top | item 770114

SuperUser now open to the public: it's the StackOverflow site for power users

38 points| prakash | 16 years ago |superuser.com | reply

19 comments

order
[+] Vitaly|16 years ago|reply
What I don't understand is why did they create a separate site per topic. With separate user account! This is very inconvenient and complicates things for the users. having it as a 'category' within the same site would be much better for usability (and for SEO :)
[+] gojomo|16 years ago|reply
As they all use OpenID, the accounts can be the same if desired -- but they've managed to keep the reputation scores separate. To the extent the same person might be motivated to repeat their 'achievements' at each site, this might accelerate the creation of answer content.

Also, this might better yield three distinct communities, each with slightly different norms and leaders, than trying to make one mega-community. The mental styles of programmers, sysadmins, and power-users are different; there's no reason to think the three communities will evolve better if merged. (Scale is not always a benefit in online communities.)

[+] GeneralMaximus|16 years ago|reply
AFAIK, you can use the same account on all websites related to StackOverflow (ServerFault etc.). Isn't this the case with SuperUser?
[+] trapper|16 years ago|reply
Love the idea and hope it goes well. I can't see myself using it until that horrid bogey yellow is changed though!
[+] akirk|16 years ago|reply
Also the rounded rectangles for the tags drive me crazy.

I thought that I liked their graphics designer, as I liked the visual appeal of both stackoverflow and serverfault. Now it feels like they did not pick the right combination on http://kuler.adobe.com/ this time :)

[+] axod|16 years ago|reply
It's verging on baby-diarrhea color :/ Nausea inducing.
[+] bbsabelli|16 years ago|reply
Jeff is an amazing guy. But, he clearly does not value design.
[+] swilliams|16 years ago|reply
The design on Stack Overflow is pretty good: minimal, simple, doesn't get in the way. I believe they hired it out to a 3rd party.

However, the color schemes on all the other sites, just aren't quite as good, superuser being the worst. Amazing what difference just a little bit of color makes. The logo on Superuser looks a little amateur in my opinion too, especially considering the other ones that were submitted.

[+] aichcon|16 years ago|reply
Not necessarily true. He may just be prioritizing releasing new functionality and sites over improving the design for now.
[+] pmorici|16 years ago|reply
How is this for power users? it looks the same to me.
[+] mshafrir|16 years ago|reply
From the About page: Super User is a Q&A site for computer enthusiasts
[+] Maciek416|16 years ago|reply
note: If you're already a StackOverflow user, you can bootstrap your account with some reputation points by associating your Super User account with your StackOverflow account.
[+] gnosis|16 years ago|reply
Most of the entries on that site seem to be about Windows/Macs.

Anyone know of a similar Linux/UNIX-themed site?

[+] nomoresecrets|16 years ago|reply
Yes, superuser.com.

Seriously, it just opened. Go post some Linux/UNIX themed questions!