help: Add link to Discourse instance (python#596)

EricCousineau-TRI · web-flow · commit 98fb4e2aad4d · 2020-10-19T14:40:01.000-07:00
* help: Add link to Discourse instance

Add note that IRC channel may not have history, and thus may not be easily searchable for newcomers.
(I could not easily find a discussion archive)

* Address Mariatta's comments
diff --git a/help.rst b/help.rst
@@ -12,19 +12,47 @@ Should you require help, there are a :ref:`variety of options available
 usage then please check the rest of this guide first as it should answer your
 question.
 
+Discourse
+---------
+
+Python has a hosted `Discourse`_ instance. Be sure to visit the related Core
+categories, such as
+`Core Development <https://discuss.python.org/c/core-dev/23>`_ and
+`Core Workflow <https://discuss.python.org/c/core-workflow/8>`_.
+
+.. _Discourse: https://discuss.python.org/
+
+Mailing Lists
+-------------
+
+Further options for seeking assistance include the `python-ideas`_ and
+`python-dev`_ mailing lists. Python-ideas contains discussion of speculative
+Python language ideas for possible inclusion into the language. If an idea
+gains traction it can then be discussed and honed to the point of becoming a
+solid proposal and presented on python-dev.  Python-dev contains discussion
+of current Python design issues, release mechanics, and maintenance of
+existing releases.  These mailing lists are for questions involving the
+development *of* Python, **not** for development *with* Python.
+
+.. _python-ideas: https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-ideas
+.. _python-dev: https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-dev
 
 Ask #python-dev
 ---------------
 
 If you are comfortable with IRC you can try asking on ``#python-dev`` (on
 the `freenode`_ network). Typically there are a number of experienced
 developers, ranging from triagers to core developers, who can answer
-questions about developing for Python.  Just remember that ``#python-dev``
-is for questions involving the development *of* Python whereas ``#python``
-is for questions concerning development *with* Python.
+questions about developing for Python.  As with the mailing lists,
+``#python-dev`` is for questions involving the development *of* Python
+whereas ``#python`` is for questions concerning development *with* Python.
 
-.. _freenode: https://freenode.net/
+.. note::
+
+  You may not be able to access the history of this channel, so it cannot
+  be used as a "knowledge base" of sorts.
 
+.. _freenode: https://freenode.net/
 
 Zulip
 -----
@@ -34,6 +62,11 @@ for asking help with core development, as well as core developers' office
 hour stream. It is preferred that you ask questions here first or schedule
 an office hour, before posting to python-dev mailing list or filing bugs.
 
+.. warning::
+
+  This is no longer actively monitored by core devs. Consider asking your questions
+  on Discourse or on the `python-dev`_ mailing list.
+
 .. _Zulip: https://python.zulipchat.com
 
 
@@ -78,23 +111,6 @@ during office hours.
 .. _Mariatta's twitter: https://twitter.com/mariatta
 
 
-Mailing Lists
--------------
-
-Further options for seeking assistance include the `python-ideas`_ and
-`python-dev`_ mailing lists. Python-ideas contains discussion of speculative
-Python language ideas for possible inclusion into the language. If an idea
-gains traction it can then be discussed and honed to the point of becoming a
-solid proposal and presented on python-dev.  Python-dev contains discussion
-of current Python design issues, release mechanics, and maintenance of
-existing releases.  As with ``#python-dev``, these mailing lists are for
-questions involving the development *of* Python, **not** for development
-*with* Python.
-
-.. _python-ideas: https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-ideas
-.. _python-dev: https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-dev
-
-
 File a Bug
 ----------
 
