiki"

I think as we know the whole site needs some structure which seemed to be taking place a while ago then stopped, it maybe because of the serious lack of donations I dont know why its been left like this?!

Just my 2p worth

[svangool]

What we really need is an active, updated FAQ, maintained by the people who spend time hanging around in the boards.

Good idea Gordon!

[dmay]

What we really need is an active, updated FAQ..

Would be good. However what we really need IMHO is:

A single website portal
Generate revenues

This project needs a single well designed web site portal covering all the various support and marketing needs. One small aspect being an updated FAQ. More importantly I think the project needs to offer revenue generating products and services so that it can enjoy long term sustained growth and viability. The small group of active developers and volunteers can only do so much.

Tues I sent an e-mail to busagent@ to start a conversation on generating revenues. No reply as yet. Is this a valid e-mail?

Darrell

[cactus]

What we really need is an active, updated FAQ, maintained by the people who spend time hanging around in the boards.

I second that.

So, who's going to take this on? I think a small number of new moderators could really help us here. If you think you should be one, contact staff@

I would like to help out, but maybe we should ge t a rough framework ste up as well.

My first suggestion is to describe how MySQL is implemented in SME Server and how to work with it.

Important thinks IMHO should be the instruction to never change the mysql root password, explain how to handle mysql on SME Server for instance when trying to create a new database and maybe also the way to restore the MySQL password as described in the bugtracker.

Another important thing is to document how to install applications on SME Server: not only tell them that installing software in an ibay is not the preferred solution, but also explain them why and how it should be done.

Or is this interfering with the Developers Guide to much? Maybe we should  create short FAQ's and put the last point in the Developers Guide pointing there with a FAQ item.

[cactus]

My first suggestion is to describe how MySQL is implemented in SME Server and how to work with it.

First shot at MySQL section for the SME Server FAQ as attachement to bug 2302: SME Server FAQ: MySQL section (first shot)

[gordonr]

What we really need is an active, updated FAQ..

Would be good. However what we really need IMHO is:

A single website portal
Generate revenues

Couldn't agree more (though I would have two closely linked portals - a commercial one and a community one). The FAQ is only one part of the picture. Our whole web presence is poor and we can't generate revenue to provide for a stable future until we have a decent presence which makes us appear worthy of donations.

Tues I sent an e-mail to busagent@ to start a conversation on generating revenues. No reply as yet. Is this a valid e-mail?

It should be. If you don't see a response soon, please contact me off-list and I'll get you in contact.

Thanks,

Gordon

[stephen noble]

The User Manual has been improved recently
It has an alternate entry point instead of one big page

Individual pages could always be edited individually but now it is more obvious

http://smeserver.sourceforge.net/sme7/manual


cactus has added his MySQL howto, it's now an Appendix

The FAQ has been imported, it could do with some formatting and review