Forum Master List of How Tos & other info?

[proscribed]

I'd like to suggest a master list thread in Site Stuff for all the important info contained in the SIX other stickied threads in this board. Considering the likely short attention span of the majority of new posters here (or the fact that the majority don't want to read SIX threads), how about one sticked thread containing all the info in the SIX threads into 6 or 7 individual posts?
Known forum bugs and frequently requested features or suggestions could be listed in this thread, so we don't get people asking about the "1 minute per post/edit" rule all the time.

Ex:
Post 1: Rules
Post 2: Mods (who can do what i.e customs)
Post 3: How To: General (sigs, avatars, etc.) (hot linking info and Buddy List info could go here)
Post 4: How To: Chat
Post 5: Known Forum bugs/errors
Post 6: Frequently requested features or suggestions i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif
MAYBE Post 7: General FAQ (a place for info that doesn't belong anywhere else)

Sure you maybe thinking "oh, they'll still be long ass posts", but maybe it's time to condense and review the info in these stickies anyway? I still see info in all of them that is outdated or could easily be condensed.

I'm suggesting this Master List thread in an effort to clean up Site Stuff and be more helpful in helping i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif new users to the G4tv.com Community.

What do you think?

[Baxter]

If by Master List, you mean a consolidated thread with links to all the important threads, then I'm not sure if it's necessary. Site Stuff is frankly, a slow-moving forum. Without those stickies, I think this would only call more attention to that fact.

Now, you are right that some of them are outdated (well, ancient quite frankly). Maybe at some point, we may put together a new "HOW TO" thread which emphasizes help with sigs, etc. and not so much the rules since the thread I made pretty much covers that area.

We'll see...

[Arcadimere]

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Originally posted by: Baxter
Maybe at some point, we may put together a new "HOW TO" thread which emphasizes help with sigs, etc. and not so much the rules since the thread I made pretty much covers that area.<hr></blockquote>
If I recall, a member did make an updated version of that thread focusing more so on the questions found in the previous thread. From their intent, the thread was to be a place for new users to come and ask questions as well since that is how the last thread sort of ended up. For reason unknown it was deleted.

Edit: Lets make this a question then. Why was the other thread, the updated How To one deleted?

[proscribed]

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Originally posted by: Baxter
If by Master List, you mean a consolidated thread with links to all the important threads, then I'm not sure if it's necessary. Site Stuff is frankly, a slow-moving forum. Without those stickies, I think this would only call more attention to that fact.

Now, you are right that some of them are outdated (well, ancient quite frankly). Maybe at some point, we may put together a new "HOW TO" thread which emphasizes help with sigs, etc. and not so much the rules since the thread I made pretty much covers that area.

We'll see...<hr></blockquote>

No, I meant what I said. So what if it's a slow moving forum...having a ton of stickies helps this somehow? i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif

[MisterKalas]

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>So we don't get people asking about the "1 minute per post/edit" rule all the time.<hr></blockquote>

I've created this thread (http://forums.g4tv.com/messageview.cfm?catid=24&threadid=675082&FTVAR_MSGDBTABLE=) a while back explaining why the flood control is currently in effect since 2003, when they last upgraded the forums. The main reason why the flood control exists is because the G4 Administrators discovered that there is a double post glitch in the forum software.

I'll be very helpful if Baxter or another mod sticky this topic.

Least you guys forget, Site Stuff is not actively monitored; which means not all topics will guarantee a response.

Cheers. i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif

[Baxter]

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Originally posted by: proscribed
No, I meant what I said. So what if it's a slow moving forum...having a ton of stickies helps this somehow? i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif<hr></blockquote>Frankly, yes.

You're giving people too much credit to search this Master Thread for what they're looking for. Even with the stickies right in their faces, there are people that are too lazy to do that. A few years back, I tried to do something very similar in the Judgment Day forums (which had an UNGODLY amount of stickies for a show forum). Within hours, I had people panicky and confused and even Tommy Tallarico himself told me to just move it back the way it was.

However for here, I would like to update the essential ones and cut down the amount of them.


Edit: Kalas, yes we do get people asking about the 1 minute rule every now and then, but we can't create a sticky for every conceivable question. All we can do is give people the means to answer their own question in a way that compromises with ease. (It's never going to be perfect.) The issue will get a spot in the new FAQ, though.

[Sheik_the_Geek]

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Originally posted by: Baxter
<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Originally posted by: proscribed
No, I meant what I said. So what if it's a slow moving forum...having a ton of stickies helps this somehow? i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif<hr></blockquote>Frankly, yes.

You're giving people too much credit to search this Master Thread for what they're looking for. Even with the stickies right in their faces, there are people that are too lazy to do that. A few years back, I tried to do something very similar in the Judgment Day forums (which had an UNGODLY amount of stickies for a show forum). Within hours, I had people panicky and confused and even Tommy Tallarico himself told me to just move it back the way it was.

However for here, I would like to update the essential ones and cut down the amount of them.


Edit: Kalas, yes we do get people asking about the 1 minute rule every now and then, but we can't create a sticky for every conceivable question. All we can do is give people the means to answer their own question in a way that compromises with ease. (It's never going to be perfect.) The issue will get a spot in the new FAQ, though.<hr></blockquote>

Yeah, A giant thread with links everywhere will get less attention then that pm you got when you joined.

But I would like an updated version of the rules, including several new rules we've gotten within the last 2 years. Like all the mod judgement call rules.

[MisterKalas]

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>But I would like an updated version of the rules, including several new rules we've gotten within the last 2 years. Like all the mod judgement call rules. <hr></blockquote>

You'll have to PM Gringo about having the general rules in the FAQ revised, since he's the admin and forum owner.

Remember: Moderators aren't allowed to make up forum rules or alter them in any way because they don't have that kind of authority. If the mods want to see the forum rules revised, it's best to take it up with an admin for their approval. But as mods they do get the last say in almost every forum situation, that's the way the system of forum adminstration works.

[Baxter]

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Originally posted by: Kalas673
You'll have to PM Gringo about having the general rules in the FAQ revised, since he's the admin and forum owner. <hr></blockquote>Gringo doesn't own the forums, Comcast does. He didn't write the rules, and the forums are not the center of his duties. Don't PM Gringo unless there is some kind of an emergency with technical aspects of the site, he is a very busy man. ANY issue you want to address concerning the rules, moderation, etc, should be sent to moderator@g4tv.com where it will be looked at by those who handle these things, Gringo being among them when he has the time.
<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Remember: Moderators aren't allowed to make up forum rules or alter them in any way because they don't have that kind of authority. If the mods want to see the forum rules revised, it's best to take it up with an admin for their approval. But as mods they do get the last say in almost every forum situation, that's the way the system of forum adminstration works.<hr></blockquote>Right. Mods DON'T make up rules and there haven't been any new rules in the past 2 years. My rules thread makes very clear that it does not contain any new rules, but is a review of existing policy.

If you have a problem with a rule and wish it to be discussed, besides the e-mail, there is nothing wrong with bringing it up objectively in Site Stuff.

[proscribed]

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Originally posted by: Sheik_the_Geek
<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Originally posted by: Baxter
<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Originally posted by: proscribed
No, I meant what I said. So what if it's a slow moving forum...having a ton of stickies helps this somehow? i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif<hr></blockquote>Frankly, yes.

You're giving people too much credit to search this Master Thread for what they're looking for. Even with the stickies right in their faces, there are people that are too lazy to do that. A few years back, I tried to do something very similar in the Judgment Day forums (which had an UNGODLY amount of stickies for a show forum). Within hours, I had people panicky and confused and even Tommy Tallarico himself told me to just move it back the way it was.

However for here, I would like to update the essential ones and cut down the amount of them.


Edit: Kalas, yes we do get people asking about the 1 minute rule every now and then, but we can't create a sticky for every conceivable question. All we can do is give people the means to answer their own question in a way that compromises with ease. (It's never going to be perfect.) The issue will get a spot in the new FAQ, though.<hr></blockquote>

Yeah, A giant thread with links everywhere will get less attention then that pm you got when you joined.

But I would like an updated version of the rules, including several new rules we've gotten within the last 2 years. Like all the mod judgement call rules.<hr></blockquote>

For what reason did people "panic"? If there was a reasonable warning about the change (warnings should be something viewers of this channel should NOT be used to anyway due to the regular changes of this network), there should/would be no "panic".

I never said a Master Thread with links, I said with individual posts containing condensed info (One post for rules, one post for an FAQ, etc. all with a similar format). Quick, easy, and convenient, all in one place so new users can easily adapt to these forums.

WIth the logic going around, people will or will not pay attention to the threads regardless of the amount there. If they're lazy, they're gonna be lazy. Having a ton of stickies won't urge them to exactly read them, and neither will just having one, BUT the people who are interested will only have one place to go and have all common questions/concerns answered in one single thread.

And one more thing, Gringo works on the web team, and these forums fall under that. i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif

[Baxter]

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Originally posted by: proscribed

For what reason did people "panic"? If there was a reasonable warning about the change (warnings should be something viewers of this channel should NOT be used to anyway due to the regular changes of this network), there should/would be no "panic".<hr></blockquote>So...you don't believe me? (shrug)
<blockquote>Quote
<hr>I never said a Master Thread with links, I said with individual posts containing condensed info (One post for rules, one post for an FAQ, etc. all with a similar format). Quick, easy, and convenient, all in one place so new users can easily adapt to these forums.

WIth the logic going around, people will or will not pay attention to the threads regardless of the amount there. If they're lazy, they're gonna be lazy. Having a ton of stickies won't urge them to exactly read them, and neither will just having one, BUT the people who are interested will only have one place to go and have all common questions/concerns answered in one single thread.<hr></blockquote>The only way that what you're proposing would be convenient would be in a dedicated section of the site itself (which is something we could possibly do). However, again, I have to disagree on the convenience of leafing through a text monster (even when using your browser's find function.) Assume that links to threads on each topic would have to be the used in the Master Thread because that's the only way it would be manageable.
<blockquote>Quote
<hr>And one more thing, Gringo works on the web team, and these forums fall under that. i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif<hr></blockquote>??? I never said he wasn't.


Anyway, don't fret. We will update things and cut the clutter down.

[Sheik_the_Geek]

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Originally posted by: Baxter
<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Originally posted by: Kalas673
You'll have to PM Gringo about having the general rules in the FAQ revised, since he's the admin and forum owner. <hr></blockquote>Gringo doesn't own the forums, Comcast does. He didn't write the rules, and the forums are not the center of his duties. Don't PM Gringo unless there is some kind of an emergency with technical aspects of the site, he is a very busy man. ANY issue you want to address concerning the rules, moderation, etc, should be sent to moderator@g4tv.com where it will be looked at by those who handle these things, Gringo being among them when he has the time.
<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Remember: Moderators aren't allowed to make up forum rules or alter them in any way because they don't have that kind of authority. If the mods want to see the forum rules revised, it's best to take it up with an admin for their approval. But as mods they do get the last say in almost every forum situation, that's the way the system of forum adminstration works.<hr></blockquote>Right. Mods DON'T make up rules and there haven't been any new rules in the past 2 years. My rules thread makes very clear that it does not contain any new rules, but is a review of existing policy.

If you have a problem with a rule and wish it to be discussed, besides the e-mail, there is nothing wrong with bringing it up objectively in Site Stuff.<hr></blockquote>

Buy you do know what Im talking about right? Especially towrads the end of last year with all the bannings and suspensions of people for stuff thats not in the rules or FAQs, but simply because "the mod said so" Everything from what words we can use by bypassing swear filter and what words we cant too posting pictures of kids.

[proscribed]

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Originally posted by: Baxter
So...you don't believe me? (shrug)
??? I never said he wasn't.

Anyway, don't fret. We will update things and cut the clutter down.<hr></blockquote>

It's not that, I just don't see how people would panic over something so trivial.

Even a Master Thread with links would be ok right now. Now that you mention it, a page on the site sounds like a good idea too. The info could be much easier to read and less text crazy on an an actual web page (since forums.g4tv.com is for the actual forums, g4tv.com/forums (instead of being a redirect) could lead to a main page for the forum, with links on the left to Rules, FAQs etc. They could really snazzy it up). It'd be nice if they could integrate these forums more into the site (in a graphics/visual sense). Then there could be just one thread in Site Stuff telling you where to go (g4tv.com/forums). It could possibly be even set up like The Feed is (blog software style) so mods could update it as well (and not just the webmasters).

Any other members or mods wanna throw in some input? Thanks to Baxter and Sheik for replying. i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif

[Arcadimere]

I'll say this again since my last post was overlooked.

A user by the alias of Calamity, yes Calamity, made an updated version of the How To. I should know because I helped him put it together. Again, that thread was a vast improvement over the last one not only by updating old information but also by answering common questions found in the previous version.

Originally we wanted to put HTML anchors in it so all a user had to do was click said part in the table of contents and it would drop down to that portion on the page. Sadly not even moderators could use HTML in their posts. Calamity said he asked a few moderates if they had any objections to making an updated version but none ever got back to him on it. In time we were going to PM an admin with the codes to that thread so all they had to do was copy and past it in so as not to waste to much of their time if they approved.

When we made the thread, a day or so later it was just deleted for no real apparent reason. After putting a few hard hours into making that newer version, wouldn't you be a bit pissed especially when you aren't even given a thank you or a reason why?

So let me ask, why bother in making a newer version when one was already made but deleted just because we already had one?

[proscribed]

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Originally posted by: Arcadimere
I'll say this again since my last post was overlooked.

A user by the alias of Calamity, yes Calamity, made an updated version of the How To. I should know because I helped him put it together. Again, that thread was a vast improvement over the last one not only by updating old information but also by answering common questions found in the previous version.

Originally we wanted to put HTML anchors in it so all a user had to do was click said part in the table of contents and it would drop down to that portion on the page. Sadly not even moderators could use HTML in their posts. Calamity said he asked a few moderates if they had any objections to making an updated version but none ever got back to him on it. In time we were going to PM an admin with the codes to that thread so all they had to do was copy and past it in so as not to waste to much of their time if they approved.

When we made the thread, a day or so later it was just deleted for no real apparent reason. After putting a few hard hours into making that newer version, wouldn't you be a bit pissed especially when you aren't even given a thank you or a reason why?

So let me ask, why bother in making a newer version when one was already made but deleted just because we already had one?<hr></blockquote>

Hmmm, interesting. Maybe it was because users made it? Even then, an admin could have verified the info. Your idea of HTML anchors was something I was thinking of this whole time (so the master thread wouldn't be all text crazy). I'm surprised it was deleted.
Do you still have a copy of it?

[Arcadimere]

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>Originally posted by: proscribed
Hmmm, interesting. Maybe it was because users made it? Even then, an admin could have verified the info. Your idea of HTML anchors was something I was thinking of this whole time (so the master thread wouldn't be all text crazy). I'm surprised it was deleted.
Do you still have a copy of it?<hr></blockquote>
No, neither Calamity nor I have a copy of it anymore. I doubt that the fact a user made it should play too much of a role in why it was deleted. Calamity is the one who kept revamping the X-Play Directory. All he did was copy all the codes and info in the post and emailed/PMed MissFae every time he felt it needed a change. Basically if it was an issue, we could have easily supplied a copy of the coded one for a moderator to post it.