• 1) What's PBML stand for?
• 2) What's the basic idea of PBML?
• 3) Who is PBML for?
• 4) Is PBML only for certain user group members?
• 5) What are Perl basics?
• 6) Are some questions too easy or dumb for PBML?
• 7) Are some questions too advanced for PBML?
• 8) Are non-Perl questions OK on PBML?
• 9) When did PBML get started?
• 10) Who hosts PBML?
• 11) How can I subscribe to PBML?
• 12) How can I see what kind of posts show up on PBML?

1) What's PBML stand for?

Perl Basics Mailing List.

2) What's the basic idea of PBML?

PBML is a place for asking and answering questions about Perl basics with the intent of mastering them, so that we may write more efficient, more understandable and more reliable Perl programs.

It's intended to be a comfortable place for beginners to ask their Perl questions.

3) Who is PBML for?

PBML is for beginners, especially. PBML is also for anyone who wants to more deeply understand basics. One of the best ways to deepen one's understanding of basics is to see the problems others have and help them get beyond those problems. No matter how advanced you are, there is always more to grasp concerning Perl basics.

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4) Is PBML only for certain user group members?

PBML is especially for Oakland.pm and LasVegas.pm members.

However, some subscribers to PBML are neither Oakland.pm nor LasVegas.pm subscribers. And that's OK. So far we just haven't told other groups about PBML.

5) What are Perl basics?

We don't have a concensus on this. But it certainly includes the basics of hashes and regular expressions which confuse a lot of people.

Whatever you think Perl basics are, keep in mind that the list is especially for beginners and that there are no dumb Perl questions on PBML.

6) Are some questions too easy or dumb for PBML?

No! No! No Perl questions are too easy for PBML. There are no dumb Perl questions on PBML. There are no bad Perl questions on PBML.

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7) Are some questions too advanced for PBML?

Asking is always fine. But you may not get an answer. You may instead be directed to somewhere where the responder thinks you'll get a better answer. E.g. Perl Monks.

8) Are non-Perl questions OK on PBML?

Yes. Even though PBML is primarily intended for discussion of Perl, it's not limited to that.

It could be (and has been) a very good place for topics other than Perl.

It's possible that the host may ask someone to take a non-Perl discussion elsewhere someday, if it is conflicting with the intent of PBML. So far, this has not happened.

9) When did PBML get started?

Oakland: In late 2002.
On November 23, Mike Lewis proposed such a list. On November 25, George Woolley described PBML to the group. On November 26, Mike Lewis set up PBML, and Mike, Belden Lyman & George began experimenting with it and testing it. On December 2, David Alban did the first post to the list that was not by Mike, Belden or George.

Las Vegas: In late 2003.
On October 4, 2003, Chris Angell added links to the PBML FAQ and the PBML list information page to the Las Vegas.pm site.

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10) Who hosts PBML?

Mike Lewis hosts PBML.

Originally, Mike Lewis set PBML up on his equipment in Walnut Creek, CA. But Mike and the equipment moved to Las Vegas, NV in late June 2003.

11) How can I subscribe to PBML?

Subscribe on the PBML Info List page. It should be easy to do.

12) How can I see what kind of posts show up on PBML?

See the PBML Archive.

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Last Updated 2003-10-04 GW