If samples of each section remain on the first
page, I think that in most cases, breaking
automagically at the first <p> or the
first <code> would work (for the long-winded,
a maximum character limit might be needed). If someone
can't describe what's going on in the first paragraph
(with supporting evidence and examples to follow), what
hope is there that the rest of the message will get to
the point?
This applies more to questions and discussions than
replies, of course, because a reply must first address
what was said before getting--in the case of this post,
in paragraph three--to the substance.
Examples of each section are wasted on the front page
because it:
- creates the expectation in new users
that that is the appropriate place to look for their
posted question, and
- is not used to the extent that Newest Nodes
is by regular users (see
the source of unsubstantiated evidence).
Does any frequent user actually
look at the front page for
anything other than quest announcements?
Given that the people most likely to view the front
page are new users, it seems an ideal place to shove
site how-to information. An example, freely stolen
from Where should I post X?:
Seekers of Perl Wisdom
When you need an answer to an actual real
life problem fast you're probably going
to want to post your question here.
Categorized Questions and Answers
These are more general questions. If you
post a question to Seekers of Perl Wisdom
but think other people
might benefit from the knowledge you might
want to rephrase it in more general terms
for this section. This is also a good place
to look for answers
before you post to Seekers of Perl Wisdom
And so on.
