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“How to ask for assistance in Parallax forums” - draft — Parallax Forums

“How to ask for assistance in Parallax forums” - draft

vaclav_salvaclav_sal Posts: 451
edited 2011-03-29 17:38 in General Discussion
“How to ask for assistance in Parallax forums” - draft

Comments

  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2011-03-14 17:37
    The official "Forum Guidelines" is published here:

    http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?62888-Forum-Guidelines

    Yours is a little hard to follow since the formatting got corrupt.

    You might try to Cut and Paste a text file and then use the forum attributes for bold and highlighting.
    vaclav_sal wrote: »
    Even after figthing with OpenOffice the formating is still wacko and all bold typos are gone.
    Take a look and this time please add your own contents if you feel it is helpful. For all yopu English majors - feel free to corrent my porr English usage.
    Vaclav



    .
  • vaclav_salvaclav_sal Posts: 451
    edited 2011-03-14 17:47
    Nice, now I wonder why Parallax folks did not let me know about the other rules when they read my original rant.
    For time being I will not continue on this project in any constructive way.
    Please ignore my post. I have other fish to fry.
  • Matt GillilandMatt Gilliland Posts: 1,406
    edited 2011-03-14 19:28
    Relax vclav_sal :-)

    I for one, did not know that those guidelines were there either - and I've lurked and been a member for many years. And I'll bet you 75% (or more) of the membership here doesn't know either...

    So, I see (3) things that need to happen here:

    a) Please accept an apology for my ignorance in not knowing about the location of any "guidelines",

    b) We need to make the "Official Guidelines" more "in-your-face-ish", especially upon sign-up, and

    c) We need to blend some of the *new stuff* (that these threads are coming up with) with the original "Guidelines".

    Point "C" examples:
    1) The inclusion of a picture, a drawing/schematic, the proper way to attach Code Listings, etc.
    2) NO SHOUTING,
    etc...

    You have not "threaded" in vain :-)
    -Matt
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2011-03-14 20:21
    Matt,

    I've created a tool for experienced forumistas to help those who have difficulty posting code properly (second post in thread):

    I was afraid it might be too in-your-face, but the one time I deployed it, it was met with gratitude. Perhaps it could be made a sticky? Rules are fine, but sometimes a helping hand works better. :)

    -Phil
  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2011-03-15 08:12
    Mr Google and this site search are you friends. When you find similar request, read the entire thread and join in if not already answered to your satisfaction.

    While the current software is better, it has not solved the issue of materials disappearing through the cracks. Let's be honest here, "Googling" an answer has not become a habit for a large portion of the population. (I know this because I get several calls a week for folks who have questions, which I "Google" for them while I'm on the phone.)

    As Phil said, I'd rather risk repeating myself a little and encourage a new user with a helping hand than be rigid and add discouragement to the process of learning.

    Instead of a RULE here... How about finding additional methods to help folks find the information they are looking for anyway.

    OBC
  • KaosKiddKaosKidd Posts: 296
    edited 2011-03-15 11:21
    Matt Gilliland wrote: »
    ...
    b) We need to make the "Official Guidelines" more "in-your-face-ish", especially upon sign-up, and
    ...

    -Matt

    How about a link at the top, right next to the OBEX link?
    That would make it very visible and easy to find?

    :)

    Ya know, most of the rules are common sense...

    KK
  • Invent-O-DocInvent-O-Doc Posts: 768
    edited 2011-03-16 16:09
    And don't forget to to be nice to the person posting! Even if you think it is a dumb question or someone should have done something obvious first, it is in our best interest as a community to keep it really friendly. I think this forum is generally pretty good on that front, but see a few flames rise from time to time....
  • Matt GillilandMatt Gilliland Posts: 1,406
    edited 2011-03-16 21:12
    Hey all-
    So here's the deal...

    Our intrepid webmaster -semi-affectionately known as Bump- thinks the Guideline enhancements are a good idea, and that they aren't viewed much where they are anyway.

    So, we have 30 days (he's booked 'til then) to *sift* this down into a cohesive list of what you all think should be in it.

    Therefore, vclav_sal, I nominate you! to *manage* the collections process in some way, shape, or form.

    And great idea Kaos_Kidd - Bump says no problem - we'll make a "Guidelines" (or whatever we call it) Tab, just to the right of OBEX.

    Final approval and line-item veto power still rests with Sir Webmaster, but he's a reasonable guy (for the most part).

    So have at it :-)
    -Matt
  • Matt GillilandMatt Gilliland Posts: 1,406
    edited 2011-03-29 17:30
    Hey all - just bumping this to the top.

    In a couple weeks, I'll be submitting a refined list to be compiled and added to what we have, and put on a tab next to "OBEX" - speak now (or during the next two weeks) or forever hold your peace :-)

    I'm thinking the tab should say "Read Me", or "Guidelines", or "You're the 1 millionth visitor! - click here for a New Car" - something like that...

    -Matt
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2011-03-29 17:38
    Thanks for the update Matt, and my sincerer apologies to vaclav_sal if I sounded anything but helpful. It was a quick post.
    Matt Gilliland wrote: »
    Hey all - just bumping this to the top.

    In a couple weeks, I'll be submitting a refined list to be compiled and added to what we have, and put on a tab next to "OBEX" - speak now (or during the next two weeks) or forever hold your peace :-)

    I'm thinking the tab should say "Read Me", or "Guidelines", or "You're the 1 millionth visitor! - click here for a New Car" - something like that...

    -Matt
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