What's going on??

[Truzi]

Yes, even better!!

I'm on many forum, one of them (benzworld, about Mercedes cars) uses this system. In this way if one has a certain problem with the car, one enters the 'sticky' of 'common car problems' and each post has a brief description of the problem, plus a URL that goes to the specific thread.

I was thinking the same thing. Are you referring to something like this?
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220-s-class/1508080-w220-s-class-encyclopedia-start-here.html

 

[flavio81]

I was thinking the same thing. Are you referring to something like this?
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220-s-class/1508080-w220-s-class-encyclopedia-start-here.html

Yes, exactly. We need something like this.
Because there are many questions that are usual.

 

[removed account4]

well stickies are good, and reading old threads is good, BUT
what if someone who might have a different ( different might not be better, but equally as good maybe better ) answer
to the same question, AND never posted to whatever thread was made "sticky" ...
the person with the question would never have been able to learn whatever the "extra" ( maybe better ? ) answer was ..
reading old threads is great, but sometimes there are new answers to old questions.

 

[BrianShaw]

Maybe we should have a stickies for:

- Grumpy forum members being grumpy

- Great recommendations for what others should do

- Know it all forum members knowing it all

- Different ways of doing the same thing

- etc

 

[winger]

Maybe we should have a stickies for:

- Grumpy forum members being grumpy

- Great recommendations for what others should do

- Know it all forum members knowing it all

- Different ways of doing the same thing

- etc

Now, now. We can't make every thread a sticky one.


I do think a thread with example images of things like airbells (I've got one I can contribute), bromide drag, light leaks, over- and under- exposed, developed, etc... stuff could be helpful. Even if it's just a thread we can point people to when they ask what their thing is.

 

[Truzi]

I think the problem is finding/creating a resource for basic information, not for more advanced deviation.

Perhaps we can try to come to a consensus with some very simple how-to text or information, put them somewhere, and refer people to them.

For example: a very basic B&W developing how-to. It would not include a debate to stop bath versus water (though may link to such threads). Not include any esoteric or pedantic developer information, debates on surfactants, etc. It would list basic steps and concepts, and link to any errata or debates. There we could answer common questions without debates or opinions, but the reader could follow links to them if desired.

After hashing out and agreeing, take the how-to, post it somewhere, and close it... or only allow posts/updates to add links to new threads.

This could also be done with more advanced or obscure concepts - we just have to agree to post something that is "by the book" for general information; more like a "best practices." We can let people follow links (or then open new threads) for alternatives or more depth.

 

[pdeeh]

more advanced deviation.

now that sounds interesting ...

 

[Helinophoto]

Usually because someone is responding to a question or comment made years ago, not realizing this, and think it is a recent thread. The person they are responding to may be long gone, not following APUG at the present time, or it may no longer be an issue for them, and thus the comment is made to alert them and everyone else to the fact.

I dont see the big issue with that.
Unresolved threads, awakened with additional/new info is a good thing, since those threads most likely were found trough google.

There is nothing more annoying to find a thread depicting exactly what you are looking for, but Ends with no answer or resolution.

Adding additional information, or awaken the thread to see if someone else can provide a proper answer years later, increase the quality of the google-hits.

If threads are not to be awakened, they shoukd expire and be locked after a certain period, but they are a part if a living and interactive internet.


I have experienced that completely different people come in and provide excellent solutions to various problems.

And there is also not two similar threads about the same issue.

 

[removed account4]

Maybe we should have a stickies for:

- Grumpy forum members being grumpy

- Great recommendations for what others should do

- Know it all forum members knowing it all

- Different ways of doing the same thing

- etc

the etc sounds interesting

I think the problem is finding/creating a resource for basic information, not for more advanced deviation.

Perhaps we can try to come to a consensus with some very simple how-to text or information, put them somewhere, and refer people to them.

For example: a very basic B&W developing how-to. It would not include a debate to stop bath versus water (though may link to such threads). Not include any esoteric or pedantic developer information, debates on surfactants, etc. It would list basic steps and concepts, and link to any errata or debates. There we could answer common questions without debates or opinions, but the reader could follow links to them if desired.

After hashing out and agreeing, take the how-to, post it somewhere, and close it... or only allow posts/updates to add links to new threads.

This could also be done with more advanced or obscure concepts - we just have to agree to post something that is "by the book" for general information; more like a "best practices." We can let people follow links (or then open new threads) for alternatives or more depth.

closed threads made sticky made by committee? ( so there isn't extra fluff in the threads )
sounds good!

until there are shadow threads that pop up ( like shadow governments ) which claim superiority
and sean and the mods have to issue a "one method policy" ..

unless there are different closed "stickied" how to threads for every deviation.
agitation schemes: 1m 10s/min aft vs 1 min 5 sec/30
agitation methods: lazy 8's, just up and down, rolling on the sink floor, shaking like a can of paint &c

cause everyone always seems to have something different to say that is why people searching for things
and then post a new thread... i have done it ( like everyone else it seems ) and i typically start it by saying

" i know there are other threads here on this subject, but after searching the other 40 that are similar, my questions still isn't answered"

 

[BMbikerider]

To sum it up "It doesn't hurt to be polite"

 

[pdeeh]

To sum it up "It doesn't hurt to be polite"

Well, exactly.

All the well-rehearsed arguments and suggestions for sticky threads and re-using old threads get trotted out over and over, but the answer to people being rude to newbies is not for the newbies to behave "better" (that, not to put too fine a point on it, is victim-blaming) but for the people being rude to behave better and stop being rude.


Christ, it's not rocket-surgery, is it.

 

[Sean]

There is a addon for "similar threads" that when creating a new thread will auto list similar threads. Would people find this useful or annoying? It could stop a lot of repeats but some may still fall through the cracks. This is what it looks like:

 

[Julie McLeod]

There is a addon for "similar threads" that when creating a new thread will auto list similar threads. Would people find this useful or annoying? It could stop a lot of repeats but some may still fall through the cracks. This is what it looks like:

View attachment 176270

Could that be added but made optional for users? I think it would probably be useful but I'm betting a lot of members would dislike it.

 

[greg zinselmeier]

Sean, my two cents. . . . Some people on APUG log on to chat. . . . and that's cool. most everybody is cool with that. . . .that's why they are called chat rooms. However some people log on to solve specific questions usually, technically orientated. Apug becomes the defact-o book on how to . . .. .etc. . . I think the moderators should keep separate those threads that are about being chatty, and those that are of a technical nature. Those threads about technique , solve a problem, should be categorized and labeled/sub labeled. so people can quickly search, to find what it is they are looking for. or is that too idealistic, and will prove to be too unwieldy ?

 

[BrianShaw]

There is a addon for "similar threads" that when creating a new thread will auto list similar threads. Would people find this useful or annoying? It could stop a lot of repeats but some may still fall through the cracks. This is what it looks like:

View attachment 176270

I've seen this on other forums. It is an interesting feature that I find occasionally useful. Not annoying at all.

 

[bvy]

Regarding so called "necrobumping" or the problem of "I didn't know I was looking at/responding to an old thread"... I always thought there was a very simple solution to that. Give post headers more than one year old a slightly different color. It's an instant and effective visual cue that doesn't take up any space. It also assists in finding the first new post in a long thread of old ones. Something like this...

 

[RPC]

I dont see the big issue with that.
Unresolved threads, awakened with additional/new info is a good thing, since those threads most likely were found trough google.

There is nothing more annoying to find a thread depicting exactly what you are looking for, but Ends with no answer or resolution.

Adding additional information, or awaken the thread to see if someone else can provide a proper answer years later, increase the quality of the google-hits.

If threads are not to be awakened, they shoukd expire and be locked after a certain period, but they are a part if a living and interactive internet.


I have experienced that completely different people come in and provide excellent solutions to various problems.

And there is also not two similar threads about the same issue.

I'm not saying there is any problem with responding to an old thread, I'm saying it may be helpful to be told it is an old thread, if it appears to someone you aren't aware of it.

 

[RPC]

Regarding so called "necrobumping" or the problem of "I didn't know I was looking at/responding to an old thread"... I always thought there was a very simple solution to that. Give post headers more than one year old a slightly different color. It's an instant and effective visual cue that doesn't take up any space. It also assists in finding the first new post in a long thread of old ones. Something like this...

View attachment 176274

I think you're on to something.

 

[Luckless]

If someone chooses to scream into the wind, is anyone really harmed?

(Assuming they're doing doing so in town late at night or otherwise directly bothering people...)

 

[Wallendo]

I think it my be helpful for new users, when attempting to start new threads, to get a friendly pop-up window offering helpful suggestions such as: have you tried a google search?, an APUG search?, read the manual? When starting a thread asking a question, briefly mention what other sources you have tried to solve the problem.

Doing this may help reduce clutter, with the added benefit that if the poster follows the suggestions, he is likely to get better help from the forum.

 

[klownshed]

I think the 'problem' is the old users, not the new ones! ;-)

 

[mynewcolour]

FWIW other forums successfully deal with this issue by responding with 'UTFS' (full text for the acronym in the alt tag).

 

[mynewcolour]

I think it my be helpful for new users, when attempting to start new threads, to get a friendly pop-up window offering helpful suggestions such as: have you tried a google search?, an APUG search?, read the manual? When starting a thread asking a question, briefly mention what other sources you have tried to solve the problem.

Doing this may help reduce clutter, with the added benefit that if the poster follows the suggestions, he is likely to get better help from the forum.

That doesn't sound like a reduction of clutter to me. Pop-ups are blocked my (most?) users. You could put the text elsewhere but I don't know if it would be effective.

 

[Old-N-Feeble]

Regarding so called "necrobumping" or the problem of "I didn't know I was looking at/responding to an old thread"... I always thought there was a very simple solution to that. Give post headers more than one year old a slightly different color. It's an instant and effective visual cue that doesn't take up any space. It also assists in finding the first new post in a long thread of old ones. Something like this...

View attachment 176274

I can't remember which forum(s) but I've seen where a popup is generated if someone tries to post in an old thread... something like "The last post in this thread was two years ago. Are you sure you want to revive this thread?"

 

[removed account4]

the other day i was on the phone with a customer service rep for an insurance company. she was rude and aggressive and it made me wonder why she
worked as a customer service rep, if she didn't want to offer customer service.