I really don't know, what to say, but one cannot just change a 'running' horse, without taking a
good chance, to fall out of the saddle, and get hurt bad. OC exist already, so, there is not much ROOM,
to fundamentally change the OC-Idea, as it has been mentioned above in several ways, without
dramatically expanding the 'bureaucratic' Setup behind OC.
I would start, where I feel, it is most important, from the viewpoint of a Visitor, coming here, to find answers.
Answers on VERSIONS, by Versions, but even on Github, one can never be sure, without making sure, to sure
have 'clicked' the correct Version. And this Version Change will keep on, to be the case, for every softwaremaker
in the world.
What I mean: This Place here should be spilt into fully independent Version (Sub-) Sections, to clearly
demonstrate the differences, Users should be fully aware, from the very first Reading here, where something has to belong, with possibly even REQUIRED Values, to be entered when posting, like at least Version and Theme used.
Active - New - Unread - Unanswerred Section Postings should be placed, where they belong, in a Subsection on those
Main Pages, starting from the latest Version, and going down to whatever will be decided on still to be shown. Then,
Visitors will not only be confronted with and admired by a professional looking Forum, they will get used to a more
professional way, to 'handle', whatever is related to the OC Project, in general.
Sections should exist, containing 'valuable' Information, like a Q/A, where 'general' Knowledge would be 'sampled'
and shown. For that, Visitors could LIKE-Click answers, and whoever get's the most Likes, has a better chance,
to get MOVED over to the Q/A Folder. Somebody could then selectively 'move' such Postings onto such Places,
once in a while.
Then, once in a Year, the 'Max'-Donator of Wisdom would be invited to have a free look over the HK Harbour, or something like that, or at least get's a free 'VIP' Ticket for my Club. So, at least, I would make a buck too..., on OC, after all
Something like this would be a relatively cheap way, to make this Place look much more professional, and transparent.
And Users will accept the fact, that certain kinds of Support and Services will and can not come for free, if they easy
find most important infos, to possibly solve their problems, before they require real assistance.
But first, just clean up, what needed to be cleaned up, a long time ago already. It's a rather painful experience, for so
many, if, what's written in the Books, does not match OC-Reality. It's hard enough, as it comes, and it leaves a very
mixed impression, if an owners manual does not match the real Thing, possibly even breaks a running system.
my 2 cents
Ernie