Re: A Perl Project Page (The Idea Man)

[luis.roca]

perl.j,

I know you have a lot of great ideas you want to share here and feel they would really help the Monastery. As with a few of the questions you've had, there are a number of past examples which can be found through a simple search.

When it comes to pitching ideas vs. producing them, I've gone through the process you've been suggesting other monks pick up and implement.

See 'Idea Men' come and go. Not just here, in every kind of creative venture. I've been on both ends of the "Idea Man" throughout my career and neither one is usually pleasant. I'll give an example from Perl Monks which I was/am involved with:

Less than a year ago we had an "Idea Man" suggest that this website needed a 'facelift'. The "Idea Man" gave all kinds of suggestions even offering to chip in money for a designer. There was a lengthy, sometimes contentious, discussion on how it would look and if it should even be attempted. "Idea Man" was INSISTENT and showed great conviction.

I happened to agree that it would be a good 'idea' to redesign the default Anonymous Monk view of the site. I (like you) am a 'big fan' of the site. This was something that I had the skills to chip in with so I raised my hand and volunteered.

Then "Idea Man" became kinda quiet. I shrugged and went ahead designing anyway. I put in a fair amount of work and posted my first attempts to the community. A number of people spoke up on the thread, in the CB and through private messages.

There was one person missing from the discussion however — the "Idea Man".

PLEASE NOTE:

• This was not meant as an invitation to reopen the "Redesign" discussion. However, those who were involved that have questions about that can /msg me.
• Yes — I still do intend on going back and finishing the job even if just for pride :-)

[perl.j]

I see what you mean. The only thing I would like to say is... What is the Perl Monks Discussion Page for then if ideas aren't going to be used? Whenever I come up with an idea, I put it on the page. I would start it, but I'm not a dev and don't know much about Perl (yet). To those people who keep telling me to start my own idea and not make someone else do the work for you, IT IS ONLY AN IDEA. On this post took I the liberty of coming up with every detail for it. I posted it here because I don't have the skills or authority to make it happen.

[Your Mother]

Your enthusiasm is admirable but consider: "I'm not a geologist or miner or gemcutter but it would be great if we could dig up some diamonds. All we have to do is dig where the diamonds are and then someone here could cut and polish them. We'd all be rich!"

Don't lose your enthusiasm but also recognize that a lot of ideas floated in open source, especially around here lately, involve huge amounts of work and often have a target audience at odds with executing the idea.

I don't have the skills or authority to make it happen.

There is no authority necessary for this. The skills are there for you to acquire just as for all of us.

[jdporter]

There is no authority necessary for this.

Well if the intent was to implement this idea here, on PerlMonks, then there absolutely is an authority (perhaps better said as "authorization") requirement.

[luis.roca]

— "I see what you mean."

I'm not sure you entirely do. Read through the Site facelift? thread (seriously read through it). I think (hope?) you'll understand why your (and some other recent) ideas are getting these reactions from some members.

— "The only thing I would like to say is... What is the Perl Monks Discussion Page for then if ideas aren't going to be used?"

As with other suggestion boxes, just because you make a suggestion doesn't mean it's actually going to happen. Also, the suggestions made in the last few weeks here have not exactly been small. iPhone applications and entire new sections to the site are pretty significant projects. Perl Monks is here because people volunteer their time and as is the case with most volunteer efforts resources are thin. People have work, family etc. No one has ever said NOT to make suggestions, simply to think through what is being asked of the volunteers here. ;-)

There are so many great features that Perl Monks DOES have. Relax, explore them and enjoy! :-)

[Anonymous Monk]

What is the Perl Monks Discussion Page for then if ideas aren't going to be used?

Where should I post X? says

This area is for discussing issues pertaining to the PerlMonks site. You can ask about how things work, or offer ideas on how the site could be improved, for example.

Unless the topic pertains to the PerlMonks web site, it does not belong in this section. For additional guidance, try Understanding and Using PerlMonks, or ask in the chatterbox.

So to clarify, PerlMonks Discussion is for discussion :) consideration or examination . Many good ideas just sit there, unless a champion arises to implement them :)

I think yours is a good idea but I'm no champeen :)