09-08-102 12:25:42 WD: Non-structured. 09-08-102 12:25:49 Walter: I've always liked the idea of having general help sessions in #warpdoctor, like they do in #scoug on Wednesday nights 09-08-102 12:25:51 Walter - you know I don't think anyone has ever felt too constrained by the structure, or the agenda for that matter 09-08-102 12:27:03 I don't mean you, either. You've always been more than kind me to me. :-) 09-08-102 12:29:03 I want to avoid two meetings if possible, because that would take up more time for a lot of people who already don't have enough time. However, if that's what it takes to make people happy, then that's what we'll do. 09-08-102 12:30:00 RS: Please be sure to read the text of meeting while you were "gone". 09-08-102 12:30:17 * Rat-Salad scrolls up 09-08-102 12:31:40 ron292 - a couple of meetings ago the subject was brought up about meeting times - in order to make it easier for europeans to attend 09-08-102 12:32:01 and about possibly having an additional meeting - maybe at an alternate time. 09-08-102 12:32:35 I would actually like to have #WarpDoctor "open" all the time 09-08-102 12:32:48 as a support channel 09-08-102 12:33:35 any input on that idea? 09-08-102 12:33:39 Email and newservers work pretty well. 09-08-102 12:34:00 What were discussing at the moment is the format of these meetings. Up to now they have been loosely parliamentarian in structure, but I'm trying to see if there is a way we can do a better job. 09-08-102 12:34:46 Rat-Salad: That would require people being here available to answer questions. 09-08-102 12:35:22 #voice and #OS/2 sometimes serve that purpose, plus #scoug on Wednesday nights... 09-08-102 12:35:24 Not everyone's life is in the chaotic state your's is in. :-) 09-08-102 12:36:06 I can't be here every night. 09-08-102 12:36:16 my opinions (for what they are worth) are: 09-08-102 12:36:37 1) we need a regularly scheduled, structured, moderated meeting to discuss the wd "project" 09-08-102 12:36:46 meaning the project that is building the pieces that will be wd 09-08-102 12:37:11 But as I said, as far as I'm concerned we'll do whatever it takes (within the realm of possibility and reason) to make as many people happy as possible. 09-08-102 12:37:24 Doug: agreed. 09-08-102 12:37:48 2) there can be a use for having a unstructured, possibly scheduled, meeting(s) at other times, if for no other purpose than to build comradery (sorry can't spell) 09-08-102 12:38:36 at the #2 meetings, discussions might take place on what should happen to WD, what direction it should go etc. 09-08-102 12:38:57 but those concerns should be brought back to the regularlly schedule meeting 09-08-102 12:39:33 At 2 meeting anyone can come that wants - at #1 meeting the WD team should always be there, if possible 09-08-102 12:39:59 Both meetings should be logged, right? 09-08-102 12:40:42 If the #2 meetings are scheduled (as opposed to #warpdoctor always being open) they should be logged, just so that anyone can see what transpired 09-08-102 12:42:03 I can see some advantage to having the second meeting at a completely diffent time of day so that others in the world can participat, although there is no time that is ideal for everyone 09-08-102 12:42:30 But I think we need one, regular, controlled meeting for conducting "offical" business 09-08-102 12:45:55 The problem becomes when is a good time for who? Sunday 3PM was picked to accomodate North america and Europe, yet almost no one from Europe ever attends. 09-08-102 12:46:50 Last week, Mark, we "did the math" and discovered there is no time that is good for everyone in the world. :-) 09-08-102 12:47:16 For Aussies, it would have to be late at night or early in the morning. They are sleeping when we are generally available. 09-08-102 12:50:10 I think Jeremy's (RS) idea of an interfactive support is fantasic. My fear is that it will be very difficult to man (or woman) 24/7 09-08-102 12:50:53 Doug: Very difficult. 09-08-102 12:51:54 I got onto the eCS irc a week or so ago to ask a question and it appeared that no-one was there, even though it looked like someone was there 09-08-102 12:53:00 I know the idea isn't very realistic 09-08-102 12:53:35 It would really be great to have an on-line version of dial-up support for general OS/2 questions 09-08-102 12:55:41 perhaps - just thinking off the top of my head - a special mailing list where people can ask support type questions and anyone on the mailing list that knew the answer would reply 09-08-102 12:56:13 There might be voluteers that would agree to check for mail from the mailing list for certain periods of time 09-08-102 12:56:55 If the list was checked regularly enough it would be almost real-time 09-08-102 12:57:31 which is basically the same thing as an open forum 09-08-102 12:57:47 Wouldn't these volunteers need to be trained, or at least experienced enough to answer the question? 09-08-102 12:58:40 yes - as I am thinking of my idea I don't like it 09-08-102 12:59:03 There seems to be enough forums already that exist for getting support. Adding another would bring any benefit 09-08-102 13:01:03 What you are suggesting is alive here in the Netherlands (and Belgium)! 09-08-102 13:01:30 We could try putting up a WarpDoctor IRC that's always open, and invite discussion or question, BUT make it clear at the top or somewhere, that the forum is not monitor 24/7 and that someone posting a question may have to check back later several times to receive an answer. 09-08-102 13:01:48 I would be more like a bulletin board. 09-08-102 13:03:14 We have a mailinglist for the OS/2 users where you can send your questions. If a member of the list knows the answer or has any help he will respond to the list. 09-08-102 13:04:01 That's great - it is limited to Netherlands or some group? 09-08-102 13:04:42 Doug: we could use the WarpDoctor mailing list for this purpose, or open another one. 09-08-102 13:04:47 It is limited to the members of the OS/2 usergroup in Netherlands. 09-08-102 13:05:48 I think it is the best way to exchange experience. 09-08-102 13:06:44 You do not need special programs or skills, just email. 09-08-102 13:10:52 Well, VOICE has such a help list... Not really used though. 09-08-102 13:12:47 If we're going to set one specially for WD questions, then we'd probably set up a new one using majormajor and run it off the OS2VOICE.org server. 09-08-102 13:19:00 If VOICE already has one then maybe it would be better to hype that rather than create a new one 09-08-102 13:21:58 Doug: we do have a separate #warpdoctor channel, presumably so we can deal with a more narrowly focused topic. 09-08-102 13:25:47 looking like OS/2, I also like to see the tabs of OS/2 notebooks on web pages 09-08-102 13:25:50 makes me feel at home 09-08-102 13:27:36 I tried something like that a few months ago, but got lost in HTML problems 09-08-102 13:29:18 The site does look good. 09-08-102 13:49:33 What *is* the focus? 09-08-102 13:50:28 I see the focus as: 1) providing information for the installation, configuration and support of OS/2 and OS/2 applications 09-08-102 13:50:52 and 2) being a clearing-house for OS/2 documentation, such as programming references, etc. 09-08-102 13:51:38 Sounds pretty stodgy; a lot like an archive for a dead OS. 09-08-102 13:52:13 we have discussed - but I don't think decided, on archiving OS/2 applications, drivers, etc. to prevent them from disappearing when/if the sites they are on go away 09-08-102 13:52:19 And I *don't* think Os/2 in any incarnation is dead - by any means. So WD should address issues for a live one! 09-08-102 13:54:59 How many people here like the idea of two separate meetings (or one mailing list, IIRC and one structured one) in some form? 09-08-102 13:57:34 I don't think I would spend much time at a second "meeting" but I don't see any harm in it, and it work out well 09-08-102 13:58:04 Who would spend much time at it? 09-08-102 13:58:39 Rat-Salad 09-08-102 14:00:03 Rat-Salad: Would you like to open one, advertise it, and after a few weeks we'll see how much activity it garners? 09-08-102 14:00:49 Sector, and I are probably the two most present people 09-08-102 14:01:24 You've been the big advocate: it's only reasonable you be the project leader. 09-08-102 14:01:56 Or leader, or whatever you whatever you want to call it. 09-08-102 14:01:59 ok... ill arrange something 09-08-102 14:02:14 Please keep me advised. 09-08-102 14:02:19 going to do a little thinking on how to lay it out first I believe