[wp-hackers] Lack of code savvy volunteers vs wp-hackers

[Computer Guru]

> I'm not remotely asking the "hackers" to answer the common questions
> about
> sidebars dropping down, or how to change a header, I'm saying some
> bloody
> well smart folks ask some down right serious questions that would rival
> any
> "challenging" question I've seen posted to wp-hackers.  Generally
> speaking,
> they go unanswered.  I don't think it's a good idea (emphasis on I) to
> simply send them to the hackers list.  I think most folks go to the
> support
> forums first.  Some might be savvy enough to find wp-hackers.  My
> thought
> was to meld the two.  Shame on me.
> 
> Michael

"Melding" isn't going to happen. I understand exactly what you're looking
for, and I don't think anyone on this list *minds* answering a
not-too-repetitive question in the forums. That's _not_ the problem.

The problem is, to answer *these* questions, you must wade through an entire
avalanche of "OMG my sidebar fell" and "Oh Noes! How do I changed my domain
name and now WP don't work!" threads.

If there *was* a way to separate *genuine not-too-repetitive threads* from
the I-refuse-to-google ones, I can promise that there certainly would be
more involvement there. I for one would definitely drop by from time to time
to answer and I'm sure many others will.

It's really simple: find a way to separate the fluff from the real coder's
deal and I'm sure many *will* go to *that section of the forums* and help.

I know it's unfair: after all, how the bloody hell are you supposed to do
that? I'm just giving you a realistic reason. Call it elitism or boredom,
but that's the way it is, and bashing "elitists" won't get it fixed.

-----------------------------

That said, here's an idea:
Add "level tagging"
If a problem isn't a duplicate and has nothing to do with "I want a
ponie-pink header" a moderator can +1 the difficulty level. It's hard to
implement Automattic-side; rather straight-forward actually. 

And improve the search of course...

Computer Guru
NeoSmart Technologies
http://neosmart.net/blog/