How do we help newbies without continually going over old ground but make them feel comfortable (is a more effective FAQ or troubleshooting section needed)

Edited February 24, 200620 yr by Coral

I would like to suggest the creation of a section specific FAQ, so for example the Digital TV Tuner Cards & Network Media Players would have a FAQ with possibly rolling in the currently pinned items and covering questions specifically related to TV tuner devices, Network Media Player and perhaps HTPC related issues.

I realize that the problem is going to be getting someone to maintain it, but I guess there maybe some volunteers around, who would be willing to do it (possibly different people in each section).

A general rule could be that first time posters would be asked to read the section FAQ prior to posting.

One thing that might work is a little box above the reply box that reminds users that there is a search facility and to read the rules.

I realize that the problem is going to be getting someone to maintain it, but I guess there maybe some volunteers around, who would be willing to do it (possibly different people in each section).

Indeed, this is a problem (one I have encountered with the DTV Card/Device roundup. I haven't done much work on it due to time comittments and would like a good way to have others mantain it (maybe even via a Wiki). I am already going to invite people to add entries following the guide I have as the system currently does not work).

Dunno if its possible, but if there was a way to have a popup come up when a newly registered member first goes to post {ie: reply or start thread}, listing a few points like the search, the top 2-3 rules, etc, with a "OK" button required to remove before posting, that might help things a little. Possibly have links on the points, so they can go off and read for a few minutes, before deciding whether they still need to post.

That would be good... the PM system generally gets my attention every time I get a message, and getting a PM upon their first logon displaying guidelines about searching first and linking to some useful stickies/FAQs would be a nice idea.

Is possible to allow FAQs to be created with photos?

You know...a picture paints a THOUSAND words.

Also would aid greatly in stopping flaming.

DA

Is possible to allow FAQs to be created with photos?

You know...a picture paints a THOUSAND words.

Also would aid greatly in stopping flaming.

DA

Would it?

Oh ... I see, you mean, have a photo of showing side-to-side the internals of a MonStar® Xenoplagistic Emminence cable, and the identical internals of another cable @ 1/5th the price! :ph34r:

I think it should be manadaory to read the guidelines and forum etiquette when registering to join the DBA forum. The problem I suppose though is that there are probably too many things in my (and the other) lists to take in. Maybe only the most important items should be listed at first with a recommendation to read the rest.

The problem with most mandatory reads is that we are all used to them for licensing software etc and how many of us just skim over the lot and tick the ok button without reading or taking in what our responsibilities really are.

I would like to suggest the creation of a section specific FAQ, so for example the Digital TV Tuner Cards & Network Media Players would have a FAQ with possibly rolling in the currently pinned items and covering questions specifically related to TV tuner devices, Network Media Player and perhaps HTPC related issues.

I realize that the problem is going to be getting someone to maintain it, but I guess there maybe some volunteers around, who would be willing to do it (possibly different people in each section).

A general rule could be that first time posters would be asked to read the section FAQ prior to posting.

hi renura, have a look at the HT FAQ I had a go at.

http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?s=&show...ndpost&p=355324

I did it with a bit of help from quite a few guys and so that it links back to info on the forum with keywords for search suggestions etc. Yes would need someone per forum to take up as you say. Eg your self for the tuner card section ??? hehehe

seriously don't think a major drama to keeping update once setup. Just need some volunteers !

Dunno if its possible, but if there was a way to have a popup come up when a newly registered member first goes to post {ie: reply or start thread}, listing a few points like the search, the top 2-3 rules, etc, with a "OK" button required to remove before posting, that might help things a little. Possibly have links on the points, so they can go off and read for a few minutes, before deciding whether they still need to post.

think thats a great idea !

I've just had an idea and I'm not sure if it's possible or not, but I think it would be very useful for n00bs.

Firstly, I think we should have a glossary of TLAs, anagrams, connection types, video formats etc, basically all the terms that people use, from SD and HD to S-Video, composite, SCART ... anything and everything.

Would it be possible for when anyone uses these terms in a post, to have them automatically linked by the forum to that term in the glossary?

e.g. the link will take them to the glossary and to that term via the anchor tag:

I just bought this great Brand X SD STB. It's got an optical audio output and features RGB via SCART, S-Video and component....

OK, normally in a post you will probably not get that many in a row like that.

Is this possible to implement?

Great idea you got there Tim and I fully supoort it 100%

hi renura, have a look at the HT FAQ I had a go at.

http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?s=&show...ndpost&p=355324

Hi alebonau, yes I saw that, that's good, what we need is a similar thing for each major section

As I think that it is still good to have the product type forums up the top of the forum, it would be a good idea to have a large enough box to tell users:

If you have a reception issue, please use the geographic forum related to your area. Please see the list of geographic forums to find a geographic forum section for your area.

Or words to that effect.

Thats not all that bad - then newbies could put what transmitter they use on there location

Found this on the Toppy Forum.

It should be compulsory viewing for all newbies ;-)

http://www.linuxbench.org/Posting.html

Evan

Found this on the Toppy Forum.

It should be compulsory viewing for all newbies ;-)

http://www.linuxbench.org/Posting.html

Evan

Rolf!

Sadly, I don't have the flash authoring tool anymore so does anyone else want to do a DBA-specific version?

Priceless!!

Maybe Coral can do the honours.

absolutely priceless indeed !

now can we have the same newbie schooling for our newbies !

Found this on the Toppy Forum.

It should be compulsory viewing for all newbies ;-)

http://www.linuxbench.org/Posting.html

Evan

Nice idea.

LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We need one for the DBA. But less explict