Re: New group idea {possible change in rules from list owner}

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, Jon Elson <elson@...> wrote:

>
> scyvt wrote:
> >
> > One is the redundant nature of the large majority of newbie posts,

which could be reduced

> > considerably by a truly comprehensive FAQ. Since maintaining such

a FAQ calls for more

> > knowlwdge & time than could be expected of any one volunteer (Tim

Goldstein's efforts

> > notwithstanding), perhaps a Wiki might serve the purpose better.

Don't know how it could

> > be arranged, but if it was not possible to post until you had

consulted the Wiki first?

> >
> We have set up a wiki for the EMC cnc program, and it has taken
> a while, but it is really getting filled out with details on
> various aspects. I am not totally happy with how the wiki works
> and is displayed, but it works pretty well for most purposes.
> Maybe I am still learning how to do things in it.
> > Another is the inability to attach pictures to posts. In many

cases the old saw about a

> > thousand words is true.
> >
> Yes, and that is one of the values of the wiki, once you learn
> how to build the pages. I have dropped back to using html
> instead of the in-built wiki features to associate the text and
> pictures. That is working pretty well.
> > Finally, searching Yahoo archives has, in my experience, been less

than satisfactory. This

> > undoubtedly contributes to the aforementioned redundant posts.

Someone mentioned

> > Yahoo Plus; presumably this costs $$, but could explain why the

free search is not the

> > best.

[snip]

I am an infrequent poster on newsgroups. However, I just
thought I would throw an idea into the mix here.

I have often thought that having a wiki in conjunction with
a mail list could turn into being greater than the sum of
the parts. After a long and interesting thread has run its
course, it is possible to write a wiki page that provides
a short summary of the the thread along with pointers into
the thread. It is sort of a FAQ that grows, but without
nearly as much effort. One evening a month would probably
capture most of the interesting threads.

This group is ahead of most other groups since it has the
"NOTICE: ALL POSTINGS TO THIS GROUP BECOME PUBLIC DOMAIN..."
on every message.

Anyhow, it is just a thought,

-Wayne