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Thread ID: 46728 2004-07-03 08:28:00 FAQ. Draft for picking over/on. Murray P (44) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
249521 2004-07-03 10:31:00 > Hi
>
> Following another
> round (pressf1.pcworld.co.nz
> read=48795) on the topic of getting the
> right info from posters, I've taken upon myself to
> write a FAQ that will hopefullymake it easier for
> people to post questions and for others to answer
> them. What? who are you calling niaeve? oh! just a
> blithering idiot, that's ok then. Anyway, have a read
> and post your comments, flames and rewrites. My main
> fear is that it is too long or that it may be best as
> two separate FAQ's but, it is hard enough getting
> people to the FAQ's let alone fossicking around in
> them before they have posted there urgent enquery.
niaeve is spelt "naive" BTW.
It was I whom posted the original you are attempting to write the FAQ for.
> So, have a crack, it is just a draft and I wont cry,
> maybe blubber a bit but who cares ;)
O.K.

> FAQ # ??. Getting The Right Answers to Your
> Questions on Press F1
>
> To help us better help you with you computer problem
> it is handy to include some information about your
> computer. Nobody on Press F1 has successfully used
> ESP as yet but, we are working on it and expect a
> breakthrough any day now ;) but, in the meantime, if
> you could take a little time to read the following
> you will find that the your query is responded to
> more speedily and the answers you receive are more
> likely to be applicable to your situation.
Good and reminds me of someone with a crystal ball. :-)

>
> Some problems are hard to diagnose and virtually
> impossible to do so without at least knowing what
> operating system you are using and most probably some
> basic hardware information as well. Follow the links
> further down the FAQ for ways in which to extract the
> information from your computer.
>
> So, what would we like to know?:
>
> Your Post Topic. What is the issue or
> problem?
>
> A descriptive title (post topic) will get you a
> speedy and helpful reply. Merely putting “Help!” is
> not going to help. Everything is “Urgent” so don’t
> bother, it’s not telling us what is wrong. “MY
> COMPUTER DOESN’T WORK” will probably mean it will
> remain in that state for much longer than you want.
>
> “Internet Explorer home page hijack” or “Win XP Stop
> Error, Blue Screen” for example, is more likely to
> attract those people with knowledge of the subject.
Very true.

> What operating system (OS) is installed on your
> computer?
>
> Please include in your query, year of release,
> version number and any updates and/or Service Packs
> (SP) installed. For example, Windows XP Pro (or Home)
> SP1. “Win XP Pro SP1 last updated 2 months ago”, is
> an acceptable way of presenting this.
Or even Linux Hedhat 7.2 or even MS_Dos 3.3 or Win3.11 etc.
There will be no need for people to have O/S wars. This should not be what this forum is about.

>
> What do you think the issue is related to?.
> Is it the operating system, a programme, hardware or
> a combination of both?
> Your not expected to know all the answers to this
> but, if you can include in your post, what you were
> doing at the time, what programme you were using
> (name, year/version) and, if you know, what other
> programmes were running at the time and what your
> basic hardware specification is, then help is closer
> at hand.
You're or you are not expected etc beats "your not expected"
> What error messages are you getting or what is
> happening?
Good one.

> Note down as much detail as you can about any error
> messages you receive, is the error message in a
> little pop up dialogue box or is it a full blown Blue
> Screen of Death error (Windows’ famous blue
> background with white text error screen). What
> happens? Does the computer lock up completely, does
> it hang momentarily or for a minute or two, does the
> programme you are using crash (shut down) or does it
> freeze but other things still work, does everything
> slow down or stutter?
Good again.

> What is your basic hardware configuration?
>
> If you can include, Make and model of the computer,
> year of manufacture, the Central Processing Unit
> (CPU) and it’s speed,hard drive size (make and model
> would be nice too) and how much free space you have
> left, amount of installed memory (RAM), CD ROM /DVD
> drive make and if possible model, video card model
> (is it onboard) and monitor (if the issue is related
> to your display, poor playing of games/picture
> editing), sound card (is it onboard? see previous for
> video/monitor), USB connections/ports, printer,
> scanner as applicable.
>
> What is your configuration # 2 more detail,
> hardware and software?
>
> If your question is about connection to the internet
> or a network, please include such things as, your
> internet browser (IE 6.0, Mozilla 1.6, etc), your
> email client (same applies as for browser but please
> be specific Outlook Express [OE] is not Outlook and
> visa versa), network cards, modem (internal or
> external, USB or parallel), DSL/broadband modem (or
> router) and your ISP (Xtra Jetsurf, Clear Highspeed,
> Woosh, Pradise dialup, etc).
>
> What have you changed recently?
Another very good question.

>
> Your new hair do or shrink might be very interesting
> but, more applicable will be, have you installed or
> updated some software recently or perhaps you have
> put a new video card in (or got your friendly local
> computer tech to do it). A new tool bar or search bar
> for Internet Explorer (IE) can be problematic for
> example, generally you should not install them.
>
> You don’t need to include every minuscule detail,
> very few issues will require that all the information
> listed above is needed. Just include what you think
> is relevant initially to keep people from nodding off
> reading your post but, have more information at the
> ready.
>
> How do I interrogate my computer?
>
> Most programmes will have it’s official name,
> version, and release details in the Help > About
> menu item at the top left of most menu bars at the
> top of the programme window.
>
> Some basic information can be found quickly in most
> Windows versions in Start > Settings > Control Panel.
> Double click the icon for the process, hardware
> device or service you are wanting to identify. For
> example, System > General tab, will give you your
> Windows version with SP, who it is registered to and
> the registration number, what CPU model and speed
> your are running and how much RAM you have installed.
> If you hop along to the Hardware or Device Manager
> tab in the same window there is even more information
> on individual devices and drivers listed in there
> (Warning! do not change anything in there if your not
> confident to do so without help). Icons for,
> printers, modems, monitor, internet options (IE
> Properties) and software in Add/Remove Programs and
> much more are all in the same handy place. In fact a
> lot of your computers configuration and
> troubleshooting will be carried out from within the
> Control Panel and it’s components.
>
> *For Linux information see <FAQ # 80: How To In
> Linux> [[Do we need to put a specific Linux basic
> info gather article here folks?? who would like to
> write it]]
>
> There are some really handy utilities that can help
> you gather all this information and more into one
> place. You can even print off a report on your
> computers specification and configuration. What’s
> more, these system diagnosis and information
> utilities come in free downloadable versions.
>
> Get your copy of SiSoft Sandra Standard
> here (ttp://www.sisoftware.net/index.html?dir=dload&loc
> tion=sware_dl_x86&langx=en&a=)
>
> or
>
> Get your copy of Everest Home Edition
> here (www.lavalys.com
> &lang=en)
>
> or
>
> Get you copy of Aida 32
> here (www.pcworlddownload.com
> agnostics/AIDA32-Personal-System.htm)
>
> You can also get pro or paid versions of
> diagnostic/benchmarking software but the ones listed
> above should suffice for most people.
Probably IMHO should be best posted in two FAQs.

One "My problem" and how to phrase it and
Two "How do I find my O/S and hardware"

> Posting Etiquette?
>
> Use your best English and spelling, there is a spell
> checker for available for the latter where you make
> your posts for this purpose even if some of the older
> crustier members of the forum will have trouble
> understanding amerenglish. txt and 1337 speak is best
> left for your friends, mobile phones and other
> forums.
>
> You do not need to plead for help. Press F1 is a help
> forum so we are here to help mostly (see exceptions
> below). Please don’t debase yourself and clutter up
> your post with extraneous text that will get in the
> way of putting your information across clearly and
> concisely.
I won't comment on the English language as such but I am old and crusty. :-)

>
> If the offered fix or fixes works, a quick post to
> that effect in the help thread you started would be
> nice but is not mandatory. If the suggested fix(es)
> don’t work post back with what you tried and what did
> not or in part work. More information may be
> required, be prepared, provide any new information
> you have discovered.
>
> It would be very nice if you were prepared to learn
> something about your computer. Remember we cannot see
> what you see or what you or your system is doing as
> frustrating as it may be. Get acquainted with your
> Help files, Google, Alta Vista and other internet
> search engines. They are a good place to start even
> before you post your question, relate what you have
> tried to help yourself so that we are not repeating
> useless information.
It may be helpful to us "old and crusties" to know if you let someone else like a friend or the Grandchildren to play on your computer in which case you are not expected to know what they did.

> Exceptions?:
>
> What does OT in a post topic mean?
>
> OT is Off Topic. It is either not a help question or
> not a computer related help question. The standards
> in OT posts are generally not expected to be as high
> as for genuine computer related posts but, every day
> rules of politeness and decency still apply. Some OT
> topics are informative, some humorous and some…. well
> they’re just OT.
>
> Sometimes a thread (a series of posts liked by the
> same topic) will go OT. If it’s yours you can ignore
> the OT bits or enjoy them but they should not be a
> reflection of your abilities or your post so, don’t
> take it personally. It probably just means that your
> post has raised some issues of interest to computer
> geeks (don’t try to second guess what may interest a
> geek, no one really knows least of all geeks). If you
> feel things are getting out of hand, a bit impolite,
> you can find Bruce Buckman’s email address in the
> post at the very top of all the posts (the one with
> the padlock next to it). He or one of the Press F1
> administrators will intervene if necessary.
>
> What does the little padlock mean, I hear you
> ask?
>
> It is a locked thread, you cannot post to it for
> reasons that will probably become obvious if you
> bother to read it. It usually means that someone has
> or several of them have been naughty enough to have
> the thread locked. Please let it not be you.
>
> Now, have happy and productive posting and stop
> hitting the poor machine it really is so silly, if
> you could see yourself now.
>
> The End
>
> Cheers Murray P 		Elephant (599)
249522 2004-07-03 10:47:00 Murray P... You aren't a "Tall Poppy" are you??? Stick your head up & someone will surely knock it off for you!!! A good thought tho, don't lose heart.. PJ Poppa John (284)
249523 2004-07-03 11:02:00 Great concept Murray. Regrettably, I think Tweake is right. Unless a poster has spent some time following the forum, they are likely to simply ask their question. Instead of looking at the FAQs.

In fact regular members sometimes forget to include these details ;) 		Winston001 (3612)
249524 2004-07-03 11:10:00 This is a very worthy idea - was actually thinking something along similar lines not long ago.

I think it could do with being a lot briefer, I had a quick glance through - it's the kind of thing that would make an excellent permanent sticky. 		whiskeytangofoxtrot (438)
249525 2004-07-03 11:27:00 Far far far too long, I’m not even going to wade through it, nor would I expect anyone looking for help to do so.

And it shouldn't be a faq, just a sticky entitled-

PLEASE READ BEFORE STARTING A THREAD.

And the content should be thus.

Welcome to Press F1

In order to ensure your questions are answered please list your operating system, whether or not any changes were made either to the hardware or software at around the time the problems started and any other info that may be relevant,

And ensure you thank Metla when he shows you the light pilgrim. 		metla (154)
249526 2004-07-03 12:00:00 > Far far far too long, I’m not even going to wade
> through it, nor would I expect anyone looking for
> help to do so.

I agree, and I also haven't bothered to wade through it.

> And it shouldn't be a faq, just a sticky entitled-

Or a note above the text input box when a new post is being created.

> PLEASE READ BEFORE STARTING A THREAD.
>
> And the content should be thus.
>
> Welcome to Press F1
>
> In order to ensure your questions are answered please
> list your operating system, whether or not any
> changes were made either to the hardware or software
> at around the time the problems started and any other
> info that may be relevant,

Something like that. But also perhaps include something about not worrying if you don't know, as other users can help you to find out if necessary.

> And ensure you thank Metla when he shows you the
> light pilgrim.

We mustn't leave that part out :^O

Mike. 		Mike (15)
249527 2004-07-03 12:07:00 Thanks for the replies so far and the suggestions/edits .

The problem seems to be, apart from the odd typo and bad grammar/usage, length and getting it read . I personally don't think it's too long for a FAQ (you can cruise the headings) it's getting it seen and short enough for a quick read as per the sticky suggestions which, will require the co-operation of Admin or can our resident Mod do that (who do we bribe?) .

So, to be a sticky it will need to lose 50-75% of its lard, maybe the full (edited/corrected) version could be linked to in there . How would a small advisory and link in the Post New Topic page go down? again Admin would need convincing .

I also agree, it will not be a cure all, probably the majority will fly right past it but, IMO it's worth a crack .

Cheers Murray P 		Murray P (44)
249528 2004-07-03 12:12:00 Mike your suggesting some things that have already been suggested or are in the text, obviously great minds think alike ;) Read, then add to or mark what can go or be shifted, then it can be trimmed to the bare necessities.

Cheers Murray P 		Murray P (44)
249529 2004-07-03 13:41:00 Good Job Murray
Sticky it! 		Gods-Hitman (1419)
249530 2004-07-03 13:48:00 Sorry, did it have anything about intelligent titles?

Like "Help!" or "It's broke" are pointless. 		whiskeytangofoxtrot (438)
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