I’ve only asked a couple of questions and so far I’ve gotten some pretty quick and friendly help. I read this article about good questions and since I’m really new, but an old programmer, I’d like to make a few comments and ask a couple of questions of the leadership community.
My observations are much like Rich said, sometimes you get the right answer and sometimes the wrong answer. Having led R&D organizations that selected open source components and freeware and I can honestly say the money saved never approached the cost of the subsequent headaches over commercial solutions. The word hobby was used and that is what this is for me now and presumably many people, so it is OK.
My second comment comes from my past. Having inherited an IT department while leading R&D I soon realized that the massive amount of people needed to support our infrastructure was our own making! I initiated a plan to reduce the size from 25 to 5. My discoveries led me to the realization that poorly documented solutions forced an abundance of “help” needs (translate: easier to call). By sorting the high running rate requests and beefing up the documentation with examples and how-to’s, help calls dropped rapidly. It was also an eye opening exposer to my own product documentation leading to a reduction in my customer service desk.
Someone pointed out that helpdesk people get paid and this forum is free and voluntary, so the approach could never work. However, many volunteer entities accomplish significant results when coordinated.
It does lead me to a question I couldn’t find an answer too. I see there is Board but I didn’t find a steering committee for the distribution of information? From my brief browsing of the forum, there are clearly some experts. Sadly, I’ve seen some experts answering the same questions many times like my helpdesk example. They have even commented on the problem.
My question goes out to the few leaders. Has there ever been a concerted effort to “organize” the forum’s content that goes beyond individual contribution. One that might shorten the learning curve, coagulate information in digestible chunks, and thus reduce the post/reply to the exceptions, not the basics?
Has there ever been a consideration to “increase” the membership cost to support a “coordinator” of volunteers. To examine where the holes are and to initiate a voluntary “enhancement” of the website and the content.
I for one would be willingly to add my expertise to a finite initiative in that direction. I suspect, but can’t honestly speak for others, that they would be willing to document once rather than answer 10 times. I’m really not sure and don’t want to offend anyone. This is my first foray into open/free SW as a user, and maybe the general consensus is this is part of the fun of a hobby. I personally don’t think that because the posts are riddled with “help#$%#@”
Anyway, sorry for the long read. I’m just asking a couple of historians to maybe let me know what has transpired and/or if anyone has ever thought, or discussed something similar.
Thanks in advance
Cliff
Don’t worry, they credited this post.
