[Biopython-dev] Encouraging use of Stack Overflow for questions

[Nick Loman]

Brad Chapman wrote:
> For handling "how do I do this biology task in Python" questions, what
> do people think about something entirely different like Stack Overflow?
> This presents a nice interface for asking questions, and the follow
> ups are voted up and down by utility so it's easy to see what the
> right answer is. Questions there are indexed well by search engines,
> so it's also more likely someone might be able to find a previous
> answer.
>   
Hi Brad

Great suggestion, I have been thinking along the same lines. I really
like the design of the Stack Exchange sites, it is a great way of
exchanging Q&A information.

It is worth mentioning that Stackoverflow is not the only site using the
"Stack Exchange" format that is relevant.

Here is a link to various other Stack Exchange sites:
http://tumblr.marcosdecarvalho.com/post/252388387/the-stackexchange-family

Although there are Biopython questions in Stackoverflow, I wonder
whether that is the correct place for questions, or whether it would be
overall more productive to have a resource for bioinformatics? I think
bioinformatics is the correct breadth of topic to keep a large enough
community together whilst not being too off-topic.

I have registered http://bioinformatics.stackexchange.com/ and will
happily make you and anyone else who is interested an admin.

Does the list think there could be enough community interest to justify
a separate site like this?

Cheers,

Nick.