Below, is an email that I sent out at the end of last year:
The intent is to create a “sub-site” of this site that is completely dedicated to the BMLT. It would provide a community, tutorials, articles, ES&H, and support for the BMLT.
The most important issue is that I desperately need to get more people involved in the BMLT. I guess that maintaining the codebase is a bit intimidating for folks, but I think a support site would be a lot more fun, and would be a lot more palatable for many folks. I sent out this email, and have received a few responses (not too many).
Now, what do I do next? I am more than willing to do the “heavy lifting” for the site, such as setting up the code, creating the theme, etc. I expect the BMLT site to be a lot more customized than the current MAGSHARE site. I would probably develop a common theme for the site, and customize it (the current site uses an off-the-shelf theme).
To start with, I have created a new discussion board on the forums site. If you wish to participate, but do not have a forum login, please contact me, and I’ll get you set up.
We need to start figuring out what the site will look like. It is clear that it will be at least a standard CMS, like WordPress, Drupal or Joomla. Additionally, we may want to add some kind of wiki and some kind of discussion forum system.
Folks,
I have a couple of items that I’m working on now, for the BMLT, such as a new plugin that will fix a couple of minor issues and make localization a bit easier. I also have a sticky CSV/PDF issue that only happens on the Swedish translation.
I am rather disappointed with the work I’ve done on MAGSHARE (http://magshare.org). I think the documentation for the BMLT is a mess. I get constant requests for info that is available on the site, which is a HUGE red flag that my site design and information architecture sucks. More info DOES NOT mean better info. In fact, it usually indicates exactly the opposite.
I have given thought to redesigning MAGSHARE, but I think that’s switching deck chairs on the Titanic. The same idiot that wrote the current mess would be working on the new mess. I need to create a whole site, dedicated to the BMLT, and nothing but.
However, this also means that I have my work cut out for me, and I’d really like to ask for help. I think a lot of you guys have great communications skills, and have racked up some pretty damn relevant experience in the techniques, thereof. Also, I know some of you are already accomplished writers and “explainers,” so I think that y’all could do better than I at this incredibly important task.
I am more than willing to provide the tech work to get the site up and going. However, we’d need to set up a “working group,” and start hammering out some “basics,” such as what tech we’d use, who would be willing to do what, etc. There’s a lot to think about. This would be a pretty damn sizable project, just on the content side (which is the important part).
I know a lot of folks would like to help, but have been intimidated by the tech. This would be an absolutely perfect way to dive into the BMLT, and do some work that cannot be overstated in its importance. Good documentation and good support are at least as important as good tech, and I really need some help, here.
If folks are interested, I can set up a forum in the MAGSHARE forums (http://magshare.org/forums/), and add anyone who wants to join.
This is just an “icebreaker” email. However, it can be an extremely exciting (and sometimes, frustrating) project. It will directly help an incalculable number of addicts. I know that it won’t wreath anyone in glory and make you a hot item on the convention speaker circuit, but it will be an amazingly rewarding Service.
What do you folks think about making 2012 the year that the BMLT gets all gussied up and plays the debutant?
