tduberne

Lately, I started being much more systematic in how I keep track of what I read [1]. With it came the need to keep a reference to the source. While it is easy for scientific papers (just download the pdf), I struggle with web-based content (blog posts and podcasts, mostly). Keeping the URL is easy but not future proof. Printing to pdf kinda works for blog posts, but you loose links. Saving the html seems messy, and could still break if links to external content (stylesheets, scripts, images) break.

I am surely not the only one to hit this wall. I am curious to hear how others solved this.

[1] I use the Zettelkasten method, discovered recently through HN

I am currently looking at ways to formalize the management of a niche OSS project that is growing in user adoption. One standard solution is to found a "foundation" or "association". I already reviewed the structure of a few of them (Linux Foundation, Python Software Foundation, Drupal Association, Document Foundation, Gnome Foundation...) and could already gain some insights from how they operate.

By just looking at those examples, though, I am still missing part of the picture. In particular, it would be interesting to have: - examples of failed initiatives. I fear I might fall in survivor bias in assuming whatever characteristics those foundations have is the reason for their "success" (or survival) - more insights on how and why those institution evolved. Did they have to iterate until they find the good membership prices and benefits? Did they always succeed in their aim of supporting the software, and if not what was the problem? Were there cases of a particular vendor "taking over" the control?

I am sure there are lots of people here on HN with experience either in founding/operating such a foundation, or being a supporting member and user of the software, and I would love to hear what they have to say about the above points (or any other I might have missed!)

I am playing with the idea of creating a niche information website, where I want users to be able to contribute and improve the content.

I am looking at the Wikipedia and StackOverflow models to get inspiration on how to foster quality contributions. Is there any other good example of a website where good quality content emerges from user contributions?

Using a pure Wiki or Stack-exchange model is not an option, because:

- I want to be able to impose a schema for the different items that can be documented, to improve searchability, so a wiki is a bit too unstructured, but

- the general structure should be closer to an encyclopedia than a Q&A

The aim is to provide a collection of quality information, which is missing in that niche, not to make money, in case that matters.