The two don't need to be exclusive. I wonder if we could set up a Q&A site
that would email new posts to the Code4Lib listserv. Then we get to keep the
existing community and inertia but we get the nice, searchable database of
answers.

Josh Welker


-----Original Message-----
From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kyle
Banerjee
Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2014 10:18 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Stack Overflow

On Tue, Nov 4, 2014 at 7:34 AM, Schulkins, Joe <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> To be honest I absolutely hate the whole reputation and badge system
> for exactly the reasons you outline, but I can't deny that I do find
> the family of Stack Exchange sites extremely useful and by comparison
> Listservs just seem very archaic to me as it's all too easy for a
> question (and/or its
> answer) to drop through the cracks of a popular discussion. Are
> Listservs really the best way to deal with help? I would even prefer a
> Drupal site...
>

The advantage of a list that gets pushed out to everyone is that it is an
ongoing conversation that helps the community keep connected and grow. Even
if technical assistance is a part of that conversation, I see that as a
secondary benefit.

That basic questions get repeated and that questions/answers sometimes get
off track is not a problem. Quite the opposite, this format draws more
people into the conversation and makes it easier for them to connect with
others, contribute, and be inspired to do more.

kyle