Mods are you listening?

[Jan]

im a girl

I'm usually quite a patient person but the one thing that really annoys me when people post that, it's just so pathetic, what they mean is I'm really stupid, so why don't they just say that and have done with it, grrr.

I will admit to answering questions that have been asked before, mainly because it's easier that looking up the old thread and posting the link and if people don't like that - then tough, I have no mission to force people to use the forum in a certain way, I just like to help where I can. Actually being more honest here, I usually give people the benefit of the doubt and assume that they have tried but if in the course of a thread it becomes clear that someone is just leeching information without thinking for themselves at all, I just ignore them ... and add them to my list.

A thread was started a while ago with a list of common issues (Lee started it I think) and that is the way to stop people asking the same questions again and again, make sure that useful information is easily accessible, but I don't see the thread being updated on a regular basis with new solutions, which is a shame.

... tell you what else really annoys me, if when you try to help someone and they are rude ... or if they insist on someone from Actinic replying, grrr again.

Regards,

[leehack]

I'm usually quite a patient person but the one thing that really annoys me when people post that, it's just so pathetic, what they mean is I'm really stupid, so why don't they just say that and have done with it, grrr.

LOL i have to agree it is real pathetic, i presume there is a thought if you play the damsel in distress that a host of guys will jump in and help you. There can be no other logical reason for it surely - it's pretty embarassing to read.

I will admit to answering questions that have been asked before, mainly because it's easier that looking up the old thread and posting the link and if people don't like that - then tough, I have no mission to force people to use the forum in a certain way, I just like to help where I can. Actually being more honest here, I usually give people the benefit of the doubt and assume that they have tried but if in the course of a thread it becomes clear that someone is just leeching information without thinking for themselves at all, I just ignore them ... and add them to my list.

I'm slightly different on this point, if oneday they post a lazy thread i can direct to a search, whereas the next day, i will gladly take time out to help them if i perceive a genuine effort and they are just plain stuck. I try not to harbour any feelings from one day to the next, although there are of course the regular names you get to learn about who just plainly take the piss IMO. I've contemplated using the block facility, however i try to help people who are interested in helping themselves. By blocking them, i fail to do this as people can learn and change quickly and might just be having a bad day.

A thread was started a while ago with a list of common issues (Lee started it I think) and that is the way to stop people asking the same questions again and again, make sure that useful information is easily accessible, but I don't see the thread being updated on a regular basis with new solutions, which is a shame.

It was me and it was in the days where we had bugs and problems all over the place. It is a hell of a job though, i trawled what at that stage was about 80 pages from memory. There was also only you and 2 others who ever contacted me to add something extra - people just cannot be arsed. I posted a couple of weeks ago that i also believe that is the way forward, look at how many views it has received, its only behind the AUG thread, so it must work surely. If it was structured and kept up to date, calls to actinic support would be reduced and i firmly believe that actinic should play an active part in this.

... tell you what else really annoys me, if when you try to help someone and they are rude ... or if they insist on someone from Actinic replying, grrr again.

My real annoyance is when you help someone and then they think that opens up the gate for them to contact you personally on every problem they encounter - i find that very irritating at times.

[TraceyHand]

, i presume there is a thought if you play the damsel in distress that a host of guys will jump in and help you. There can be no other logical reason for it surely - it's pretty embarassing to read.

I've noticed it too...although I hope I've never been guilty of it
I think we're probably thinking of a particular thead recently which did grate on me too... I took it as my sign to back out of it!

[AndrewPK]

Threads take days, sometimes weeks to form and if you honestly think that waiting for new answers is better than finding the previous threads, which are full of advice from many different people giving you the widest perspective on the problem, then you are naive.

I have to admit, I agree with Lee on this issue!
I mean can anybody ('newbies' OR veterans) honestly say the think the will get better quality of information by starting a new thread,

Take the google Analytics thread for example, it is a 7 page EPIC thread with a MASSIVE amount of information from a huge number of forum members! how can somebody starting a new thread expect to get that amount of information!

So I agree with the idea that new threads with the 'same old questions' should be stopped, with a message to search the forum* (or if you wanted to be nice a link to the right thread) that way the 'Single' threads that should result from this method will not only be easier to find (much less duplication) but will also have MUCH MORE information relevant to that topic as you will have people who's problem is related the original post but not the same.

What you should see is relativly large threads containing pretty much all you ever needed to know about a chosen subject (as is evident in the analytics thread, 7 pages of guides, How-Tos, questions & answers).

*Although it is a much heavier handed approach I think the 'search the forum' message is probably better than 'here is your info - LINK' approach, if you just hand the information to them in the form of a link the lazy sods who are currently just starting new threads will carry on knowing that chances are the answer will be handed to them in the form of a link

Telling them to search and locking the thread will hopefully get them into the habit of searching, so next time they have a question they wont need to be told to do it!


AndrewPK

[completerookie]

Its a shame forums were'nt around in the days of Captain Bligh and the bounty. - we'd have none of those wasters that don't search, and if we did find anyone that was guilty of not searching, we could "string em from the yard arm", that'll stop em !

having said that, I'd hate to have been on Lee's ship, I'd never be able to do anything without clearing it with him first

(sorry, a bit of gallow's humour there)

having said that, I'm with you Lee. (he said trying to protect his neck)

[pinbrook]

Personally i think that being told to search the forum is helpful..... stands back to get flamed

why?

because if you leave a thread unanswered it gets bumped, or the person never gets the hint to help themselves.

however i do try to moderate my "for * sake search the forum" replies to a more polite please try a little harder and you will find a solution already posted.

I reckon a simple polite- please search, or please search using these suggested keywords, or a simple link to another thread should be suffice for the repeated duplicate questions.

My real annoyance is when you help someone and then they think that opens up the gate for them to contact you personally on every problem they encounter - i find that very irritating at times.

I just ignore those - if the direct approach comes via email it gets deleted, if its by phone they never get put through.

[kev67]

This is THE post of the week i reckon ( currently doing potty training with 2nd daughter.............boy i forgot how tough it could be)


having been and currently mod on other forums i see the point from all angles
and the original post is correct in saying/asking we need some mods

the mods would indeed as lee says control duplicate and unecessary posts
they can tidy the place up so to speak

just my 2pc worth ill crawl back to my problems i know are simple and its NOT actinics fault

Gareth

I commend you!!! well done that man and thank you!!!!

[george]

Getting thread titles amended and all users into the habit of searching first before posting will cure most duplicates.



Time for me to leave as I just post nonsense anyway.

[wjcampbe]

The posters I really hate are the 'guys' who already know it all and get huffy when they are offered advice. The don't have to heed the advice, but they are going to get it anyway.

To me, it is not only the direct answers to problem posts, but also the analysis of the pros and cons that make the help on this forum *really* useful.

[george]

More prominent links to the Knowledge Base and the Advanced (ab)User Guide might also help.

[kev67]

More prominent links to the Knowledge Base and the Advanced (ab)User Guide might also help.

good point G

[los_design]

More prominent links to the Knowledge Base and the Advanced (ab)User Guide might also help.

There's a knowledgebase?

[chris ashdown]

I think 99% of this forum is great as it is, and those who wish to take part can be apreciated by all

The 1% I must agree are crap, if all they can say is "try the search" if they do not respond, then Actinic will assist the person asking in 24 hours or so, but a search when you do not know what title to look for is often incredibly hard to find.

Please dont change the world just chill out a bit, give your positive input if possible otherwise move to the next thread and see if you can answer that one

[pnagames]

Hi all

my 2pc...

you cant stop "newbies" asking for help on this forum as actinic wants them to do so (gets their support more quiet) (in my place of work we recommend using the forum that we provide if we don't have an answer)

however a BIG STICKY thread (Lee's thread will be excellent) with several problems and answers can be very usefull. (but it needs to be maintained properly)

i have been a "newbie" myself ( i still consider myself as newbie ) and i have posted questions that if i searched more carefully i would have found the answer. (prepares to be flamed)

But i have received invaluable advice from several members of the forum.

[kathynewman]

I do have certain spikes still under investigation, too soon to postulate on their exact cause (and effect) but early theory suggests it is due to the arrival of George, Tracey and Kathy!!

Em - me - what have I done - go offline for few days to celebrate my birthday and come back and get accused of all sorts - humph

Kathy