Re: Lego Mindstoms for Ada: user group

[Ludovic Brenta <ludovic@ludovic-brenta.org>]

Rod wrote on comp.lang.ada
>    I guess each kind of forum has slightly different 'dynamics'. An
> irc channel can provide a tutorial like forum (for quick/minor/
> informal questions).  A Linkedin (or other email like) forum can give
> more lecture-like style of question/answer (ie to discuss new ideas or
> aspects).

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.

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?)

--
Ludovic Brenta.