Re: We need a forum!

[Jamie Webb <j@...>]

On Sun, Jul 11, 2004 at 02:48:58PM +0100, Kriss wrote:
> Unlike a mailing list archive the old forum msgs still feel alive. If a
> search finds an old post thats close but not quite what you wanted you
> may simply comment on that one and hopefully attract the attention of
> the original questioner who may now be able to answer your question.
> This is simply not going to happen on a mailing list, you will not
> comment on any msg/thread that predates you joining the list but you may
> well ask exactly the same or similar question. Mailing lists are simply
> organized more by time stamp than by subject.
> 
> Assuming they have asked for email notification of comments a casual
> forum user will also still be around and still hopefully be interested
> in their topic long after they would have stopped paying attention to a
> mailing list.
> 
> Joining a mailing list is a huge commitment compared to using a web
> forum. I have accounts on forums I visit every few months and catch up
> on things of interest I do not subscribe to any mailing list that I
> don't fully read.

These are certainly all valid reasons for providing some sort of web
interface, but it still seems that gmane has most of it covered.
Certainly a more prominent mention on the Lua.org community page might
be helpful for people who aren't going to want to read about the
mailing list.

-- Jamie Webb