On the old Ubuntu Forums, there was a forum specifically for other operating systems.
It might seem strange to have something like that on an Ubuntu forum, but the fact is that Ubuntu users tend to have a wealth of expert knowledge on various computer systems, and asking on an Ubuntu forum for something not-Ubuntu can still lead to comprehensive help (as well as enhancing the image of the forum as a great place to visit!).
Maybe that’s why we still see the occasional topic posted on this forum that isn’t directly Ubuntu-related. Part of it is probably that the old Ubuntu forums were friendly and welcoming, with toxicity closed down straight away. The good news is that the current one is run in the same way.
I’d love to see a category opened for other operating systems — Linux, Windows, Unix, etc.
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I think having a category for other OSes would be distracting, but a place with various links to forums or discussions about other OSes would be useful.
The Lounge welcomes this discussion. That sort of discussion is exactly what The Lounge is for.
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Oh, I didn’t realise. The few posts that I’ve seen on this forum about other systems have been closed as not officially supported, instead of being moved to the Lounge.
Oh, technical support? I thought you meant general chat, reminiscences about about CP/M and such.
The purpose of Ubuntu Discourse isn’t primarily technical support nor a “user forum” at all. The purpose is a common place for users and developers to collaborate to improve Ubuntu.
Technical support of Ubuntu systems clearly falls under that ‘collaboration’ umbrella.
User discussion and project discussion also clearly falls under ‘collaboration’.
General discussion of other Operating Systems also fall under that ‘collaboration’ umbrella. Lots of good lessons to be learned from our peer OSs.
However, technical support of other OS does not seem to help improve Ubuntu. Moderators have discretion as to whether they want to ignore or close topics that are completely outside the purpose of Ubuntu Discourse.
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That’s a shame. That category in the old Ubuntu Forums was well used and appreciated.
Oh well.