Whats the difference between Server Fault and Super User?
Aren't they both for SysOps questions?
Wouldn't it be prudent to have a mission statement for each site clearly visible?
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3By "mission statement", do you mean the FAQ?– slhck ModCommented Apr 28, 2013 at 15:09
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Um..yes ****embarressed****– Gene M.Commented Apr 28, 2013 at 15:24
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1@GeneM., Why? The terse FAQ's are pretty vague and open to interpretation.– PacerierCommented Feb 27, 2015 at 16:25
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2 Answers
The FAQ for SU and SF contain the mission statement for either site:
Super User is for computer enthusiasts and power users....
Server Fault is for Information Technology Professionals needing expert answers related to managing computer systems in a professional capacity.
If it involves managing servers, in a professional setting it goes there.
Most computer questions, outside the stuff you shouldn't ask on SE anyway (purchase recommendations and such) would fit here. Questions involving PCs, home networking and tablets are a safe bet. If it's a phone, you'd be better off on the Android or Apple SE sites.
SF, on the other hand, is a good place for questions which involve system administration. It is very helpful to get to understand their site culture, realize that these guys while occasionally cranky know their crap. If you ask stuff that involves wrangling computers, in a professional setting, and chances are you will find someone who happens to know the material at hand.
It's a good place to ask questions where, you've tried and documented 90% of the problem, are still stuck, and need a little push. It's not a nice place for folks who want to be spoon-fed. It's just how they roll.
answered Apr 28, 2013 at 15:18
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I need new glasses I'm afraid. Thanks for at least not down voting my question; I feel silly now.– Gene M.Commented Apr 28, 2013 at 15:23
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4Serverfault is for BOFHS, Superuser is for lusers. Commented Apr 28, 2013 at 15:25
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2Downvoting wouldn't have an effect on MSU anyway, we don't have rep independent of the main site, like MSO does. Was a challenging question to answer, since telling you to read the faq felt like cheating ;p– Journeyman Geek ModCommented Apr 28, 2013 at 15:26
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Journeyman, By this, are you saying that the content of the questions on SU are actually on-topic in SF, and vice-versa? Why are the sites split based on the messenger instead of the message?– PacerierCommented Feb 27, 2015 at 15:59
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1I still don't really get it (and I've checked both FAQs). As I'm both a professional and hobbyist this answer seems to suggest that I pick the site based on whether I'm working on a client project or a personal project, even though the nature and content of the question could be the same in both cases. Or, to put it another way, describing the difference between the sites based on who they are for (as opposed to what they are for) is not very helpful if you fit both descriptions.– HappyDogCommented Jun 23, 2020 at 21:33
While this is not a catchall, I found this specific distinction on Server Fault useful:
and is not about:
consumer workstations or networking (which belong on our sister site, Super User)
