Future of Linux Exchange
 

We started LinuxExchange as a way for us to test and explore the Q&A model (vs LQ's more discussion based paradigm). While the site saw some initial success, it has stagnated recently. I think we've reached a point where we should either shut the site down, or find people who are interested in putting the work into the site necessary to ensure it succeeds long term. We'll make that decision based on the feedback we receive in this thread. All feedback, questions and suggestions are appreciated.

http://linuxexchange.org/

--jeremy

First I've heard of it to be frank.
Shame if it's going to go looks like it could be useful.

Feedback is similar to Keith Hedger.

First I've heard of that site.

Interesting feedback. We made multiple announcements, it's been in the Community Bulletin, etc. Additional feedback is certainly encouraged.

--jeremy

Hi Jeremy...

I admit I don't care for the "Q&A" format, for reasons like this one. The poster was voted down because of the way the request was made and the person who responded was voted down because he/she needed more information and it wasn't phrased as an answer.

For a little while, I also helped out at Ask Ubuntu, until I was basically "suspended" for "not doing it right." Those are my words, I can't remember exactly what they called it but it was essentially for similar reasons I mentioned above.

This format is far too restrictive, the ability to ask questions and gain information from the OP to make the best diagnosis is severely limited. Technical support isn't like that, there has to be room to be able to ask questions and get the information you need to be able to render an effective judgement and solution.

I'm not seeking that the site be shut down but perhaps tweaks can be made to allow for some flexibility in what I've mentioned. ;)

Regards...

Similar feedback. It's the first time I've heard about it or if I had, I had completely forgotten about it.

Apart from that, I do not like all the restrictions of StackOverflow type of sites with all their rules and point systems.

Fora are a much more versatile forms of information exchange where both straight answers and discussions are allowed.

If I have a question, 9/10 times I'll choose a forum (as opposed to Q&A site).

Agreed.

Probably not worth trying to be "all things to all (wo)men" jeremy. If people aren't using it, let it go.

I've never found linuxExchange to be worth my time, personally.

I've never used it. I'm quite content with LQ and I've got time for only so many Linux forums in my life:).

Another, "First I remember hearing about it".

And, ahem... I admit to only scanning the community bulletins at best, just deleting them on occasion (my bad I guess).

Also another one for not having time (or actually interest) for participating in more than one forum. LQ is essentially the extent of my social media participation and it would take some serious interest building for me to sign up for another.

And although I do think stackoverflow does a good job of providing useful answers in a Q&A format (based on the number of times I find an answer there from a search), I do not tend to like the Q&A format for either asking or answering questions myself. I do not recall ever going to stackoverflow and using their own search, so I arrive there from DDG or that other one.

I think LQ is about as good as it gets in terms of getting and giving useful information in an open venue, so it will be difficult to compete with.

To add to my note that I've only just heard about LinuxExchange.

I do appreciate the answers I've received from Stack Overflow, but only for Windows based questions.

I am a member there and have experienced the following:

1. I asked a question people felt was already covered, so I got voted down and my question was removed
2. I asked a question where people felt I gave insufficient information, so I got voted down, at some point I could not comment or stuff due to things like that, it was very unhelpful in that I tried, but could not respond to someone where the site told me I didn't have sufficient reputation. I forget if I actually had negative reputation or single digits, and didn't care I just wanted to follow-up, but couldn't.
3. I have offered answers and been browbeaten, voted further downwards because I wasn't 10,000% on the mark

In summary:

If you use Google and find answers on the site StackOverflow, it's great and very helpful.

If you try to participate in the site StackOverflow, you stand to be involved with a VERY adversarial forum.

I would not like to see LQ or a LQ associated forum behave such as that.

Had exactly the same experience myself when I tried posting on stackoverflow, but as you say it is a good place for answers, just don't even bother trying to post on it, it seems very cliquey.

i very much agree with this; otoh, i see many, many posts here of people opening an account only to ask one (!) poorly phrased question that has already been covered on stackoverflow et al... often never coming back...
i don't see the great LQ community thing in that either.

fact is: if i'm looking for answers, they come from stackoverflow very often. more often with specific types (bash, sed).

As not much as changed here, we plan to shut the site down on December 31st, 2016. This should allow people to export any data they'd like. Thanks for the feedback.

--jeremy

If Linux Exchange sections became forums within LInuxQuestions.org It would work. Within LQ, a question asked would be posted. If the answer was too long, it could contain a link to LE.

The concept is right, the marketing did not occur.