Tips for good posting.....

[mjc]

1. Do not use all caps, it is considered shouting and it is also hard to read.

2. Proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling are a definite plus...besides being easier to read and understand what you are trying to say it also makes it less time consuming for those who are trying to help you (we won't have to spend time trying to decipher what you mean).

3. Bringing up posts that are more than a week or two old most often confuses the issue.

4. Starting multiple posts on the same subject is often counter-productive (posts in more than one subject area, continuing the post in a new post, etc), and can lead to conflicting advice, confused responses and other things that would not be helpful.

6. If responding to a post, please, read the original post and ALL replies before posting, making sure that your advice/answer is in line with what has been previously posted or if different, that it is pertinent to the current problem.

7. And above all else....HAVE SOME FUN http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[fixrupr]

Applause, applause, applause.

But, I fear that only members of the choir populate the pews.

[diurnal]

Yeah i second that motion MJC !!!
Andespecially Double posted the same subject and putting a different heading on it,

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Sledgehammer will save the day!

[ranchdog]

Fix It Man.... You crack me up. Helps me get rid of the grumpies.

Some of my Thoughts:

Try not to "piggy-back" a problem on an allready posted thread if at all possible.
Learn how to use the Reply button. To quote an entire thread isn't allways necessary.
Trynottorunallofyourgrammerjammedupasitmakesmescra tchmyheadwhenItryto
readit'causeI'mgettingold.

Being a little bit humble and a little bit curteous will bring results.

Have an Awesome day.







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....How long is a minute... depends on which side of the Bathroom door you're on. ......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
..........

[This message has been edited by Paleo Pete (edited 06-22-2002).]

[YODA74]

Yup agree especially with the quote totaly unnessary. unless a segment has to be quoted to explain an answer.But children do as children see fit.

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Treading,Troden,Trails
HERE (http://www.davematthewsband.com)

[bassman]

YES SIR I AGREE
It would be nice if your exact words could be incorporated into the "tips for success" area that is already there when you start a post.
It would also be nice if they were to appear when you post a reply.

I have one other suggestion to go along with this. If using "Notepad" to write your posts and then pasting into the UBB box, please be sure "wordwrap" is turned on http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif. I recommend using a full featured word processor so as to take advantage of the spellcheck and grammercheck.

Excellent idea MJC http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif

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Please go HERE (http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/Forum10/HTML/000225.html)
Frank's Place (http://www.members.aol.com/frankscompsrvice)

[Fetladral]

Hi all, just thought I might add to this

Here's a few more hints.

1) Use proper sentences
Take the time to phrase you sentences well. Use punctuation, decent sentence structure and run a spell check. This AIN'T an English class! Every email will have some typos and grammar issues but too many make you look like your question isn't that important to you. It also implies that you are rushing and have not really considered the problem and are just puking something out for a quick answer.

2) Give a frame of reference
Give a few details about your system. At the very least, mention the OS. Always give as many details as possible about whatever you are discussing - if you're talking about video problems, give the make and model of the video card, the driver version as well as resolution, color depth, etc.

3) Detail the errors
If you are getting some form of error, describe it - in detail. Never just say "I got an error" they have no idea what that means! Give the complete text of the error and say WHEN it happens. If you get a lockup, describe it. Is the screen frozen? Is it a Blue Screen of Death? Is the mouse present? These details help a lot.

4) Detail what you've done
As you ask for help, let them know what you've done. Little phrases like:

I check the BIOS settings
and I checked the Microsoft Knowledge Base
and I reinstalled the driver

help them know what you've tried so they don't become redundant

5) Ask "pathed" questions
This is a biggie. A good tech always has a plan. Try to ask your questions in such a way that we can see what you are thinking. This in no way limits you to that path, but it helps us as we provide ideas to you. For example, if you're video card keeps dying and you think you've got a RAM problem, ask a question like:

"What can I do to verify the RAM on my video card is good?"

don't ask

"What do I do?"

As questions are read they know just because you are asking about the video RAM that doesn't mean the problem really IS the video RAM. It simply shows where you are in the thought process and gives us a launching point to give ideas. Depending on the problem, I might say something like:

"While you might have bad video RAM, you might want to consider updating your DirectX drivers first."

Any tech problem is a path, a process. Too many techs don't think in those terms and instead just keep firing shotgun blasts at the problem. Don't do that. Choose a path, stick to it and let us know the path - then we can follow along with you as we get to the fix.

6) Keep your questions to a minimum
Try to only put one question in a post. Far too often a post will contain 3-5 questions and we can't answer any of them till we get more details about the first question! So you wasted your fingers adding all the other questions as fixing the first one might change the fix path entirely! If you want to ask multiple questions, try to path them like this:

Should I check the video driver?
If the driver is old, is there a particular driver version to download?
If the driver update doesn't work, should I consider getting another video card?

See how these questions show your path? Here's an example of bad multiple questions:

Should I reinstall the video drivers?
Which drive do I repartition?
How do I reinstall Windows?

There's nothing wrong with multiple questions - in most cases a problem REQUIRES multiple questions. But let the path flow your questions and try to keep a single question to a post unless the issue really needs them. Remember, it's a helluva lot easier to read a thread of posts that have individual questions than it is to try to read one big post full of questions.

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OK, well I realize that I could go on and on here but I've covered the main points. Remember, you of this stuff - I'm sure someone is always going to try to help - but it sure makes it a lot easier when you do and you'll certainly get faster answers if you do follow these guidelines!
Now I just need to practice what I preached.

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Fetladral

[iisbob]

OK, i'll admit i'm the worst here for spelling error's, but as my Grand pappy used to say:
..Show me a proper educated man, and i'll show you a fool with dung on his shoes!..


meaning keep your nose outta the sky, or you'll wind up regretting it! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif



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iisbob

Life of a tech-support specialist-
"..Tech Support: "Use the right button to click on the shortcut--"
Customer: "I don't have a right button."
Tech Support: "You should have a right button."
Customer: "I'm sure. I have 'ctrl', 'alt', 'backspace'..."

[Lucias_Clay]

I was just remembering my favorite statemant in english class. "But teacher I ain't got no pencil."

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"It's not my fault!"

[Donna]

I don't do alot of posting. I have gone through most of the posts at this site and others to see if my problems have already been someone elses, they usually have.

One nice thing for you to do would be to come back and say if the answers to your questions worked. Nothing worse than finding your problem in a post, but the person with the problem didn't say if it worked or not.

I think that saying the problem was fixed is a good way to show your thanks. After all these helpful people here don't get paid for solving our problems.

Oh ya, and after you post, read it. There is an edit button and its easy to use. I think you have an hour to edit here.

[This message has been edited by Donna (edited 01-01-2002).]

[Whyzman]

mjc this is an excellent topic you've presented! The responses/additions definitely have stolen my thunder!

I would like to focus in on Donna's suggestion regarding postbacks. Indeed, it is really beneficial to know if the suggestions were on target. Or, on the journey to PC wellness, whether the traveler did arrive at their destination...even if it was not down the path we were pointing towards.

Or, in other words...What did work?

It is very rewarding when someone posts back that they are up and running! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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May all your dealings in life be win/win!

Whyzman

[This message has been edited by Whyzman (edited 01-02-2002).]

[kayofcircles]

Yes, adding my fervent PLEASE to Whyzman's and Donna's. I keep a list of links of threads that I am watching here, and all too often the person who has posted the question never returns/posts back at all, so we never know if what was suggested worked..or they never came back..or what? If whatever was suggested works, we need to know that for future. If it didn't, that is very helpful to know too so that we can try again or search for another answer, or stick in our "Unsolved Mysteries" folder. I suspect that there are lots of people who find their answer in "old" threads..provided that it was indicated that the process worked.

Fetladral: Admire your post; very well thought out and I like the way you think. But suspect that many do not "think" that way, many know next to nothing about computers (for example, me! when I first arrived here), and often English is not their native language so I think if we can understand at least the basic problem, we're doing all right. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Vic 970]

Postback with solution (whether advice worked, or another solution found) would be very helpful and helps to show gratitude, I'm sure that everyone posting advice would like to know the outcome.

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for every question there's an answer. Then a load more questions.
Definition of Upgrade "A means of introducing new bugs to a program to replace the ones that you have eventually found fixes for"

Regards..,
Vic.

[Paleo Pete]

A lot of good suggestions here.

I urge the newer members to scan through the forums before posting and get a general idea of some of the things these folks have commented about. Bad spelling is always something we have to deal with, and I don't worry much about it. I grew up reading the dictionary and enclyclopedia, so spelling always came natural to me, I'm good at it, but some people are not. I simply keep that in mind and don't let it bother me. The typo monster is always lurking about too... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

One thing I do want to point out though, is that most of the regular participants here have developed a habit of separating posts into paragraphs. Doing so can make a great difference, especially if you need to let us know what the problem is, then what you have tried, then maybe relay a suggestion from a friend and ask our opinions.

If this is all run together in one long post it's more difficult to understand, although we will usually figure it out if we read it a couple of times.

And PLEASE...don't post a question and reply a half hour later wondering why nobody has answered yet...two or three hours for that matter...and especially don't be indignant about it, you won't make any friends...

These people have lives outside the forums. Most of them work full time. Some of them deal with computer problems all day, then come here and deal with them all night too...Which brings up the fact that some of us really need to get out more...Give them time to deal with their lives too.

If nobody answers your question right away, it could be that nobody is online at the moment that is aware of a viable solution, so rather than waste your time and theirs by posting something to the effect that they don't know, they just move on to the next question. I've seen times that topics went unanswered for two days, and suddenly someone thought of something to try or found a similar situation while looking for info on a different issue.

So be patient, they're not sitting here 24/7 waiting for you to post a question, they have lives, jobs, families and they sometimes might wish to spend time with those families...but they'll be here, you can count on it.

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Support the right to keep and arm bears.
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.dreamwater.com/paleopete/computer.htm) has been moved, please update your bookmarks.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

TTT, (That's Tool Tray Ted, my brother the mechanic)

This thread is WAY too good to just let fall by the wayside. Today is the first time I found it, actually looking for something else. I was not a member when this was fresh, sorry to say.

All these suggestions are excellent learning for the novices and many of the somewhat longer standing members as well. I know, I'm breaking one suggestion as to how old a thread is to leave it and start another but I would have to break ANOTHER etiquette rule of quoting an entire thread let alone post!

It would be nice to condense all the suggestions here into a post or three with the suggs. simply put and catagorized. A paragraph or two on what is impolite ie. ALL CAPS or too many abbreviations and one letter words (a when you mean aye, a?)

Then a few statements on what IS proper form for requests, assistance and clear and concise grammer so we don't have to read anything 10 times just to figure out what was said or asked. A simple THANK YOU when you have achieved a fix is always in order of politeness. I may tackle the very job I suggest sometime soon and then will start this type topic anew for all to read and if it is put well enough, maybe suggest having it put in a "read me first" at the top of every forum in a 'locked' in place thread.

Yeah, Pete, my spell checker is about 2 pounds and sits beside me at all times and I only use the reply box or NotePad so SpellCheck is still foreign to me. If 'ypou' see a 'misspeling', 'ith's' from Fat Finger Syndrome or 'type O' blood.

One last word. I often don't reply a thanks to some of my queries but want all to know that it is NOT "Una Precia Ted", (that would be my sister the ungrateful brat!) but usually thank in advance especially if it is asking information rather than a solution to a problem. Those in the latter I always follow up with a drinks are on me in the After Hours Club. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

Kudos,
FTT

[penta_chris]

You're right, Ted, this thread deserves to be near the top of this forum. Here's a nice link:

How To Ask Questions The Smart Way (http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html)

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I fight authority,
Authority always wins

[mjc]

penat_chris,

Good link, even though it is specifically about posting to Linux related messageboards, it has enough general information to get my vote as required reading.

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mjc
Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[Eutychus]

For those of us who are nearly blind from 20+ years of working on computers - and thus need our 800 x 600 resolution to keep what vision remains - please don't be cute and concatenate a string of words, letters, or numbers that forces a whole thread into extra width. If you do, please go back and break the lines. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

This is a good topic but I finally grew so tired of left & right scrolling that I could barely focus and gave up. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Does anyone remmember just about where the thread began to do the wide screen? Pete could go and remove one post at a time in the approximate area to fix it then reinsert the post at fault but in a corrected manner. Maybe not, but it sounds good in theory...

Eutychus,
Just in case, do you use the scroll mouse with Ctrl feature? It works wonders for me though I've yet to have to view the world through the bottoms of old soda bottles. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif Mine are a weak astygmatism correction. Some things better with, others without the glasses.

[Eutychus]

I think the problem post is the 4th one, by ranchdog.

Thanks for the reminder about the Ctrl & scroll button. I had some trouble restoring my system back to normal after using it the last time and had sort of forgotten it. (The text is already small enough for my poor eyes in normal.)

I've run into the same problem on another forum when someone strung a bunch of emoticons together or put a bunch of letters and/or characters together. I even did the same thing with words as a newbie once, http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/redface.gif but after I saw what I had done I edited my reply by breaking the string - people still got the idea without having to deal with the wide screen.