Help request protocol...

[Burke]

I keep seeing threads whose authors offer virtually no information other than "I need help, I have an error" and it takes coaxing over multiple replies to get more out of them.

I think there should be a sticky in the Hardware and Software forums (and/or others) laying out a general protocol for help requests. It could include things such as encouraging people to provide the relevant system specs, exact errors, screenshots, steps that lead to the errors, what measures the user has taken already to solve problems, etc.

[CableDude]

Agreed. :nod:

[§I€MFKR™]

Sounds good, Plus there should be a sticky thread in the Tweaking Forum of different Cablenut settings and tweaks, for people to try and answer questions with.:nod:

[CableDude]

Why not just have a seperate forum devoted to "important" stuff?

IMO, the general forum is looking quite crowded at the moment. Half the time I ignore what's stuck at the top.

Call it announcements or something.

[ghost]

Originally posted by CableDude
Why not just have a seperate forum devoted to "important" stuff?

IMO, the general forum is looking quite crowded at the moment. Half the time I ignore what's stuck at the top.

Call it announcements or something.

But putting all the IMPORTANT threads in one Forum to peruse would result in some people just skipping that Forum. Then you'll have people saying, "Didn't you read the IMPORTANT thread regarding this issue?" and the reply will always be, "I didn't see that."

If you put the IMPORTANT threads in the same Forum in which the question poster is posting, then there's no excuse for him not reading it.

ON TOPIC: I agree, though seasoned members may already know and follow good practices in this regard, we need to make it a sticky.

[Qwijib0]

there IS a sticky on the h/w forum....

[Norm]

Recondite, I see your point, and it can be very frustrating at times trying to get info from some new members, but we have to remember back to our own days of being a newb.

I'll bet some of these new guys scramble like mad hoes trying to figure out what we mean when we ask for 'system specs' or what OS, what channel is your HD drive on, did you check the BIOS ?etc etc.
They don't have a clue what their problem is, because they know so little about computers in general, but they don't want to come across as a newb, and be embarassed.

Digging the info out is good for practicing trouble shooting techniques. Plus it gives the new member a bit of time to figure out what we all mean. He/she learns and progresses, and we refine our techniques at the same time.
Win win situation..

There have been a number of times where I reread a thread after more info was dug out, and the answer was there in the first post, just hidden between the lines.

Note: The regular members should know better than to be so vague, and need a swift kick in the butt. :D

[brembo]

I have a problem with my AOL, how can I fix it? :D

[CableDude]

Originally posted by brembo
I have a problem with my AOL, how can I fix it? :D


format c: /s ;)