On Thu, 14 Dec 2000, Dave Thomas wrote:

> 
> Morning, folks. (at least it is for me...)
> 
> Conrad and I have been thinking about ways of improving the experience 
> of new Ruby users. One of the things we'd need to know before we can
> do that is just who a new Ruby user is, and what problems they are
> having.

I agree with this intent.

> 
> So, we've put together a little script that will monitor this list/
> newsgroup and send off an e-mail to someone the first time they
> post. The body of the e-mail is below.

I'm not entirely sure about this.  Unsolicited e-mail is getting
to really annoy people, so this might be taken in a negative light.
Also, when posting to newsgroups many people munge their addresses
so that they don't get extra mail, so the script will fail in those
cases.

> 
> One of the URLs listed points to a survey page. We're hoping to use
> the information to discover areas where we should concentrate our
> efforts.

Should this go in the FAQ that is posted (the one about the group's
charter and where to find more info)?  Also, when you join the list
it could be put in the response from the server.  OK, this would not
cover the newsgroup so well...
> 
> So, our questions to you all:
> 
> 1. Do you find this appropriate?

I think the intent is fine, but I'm not entirely sure that the
extra e-mail (even if it is only one) will always be well received.
> 
> 2. Any comments on the e-mail?
below
> 
> 3. Any comments on the survey.

Other articles exist than Dr Dobbs, maybe mention them? Mention the
ruby-lang.org site (someone may find that first if their parents have a
Ruby wedding!)

The form works well in large print. Thank you.
> 
> 
> Thanks
> 
> 
> Dave
> 
> ======================== greeting e-mail ==================================
> 
> Welcome to Ruby-Talk.
> 
> You recently posted a message to the ruby-talk mailing list (or to the
> comp.lang.ruby newsgroup). We thought it might be helpful to give you
> a set of Ruby links.

The message body doesn't say who "We" are (who do you complain to if you
really didn't want this?), or that this is for new posters only. 

What happens if you leave then re-join the list?  For the newsgroup, how
long will the fact you posted be remembered?
> 
> 
> Ruby home page:    http://www.ruby-lang.org
> Ruby FAQ:          http://www.rubycentral.com/faq/index.html
> Newsgroup FAQ:     http://www.rubycentral.com/faq/ruby_newsgroup_faq.txt
> 
> Source download:   http://www.ruby-lang.org/en/download.html
> 
> Windows binary:    http://www.rubycentral.com/downloads/ruby-install.html
> 
This makes me wonder if there are any other mirrors yet.
> 
> Also, we're trying to get an idea of the people and projects using

s/of the people/of the sort of people/
because you are not trying to collect personal data.

> Ruby. We'd really appreciate it if you could spend 60 seconds filling
> in an anonymous online survey at: http://dev.rubycentral.com/survey.html
> 
> Thanks!
> 

	Hugh