[NGO] improving the plone.org site

[Jon Stahl]

On Jun 30, 2006, at 11:02 AM, Ken Wasetis at ContextualCorp.com wrote:

>
> When we had a break-out session at the 2005 Plone Symposium in New 
> Orleans, we had a small group that focused on what the Plone.net site 
> would look like (and that site looks nice, but since everyone is busy, 
> doesn't seem to keep moving at a great pace.)  I still think that 
> Plone.net is probably the place for the prospect/manager to go to find 
> out about Plone, but that Plone.org shouldn't freak-out a non-techie 
> at first glance.  It should have more of a basic look to the site that 
> techies may appreciate, while directing NGO/business users who are 
> just checking out Plone to the proper resource (which I think will be 
> Plone.net, if we continue on the path of one site for marketing and 
> one for  the developer community.)

> A lot of folks don't even know about the Plone.net site, so I thought 
> I'd mention that this is in the works before everyone starts designing 
> the Plone.org site in a way that overlaps too much with that effort.  
> The thought is that there is still a need for more of a development 
> site - that plone.org will hopefully direct the right people to .net, 
> but keep the developers from pulling hair out from not being able to 
> get to the kind of content they have grown accustomed to getting on 
> the .org site.


This has indeed been this vision.

The problem is that Plone.net seems to have fallen a bit short of 
getting into a launchable state due, if I recall my conversations with 
Paul correctly, to insufficient follow-through on work that folks 
promised to do.  (Hey, life is busy.)

The marketing team also seems to have fallen into disarray/inactivity.  
(Please, someone tell me I'm wrong!)

I have to say, though, it is causing me to question whether we really 
have the resources necessary to sustain two community sites.  I'd like 
to believe that we do, but evidence over the past year suggests 
otherwise. :-(

Paul, perhaps you can outline the tasks that need to be done to get 
Plone.net launched, and maybe there are some folks here who can step up 
to the plate to help you make it happen.

If not, then maybe it is worthwhile to re-open the conversation about 
how to make Plone.org better serve folks "checking Plone out" as well 
as more committed Plone developers.  I don't think that's theoretically 
impossible, although there may be some logistical barriers.

best,
jon

-------------
Jon Stahl, Program Manager
ONE/Northwest - Online Networking for the Environment
jon at onenw.org
skype: jonstahl  y!: jondstahl
206.286.1235x15

http://www.onenw.org
http://blogs.onenw.org/jon