Re: Lego Mindstoms for Ada: user group

[rodakay@tpg.com.au]

On Jul 8, 11:01 pm, Ludovic Brenta <ludo...@ludovic-brenta.org> wrote:
>
> I don't like IRC; there are too many problems with it.
>
> Since there are no archives and no subject lines, one cannot later
> search for an answer.  So I am not inclined to give advice there,
> knowing whatever I say will be lost.  Also, newbies are bound to ask
> the same question over and over.  The correct answer, of course, is
> "search comp.lang.ada" :)
>
> The second problem is that, because it is so informal, people tend not
> to think their questions through; it takes several iterations before
> we can even understand the question.  The great quality of Ada is that
> it forces the programmer to say what they mean, i.e. think twice.
> This benefit disappears on IRC.  In contrast, as you can see, people
> post meaningful, well-constructed questions here daily.

   I agree. These points show the 'pro's of a formal forum.

   Yet some people also can benefit from the 'hands-on' and rapid irc
atmosphere.

> My conclusion: informal questions belong in a searchable newsgroup and
> tutorials should go on a Wiki (perhaps a new chapter about Lego
> Mindstorms in the Ada Programming wikibook?)

   Some sort of FAQ and Tutorials webpage (Wiki or Wikibook) would be
marvellous.


regards.