Hello,

Since after Robert Kern showed http://advice.mechanicalkern.com/ on SciPy09 there are many similar initiatives that uses stackoverflow.com (SO) layout. Some smart guys come up with this site http://stackexchange.com/ to those who want to have a simple but a paid solution.

I don't have an intention of creating controversial discussion. It just to my eyes SO has a very appealing and easy to use interface and it's getting some number of posts related to scientific Python tools. I usually suggest my friends to use the mailing lists first and SO for their questions. Some prefer mailing lists some not. Mailing lists require more steps to get in however SO register step is much easier due to OpenID logging.

Without belabouring further, It would be good to link R. Kern's advice site to either ask.scipy or advice.scipy or another alternative to attract new-comers easily. I am more in favor of the ask.scipy.org option. Thus I can refer the people (hear I mean mostly non-programmers or students/programmers without Python experience), simply to go ask.scipy.org for their first questions instead of telling them to search answers at many different mediums.

What do you think? 

--
Gökhan