Sonar_un

I would like to suggest a creation of a basic FAQ for newbies.

Such as..

Can 4th gen seats be put into a thirdgen?

or..

Where do I find White faced guages?


And put them up as a sticky so that everyone can read the FAQ. Also, have the sticky locked so only moderators can post to it.

Just a hintful suggestion to those who are unwilling to do a search.

TAdan

I actually feel so strongly about this that I am posting yes, I absolutely agree!

I think it may help with some of the "clutter" on the boards.

scauffiel

Sheesh. You guys act like these questions are asked and answered all the time.










Steve

Blue502

Wait... You mean 4thgen seats CAN be put in thirdgens???




Sorry, I couldn't resist. Actually I just ignore those threads. Locking the sticky post option to administrators/moderators isn't a bad idea, but I haven't seen anyone abuse it yet.

LeftTurn1LE

The problem is that the newbies don't look before they ask. There is already a FAQ, Tech Articles. If newbies don't pay attention to the current ones, I don't think they will notice added ones. Its hopeless. What about a message like the one that was in the prom burning board about reading the tech article first?

PS: I hope that didn't come off too rude. I was a newbie once.

Sonar_un

Well, you gotta hand it to newbies. But yes, there are technical articles and such. I have found Stickies to work well. I use them all the time on other VB Boards, and they are usually a good source of newbieized information.

Yes, people will still ask the same questions, but instead of actually responding with a link, or some rant, we can just say, "Read Sticky"

MetalliCamaroRS

iTrader: (15)

I agree, but still, some newbies don't know how to sue the boards. I remember when I was new to the boards, I didn't know how to search, and I didn't bother to look. I needed help, I just came and asked. Now I see how annoying I must have been Thanks for puttin up with me guys.

Blue502

I think the sticky's help too. Being sure to put links within the message to FAQs, tech articles, websites or interest, and related pictures is also more helpful than just posting some information. Also I think that stickys should be locked so that everyone and their dog can't muddle up the issue and make things confusing for the newbies.

loomdog32

thats a great idea.. i know i still ask stupid stuff thats in the tech articles sometimes.. well its been a while and im over all that stuff.. it would help out the new guys that dont know there way around the board.

mike (loomdog)

jobryan26

Yea but then they'll ask "what sticky?" "how do I read it?" Here's my thought. I think it's alittle more than them asking a neverending question. I think it's kinda more of a way to meet people or get into a one on one conversation with someone. I mean when I came here there was like 7000 members and it was alittle overwhelming and intimidating to me and I was 27(now 28). And trying to find my place and comfort on the board...well I'm still trying to find that but anyway! I hung out alot in the Tech/General Engine area at first and then worked my way around really just trying to read as much as I can to try to get to the level of alot of the others here. That's just my thought and Boy do I hope I'm right! "Altho" I do wish there was a FAQ's link that was clearly visible for and at the top of each Tech Board. Like at the top of the Body and Interior it would say "Body and Interior FAO's" and click on the link and it would take you to the list of Body and Interior's FAQ's and then click on the topic like "Will 4th Gen seats fit into my 3rd Gen?" and then the description as to if it will or not and then be able to click on a Tech Article link that would take you to that Tech Article!

Jza

Really, the FAQ we already have here should just be updated. And the vBoard "FAQ" should be called a "help" screen or something, because nobody really asks those questions, and nobody reads instructions anyway. (They just say, "hey how do I post a pic?")

The tech articles answer a lot of commonly asked questions, too. You just gotta put up with it, because you're never gonna get rid of 'em.

Boosted GTA

So let me get this straight: Fourth Gen seats do fit into a 3rd gen? Oh ok. Do they just bolt up or do i have to mod the rails?



I think a FAQ section would be helpful, things like the upper door hinge, fourth gen seats, questions about IROC rims looking good on any other car than an IROC, etc.

Ive seen a couple of boards that do use the FAQ sections, or as a few others mentioned: Sticky links to FAQ's in the forum that are the most helpful, cause ive spent time looking for details on certain FAQ items and usually if i cant find the thread that i originally read, I just wait a week or two and someone usually reposts it.

RCR

Hi guys, Moderator here

I think it is a good idea to have a "sticky" note for newbies. The problem, like mentioned, is that they don't look at it. It's much easier to ask than it is to do a little research. I think Traxion has one on the PROM board, but I think they have the same problem over there, people don't look. Of course the other problem is that I don't have access to do it. Dirk would have to generate it.

Tell you what, if we start a post with all the info we want in it, I'll clean it up and remove repeat stuff and comments. When it's got enough stuff in it, I'll ask Dirk to convert it to the format he needs. What do you say?

Karps TA

iTrader: (2)

I kinda brought this up to Dirk a couple of weeks ago. I think we should have the first forum a FAQ forum where certain commonly asked questions are answered, but all the topics would be locked and the only people allowed to post a topic/question are moderators. The moderators then can decide on the proper answer to the question. Then if somebody feels we missed something or the answer is wrong the moderators can change it. But I think we'd need to keep it to a maximum of say 30 FAQ's.

I don't want it to sound like only the moderators should have the power, but I think it's the best way to keep things from getting out of control.

I'll bring it back up to Dirk

jobryan26

Karps do you mean a thread, one that would stay at the top of each board? or a Forum like in the "Tech Boards"?

Karps TA

iTrader: (2)

I mean a whole forum something like "answers to commonly asked questions" or something like that. Just so that it is the first forum people notice. I dunno how much it will help, but maybe it'll get some repition of the boards.

Flash84Z28

The same problem is happening on every board. I think every board needs to have it's own FAQ page that is in a sticky. That way when newbies come in a board they might see the very top post saying something like... "Commonly asked questions here" or something, they check it out and find a FAQ page like this for example:

...................
DO 4TH GEN SEATS FIT IN THIRD GENS?
- Yes fourth gen seats are a direct bolt in. Here is a link to the tech article that explains the install. (link)

HOW DO I FIND WHITE FACE GAUGES FOR MY CAR?
- Click here to download the gauge faces and here to go to the tech article to learn how to install free white face guages.

..................

This would avoid many questions from popping up over and over! Another thing I have been seeing way to much is threads in the wrong forums. For example what is a thread called "How many people are from Peoria, IL?" Doing in the appearance forum? It's taking up space and needs to be moved to the Midwest board. How about this thread. Is this not a forum suggestion, problem or comment? Or how about the famous "sig test" They could at least do it on another post they reply to so they don't take up space for people that actually need help.

I can help make these FAQ pages, I am very expirianced with page building and HTML...so Dirk give me an e-mail if you're interested.

I'm done ranting ,
Matt

robertg

iTrader: (2)

i agree about the wasted posts. the questions about the amount of people in a certain location (matt hit this square in the nose) should go to it's respective board. example, peoria, illinois is in the midwest, therefore, it goes to the midwest regional board. i'm not in the midwest region(ohio would be more in line with the great lakes), but i've hung out there, lol, as we don't have a great lakes board. if we had a great lakes board, i'd volunteer to moderate it.

i also am warming up to the idea of a sticky note with commonly asked questions on the respective boards. let's get more people using the regional boards for questions also!

let's see what happens.

jobryan26

Shouldn't this go to the Forum Problems / Suggestions / Comments Board?

robertg

iTrader: (2)

actually, now that i look at it, maybe it does. oops, lol. it prolly should go to the comments board, unless one of the mods wants to keep it here.

Blue502

What we need is for guests and junior members to be redirected to a page which includes faq info when they click on a forum. This redirected faq page could then have a link on it to the actual forum at the bottom of the page. Don't know if this would be possible or not, or even worth the trouble.

Kj Rockz

Is it a documented fact that fourth gen seats will line up with third gen seats?

RCR

I don't like the seperate forum idea. Like I mentioned above, it's hard enough to get someone to search for info on their topic in a specific forum. People in general are too lazy. It's easier to ask than go to a seperate forum and look for the info. Plus once you add the FAQs from all the other forums, you'd still have to search. Besides, that's what the tech articles are for. A sticky note at the top is the best idea, short of putting up with newbie questions.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

Its not worth the trouble. The best thing people can do is reply to the threads and point them in the right direction and have a moderator lock the thread. Otherwise you can reply to a thread and say "look here for your answer" and five minutes later someone else will give them an incomplete answer and the thread will go on for days as the person tries to take the easy road. "Sticky" posts aren't an option. Moderators can load announcements, but if someone else posts an additional announcement it covers up the one that was just there. Everyone needs to contribute by refering people to existing information, otherwise its the same threads over and over. Occassionally information gets outdated or needs to be updated, and when that happens a new thread is justified.

jobryan26

I think my idea was best. And you wouldn't have those problems as you stated.
Here's what I said:
"Altho" I do wish there was a FAQ's link that was clearly visible for and at the top of each Tech Board. Like at the top of the Body and Interior it would say "Body and Interior FAO's" and click on the link and it would take you to the list of Body and Interior's FAQ's and then click on the topic like "Will 4th Gen seats fit into my 3rd Gen?" and then the description as to if it will or not and then be able to click on a Tech Article link that would take you to that Tech Article!
The problem I see is that in order to get to the Tech Articles you have to go all the way back to Homepage and then enter into the Tech Articles and then search through all of the Articles and hope you find what you're looking for. By going this route that I stated above it would pertain to only the board that you're in and then you'd have the option of clicking the link to take you to the Tech Article if it's available so that would also eliminate the next question of How hard is it?, Does the seats just bolt in? and etc.

jobryan26

It's like what RCR said people are lazy or just tired of seeing the same questions 3times on the same page. And that happens here in this board alot. That's why there are alot of replies to these threads like "Not this again." While I agree with what you said about Mods locking the thread that's up to you guys. But to cut down on the mulitple posts over the same subject is my point. I think after a FAQ's was applied to the board as I stated above and then if these posts continue use the "Point and Lock"system. It would not eliminate the multiple posts but I think it wouldn't happen as often. Plus it would make it quicker for some of us to point them in the right direction by saying "It's in the FAQ's at the top of the page" and then "Mod lock it".

un4givin89

Will a 4th gen console fit in my Camaro?

AsylumX

Every forum experiences the same problem with newbies (just ignore my post count on the left , and although there is no good way to stop the questions from being asked, there is a rather simple way of dealing with it. It seems we all know these questions are asked alot, and we all know the answer, but no one has written a good tutorial on any of it. I say the tech articles need to be revised and updated (and don't forget the pictures). This way when someone asks a repeated question, we can post the link to the article and be done with it.


It may seem simple, but it's the only way you're going to cut back on overasked questions without spending weeks and weeks on some intricate plan.

Flash84Z28

No, there is no posible way anything from a forth gen will ever fit into our cars!

I don't think my idea would be a waste of time. If you had all the FAQ's in a sticky and links to the tech articles under each FAQ I think many more people would find what they need, how to do it, and if it can be done. Not to mention a lot more use of the tech articles.

-Matt

BlueAlice91bird

I'm no senior member, and thus probably don't notice as much this phenomenon yall are talking about, but I'm all for updating the tech articles. When I first found this site, the first thing I did was read all the tech articles that I felt pertained to something I wanted to do (which was dang near every one of them). Oh, and I agree with the lots of of pictures thing.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

The tech articals are all done by people who want to contribute, be thankfull they're there at all. Updating them is up to the writers. Also each one has the writers email address, or some form of contact, if its not clear enough email the writer and ask for clarification. I get several emails every week on the articals I've written and I don't mind replying to them. The information doesn't really change, and subsequently doesn't require updating.

Sonar_un

Yeah, the tech articles are all contributed by the users. I do agree that we are in some desperate need of pics. I get turned off pretty quick if I don't have illustrated guides to help me with what I am doing.

Also, the tech articles should all be housed on thirdgen.org's server, and not individual's servers. You don' t know what might happen to each article, you could loose a very good source of information.

BlueAlice91bird

Just wanted to clarify, when I say update the tech article, I'm just talking pictures and perhaps more articles, not saying they aren't sufficient as they are, and I am thankful they're there.