Date:         Wed, 29 May 2002 00:32:10 EDT
Reply-To:     FrankGRUN@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Frank Grunthaner <FrankGRUN@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Some thoughts on a FAQ Proposition
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I have been surprised and pleased to receive a significant number of email
responses expressing enthusiasm for the FAQ upgrade proposition. I also agree
that really putting together a FAQ is a stunning amount of work for any one
individual. I also agree with Stan and others that there is an impressive
amount of garbage in the archives along with superstition and hearsay wisdom
and anecdotal observations. But there is also a hard core of good
information, increasingly hard to find.

My proposition about using volunteers to take on one topic of personal
interest was based on several tenets, including:
1. Some volunteers are already expert in the area. Their contribution to the
group will be invaluable in any topic they choose.
2. The newbie (nubian is another topic entirely) who takes on a topic will
soon become an expert in the area. Some experts have hands on experience, but
many are just conversant with the literature. The archives are our
literature, and the topical summary/assessment/response would be the
equivalent of a solicited review paper.
3. The BS could be filtered by putting the material on the list in draft form
for comment and discussion (peer review possibilities).
4. The topic writer could use any sources ... the archives surely, but the
technical literature, the Bosch Automotive handbook, listees and other web
sites, or their own base experience. The topic could include archive
references, other web links, etc, etc.
5. I would suggest that the cognizant listee maintain responsibility for
his/her contribution into the future and have the ability to edit and update
as their whim may dictate.
6. Time investment for any topic could range from days to weeks.
7. Some stalwarts could take on translating some of the German VW design
articles that effect us all.
8. In the end I would hope the FAQ development would contribute to content on
the list and generate a new crop of informed old timers.
9. For a further example, I could see a resource similar to that maintained
by the Porsche Club of America. A list is maintained of topical experts to
whom you can address (email with copy to the list) a critical question to.
The answers often go beyond the limits of the FAQ, but are often truly
thought provoking.

OK, I would be willing to shepherd such a FAQ experiment with a less than
frenetic time commitment. I would assume that this effort could take place
over many months. My availability is minimal until June 7. I would suggest
that the first order of business is a listing of juicy topics. Let our full
community suggest topics. Each listing might start with the title:
FAQ:XXXXXXX where XXXXX is a short topic ID or description. After June 7, I
will collect the responses and post a list of topics for volunteers.

Now Karl Wolz's suggestion that Gary Hradek is already off on this course,
may indicate that he is the best person to oversee the effort. Better than I
for me! We will need to communicate here.

Anyway just a suggestion,

Frank Grunthaner