First I'm going to plop down the name so I don't forget:

Non-*NIX Forums -> General -> Baggage
"This forum is for technical general discussion, supporting transitions from other operating systems. It can include both Linux and non-Linux topics. Have fun!"

The reason this came up is because I have a Windows XP question that I would like to be resolved, before taking further steps using Linux. I am not looking for an answer here, just making a case for the sub forum, if there is not an appropriate place for this already.

I am connected to a network that has all the computers updated with supported versions of windows. Having XP, I am the only one that cannot update their computer. To eliminate the risk of my computer infecting the network (it has happened to others, on other computers), I changed the group name of my computer, hoping to only connect to my other, Linux computer. However, I am still seeing all the computers in the original group, and all their shared folders and files. How to fix this was going to be the question.

The next step is going to be to access the internet only through the Linux computer, while connected to it from my XP machine using VNC. If that is any more secure was going to be explored with another question, in the appropriate section.

PS After some more thought, this new sub-forum could be seen by purists (nothing against purists) as polluting the site. In fact I'm not sure I would like to see it myself. Bad idea, such questions, as inconvenient as it may be to do so, should probably be asked somewhere else. It was just a thought.

i dont see how this is different from the non-*nix - general subforum ?

Hello schneidz,

What stopped me from posting there was this:
"This forum is for non-technical general discussion"

Being new, I don't know how far you can stretch "non-technical".
It's almost certain that seeing other windows computers, in a group that you don't belong to, would need some kind of techie solution.

good point. maybe a non-*nix - tech questions subforum would make sense ?

That would work great, but you may end up with a section that has a bunch of windows and mac questions, and it may not look/feel right on a Linux site. However, maybe relaxing the conditions on the General section, just a bit, might be worth a try. That way Windows and Mac questions would be mixed up with other stuff, and not being the most frequently asked, would be in a less intrusive concentration. Not forgetting also, some stipulation that such questions are in support of a Linux based goal.

mac is based on the bsdi unix kernel therefore those questions go in the other *nix section.

windows isnt based on unix/linux/bsd/sun/... so i guess the best section for those questions would be the non-*nix - general subforum.

1 members found this post helpful.

Thanks schneidz for clearing that up.

Windows questions are indeed acceptable in the General forum.

--jeremy

1 members found this post helpful.

IIRC this proposal for a technical non-unix forum was asked before. The general opinion then was not to have this subforum. I remember I was in favor of having it. Not sure if I was the one who proposed it. It looked nice to have a place to submit general technical, mathematics or physical questions. But then again, since this is a computer forum, non-unix technical questions might end up being non-unix computer questions. I fear a flood of Mac+Windows questions.

Other boards might be a better place for platform for non-unix, non-computer questions, and we can do without Windows and Mac question.

Despite of being in favor at the time, I don't regret the decision not to create that sub forum.

jlinkels

I see no reason for a sub-forum, and I certainly have no idea what the word "Baggage" would mean. As a taxonomy, the word means nothing to me. As a classification, I don't personally find it to be beneficial, perhaps because I don't perceive a problem that needs fixing.

• A Windows-related question that might be of interest to a Linux user/administrator (bearing in mind that nearly every one of us works in a "cross-platform, cross-OS" environment ...) would certainly be appropriate here, and should be well-received.
• A Windows-related question that would have its entire resolution "within Windows," and that really doesn't apply anywhere else, would probably be more-effectively posted elsewhere.
• "But, if you see fit, go ahead and post it anyway." After all, if you post it here, and are re-directed somewhere else in a subsequent reply ... and especially if you "circle back" and tell us exactly how and where you found the best-answer (e.g. post an actual hyperlink directly to another forum-discussion elsewhere ...), then you have just created a very informative and useful thread (here ...) that will help many other people for a long time.

I think it's important to bear in mind how "a forum thread" is, in fact, a durable thing. You can search and find relevant threads that were posted many years ago. I-f the original participants took care to make the thread that you found "complete, self-contained and informative," a forum-thread can pay dividends for years to come. You'll never meet the
... " " ===> " "
people from the future, but they will thank you, nonetheless.

1 members found this post helpful.

Baggage was an unfortunate attempt at humor. I was imagining a new arrival to the forum carrying windows luggage, and wondering where to put it.

Not sure how to respond to the rest of the points you make, because there was a solution, and this is probably the wrong place to put it. It was very simple though, not Windows xp's fault.

The reason my computer can see all the other computers on the network, while not being part of the work-group, is that the router was set up that way (or system software somewhere). Apparently it was done because the person responsible was having trouble seeing all the computers, when logging in remotely using vpn. Sounds a bit un-secure, but that's what I was told.

Have to say I am impressed with your writing and clarity.

Thinking about this a bit, it's possible some kind of "Linux - Migration" subform of Linux - Desktop that is aimed at "I used to do this in Windows, how do I accomplish it in Linux" and "What is a good alternative for $foo on OS X" type questions would make sense. I'm not sure though, so am open to feedback on the topic.

--jeremy

sounds like a good idea (maybe point windowsquestions.org to it ?). i think i am capable to moderate for it (if moderators are needed).