Instant Messaging groups

  • Ok, I don't know if anyone has done this already or even if anyone other than me would want this. But...

    In the past I've had some professional friends who agreed on a IM client and provided a realtime "question and answer" resource for each other. It's accomplished easily enough through using groups.

    Is there anyone else who would be interested in a creating SQL Server Admin/Developer group?

    If so could the fine folks at SQL Server Central provide a list of members and how to join? Or even better find a way to add 'friends' in batches.


    "I met Larry Niven at ConClave 27...AND I fixed his computer. How cool is that?"
    (Memoirs of a geek)

  • Interesting idea and something we've considered. We'll kick it around.

    Steve Jones

    sjones@sqlservercentral.com

    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/sjones

    http://www.dkranch.net

  • I realize it's similar to the forum but it has the added advantage of realtime communication.

    Of course, the downside is that unlike the forum you would lose the ability to record the exchange as a resource for others.


    "I met Larry Niven at ConClave 27...AND I fixed his computer. How cool is that?"
    (Memoirs of a geek)

  • Actually some can store the history on the server but I am not sure of all that can do this. I know Sametime (a lotus app and akin to AOL IM) can. However this would not be readily available to all while it is occurring which may mean a missed chance at someone having your solution outside the chat. And who would man the backside, monitoring or exactly how would anyone identify the waiting people. The again how long someone wait before they give up and then not even consider using the forum (some would just assume not worth their time).

  • It is interesting. I guess it depends on the purpose, hoped for result. Thinking maybe we could run some type of bot that would log the exchange into the forum via the messaging client. Suppose a couple ideas are:

    1) Try to set up a scheduled period each day when members could join in, ask/answer questions.

    2) Do a better job of capturing/making available IM contact info.

    3) Look at finding a way to have someone monitor it full time, more or less. Thats almost the equivalent of free support. Not opposed to the idea, but no free lunch, so'd have to look at how to fund it.

    While I like the idea, other than for a few minutes each day I just couldnt deal with the interruptions. Lots of stuff going on!

    Andy

    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/awarren/

  • The Trillian (www.ceruleanstudios.com) client will log the exchange, but not sure it's multi user.

    I occassionally answer questions, but not sure I could do this if everyone did it. Wouldn't get any work done. As andy mentioned, it's tough. We support the community as a hobby, all of us have full time jobs. To make it scalable we might have to schedule it and perhaps charge some $$ to find the time. Not sure how it would work or if it's worth it to you.

    We'd welcome any other suggestions.

    Steve Jones

    sjones@sqlservercentral.com

    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/sjones

    http://www.dkranch.net

  • I don't think capturing a stream of IM's is workable. You'd get a ton of junk along with a few tips.

    As for Andy's points about you guys monitoring it I don't think that would work either. (Unless you hit the lottery, SQL Server Central suddenly turned into a huge money maker or you were really, really bored!)

    In fact, I wasn't even suggesting that you guys participate. I had in mind a peer to peer group with you guys providing a list of particpants and the means for joining said list.

    In fact, what might work even better would be the ability to form groups. That way if the number of members in a particular group became unwieldy they could stop accepting members. Groups would be encouraged to use archiving and write up questions/solutions to be submitted to the forum.

    LOL Maybe I should start my own site... Nah!


    "I met Larry Niven at ConClave 27...AND I fixed his computer. How cool is that?"
    (Memoirs of a geek)

  • Wow! I put a whole lot of 'guys' in that last post. I write goodly!


    "I met Larry Niven at ConClave 27...AND I fixed his computer. How cool is that?"
    (Memoirs of a geek)

  • Hmmm. How about starting small? We could host a chat session once, see how it goes, get some feedback? Guys? Guys?

    Andy

    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/awarren/

  • Now a scheduled chat session might actually be fun. May set a topic for the discussion early on and see who is interested. I would just say have a test server handy anyone who can to test ideas, issues and concepts during the chat. I now have one here.

  • A chat session would be great. I would like that very much.

    K. Brian Kelley

    http://www.truthsolutions.com/

    Author: Start to Finish Guide to SQL Server Performance Monitoring

    http://www.netimpress.com/shop/product.asp?ProductID=NI-SQL1

    K. Brian Kelley
    @kbriankelley

  • Cool. We'll try to do something maybe early Feb. MS Messenger, Yahoo, other?

    Andy

    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/awarren/

  • Netmeeting? Thereby whoever is "hosting" can also demonstrate and share apps to show what's going on...

    K. Brian Kelley

    http://www.truthsolutions.com/

    Author: Start to Finish Guide to SQL Server Performance Monitoring

    http://www.netimpress.com/shop/product.asp?ProductID=NI-SQL1

    K. Brian Kelley
    @kbriankelley

  • Like the idea. If you guys run a trial you'll let us know a time and date in the Newsletter, right?

    My hovercraft is full of eels.

  • Definitely will get put in the newsletter. NetMeeting is interesting, but dont know if we have hardware to support it - depending on many things I suppose. We'll try to come up with a couple different options and see what looks good, maybe try them all!

    Andy

    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/awarren/

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