FAQ vs search [Was: up2date]

[Bevan C. Bennett]

D at 7@k|N& wrote:
> While I am sure that I am not the only one who is new to this
> mailing-list, yet not new to linux or Fedora, or mailing-lists in
> general for that matter, a direct link might prove more useful.

Indeed.

> Perhaps a direct reference to one of the previously posted resolutions
> would suffice.  Not every Fedora user knows how to access the archives
> (especially when they first post a problem) or how to search them to
> find the answer to their problem.
> 
> I have been a member of multiple mailing lists, and sometimes it's
> easier for the responder, AND especially the inquisitor, to have a reply
> with a direct response to their problem, whether it's a link or a
> detailed answer.  Using a mirror is a great response, but how do you
> configure up2date to use a mirror?

The following link has the information you seek.
http://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-list/2004-January/msg01577.html

> I understand repetition is boring, but I didn't know that there were
> archives OR a mailing list until I had a problem.  The mailing list is
> readily available from the Fedora website, the archives are not.

I disagree.
 From http://fedora.redhat.com/participate/communicate/ click on the 
link labelled "fedora-list". It will take you to
http://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/fedora-list where the very first 
link on the page is the link to the archives.  This is above both the 
'post to the list' link and the 'subscription' link.

Perhaps it would help to suggest searching first, or to have a link to a 
FAQ there as well, but the archives are -just- as readily availible as 
the list itself.

IMO, the FAQ is what we really need, as searching the archives is often 
confusing and too dependant on your choice of search terms for useful 
output. It took me several minutes to find the above link by searching 
the archives... most of the returned posts just said "search the 
archives", and I knew what the answer was that I was looking for.

Someone suggested that the search archive link be added to the list 
'signature', but I see two problems with that.
1) A new poster may not see a list message until after they've posted 
(especially if they haven't looked at the archive).
2) As described, the archive can be daunting.

We need:
1) A community maintained FAQ
2) A link to that FAQ from fedora.redhat.com/participate/communicate