delete this please

[Mr1drful]

guess it was a stupid idea. - sorry

[ 26 December 2001: Message edited by: Mr1drful ]

[Spider]

It is a good idea but perhaps for most ppl
posting for help I think that you have to
assume they know very little about comps.

I'm sure many of them are just boggled by
the whole digital realm. Some of them can
just click on stuff and don't even know where
they are, or what's actually happening.

If they are asked to provide mobo info and
the likes they might just say "OMG!" and
freak out thinking "geez, this is all too
technical for me. They want to know a bunch
of technical things I have absolutely no idea
about, I just want my thingamajiggy to
stop doing that bloink-bloink noise".

Just go back a thousand years and remember
the first time you stepped into the
chair...it's scary and you think your going
to break something expensive cause your a
newbie.

[Spider]

No, it wasn't a stupid idea.

Another suggestion could have been to add "If you can"
to the beginning of the request for system information from
a posting user.

That would ease any user that reads it and takes the OMG
factor out of it. Most all good ideas are born from brainstorming
and that's what you started with the first post.

Again, it was a good post and suggestion to refine things.
You have great help abilities to users here and there should
be no reason you think your ideas are "stupid".

Keep 'em coming Mr1drful. I, for one, look forward to posts you
make. They always contain good info.

[smurfy]

Mr1derful, no it was not a stupid idea.
I would appreciate it if you could re-edit your post as close as possible back to original.

We are just beginning a discussion about preventing the sort of informationless post that I noticed you replied to which I guess is what prompted you to post this in the 1st place?.

While spider had some good points in rebuttal, it is still a balance we have to try and make between scaring newbies away with asking too much of them and getting enough from them to actually be able to help them out here.

Keep 'em coming...

[Mr1drful]

hey , it's no big deal.

Spider is right. would probably just scare people off.

i should have thought about it more before i opened my big fingers.

[plcpro]

just keep it up, Mr1derful. we are on your side.

[Spider]

To take this a little further of requesting faqs, or results-response,
from a user of CTH.

I've only been here a few weeks but have noticed somewhat of
a basic kind of grouping most users fall into.

one-post-wonders 40%
users who request assistance, get a response, and never return.

run-ons 10%
threads that go beyond 3-4 posts and a fix is never found.

yippies 30%
users who get the fix (and about ½ of them quite elated).

tech-know-whats 5%
users who complicate the fix by attempting to throw around some
technical jargon. Unfortunately the jargon is all ½ made up and ½
confused terminology.

peanut-butters 5%
These users are so distraught over their dilemma that they multi-post
in more than one forum.

Before all the math wizs see I have a total of only 90% it's b/c
I don't know what the missing 10% grouping is...maybe in time.

Out of these groups, what do you think the best statement
would be in a sig to be the say standard of CTH. I put in
mine Please post back your results which is kind of colorless
and perhaps not driving the point home good enough.
I've noticed some of the mods and users have different sigs to the
same basic tune.

What do you think about the phrasing? What would be a stand-out
statement that would reach all these group types?

Just thoughts...

[lufbra]

Spider, this is great to think you care so much about this GREAT board, and I certainly appreciate the effort you have put into it all so far, and I hope others do appreciate it all!! :)

I tell ya, I'm no way "up" on computer stuff, most others here will vouch for that! I've posted questions here, had replies, replied back and fro', most likely giving whoever is trying to help many headaches with frustration, for my not catching on sooner, sorry guys, you know me too well!!1 ;)

But ya know what, the reason I post at this board is simple, there's soo much great help available within this board, and guess what, it's darned free!! Saves me a ton in beer money, what can beat that!!!

I would also like to say that whatever help I have been looking for, I've always thanked whoever has stepped in and helped, ya know why? Cos I appreciate the fact that despite this being a "free" bulletin board, I appreciate any help given, Think about it, I post a computer problem here, someone reads my post, that person could think to themself.."so what", and move on!! But not here it seems, so many folks are willing to spend their own free time in helping folks like me!

You shouldn't have to have a signature below your posts, saying "please post back results", it should be common courtesy of anyone asking questions, to let you know that you have helped fix their problem! I feel kinda sorry for those of you who do take the time out (your "free" time) to help folks, maybe it meaning many posts before things are solved, only to find that whoever you have helped, never posts a "thank you" message, the only way you might know things have been sorted out, is by the fact you see no more posts from the person wanting help!

So bottom line is this, if anyone asks a question here, wants a problem sorted out or whatever, please let those who helped know that their help worked, it takes just a couple of minutes to let them know, them two minutes may well be a lot less than the time (their own free time} it took them, to try and help you. Look at it another way, if you don't let them know that their help, helped you, how do they know they are giving the right kind of help!

Now, can someone help me open this beer can, I lost me can opener!! ;)


Dave.

[Spider]

Originally posted by lufbra:
Spider, this is great to think you care so much about this GREAT board
T'is a gift to digital humanity to provide these forums for free. It works
great for me to because I'm a puzzle-freak. I always loves trying to
solving problems in math, crossword puzzles, word probs, engines,
and when comps hit the scene well what better medium for repairs
:)
especially the 386 days.

there's soo much great help available within this board, and guess what,
it's darned free!! Saves me a ton in beer money, what can beat that!!!
I'm getting a Madam Cleo thing on you
*closes eyes*
*puts hands to forehead*
...you like beer? ;)

You shouldn't have to have a signature below your posts, saying
"please post back results", it should be common courtesy of anyone
asking questions, to let you know that you have helped fix their problem!
It's like your a mechanic. You close the hood and say "take it for a
spin around the block and see if it's better" and they never return.
Your standing there with tools in your hand and keep looking at your
watch.
I feel kinda sorry for those of you who do take the time out
(your "free" time) to help folks
Well I can't speak for anyone but myself. I don't mind at all, I'm
just trying to figure out the psychii of the users. You know...the
puzzle thing I have.[/b][/quote]
Now, can someone help me open this beer can, I lost
me can opener!!
Dave is definitely into beer. :)

[Dodge]

Mr1drful or someone please post the original suggestion? I would like to see it, thanks...

Mr1drful, I'm sure it isn't a stupid question. As with all suggestions, some will agree and some will disagree. So please repost it, or ReEdit your first post and add that back in here. Thanks.

[Spider]

Originally posted by Dodge:
<STRONG>Mr1drful or someone please post the original suggestion?
I would like to see it, thanks...</STRONG>
I hope Mr1drful doesn't mind if I said what he said. I hid this thread
with my AdSubtract ignorant thread.

This isn't ver batum but what he had said (in general) was an idea to
place somewhere on CTH a *note* for posters of problems to add
their system information. Like mobo, ram, comp type, cards if any,
etc. to help in assisting in finding a fix for them.

Have I got that right Mr1drful?

Hope I didn't put words in your mouth or generalize what you said
making it sound different. That's the way I remember it.

[lufbra]

I like beer, oh yes, just not sharing, ask Dodge about that!! :D :D :D

Dave.

[Mr1drful]

that's basically it spider except that i started it with " if you have any of this information" and ended with "if you don't or don't know where to find it,that's ok. just post anyway and someone will be glad to help you"

i realized,after reading spider's comment,that it was a bad idea (that's why i requested the post be deleted).

i haven't been here long but should have known that , if it was worth doing , it would have already been done. after all , you guys (and gals) are a LOT smarter about this stuff then i am.
(just wish i could have deleted this myself before the thread became this big)

[Dodge]

Actually suggestions are what this forum is for. Just because it isn't here, doesn't mean that it is a bad Idea. No one can think of everything at these sites.

In my opinion its not a bad Idea.

Both of you brought up good points. That would be a great Idea, but like Spider said it might deter newbies..

But, Mr1drful don't ever hesitate in bringing up and Idea and letting us know about it. Your Idea's can help this board grow into a better place....

[smurfy]

:)
I was going to try to pull the original out of my cache at work until you finally caved in and restated your suggestion.

Mr1drful, (and this applies to all members - no matter how long you've been here) Mishy has a Comments and suggestions forum because he can't think of everything and values the input everyone makes to the site. If he didn't want to know what you thought or how you think the site/forums could be made better, he wouldn't have this "suggestion box".

Sure, many of the suggestions made will have already crossed his mind or been discussed amongst the moderators but that does not make them wrong, even if we decided not to implement. Sometimes it is a matter of timing (like the Gaming forum/sister site that Mishy has tucked away in the back of his almighty brain) or maybe we've thought - lets wait for the general populace to request it etc etc.

As I said above... keep 'em coming - please.

[jobel60]

As a newcomer to both computers and intelligence I think this is a good site. I wish I knew where I could just plug myself in and get all the basics for a start but I know I have to practice.
Actually forget the intelligence bit,I think comps lead people into believing they are more intelligent than they really are! They click on an icon and wonderous results happen, but when they are expected to explain how they scratch their heads and say, " Well, I pressed a button, isnt that clever enough for you? "
I fall into this catagory! But a simple observation: in your technical index it may be worth thinking about putting really basic things like what a browser is and where you can find it etc. there are so many basics that maybe what is needed is a progressive tutorial that starts right at the very begining like when you switch on the comp. I know this is all out of everybody's time but there really are a lot of us out here who want to learn but just forget the basics.
And yes, I hate to say it but it looks like you are stuck with me as a member!lol look forward to having help and maybe with time and patience being able to contribute something as well.

[maxximilian]

Welcome aboard jobel60. :)

Our fearless leader and owner (Mishy) checks in here everyday. I am sure he will give your suggestion consideration as he does all suggestions. Thanks for posting. :)

[MishY]

Hey :)

I'll deal with both suggestions in parts :

Mr1drful

It is a good idea !! It's also something I have been wanting to encourage on the site. Perhaps having a space on the profile page of each member where they could add their system specs. When someone then filled in their registration form to join the site they could then fill it in, but not have to in order for the form to be submitted. That way it doesn't deter people without such knowledge. That is definately something to consider. What do you think ?

jobel60

Your idea is a very valid and good one. When I write tutorials for the site I sometimes I have mental blocks as to what kind of tutorial to write so all suggestions for tutorials are welcome ;) As far as your suggested tutorial is concerned I sometimes wonder how basic to make the tutorials, and what amount of people need such basic tutorials. I have no doubt that there is an immense amount of people out there in need of such tutorials, but on the other hand it does require a certain level of skill to use a browser and Yahoo or whichever search engine people use to find this site. That all said I think your suggestion is a good one, and I will add it to my list of tutorials to write.

All that said, I would like to stress one thing to whomever maybe reading this...This forum imparticular was deliberately created for Members suggestions, and that is exactly what I want !! I don't pretend that this site is anywhere near complete. Infact it is a work in progress. Any suggestions or constructive criticisms are gladly welcome in this forum because after all I am trying to make this site everything it can be ;)

MishY

[Bill]

Hi Mishy.
Here's my 2¢ worth.
I've seen boards were the members have their 'puter specs in the sigs. They can turn the sig off or on of course which is a positive I suppose. The downside is I've seen sigs were the member has twenty thousand 'puters with each setup differently and they ... errr ... like to keep their sig on always. Ever seen a sig thats ten plus paragraphs and the person post a smiley only &lt;grin&gt;.
I suppose you could put a limit on the sig size.
Sometimes I've seen this come in real handy so there isn't the follow up question "what kind .. or what OS .... etc etc ". The info is already there so one can cut to the chase with a faster possible salutation. In either case, the sig bit does have pros and cons naturally.

My personal opinion: I don't really care for it that much because this kids gray matter forgets to check to see if the sig is in the {auto on or off mode} at each board. :)

There's a lot of folks now that just type up their specs in some sort word processor and keep it handy to copy/paste. Then there's smartasses like me that stick it up on a page (http://usa.internations.net/pets/palws//info.html). I can post the link when needed, thus keep the sig open for whatever.

The End

See Me (http://www.lunarpages.com/palws/5.html) :D

[jobel60]

Mishy,
just spent ages writing a witty,informative,sychophantic note to the room concerning my progress and went to send and found the f***ing thing had disconnected and when I tried to reconnect it just said disconnecting for 10 mins. Had to press CONTALT-DEL to finish the task, then found I had to reboot.Then the info was lost so have to start again! But shorter! These things are sent to try us, I suppose, but its bloody annoying!
Anyway, gist of letter was found link from here to cnet, found really good basic prog about HTML and learnt a lot. Is it an idea for the room to test all sorts of progs and put into a file marked beginner, intermediate, advanced etc and start with basic files , slowly getting more complex.
Will get back with other ideas later, yours in frustration and kicking the comp,Jobel