[Asterisk-Users] List tips for new subscribers <--sorry for 2 nd post, missed this.

[Colin Anderson]

>This list is for discussions among users of Asterisk, not a getting 
>started hotline for beginners. Beginners learn by reading documentation 
>and examining the sample files included. 

Mmm, I (respectfully) disagree. One of the unstated objectives of mechanisms
like this list is to evangelize the platform. Obviously, we all want it to
do well. You can only do that by creating mindshare. You create mindshare by
winning people over. You win people over in a technical context by helping
them wrap their heads around the concept and implement it. Sometimes, this
involves hand-holding, as I do with my boss, my boss' boss etc every day. 

Look, there are two kinds of people (on the list): One that can deal with
the technical implementation of Asterisk and have no problem with it, and
the other kind, that get fired up about the *concept* but are short of the
chops to make it happen. We ignore the second kind at our own peril (I
actually should have said "you guys" instead of "we" because I am in-between
the two types). I can see a scenario where if the platform becomes
inaccessible to PHB / noob types because of things like attitude, Asterisk
will be relegated to "also-ran" status with such illustrious company as the
Amiga, which still has an incredibly vocal minority that insists that Amiga
still r00lz, but nobody listens to them and considers them crackpots who
should Just Get Over It.

We *know* Asterisk is a category-redefining platform. We *know* it is
Insanely Great. But ticking people off with brusque answers and flames will
*not* win the hearts and minds of potential adopters. *1-2

*1 As far as the previous "black box" comment goes (where an implementor
doesn't want someone to know about the inner workings, so they can charge
$$$), there is a certain truth to that, and, while GPL allows for that, it
is completely contrary to the spirit of the platform and makes the Asterisk
community no better than (insert your favorite telecom player whipping boy
here)

*2 Are you so fussy about how your inbox or whatever is displayed that you
are willing to alienate a potential adopter because he top posts or uses
HTML? Come on you guys, who cares? What if you pissed off the CTO of a
Fortune 500 and he ruled out an Asterisk rollout because he took your flames
personally? (sounds like a stretch, but I find it plausible) You didn't do
too much to help the platform that day, did you?