Explore why people are hesitant of engaging with or cannot find the Embedded WG Matrix channel

[Wassasin]

During the RustWeek Embedded WG we had a discussion where we touched upon people stating that they were hesitant to engage for several months until they felt more comfortable. It is desirable to improve this.

TODO list:

• Make the Embedded WG Matrix more prominent on the website.
• Discuss whether Matrix or specifically the channel is still the correct venue for beginner-help.
• Change the Embedded WG Matrix channel description to encourage people to engage / ask questions.

[BartMassey]

The lack of topic-based conversation organization is pretty bad: needs threads. The channel is high enough volume that I always feel like I would be stepping right in the middle of other peoples' very high-level technical discussion of a topic I know nothing about. Obviously that doesn't stop me, but suspect it does for some.

[diondokter]

The lack of topic-based conversation organization is pretty bad

The only way to fix that is to move to a different platform like Zulip I think.
Or we need more embedded rooms with more specific purposes (but then you risk not everyone being in the same space)

[jonathanpallant]

I think the options are:

• Zulip
• Discourse (e.g. https://forum.theretroweb.com)

Anything else?

[andre-richter]

What’s the story with Discord? If I am not mistaken, there is some history to it?

[diondokter]

I think discord has forum-like chats too. But I think a lot of people have problems with discord

[andre-richter]

There’s a server for ARM trustedfirmware on Discord, if somebody wants to peek how it could look like.

[jonathanpallant]

I'm on that Discord, but personally I would absolutely rule out proprietary platforms that can be removed on a whim, like Discord.

[romancardenas]

If we are switching the platform, I would suggest Zulip, as it its the one used for the Rust Working group

[jonathanpallant]

I think we should add platforms, rather than move platforms.

[Disasm]

@andre-richter there is some history related to Discord indeed:
#305
#349, #357

[diondokter]

A good thing to think about is that Zulip also isn't a super approachable platform. If you don't know it, it looks quite daunting

[asasine]

Does the forum need to primarily be a live chat platform or a place for topic-based, searchable discussion? If the latter, what about GitHub Discussions?

I can speak for myself in that signing up for Yet Another Platform (Matrix, Zulip, Discord, doesn't matter) is a barrier of entry, albeit low, that often filters me out. Developers are already on GitHub, it's where the code, issues, and RFCs live. When the "value" of joining Matrix is indeterminate, but I'm already on GitHub, the likelihood I'll participate in the separate forum is much lower than on GitHub. This issue/comment is a case in point.