[Linux-aus] please move technical support issues to another list

[Adam Nielsen]

> Given that most LUG mailing lists are dead or close to dead I think
> it makes sense to have a list of larger scope for technical
> discussion.  The Flounder list is appropriate for such things (we got
> 2 new members when I last mentioned it) but this list has the people.

Perhaps the reason those lists have little traffic is because there are
so many better alternatives these days?

Each Linux distro has their own forum for distribution-specific
questions - just to name a few:

 * Arch: https://bbs.archlinux.org
 * Debian: https://forums.debian.net
 * Gentoo: https://forums.gentoo.org
 * Mint: https://forums.linuxmint.com
 * OpenWRT: https://forum.openwrt.org
 * Ubuntu: https://ubuntuforums.org

If you have a question that's not specific to one distribution the Unix
& Linux Stackexchange site is very good: https://unix.stackexchange.com/

If you have a Linux related programming question there is Stack
Overflow: https://stackoverflow.com

If you have a Linux server related question there is Server Fault:
https://serverfault.com

If your question is about using Linux on a Raspberry Pi there is a
whole forum dedicated to just that: https://forums.raspberrypi.com

Most applications have their own user support forums and/or e-mail
lists too.  Do you want help figuring out how to get Windows clients
connecting to your Linux server?  Samba has a users list:
https://lists.samba.org/archive/samba/

Having problems figuring how to to encode a video with ffmpeg?  There's
a list for asking questions: http://ffmpeg.org/pipermail/ffmpeg-user/

Having trouble with the lowly "rmdir" command?  Yes, there's a list for
that too: https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/coreutils/

Really, whatever you want to ask about Linux or the applications that
run on it, there is almost certainly a web forum or e-mail list that
already covers it.

> We could have a forum.  Last I heard the LA council was opposed to
> running a forum, but we could run one under Flounder if we have a
> volunteer to do it.  

What would another new forum cater for, that isn't already covered?
Given how quiet this list is about issues specific to Australia,
presumably a forum for Australian issues relating to Linux would be
similarly quiet.

This list has never really been a great fit for technical questions.
Not because they are off topic, but because the audience is mostly
people interested in Linux and open source issues affecting Australia.
Asking technical questions on this list is more like foregoing a
library visit and heading down to your local pub for help instead.
Maybe the locals will be able to help, but unless you're asking a
question about the local area, you'll be much less likely to happen
upon someone with expert knowledge on your specific issue.

I think this list should stick to issues relating to Australia, and
whether technical questions are on topic or not is a moot point - there
are far better places to be asking technical questions already.

Cheers,
Adam.