While working on the Get Involved page (https://github.com/thundernest/thunderbird-website/pull/28), one thing that has concerned me is how spread out documentation and communication is.
I was just trying to figure out how I’d search to find out if this has already been discussed. My best hope would be that Google had indexed everything correctly… Which, after trying a few searches, I’m not sure is possible. I mean, Thunderbird is a communication tool. Searching for communication about consolidating communication about a communication tool gets a bit repetitive… coughs
First question: Has this been discussed already?
Assuming it hasn’t…
Documentation:
May I suggest moving all Thunderbird documentation onto a Thunderbird.net domain?
Perhaps a GitHub based static site that users can submit pull requests to when they want to submit an edit? docs.thunderbird.net
And/or a wiki? wiki.thunderbird.net
Communication:
Can we move all support forum type channels into Discourse?
Would it be possible to mirror all the mailing lists and newsgroups onto Discourse? Is it possible to make that a two way street?
Over that past 8+ years of using Open Source projects, every time I’ve encountered one that primarily uses mailing lists for support, I’ve had a much harder time finding answers to my questions. Searching mailing list archives is always painful. I’ve found real discussion forums much better.
I know others have the exact opposite experience, that’s why two way mirroring would be amazing.
Anyway, I just want to start talking about it. I know there is a LOT of history contained in the various channels, so making sure we don’t lose that, and don’t lose the good parts of the different tools is essential. I’m brand new to contributing to Thunderbird, so I know I simply am missing parts of the picture of why things are the way they are. But I also have a new perspective. Hopefully my perspective can help in a good way.