As of right now, this post (the 33rd) is a bit of a milestone in that there is now more "banter" about the poll than actual votes! I should have made a sensational commercial with menacing music, slight half truths, scowling faces, and edited soundbites. That would have rile up the electorate for sure.
For those that voted and commented (either way) - Thank You.
Really, I see two general types of questions being put on a potential "Python" forum topic:
1) I know little to nothing about Python: How do I accomplish task x?
2) I know some Python and I need help with a syntax. Here's my code, what am I doing wrong?
In my opinion, I see these questions as very separate from the other topics that they might also concern. For example, a question about the correct Python syntax for the SingleOutputMapAlgebra tool. Yes, of course the question concerns a Spatial Analyst function, but has a clear Python focus. Therefore it belongs in a Python forum.
I agree with Dan on one thing: I too would like to see the "ArcGIS Desktop - General" forum killed. Just an observation, but the quality of the answers I see there sometimes leave a lot to be desired. I believe one of the issues is that a "General" forum is that it is simply not engaging to "power users" that have the experience/knowledge to offer quality responses. There is no "focus" there, and therefore offers little to interest many of us that relatively few (but good) specific areas of expertise. There are a ton of questions that clearly fit into one of the "Function" forum topics... Why aren't people putting them there? I see three big reasons:
1) They don't know about the Function topic forums (maybe a "sticky" would be helpful to redirect traffic?)
2) The ArcGIS Desktop - General forum is at the top of the Forum page, and is the 1st forum topic that "sounds like it would work".
3) There is a lot of thread volume in the General forum. As I have noted here, many people want to draw the link between thread volume and higher volume of (assuming correct/quality) responses, although I don't see that as the case at all - in fact quite the opposite! An interesting stat to consider is a forum's post/thread ratio. It could be interpreted in different ways, but as I see it, the larger the number the more interest/replies to a thread. It's illustrative to note that:
- General forum (11392 / 3768 = ~3.02)
- Geoprocessing Forum (3306 / 971) = ~ 3.4
The Geoprocessing forum (a more focused topic) clearly has more replies per thread (a bit more than 10% actually which is seemingly small, but significant I think). Assuming in a focused forum topic, more replies = better replies.
To Jim: It is fitting that today being election day that maybe a decision could be made at the end of the week per the proposed Python forum. Seems like, sadly, it won't take long to tally the votes on this one.
