Physics Forums as a model for other science sites

[CompuChip]

Cool, it looks like we're an example to other sites, and not the least ones at that: http://meta.math.stackexchange.com/questions/16734/are-they-really-learning-something?cb=1

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Cool, it looks like we're an example to other sites, and not the least ones at that: http://meta.math.stackexchange.com/questions/16734/are-they-really-learning-something?cb=1

People take notice when something works. PF gets a lot of credit and has a great reputation.

 

[jtbell]

Interesting... I wasn't aware that StackExchange has a policy against discussion or even asking clarifying questions. I don't happen to visit there regularly, only when it comes up in a link or a Google search.

 

[AlephZero]

The basic objectives of Stackexchange are completely different from both the homework forums and discussion forums on PF.

With your help, we're working together to build a library of detailed answers to every question about programming.

We're a little bit different from other sites. Here's how: Ask questions, get answers, no distractions

This site is all about getting answers. It's not a discussion forum. There's no chit-chat.

... from http://stackoverflow.com/tour

 

[Evo]

SE doesn't want chit chat, but their members keep trying to chit chat and hold discussions. Looks like what SE wants and what their members want are 2 different things? Just my observation. I don't really go there. Just find it curious.

Why is their gaming section spelled "arqade"?

 

[AlephZero]

SE doesn't want chit chat, but their members keep trying to chit chat and hold discussions. Looks like what SE wants and what their members want are 2 different things? Just my observation.

That's just human nature.

On the other hand, if I want information about some esoteric feature of a computer programming language, I don't want to wade through discussion, I just want an authoritative answer, and preferably one that exists already, rather than having to ask a new question and wait.

For example, PF doesn't exist to answer this sort of question, but Google found the SE thread for me a couple of days ago and it was exactly what I needed.
http://tex.stackexchange.com/questi...-page-group-included-in-a-single-page-warning

 

[Evo]

I think a place to find a quick answer is a great idea. I had no idea that was what they were supposed to be. Ultimately if they plan to delete all of the discussions and just make it a list of answers, I think that will be a great resource. Kind of like a very streamlined encyclopedia.

 

[Borek]

For some kinds of questions SE is great. For some not so. I often find what I need there while coding (just like AlephZero).

 

[CompuChip]

Interesting... I wasn't aware that StackExchange has a policy against discussion or even asking clarifying questions. I don't happen to visit there regularly, only when it comes up in a link or a Google search.

I visit it - and mostly StackOverflow - a lot lately; it often offers quick solutions to the problems I tend to run into at my IT job. But I think their atmosphere of self-moderation and downvotes is sometimes a bit ... erm, is "harsh" too harsh a word? As others have said, it's quite useful as a library of answers (just type your compiler error and you find 10 people with the same problem), but not so much a discussion forum.

Unfortunately my smaller involvement in physics and mathematics together with other commitments in my free time also means smaller involvement in PF. But I still love this site very much and I'm curious about the 4.0 version!

 

[Nugatory]

SE doesn't want chit chat, but their members keep trying to chit chat and hold discussions. Looks like what SE wants and what their members want are 2 different things?

More likely some of their members want one thing and others want another. We see the same phenomenon, except in the other direction - we don't want to be just an answers site, but that doesn't stop a fair number new members from wanting us to just give them answers.

In the real world, organizations depend on brand identity to set expectations; nobody visits the Lamborghini dealership expecting to buy a station wagon and nobody visits the Jeep dealership in search of an autocross car. What we're seeing with PF and SE is that neither site has successfully established a brand identity yet.

 

[Intrastellar]

More likely some of their members want one thing and others want another. We see the same phenomenon, except in the other direction - we don't want to be just an answers site, but that doesn't stop a fair number new members from wanting us to just give them answers.

In the real world, organizations depend on brand identity to set expectations; nobody visits the Lamborghini dealership expecting to buy a station wagon and nobody visits the Jeep dealership in search of an autocross car. What we're seeing with PF and SE is that neither site has successfully established a brand identity yet.

Congratulations for becoming a mentor Nugatory :)

Can you please explain the bold part ? I suppose you mean that, had PF established a brand identity, people wouldn't come to PF to request direct answers to homework questions ?
But I suppose that brand identity is linked to popularity, is it possible that PF gets popular enough that a random person who wants to do his homework through the internet for the first time and wants a direct answer to his homework, would realize that SE and not PF is where he should go ?
If not, doesn't that mean that it's impossible to establish a brand identity, and people will always come to PF and request a direct answer ?