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Reply via email/IM/non-forum-method

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 12:34 pm
by Roja
We need to add a note about this issue to the "posting code in the forums" link, or similar.

Several times a week, people will post asking a somewhat commonly-asked question, and then ask for replies via email or IM.

In a post today, I replied with:
The reason you came here was because the forums are loaded with helpful people.

The forums are loaded with helpful people because they found helpful answers - to questions like yours - here.

Please don't ask us to answer questions elsewhere (via email, or IM) - it reduces the values of the forums - which means you won't want to come here for help anymore.

You can even set your preferences in your profile to email you when someone replies to your post.. allowing us to use the forums as they were meant to be, allowing you to get the answers you want, and allows you to be notified by email.
Which I think covers it nicely, but I'd hate to have to do that for every post.. its really rather common lately.

Just a suggestion. :)

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 2:10 pm
by Ambush Commander
It's a bit long though... And if we add "two" links, well, I think that's asking a bit too much.

I've been thinking that instead of a:
If you are going to post code of any kind, please review Posting Code in the Forums first
it should be:
Wrap PHP code with [ php ] tags and other code with [ code tags ]. Read more here.
So that they just glance at it and they know, rather than following a link.

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 2:17 pm
by Roja
Ambush Commander wrote:It's a bit long though... And if we add "two" links, well, I think that's asking a bit too much.

I've been thinking that instead of a:
If you are going to post code of any kind, please review Posting Code in the Forums first
it should be:
Wrap PHP code with [ php ] tags and other code with [ code tags ]. Read more here.
So that they just glance at it and they know, rather than following a link.
I agree. I hadn't read that link until today, and it is *LONG*. Its multiple PAGES, even with scrolling! Hardly realistic.. not to mention its cluttered with "Yeah!" comments.

I agree with that change about posting code, but we need to point this issue out as well. I don't know a great solution off the top of my head if not coupled with the posting code link..

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 4:24 am
by JAM
There is no way to satisfy everyone, but I'm all up for listening to ideas. Asking the user to use

Code: Select all

tags is good.

Template change tho, so [url=http://forums.devnetwork.net/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=9574]feyd[/url], [url=http://forums.devnetwork.net/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=3391]McGruff[/url] or other site admins needs to make that change.

Should add the functionality that anyone that has posts < 10 sees the "Posting Code in the Forums" post, prior to starting a new thread... Kinda like a licence agreement. "Are you sure you've read the..."

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 4:35 am
by malcolmboston
JAM wrote: Should add the functionality that anyone that has posts < 10 sees the "Posting Code in the Forums" post, prior to starting a new thread... Kinda like a licence agreement. "Are you sure you've read the..." :twisted:
good idea

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 9:09 am
by timvw
Adding "SOLVED" to a topic is also very nice :)

I have a couple of IM-accounts, and all the people that add the ones on my profile end up in the more-or-less ignore list :D Meaby i should make an autoresponder that answers: Go to devnetwork.net ;)

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2005 10:58 am
by Burrito
yes adding solved is very nice. But it needs to be a one-click deal. Only the author of the thread or a mod should have the ability. I realize taht would take a bit more work, but it's sort of a PITA to have to modify the title for every one.

Would be very nice to just have a button at the top and bottom of your thread that you could just click and whola, you're done!