Tech board stickies

wolfman

sra wrote:

Then I looked at the two posts Wolfman pointed to and I realized something - I really like the second thread!

That's probably why I came to this board in the first place. People can make a really vague, untechnical post, and when they do they're not shouted at "hey idiot! Go to the Read here first post".
Instead someone politely asks them to give more details about what they need.
Rather than thinking we should do something to get rid of vague posts, I'm thinking they should positively encouraged. They let people know it's okay to post here even if they're not sure what they're talking about.

True. I'm not saying they should put anything technical though. In the case of the second post simple things such as how much money the OP has to spend, and what she'd be using it for. Very non technical in fact.

If you look at the responses, some one has suggested (sarcastically) a £500 professional DSLR. Effectively it's a good response. A little guidance (or sticky) may help future posters.

sra wrote:

Is it really such a horrible effort to ask a poster to be more specific??

I'm not saying shouting or getting frustrated with people is a good thing, quite the opposite. I think promoting vague posts though isn't a good idea. It can be seen as a lose, lose situation.

The OP gets less help or people are less likely to help them (I know I probably am). And people get frustrated and start shouting/being aggressive etc...

I just think giving guidance as to how and what to post, would get better responses, less frustration from certain members, and keep the server leaner. Obviously not everyone will follow it, but it could help improve the whole process.

And encouraging people to use the search will enable them to tap into a world of knowledge. Just think of all the posts, topics we've covered that can only really be found by using the search.

Type in "digital camera" on a search of the techie forum and it comes up with quite a few threads, one/some of which may answer a question before it needs to be posted.

nickmack

sra wrote:

Rather than thinking we should do something to get rid of vague posts, I'm thinking they should positively encouraged. They let people know it's okay to post here even if they're not sure what they're talking about.

Is it really such a horrible effort to ask a poster to be more specific??

I kinda have the feeling that most the regulars on the board will probably completely disagree with me.

I don't think there is a problem with vague questions, as you say many posters have very little technical knowledge. Most techies will be glad to ask the right questions to establish the issue.

What seems to frustrate people is posting the same info over and over. Many people who reply needn't answer the same queries several times a month. Maybe a large pointer to the FAQ thread with links to previous answers on that topic would help and also making it clearer where the Search facility is.

If people have looked and can't find a similar problem with solution that's fine, but when they come straight to the board and can't be bothered to look and read anything, that's when people get a bit narked.

iwanttosave_2

I can understand completly where the newbies are coming from about posting in techie, I ALWAYS google first in fact the other day I spent 45 mins trying to find an answer before asking on here, in the past I have been called a troll, iwanttoaskesillyquestions ect all on one thread.

I must admit I forget the stickies are there (dont supose there is anyway of highlighting them? Or making them a different colour so they stand out more? ) but I do try to make good use of them by searching within the thread. But after seeing some answers that people get I feel silly asking a question, such as someone asks a question and they get told "try google" well not everyone knows how to use google. I know my mum wouldnt know what to search for.

SRA's post is bang on, there is no such thing as a silly question, and be nice to all money savers, people come here for advice not to be made to feel stupid.

But big kudos to 99% of the helpers in here, major credit to the site :T

Fran

nickmack wrote:

What seems to frustrate people is posting the same info over and over. Many people who reply needn't answer the same queries several times a month. Maybe a large pointer to the FAQ thread with links to previous answers on that topic would help and also making it clearer where the Search facility is.

If people have looked and can't find a similar problem with solution that's fine, but when they come straight to the board and can't be bothered to look and read anything, that's when people get a bit narked.

Not everyone has the time to look through a lot of threads in case the answer to their question is there.

If people feel narked then they don't have to answer the question or even read the thread! There are plenty of people who read the board so usually someone will answer.

I will update the FAQ's thread - suggestions of exceptional replies welcome!

nickmack

Fran wrote:

Not everyone has the time to look through a lot of threads in case the answer to their question is there.

With respect, I don't think that time is a particular issue for most posters asking questions. If they have time to compose a new question, they have time to do a quick search.

That's why the use of the search facility should be prominently promoted.

It only takes one or two keywords and often you can find your answer. Probably in less time than it would take to type your own question.

No one wants to frighten anyone from asking a question if it doesn't seem to have been covered. If someone is still unsure they can always post their query and refer to another thread for reference.

Toxteth_OGrady

imho the key is to get new threadstarters to use the forum search function before starting a new thread. In my experience people don't necessarily notice the stickies or, even if they do, they may well be daunted by the prospect of having to wade through several hundred posts in the sticky to find the answer. For example, I know Fran puts a huge amount of effort into compiling the FAQs but how many have honestly even noticed the yellow "Techie Board FAQs" at the top of the board? Similarly look at the number of threadstarters in a panic over a virus even though there's a Malware sticky. Invariably the first response from one of the techies is a link to the Malware sticky.

But we have to bear in mind that as basic as it may seem, some novices here may not even know how to search or how to frame representative search terms to find the answer they need.

There's been some good discussion on this thread and I agree with many of the points of view but sadly I don't have an answer, although there is merit in merging some of the existing stickies and perhaps having just one more with some of the first step questions that have been put forward on here.

Another idea is to have a default script embedded in the message pad that appears when the 'New Thread' button is selected (or a pop-up). The script could say something like:

"Please use the forum search function and/or read the Techie Board stickies before starting a new thread. If you are posting for advice on new equipment please state what your budget and likely use will be. If you have a hardware or software problem please give as much technical detail about your equipment, e.g., operating system."

:cool:

TOG