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Michael Valentine Jones
Yak DBA Kernel (pronounced Colonel)
7020 Posts |
 Posted - 2008-04-30 : 12:23:56
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| I think it’s valid to have a discussion of how to improve the forum, but I think that guy is just trolling, not trying to do anything positive.http://www.sqlteam.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=101890Anyway, I thought I would take a shot at starting a real discussion about ideas for improvements to the forums. I’m hoping that other people will join in this topic, and post their own ideas.I think most people are aware of the reasons that posters sometimes do not get answers. Really, I am amazed at the number of questions that do get answered, considering the following common problems:Hard to read posts with very bad English, chat room-speak, or both.Failure to give a good description of the problem.Failure to respond to requests for more information.Posts with just a bunch code and no explanation.Failure to consult the basic sources of information: BOL, Google, Knowledge Base, articles, blogs, site search, etc.Failure to attempt the solutions suggested.We are often dealing with people at the bottom end of the skill-level scale, so I don’t think there are easy solutions to these problems. We can fix code but we can’t fix people that post here.It might be helpful if there were pages with improved guidance for starting posters, and links to sources of information for the most common questions. It might not help everyone, but it seems like a good place to start. I don’t really know how flexible the forum software is for doing this.Another idea I was thinking about was a Favorite Links forum for members to post links to favorite articles, links about particular subjects. I think it would be useful for both people with questions and for people trying to answer questions. One person could post links to articles and topics about backups, another person could post their own favorite links on that subject, and so on. Most of the regulars already have their own list of favorites on various subjects, so this would give us an easy way to share.CODO ERGO SUM |
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tkizer
Almighty SQL Goddess
38200 Posts |
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Michael Valentine Jones
Yak DBA Kernel (pronounced Colonel)
7020 Posts |
Posted - 2008-04-30 : 21:12:39
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Looks like this topic didn't draw too much excitement.  |
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graz
Chief SQLTeam Crack Dealer
4149 Posts |
Posted - 2008-04-30 : 22:48:18
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| It's a hard problem to tackle. So many people just want a solution but don't want to understand why. Many of the problems are complex and need a long description. There are so many possible problems and solutions you really can't just build a FAQ and be done with it.On the other I guess I have lot's of job security! :)=================================================Creating tomorrow's legacy systems today. One crisis at a time. |
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byrmol
Shed Building SQL Farmer
1591 Posts |
Posted - 2008-05-01 : 04:17:43
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| How about the creation of a new data domain that is added to the topic that gives the user feedback on his question?If added to the topic then it would be restricted to a moderator.You could instead add the domain into the reply so each poster can make a selection..<LittleSpec>Add table named TopicSuggestion (TopicSuggestionID int identity Key, TopicSuggestion varchar(50) not null PK)Add column "TopicSuggestionID" to either Topic or Reply and add FKINSERT/UPDATE UI- Add dropdown UI element for TopicSuggestion for moderators/postersREAD - Add display element for TopicSuggestion</LittleSpec>To help the community prepare for the transition...Create a poll/competition for the most popular data elements in the domain.DavidM |
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RyanRandall
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker
1074 Posts |
Posted - 2008-05-01 : 05:02:34
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| A simple one (?): default the colo(u)r of text inside [code] tags to blue.Ryan Randall Solutions are easy. Understanding the problem, now, that's the hard part. |
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RickD
Slow But Sure Yak Herding Master
3608 Posts |
Posted - 2008-05-06 : 05:04:03
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| How about having a view on all unanswered questions (say within the last two weeks), a bit like the active topics link?This would be helpful to those who are not on the forum all the time, but do what they can to help when they are here. |
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SwePeso
Patron Saint of Lost Yaks
30421 Posts |
Posted - 2008-05-06 : 05:07:23
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I think there already is such a page.I remember [Kristen ?] asking for as such for some time ago.
E 12°55'05.25"N 56°04'39.16" |
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RickD
Slow But Sure Yak Herding Master
3608 Posts |
Posted - 2008-05-06 : 05:26:11
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| If so, then it is nowhere obvious?!? |
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spirit1
Cybernetic Yak Master
11752 Posts |
Posted - 2008-05-06 : 05:49:29
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| no it's not. there's no link to it..._______________________________________________Causing trouble since 1980blog: http://weblogs.sqlteam.com/mladenpSSMS Add-in that does a few things: www.ssmstoolspack.com |
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graz
Chief SQLTeam Crack Dealer
4149 Posts |
Posted - 2008-05-06 : 06:21:54
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quote:
Originally posted by Peso
I think there already is such a page.I remember [Kristen ?] asking for as such for some time ago.
E 12°55'05.25"N 56°04'39.16"
It does exist. Just a little hidden.http://www.sqlteam.com/forums/activezero.asp=================================================Creating tomorrow's legacy systems today. One crisis at a time. |
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RickD
Slow But Sure Yak Herding Master
3608 Posts |
Posted - 2008-05-06 : 06:25:07
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| Thanks Graz, but that is only active topics. I meant all topics in the last two weeks regardles of if they are active or not. |
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graz
Chief SQLTeam Crack Dealer
4149 Posts |
Posted - 2008-05-06 : 06:33:27
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quote:
Originally posted by RickD
Thanks Graz, but that is only active topics. I meant all topics in the last two weeks regardles of if they are active or not.
Right below the "forum menu" there is a little drop down list box that is labeled "Active Since". Right now that defaults to Active Since your last login. You can change that to Active Since the Last Two Weeks. That will give you any post in the last two weeks that hasn't received a response.=================================================Creating tomorrow's legacy systems today. One crisis at a time. |
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RickD
Slow But Sure Yak Herding Master
3608 Posts |
Posted - 2008-05-06 : 07:34:13
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| Ah, cool, thanks. |
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SwePeso
Patron Saint of Lost Yaks
30421 Posts |
Posted - 2008-12-03 : 04:17:53
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How about an attachment option?I think for harder question it will be necessary to allow posters to attach the sqlplan file for further investigation.
E 12°55'05.63"N 56°04'39.26" |
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graz
Chief SQLTeam Crack Dealer
4149 Posts |
Posted - 2008-12-04 : 09:03:16
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| Attachments would mean an modifying the forum code or switching to new forum software. It's something I'd like to do but I don't think it will happen anytime soon :)=================================================Creating tomorrow's legacy systems today. One crisis at a time. |
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Forum Improvement Ideas Discussion