Hotrodders.com engine forum thread quality
(→Specific issues with engine forum discussions) |
(→Encourage use of the search function) |
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====Encourage use of the search function==== | ====Encourage use of the search function==== | ||
Many questions can be solved by simply using the search function. We could more aggressively encourage its use (and the use of the [http://www.hotrodders.com/kb Knowledge Base] and [http://crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki Wiki], especially among newer users. We could use a nag screen for this, and require the user to check a box indicating that he/she has used the available resources prior to posting a question. Alternatively, this could be done with a button that takes the users title text, and searches the forum or Knowledge Base database for matching resources. | Many questions can be solved by simply using the search function. We could more aggressively encourage its use (and the use of the [http://www.hotrodders.com/kb Knowledge Base] and [http://crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki Wiki], especially among newer users. We could use a nag screen for this, and require the user to check a box indicating that he/she has used the available resources prior to posting a question. Alternatively, this could be done with a button that takes the users title text, and searches the forum or Knowledge Base database for matching resources. | ||
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| + | *In response to the search function* | ||
| + | Especially in regards to "bigger" forums, there is a tendancy for a thread to move off-track or take on large amounts of only semi-related information by other posters (or somethings completely unreleated information). This comes from alot of people discussing their similiar experiences, or someone who is misunderstanding the issue posting irrelevant info. This results in the search feature becoming tedious to use, even for people who are greatly familiar with the application of Boolean. Some search engines have the ability to seach for exact phrases when put in quotes, however even that trick seems to be widely unknown (for example, google has this feature - I'm amazed at how many people aren't aware of it). | ||
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| + | Unfortunately, the best way to correct it would be to strip out a great deal of the community bonding that goes on through the threads, by making sure that all initial posters and responses keep the information as specific as possible and limited solely to the scope of the question. Example: | ||
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| + | "Here is my problem, fact A, B, C, D. Please assist." | ||
| + | "Try this specific steps in this order <steps/order given>. Post results." | ||
| + | "Step 1 yieled x result." | ||
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| + | And so on. Obviously this would reduce the humanity of the board, as it were, but it should make the search function more reliable. The other suggestion would be for people to keep one question per thread. I know I have personally made the mistake of asking multiple questions in one thread, and how it would later cause confusion among those kind enough to assist. | ||
====Lock posts that are repetitive==== | ====Lock posts that are repetitive==== | ||
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