Is there any progress to set up a Q&A area in this forum?

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krs


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It was suggested a while back that a general Q&A would be very useful.
There were also suggestions how that could work and I think Randy suggested an initial list of items that could be covered.

I keep running into topics that come up in forum posts that would be suitable for a Q&A.
The most recent one was the listing of the download links of the older macOS's that Randy had psted a short while ago.

I couldn't find that using the forum search capability, but google brought it up immediately.
I think that list with the links would be a good candidate for the Q&A

Question to the admins & moderators - is anything happening to set up a Q&A or do we just forget about it?
 

pigoo3

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Maybe some clarity can be provided. Basically all internet forums are Q&A...the vast majority of threads on Mac-Forums area Q&A.

When "General Q&A" area is mentioned...is this more like a commonly asked questions area (with answers)? If so...this is kind of like "sticky" threads that may currently exist in each specific Mac-Forums topic area (and could be added to).

It could also be possible to have a consolidated commonly asked questions area...where all of the sticky threads from all areas could be linked + new sticky threads to fill in any current info gaps.

Of course if we sort of "automate" commonly asked questions (if there really is a demand for a commonly asked questions area)...then that would mean less new threads posted on a daily basis ...and for many Mac-Forums members that visit daily...they won't have anything to do. Lol

- Nick
 

Slydude

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I haven't had time to look at this a bit more or get input from the rest of the team. The only real problem I can see is that people often don't read the existing stickies. Perhaps there is some way to make them more visible.
 

IWT


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Sly said:

people often don't read the existing stickies.

That's the key point, in my view.

If we are all honest, how many of us look at the FAQ on a website before we do a search or ask a question?

We should, of course; but if you do, you often find them in date order or alphabetical order. Impatience cuts in and we move on.

Ian
 

chscag

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Question to the admins & moderators - is anything happening to set up a Q&A or do we just forget about it?

I've been a member of many forums in the past. Not just computer related forums, but also ones that covered autos, general topics, etc. Most forums have specific thread topics that are permanent (we call them stickies) which from time to time are brought up to date. The only FAQs are usually termed "Guidelines", which by the way we have in case you haven't read them.

We make every effort to bring our stuck topics up to date. Keep in mind that these forums like others are operated by volunteers who devote their time when they can.

At one time (under the old ownership) we did have an area dedicated to specifics (FAQs) which we labeled "Blogs". Here is a sample: Basic Mac Troubleshooting - Mac-Forums Blog

Here's the URL to the old Blog forum: Mac-Forums Blog - All Things Apple & Macintosh

Take a look at those (note that the site is not secure) and see if something similar would be desirable. Perhaps we could even add links to Randy's site which contains much more.
 
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honestone33

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In spending time here, I would like to see some discussions of topics outside of the Apple/Mac world. I have been on other Mac discussion sites, and there were such areas there. For example, I like to talk about music, movies, and TV series. So far, I have not seen anything like that here. Not everything is Apple/Macs, and talking about other things is always good.
 
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krs

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In spending time here, I would like to see some discussions of topics outside of the Apple/Mac world. I have been on other Mac discussion sites, and there were such areas there. For example, I like to talk about music, movies, and TV series. So far, I have not seen anything like that here. Not everything is Apple/Macs, and talking about other things is always good.

Please don't hijack this thread.
This thread is specifically to follow up on a suggestion that was made a while back to create a Q&A section on topics related to this forum.
 

Slydude

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We do have some off-topic (not Apple/Mac related) discussions here. Generally, these topics have been posted in the Schweb's Lounge area. Were you perhaps looking for separate forum topics as opposed to one "off-topic" forum?
 
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krs

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I haven't had time to look at this a bit more or get input from the rest of the team. The only real problem I can see is that people often don't read the existing stickies. Perhaps there is some way to make them more visible.

Thanks, that answers my question.

As to "stickies" that were mentioned a few times in the posts, I took a look at the ones in "macOS - Operating System" and the "Switcher Hangout" area since these areas seem to be the most populat and I found lately there seem to be a number of new members wo seem to be new to the Mac and are asking very basic questions - so the "Switcher" area and the stickies there would be where I would expect them to look.

Two issues I see:
1. Some of the 'stickies' are long threads covering several pages. I wouldn't expect anyone to actually read those especially when most of the posts are "Thank-you, great idea..." Example below, one sticky covering 5 pages and 391 posts)
2. The other issue is that at least some stickies are not kept up to date. Either the information is out of date or images that are an inegral part of the stickie, have disappeared (like the first example below)

I was looking at Q&A to be more what it says - a Question (one of general interest) and an Answer (Brief and to the point, no discussion). If there is discussion required for some reason, handle that in a separate thread.
There should be no option to start a discussion in the Q&Asection - if updates to the "A" are required, one of the mods should do that.

But if the consensus is to not have a Q&A section, that's fine as well.

Switcher Hangout Stickies.jpg
 
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In my opinion this community rocks. If it were for a specific product or manufacturer, then it could use a FAQ area. But it does exactly what it was designed for. I'm happy I joined and look forward to continuing being a member.
 

Slydude

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@krs I think you and Randy are on the same page. Perhaps keeping the FAQs to a single forum page or less would increase the chance such a thread actually got read.
 
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krs

krs


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@krs I think you and Randy are on the same page. Perhaps keeping the FAQs to a single forum page or less would increase the chance such a thread actually got read.

I must admit that I never looked at a 'sticky' in this forum until today.
I associated 'stickies' to be more about how one uses a particular forum, code of conduct, that type of thing.

But Nick is right - many 'stickies' here are actually the equivalent of a Q&A.
But some are very outdated and others over time end up with information missing.

I was thinking of a Q&A page for every one of the sections - maybe just start doing one for the most visited section or two, monitor the use for a few months and then decide where to go from there.
 

chscag

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We are slowly going over some of the Sticky threads that we do have. If they appear out of date or contain information that no longer applies, they will be unstuck and closed.
 

chscag

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Please don't hijack this thread.
This thread is specifically to follow up on a suggestion that was made a while back to create a Q&A section on topics related to this forum.

And... please don't moderate. That's not for you to do. If we feel a thread is drifting off topic or has been hijacked we will take care of it.
 

chscag

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In spending time here, I would like to see some discussions of topics outside of the Apple/Mac world. I have been on other Mac discussion sites, and there were such areas there. For example, I like to talk about music, movies, and TV series. So far, I have not seen anything like that here. Not everything is Apple/Macs, and talking about other things is always good.

That's what our Lounge forum is for. You are certainly welcome to start a discussion there about your favorite movies, TV series, or even your favorite Windows computer. :)

We do ask that you not post political and religious discussions, opinions, and other sensitive controversial topics. Just use good common sense.
 
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honestone33

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Please don't hijack this thread.
This thread is specifically to follow up on a suggestion that was made a while back to create a Q&A section on topics related to this forum.

I am not hijacking this thread. Don't be so narrow minded. As it is, look at the post made by Skydude directly after yours. It looks like such an area exists here.

Also, note my reply to chscap below. Another supportive post. And I did make sure to say Thnak You, somethong you have a problem doing.

- - - Updated - - -

That's what our Lounge forum is for. You are certainly welcome to start a discussion there about your favorite movies, TV series, or even your favorite Windows computer. :)

We do ask that you not post political and religious discussions, opinions, and other sensitive controversial topics. Just use good common sense.

Thanks. And I certainly understand the rules, restrictions, etc. As you state, just use common sense. And one of my tag lines is directly equivalent to that: Go along, and we'll get along.

Thanks again.
 
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honestone33

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And... please don't moderate. That's not for you to do. If we feel a thread is drifting off topic or has been hijacked we will take care of it.

Thanks, chscag, for that post. Looks like krs does not want to "Go along, and we'll get along". And as you so eloquently put it, "Just use common sense". Obviously some folks cannot do that.

Thanks again.
 

Slydude

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Neutral corners gentlemen. Let's not have this thread go "off the rails into the ditch" so to speak.

Going forward let's keep the comments related to the question of whether we need an FAQ section.
 

Raz0rEdge

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Questions asked and answered. Another thread closed with useless bickering. SIGH!
 
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