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This is something I am thinking of starting for the site but I'll need a bit of help from the mods and fellow peeps at the site.
A lot of the time we are seeing the same question posted again and again on the site. Because the question is the same, the answer is the same. Due to this a lot people have template answers stored on their PC or linked on their signature. What I think might be an idea is to have special guide sub-categories. This could be a locked forum that only certain people can post in (to keep it tidy) where we could put full instructions with images to many of the common problems we get asked.
So for example, under Technology & Web, we'd have a category called Guides. Under this we could have a number of posts such as "How to format your PC", "How to stop spam", "How to upgrade your PC's RAM". All would be locked after writing so that nobody can reply and clog the thread up with random comments.
We'd have to have owners for these forums as obviously we only want trusted people to manage these guides. The experts maybe? Then if anyone wants to write a guide, they can send it to an expert who will OK it and post it to the correct section.
So what does everyone think? I'd think it'll be benefical to the site. A lot of the time we are linking to external sites to answer questions. It would look a lot more professional if we could link to this site instead of somewhere else. That way it keeps people coming back.
I think that is a fantastic idea, Lee! And I think your point about making it go along with the Expert feature is best. I am going to add this to the "features requests" for admin.
HI,
One issue with this:
If those asking questions are asked to look at previous answers, they might just use a search engine to find their answer, not using this site.
Also, how many have gone to FAQ's in some site, such as HP, any site troubleshooting a hardware problem, etc, and actually read all the FAQ's. Many won't take the time, and will post their question anyway.
Just a thought.
Fred, I think the idea is that we could quick-link to them when needed. That way we are all offering the same standard information for the same question type. Well that's how I understand it anyway.
I think its a fab idea! If you need my help or assistance with this, then don't be afraid to ask. I am always keen and willing to help with these sort of things.
NeedKarma,
I understand that. What is your purpose?
What's MY purpose? I don't understand that question, sorry. The purpose for the guides seem to be similar to the way you guys link to your qualifications. For example if a question gets posted such as "How can I find out my IP address?" we can link to an answer already written up.
[SIZE=2]LTheobald, is this the way you envisioned the Guides feature?[/SIZE]
This seems like an excellent idea. Many of us already have canned answers that we use. This will help standardize answer to some frequently asked questions and help prevent "I agree" answers. The first one to respond to the question would offer a link to the "guide" answer and no one else need respond.
I would say that;
a) anyone can submit a "guide"
b) guides should be attributed to their authors
c) only designated experts can approve and add a guide
I agree that people are often lazy and will just post their question rather than research. But using guides like this will also help teach people that answers are out there and doing searches may get them the answers faster than waiting for someone to see than respond to a posted question.
I agree that people are often lazy and will just post their question rather than research. But using guides like this will also help teach people that answers are out there and doing searches may get them the answers faster than waiting for someone to see than respond to a posted question.
i'd like to add, that there are many life situations where people can not only learn from previously answers, but can also benefit from the mere knowledge that they are not alone in this kind of situation.
even this knowledge can help a lot
millie
What's MY purpose? I don't understand that question, sorry. The purpose for the guides seem to be similar to the way you guys link to your qualifications. For example if a question gets posted such as "How can I find out my IP address?" we can link to an answer already written up.
[SIZE=2]LTheobald, is this the way you envisioned the Guides feature?[/SIZE]
Yes Need, you've been spot on.
Fred - Here's an example for you. If someone posted a question about Windows 98 maintanence instead of listing the usual steps (which are quite long) you could simply say "Check out the guide we have here" and then link to a Windows 98 guide you had written previously. It may stop people asking the same question again but that doesn't mean we are getting less visitors as they will still be getting their answer from this site.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottGem
I would say that;
a) anyone can submit a "guide"
b) guides should be attributed to their authors
c) only designated experts can approve and add a guide
I agree that people are often lazy and will just post their question rather than research. But using guides like this will also help teach people that answers are out there and doing searches may get them the answers faster than waiting for someone to see than respond to a posted question.
I agree with all of that as well.
Glad to see that this is getting some good feedback. We better get writing some guides then.
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