OSDev.org

Hey all,
I assume everybody here knows StackOverflow.com and it's Q&A concept.
We're trying to setup a dedicated operating system developers Q&A for StackExchange network.

Please come and show your support at
http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposa ... gw8dmbfjQ2
If you don't have a stackexchange user, create one and follow the project, vote on question, etc.

Thanks !
Ramon.

I believe this is not a first time, and before it didn't work out well.

pessimism will never get you far...

And so does derailing your own thread...

And I'm optimistic about the future that this will be the primary OS help website and we're not getting a community split even though someone's making a serious attempt at doing so.

Combuster wrote:And I'm optimistic about the future that this will be the primary OS help website and we're not getting a community split even though someone's making a serious attempt at doing so.

lol.

The number of people interested in this field is so small that we don't even fill this site up. I doubt we need another.

Most questions there cannot even be answered because they are too stupid (I don't mean to offend when I say that) or too vague.

Well if you think they are so stupid by all means ask some of your own as examples.

The biggest problem with this site I can see is the fact that it is a forum... that leads to all the things forums generate including flamewars etc. A stackexchange is a better format since there aren't all these things you want to jump in and talk about like I am now ... rather you just answer useful questions though admittedly there are areas where that can happen it is more segregated.

I think you have put your finger on why StackExchange is a less suitable site when it comes to OS development. Much of the time it is not just answers to simple questions that are required (the Wiki covers that), but more a matter of discussions and bouncing ideas off other people. The forum approach (although it can lead to the odd flamewar) is far more suitable for that than the question-and-answer approach. Often, in this particular field, there are no simple answers.

iansjack wrote:The forum approach (although it can lead to the odd flamewar) is far more suitable for that than the question-and-answer approach.

I would also like to point out that forum-like discussions are more appealing to members answering the questions. Just giving a plain answer to a plain question sounds like a paid job. Of course this can also happen in forum-like discussions but at least it is more likely have real active discussions. If that occasionally leads to flamewars, it is just a good thing. Like it or not, they are the most memorable parts we are writing in history books.