Why not start some software specific forums...

[Grant Nelson]

Hi, I read elsewhere that this idea was not preferred, with the main argument being that the SW vendor can better run such a forum. My experience is that the best forums about products are NOT run the by owner... we can all guess why, but it seems to be a fact. For sure the forums of many vendors are not often used, even by representatives of the vendor.

Wouldnt it be a win win situation to run some forums for say the top 3 or so software packages here? The SW will get a log of exposure that would not happen via a vendors sight, and the questions and answer will be much more open than on a vendor controlled sight. Vendors will also learn a lot from both the plus and the minus...

Naturally there will not be a lot more traffic, but I also like the idea of being to browse a subforum that deals with just the product I am interested in.

What do you all think?

Cheers,
Grant

[DanishBagger]

I see you point, but there would be one lack, even though it would indeed be more open, it wouldn't have the vendor there answering questions.

I'm not saying however that it is a bad idea, I think that I, for one, would benefit (when a decent app for a mac comes out, that is).

[Danimal]

i think its a good idea - the most informative forums are application specific - at the end of the day we are all using similar software and wanting to do similar things with it - what better place to get tips from those who have been through the same process -

[Chris Ostlind]

Rhino already has a really great newsgroup forum where the representatives from the company make an appearance to answer questions.

Something like ten languages from which to choose.

http://news2.mcneel.com/scripts/dnewsweb.exe?cmd=xover&group=rhino

Chris

[Grant Nelson]

hey Chris, nice link. However that site is not focused on Yacht Design... roughly 150 messages in 5 years with the word Yacht in them... on the otherhand, if people from McNeel (or however you spell that) turn up to answer questions that it good.

But what about a Rhino/RhinoMarine sub forum here, or better yet, a MaxSurf forum (and, yes, a freeship forum)... the reason I like to see this split up is more because I like to use the past posts for answering my questions... and it would be easier to browse a focued subforum..

And a Acad in Marine design forum...

Cheers, G.