Read this before posting a question :)

[mbohn]

This cracks me up. It is a link provided by a forum similar to (but not) Mac-Forums where people can ask technical questions. The link tells you the proper way to ask questions on a forum and newbies are supposed to read it before posting.

I can appreciate that forum moderators want to keep the mayhem to a minimum but this link is way over the top.

It is super long, rude, dismissive, and it displays an attitude of massive superiority.

Let me know what you think. (I dare you to read the whole thing, and yes I did follow some of it in making this post ).


How To Ask Questions The Smart Way

 

[sabot]

glad i'm not a noob on their forums ;D

 

[toMACsh]

I read the whole Table of Contents. Good points. Probably enough on its own.

 

[pigoo3]

Mac-Forums actually has "sort-of" and abbreviated note about posting questions...more revolving around "forum courtesy":

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/news-community-announcements/17475-forum-courtesy.html#post103617

For example...don't put a question in the thread title...and don't put the word "help" in the title!

- Nick

 

[wmprice1240]

Well, forums directed primarily at developers tend to be more severe in their treatment of new users and questions in general. Plus, these FAQ/Guide to new postings tend to be enhanced over time so what you are probably seeing is quite a bit of history (from at least 2004).

Having said all that, I definitely understand your points. It's never failed to amaze me some of the brazen, obnoxious and generally rude treatment of forum users, particularly people genuinely interested in the advertised technology.

 

[cwa107]

This one definitely takes it to an extreme, but I believe that having some sense of "common courtesy" when using a forum makes life easier for everyone, especially those that are asking questions and are receiving free technical support. It never ceases to amaze me the sense of entitlement that some members have. Like DB says, it's the Burger King "Have it Your Way" mentality.

It has long been considered common courtesy in computing circles to try to provide as much relevant detail as possible when asking a question. I can't tell you how many threads I've seen with a title of "HELPPPPPPPP!!!!" and a first post that says something like "My computer won't <state problem here>", but without addressing what computer make/model/revision/OS version it is, what precludes the user from doing whatever it is they want to do, or provide any sense of the events leading up to the problem.

Imagine calling a mechanic and saying "My car is broken". What kind of response do you think you'd get? If forum users would just bother to take a moment and answer the 5 W?'s (Who, What, When, Where, Why) in their posts, things would be a lot easier for everyone, the poster included.

 

[Mac SK]

Imagine calling a mechanic and saying "My car is broken". What kind of response do you think you'd get? If forum users would just bother to take a moment and answer the 5 W?'s (Who, What, When, Where, Why) in their posts, things would be a lot easier for everyone, the poster included.

Thank You.

 

[mbohn]

Thank You.

That seems like a very reasonable thing to ask of people.

What if a forum had a special button you could click if you wanted to ask for tech help? You would get a form with the 5 W questions and you would have to fill those out in order to submit the request. Sort of like submitting a trouble ticket for support. If someone asked a question without the form, other's would be justified in ignoring it if they chose.

 

[pigoo3]

What if a forum had a special button you could click if you wanted to ask for tech help? You would get a form with the 5 W questions and you would have to fill those out in order to submit the request. Sort of like submitting a trouble ticket for support. If someone asked a question without the form, other's would be justified in ignoring it if they chose.

That would be an very interesting & useful idea...the only downside as I can see it is...many users (especially new members who only sign up for membership, ask 1 question, and then never show up again)...don't take the time to research the site to see what info or instructions are available already.

Many many "first timer" questions 95% of the time have already been asked & answered many many times...so if someone did a site search they would probably find the answer they needed. Or they could have found the answer in like 30 seconds or faster using Google!

So I think your "Tech Support Button" is a great idea...I would only be afraid that it wouldn't get used (since many members don't even do a search before asking a question)...unless the "Button" was featured VERY prominently on the Mac-Forums Home Page...which the site Admins may or may not be very excited about doing.

Just my humble opinion,

- Nick