Important
You should really add that people can edit the title of their posts, otherwise, they go duplicating their threads just because of this notice.
Give your threads intelligent titles!
Quote:Original post by Pipo DeClown
Important
You should really add that people can edit the title of their posts, otherwise, they go duplicating their threads just because of this notice.
An excellent point. For anyone new enough to have not yet noticed, there is an edit button in the upper right of each post, next to the quote button. You can use this to edit your post content and/or title (if it's the opening post of a thread), or delete the post if you for some reason feel it's necessary. If you delete the opening post of a thread, the thread will be deleted.
Quote:But in this case, the email would only arrive after a post had been made. This seems a little to somewhat defeat the purpose slightly
eek! probably should've thought that one through a bit [embarrass]
Quote:Better would perhaps be redirecting to the appropriate FAQ the first time a user views a particular forum, or something similar.
Something similar, but imo an improvement would be first time a user clicks "New Thread" in a given forum it forwards them to read the forum FAQ.
In fact, scrap the email idea I was on about - its rubbish by comparison [grin].
Quote:For anyone new enough to have not yet noticed, there is an edit button in the upper right of each post
I liked the fact that recently people have appended "(solved)" or "[solved]" to the end of a post when they got the answer they wanted. I've tended to read through those out of curiousity/self-learning.
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Anyway, would it be an idea to copy some of these ideas over to GDNet Comments, Suggestions and Ideas so that the powers-that be can add them to any potential forum upgrades? Or, if Oluseyi is still watching - maybe you could put it in front of the panel?
Cheers,
Jack
Quote:Original post by jollyjeffersIt's in the Forum FAQ, written by Tiffany_Smith.
I'm sure I saw a better version of the above page somewhere, but google couldn't find it for me right now - but the above is pretty much the same
Quote:I liked the fact that recently people have appended "(solved)" or "[solved]" to the end of a post when they got the answer they wanted. I've tended to read through those out of curiousity/self-learning.There's a problem with that, which Yann L (I think) brilliantly codified somewhere else. The forums do not exist to provide an individual with answers to his/her problems, but rather for communal information interchange. You may have found the answer to your immediate challenge, but the discussion way weave and wend in interesting directions, leading to others - or the thread starter! - learning things they hadn't expected to.
Quote:Or, if Oluseyi is still watching - maybe you could put it in front of the panel?I'll point the staff/mods to some of them.
I admit to doing a bit of erm... skimming on this thread... but i have an idea, what if (building off of someone elses idea)
when someone posts for the first time (maybe even second or third), it links them to the forum faq, but probably beautified a bit (make em WANT to read it) and have a short timer (you could even make it visible so that the user doesnt just get up and walk away) and then redirect them to the "create thread" page
thats my 1.5 cents :-D
-Dan
when someone posts for the first time (maybe even second or third), it links them to the forum faq, but probably beautified a bit (make em WANT to read it) and have a short timer (you could even make it visible so that the user doesnt just get up and walk away) and then redirect them to the "create thread" page
thats my 1.5 cents :-D
-Dan
playing devil's advocate:
OR, maybe not even have titles! and since this isn't a cookie baking site but a programming related site think of a better way to make a 'message board'. One idea is to create an AI script that would take whatever input the newbie enters as the entire post and parse key words from the input. Surely a bunch of great pros here would be able to use their years of experience and expertise to create such a 'bot'. (Think of Search Engines...ya it would be hard to create...)
Perhaps the person asking the question is unaware of not only the answer(s) but the true subject for a title?
Also, a _better_ way to make a title is not at the beginning but after you write your entire summary...then go over it and title it(I read this someplace). You may have thought of some better words to use. (Not that I do this...I'm lazy though.)
Just trying to think of something inbetween 'Untitled' and the people suggesting that newbies should know perfect titles (or have to read through long faqs/redirects...which then they could solve the problem themselves anyways or go to another help site/chat/board/etc. and why even bother having a newbie section? or help anybody..ever! with anything!)
OH and: Theres a lot of sites out there. And I've came across some that had ridiculous posting rules. 'register' and read this faq and jump this hoop and spin around 5 times...etc. Well as soon as I read the requirements I never visit those sites again. And I'm new to this site and i think most people here in the newbie section are really really nice :D But i wouldn't have gotten the opportunity to know this if there were a bunch of hoops my first post because my first post wouldn't have existed o.o;
OR, maybe not even have titles! and since this isn't a cookie baking site but a programming related site think of a better way to make a 'message board'. One idea is to create an AI script that would take whatever input the newbie enters as the entire post and parse key words from the input. Surely a bunch of great pros here would be able to use their years of experience and expertise to create such a 'bot'. (Think of Search Engines...ya it would be hard to create...)
Perhaps the person asking the question is unaware of not only the answer(s) but the true subject for a title?
Also, a _better_ way to make a title is not at the beginning but after you write your entire summary...then go over it and title it(I read this someplace). You may have thought of some better words to use. (Not that I do this...I'm lazy though.)
Just trying to think of something inbetween 'Untitled' and the people suggesting that newbies should know perfect titles (or have to read through long faqs/redirects...which then they could solve the problem themselves anyways or go to another help site/chat/board/etc. and why even bother having a newbie section? or help anybody..ever! with anything!)
OH and: Theres a lot of sites out there. And I've came across some that had ridiculous posting rules. 'register' and read this faq and jump this hoop and spin around 5 times...etc. Well as soon as I read the requirements I never visit those sites again. And I'm new to this site and i think most people here in the newbie section are really really nice :D But i wouldn't have gotten the opportunity to know this if there were a bunch of hoops my first post because my first post wouldn't have existed o.o;
Quote:Quote:Original post by jollyjeffers
I'm sure I saw a better version of the above page somewhere, but google couldn't find it for me right now - but the above is pretty much the same
It's in the Forum FAQ, written by Tiffany_Smith.
hmm, that's the one I was thinking of. Maybe I should've looked closer to home than trying to be adventurous..
Quote:The forums do not exist to provide an individual with answers to his/her problems, but rather for communal information interchange. You may have found the answer to your immediate challenge, but the discussion way weave and wend in interesting directions
Yeah, suppose that's a side I hadn't thought of. Still, it *can* be a good thing in some of the simpler question.
Q:"Help, my geometry is all black when I render it"
A:"Configure lighting correctly and it'll work"
Something like that warrants, maybe, a detailed explanation of why incorrect lighting configuration might make geometry black/invisible - but it's unlikely to spawn a multi-page discussion that will "weave and wend in interesting directions".
Quote:Theres a lot of sites out there. And I've came across some that had ridiculous posting rules. 'register' and read this faq and jump this hoop and spin around 5 times...etc. Well as soon as I read the requirements I never visit those sites again.
Whatever they do choose to implement (that is, if they do change anything at all) shouldn't raise the entry level or push people out. b3ta has an amusing forum I used to read - but you have to wait (from registering) a week before you can actually post anything. I still read the board every now and then, but I can't be bothered to contribute...
Jack
Just had another idea inspired by visiting another forum a few minutes ago... thought I'd share it here and see what people think...
Based on the assumption that most people who've posted a few times (say more than 10x) will probably know at least the basic rules/conventions here; something like the following could be shown before a post/reply is committed for people posting their first 10x.
Think of it as a check-list/preview page. A simple, short, bullet-pointed list of obvious things to check:
--------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for taking the time to post on GameDev.net, before finalising your post please take a few moments to check the following things:
1. Is your chosen title relevent/appropriate?
You will find that the number and quality of replies will be increased with an appropriate topic title. For examples click [here]
2. Have you checked if this question has been answered before?
The forums provide a search facility [here]. Performing a quick search may well yield the answer you need without having to wait for people to reply to your new question.
3. Is the content of your post appropriate for this forum?
There are many forums on this site, each with their own specific purposes. Posting your topic in the correct forum will often yield a higher quality of response. For the sites forum list, click [here]
4. Have you given enough information?
In order for people to respond to the best of their ability, you should give as much information on what you are trying to do. However, keep information and source code brief as people usually won't read incredibly long posts. For examples of what (or what not) to include, click [here]
Finally, we request that you read this [forum FAQ] (Frequently Asked Questions) page. You will find a more detailed explanation of this forum's purpose, rules and other useful information.
[Put a copy of the post in an edit box here, so the user can edit it if they want]
[Click here to post your thread]
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Sure, the above "example" would need a bit of work - the context would probably have to change between the informal (e.g. lounge) and the technical (e.g. General Programming). #3 and #4 in particular are fairly context-sensitive...
Hopefully you can see what I'm getting at [grin] - any thoughts?
Cheers,
Jack
Based on the assumption that most people who've posted a few times (say more than 10x) will probably know at least the basic rules/conventions here; something like the following could be shown before a post/reply is committed for people posting their first 10x.
Think of it as a check-list/preview page. A simple, short, bullet-pointed list of obvious things to check:
--------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for taking the time to post on GameDev.net, before finalising your post please take a few moments to check the following things:
1. Is your chosen title relevent/appropriate?
You will find that the number and quality of replies will be increased with an appropriate topic title. For examples click [here]
2. Have you checked if this question has been answered before?
The forums provide a search facility [here]. Performing a quick search may well yield the answer you need without having to wait for people to reply to your new question.
3. Is the content of your post appropriate for this forum?
There are many forums on this site, each with their own specific purposes. Posting your topic in the correct forum will often yield a higher quality of response. For the sites forum list, click [here]
4. Have you given enough information?
In order for people to respond to the best of their ability, you should give as much information on what you are trying to do. However, keep information and source code brief as people usually won't read incredibly long posts. For examples of what (or what not) to include, click [here]
Finally, we request that you read this [forum FAQ] (Frequently Asked Questions) page. You will find a more detailed explanation of this forum's purpose, rules and other useful information.
[Put a copy of the post in an edit box here, so the user can edit it if they want]
[Click here to post your thread]
--------------------------------------------------------
Sure, the above "example" would need a bit of work - the context would probably have to change between the informal (e.g. lounge) and the technical (e.g. General Programming). #3 and #4 in particular are fairly context-sensitive...
Hopefully you can see what I'm getting at [grin] - any thoughts?
Cheers,
Jack
I quite like that idea, but how can be sure that people wouldn't go "OMG WORDS" and click post anyway? [sad]
This topic is closed to new replies.
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