Re: Perl(Monks) University

I'll be looking forward to an actual plan to implement this. The Perl community is great at coming up with all kinds of ideas, but it's actually piss-poor when it comes to turning ideas into actual services, and it has an even poorer record in maintaining them.

Since you bring up the idea, what are you going to do to implement this?

(Re)use the existing PerlMonks infrastructure to create an online Perl University where people pay small amounts for classes like the Oracle University with proceeds directed toward much-needed TPF projects.

Hmmm. TPF's problems aren't restricted to "shortage of money". I don't expect a flurry of output from TPF if there would be an influx of money (although I do expect some Perl trainers asking for a share of that money to further promote their busin^W^W"Perl"). TPF doesn't have a track record on actual spending money that's donated to them. Remember a few years ago when TPF got donated a large sum of money from Bookings? They sat on it for more than a year before they started spending it (Dave Mitchell's grant).

So, I would expect any plan that collects money to also include plans on actually getting the money spend.

Comment on Re: Perl(Monks) University

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Re^2: Perl(Monks) University by moritz (Cardinal) on Mar 25, 2011 at 10:31 UTC
TPF doesn't have a track record on actual spending money that's donated to them. Agreed. Of the donation by Ian Hague, 100k USD are available for improving TPF infrastructure, finding more donors and so on. There have been two applications for parts of the money, but reading the TPF blog I haven't seen any results from either (I think the first one has been approved, but Richard lost interested. It galls me that we've never seen a decision from TPF on the second one). Perl 6 - second systems done right	[reply]
Re^3: Perl(Monks) University by szabgab (Priest) on Mar 29, 2011 at 07:15 UTC
The second one, mine, was not approved (nor rejected) by TPF but it is coming along. Though slower then I was hoping and as a separate organization but it is happening.	[reply]
Re^2: Perl(Monks) University by InfiniteSilence (Curate) on Mar 25, 2011 at 13:43 UTC
"...I'll be looking forward to an actual plan to implement this..." Feasibility studies come before plans unless you like rewriting plans a lot. First I need to know if it can be done and if it meets projected needs. For instance, maybe there's a technical reason why it simply could not be done at this site and with this site's engine. I can help write a comprehensive plan but I need the warm bodies, attention spans, and midnight oil generation desire to make something like this happen and work. Since you bring up the idea, what are you going to do to implement this? That's a fair question. Here's what I'm planning: Post the idea on Perlmonks and illicit feedback. Ask PerlMonks Gods to comment Process responses Reformulate concept and create go/no-go criteria If concept is a go formulate team (board of directors, system architect, developers, testers, documenters) Publish roadmap and release schedule Build system prototype Beta release prototype Process user reviews/bug fixes Beta release Rinse and repeat Update: Regarding TPF's spending habits...I think the solution here is to use targeted micropayments for specific TPF proposals rather than simply hand TPF money if they are not doing a very good job with it. I suppose that should be the subject of a different thread entirely. What I do know is that with money you can hire developers to solve problems and build systems in Perl that will be publicly released and free for everyone to use if they can afford to do so. Doing so means taking time away from other, more profitable, activities so funds can offset these losses and make developing enhancements for Perl an easier pill to swallow. Celebrate Intellectual Diversity	[reply]