About FAQ forums... [RESOLVED partially]

[RhinoBull]

I believe I was trying to raise this as an issue once before but idea was rejected right at the ground...
Anyway, the way these forums are structured makes very difficult to find anything. If you look at the Visual Basic FAQs section you will find Office, PDA, of course VB6 related threads and even mouse wheel related stuff piled up all together... it took forever to find "how to create text file..." thread so instead I just posted another sample...
What I am suggesting once again is to categorize all threads and have links to every category on top of each page or at least on the FAQ's main page. Here is a very classic example: I wish we can have something like that.

[si_the_geek]

I realise that we dont have quite as many articles as your example, but that's the only significant difference I can see after a brief look...

Each of the (sticky) index threads are separated into sections (for example, the Classic VB FAQ is split into General/Language syntax/Data types/Forms/Controls/Files/...), and all of the actual FAQ threads are listed in appropriate sections of their index threads.

The FAQ forum does contains articles for various topics, such as Classic VB (including the mouse-wheel and PDA ones), Office Development, and Database Development - however there is no need to search for threads, as the index threads link to them.


Can you give a clearer explanation of what you think should be changed?
(I'm happy to make changes if appropriate/possible, but I need to know what they should be first)

[RhinoBull]

Well, not changed - rather organized. As I said if we can define some categories like String Manipulation, Working with Files, Printing, etc and have link to each category on top of FAQ's main page that would be big help.
Also, I think that FAQ should be ONE forum - not multiple. Within that forum you may have sub-forums. However, (and it looks like I am repeating myself ) having categories without any subforums will work just as well (if not better). As is it's a complete mess and it's just the beginning...
Again, I think the example I posted is almost perfect to ignore - that's how things should be.

[RobDog888]

I was up for the subforums but was voted down. Currently all the FAQ threads are posted in the FAQ forum which means for searching it can be a bit more challenging. Now, if you just went into the appropriate FAQ index thread, they are all categorized on the index thread.

We do have a Files section but adding a Printing and a few others could be good. String manipulation and Parsing would be another good one.

[RhinoBull]

... Now, if you just went into the appropriate FAQ index thread, they are all categorized on the index thread...

What does that mean? I see no indexes, categories - nothing but everything piled up.
You know, every time I point someone to FAQ section I regret the very next second that I did that - it's a pain to find something there other then going through "regular" search engine... so that's why I try not to.
Take a look one more time at that FAQ (link is my original post) - evrything is so simple it's almost "rediculous"... Ig you need say help with grids you click on the "Grids" link and you get evrything (from FAQ) on the grid...
Think of it like a desktop with dozens of folders and each folder has dozens of shortcuts... nice and organized, isn't ti? Now, what happen if you move all of those shortcuts to a destop directly? Mess... and that's what we have currently.

[RobDog888]

Yes, I know what you mean. Instead of going through several index faq threads to find something, you want a single page with everything on it categorized.

[RhinoBull]

Yep, that's exactly right.

[RobDog888]

Actually now that I look at it more, the classic vb faq index should be changed as it should be the main index perhaps? Or maybe create a new index faq thread with links pointing to everything?

[penagate]

This came up the first time round - it was suggested subforums would come later when it had grown a bit overall.

Now it's definitely grown - I think subforums are a logical step. Then you don't have to maintain an index thread.
It's also very close to the VBCity example that Rhino linked to.

[RobDog888]

Well Si and I recently asked for subforums but it was determined not to be implemented at this time still. Besides you will still need an index unless the cut off date range filter was set to "From begining" otherwise viewers would not be able to see or find what they need.

[penagate]

I mean the index thread that has links to all the FAQ threads. You wouldn't need that.

With a subforum layout all you would see is the subforum links anyway since there would be no threads directly in the main FAQ forum but only in the subforums. So it would end up looking exactly like Rhino's example.

[RhinoBull]

...With a subforum layout all you would see is the subforum links anyway since there would be no threads directly in the main FAQ forum but only in the subforums. So it would end up looking exactly like Rhino's example.

Sounds like a good plan - would it egt approved ... that's the question.
Thanks Pen.

[si_the_geek]

Right then, back at last after my birthday weekend! Sorry about the delay.


I understand what you mean about the sub-forums, and I definitely see how it could be considered easier (it would provide 'breadcrumb' links at the top of the page too).. but to be honest I don't like the chances of it happening.

We had asked for a single sub-forum for the all of the articles to go into (with the index threads left in the current forum), and that didn't happen... in this case there would need to be dozens of sub-forums, and each time a new 'section' is added to any of the FAQ's (eg: string manipulation) a new one would have to be made by an Admin. We may well be able to get a sub forum per area (one for Classic VB, one for Office Development, ..), but I don't think the admins will be keen on the amount of work involved for them if we do more than that (and if I remember correctly, they cant/wont let mod's have permission to create/edit sub-forums ).


I personally wouldn't want to remove the index threads, as I think they are very useful due to the extra info they provide - such as the fact that VB.Net/Express are not Classic VB (something which many members dont seem to understand!?), links to non-FAQ threads (eg: the Common Dialog tutorial), and longer explanations of thread titles/subjects (eg: Data types - What is a string? / General - how do I change resolution?).

I see no indexes, categories - nothing but everything piled up.

See the sticky threads (which are normally all that is visible), especially "FAQ's: Classic VB". Looking at it now, I notice that it isn't the clearest name, but many people have used it often (and we do get 'thankyou' messages at times).

Do you think I should change the name, to perhaps "Index to FAQ's: Classic VB", or "FAQ index: Classic VB"?

Actually now that I look at it more, the classic vb faq index should be changed as it should be the main index perhaps? Or maybe create a new index faq thread with links pointing to everything?

I think perhaps another index would be useful for that ("Other FAQ indexes" perhaps?). Unfortunately (unless penagate knows a way!) we can't create "links" to other threads such as the D.B. O.D. and G.&G. indexes, which are in their relevant forums; the only option I know of is to move with a redirect, but you can't stick the redirect!

[RhinoBull]

...See the sticky threads ...

I did ... you can at least rename the "FAQ's: Classic VB" to something that would indicate that "come in to see all the categories" or so - I had no clue... Now I know (at last) what you refer as "indexed threads" ...
Not what I had in mind - I like everything to be organized almost to perfection - but since this isn't going to happen I will no longer mention it.

Thanks for the inputs. You may lock this thread if you feel it's the right thing to do.

[penagate]

I think perhaps another index would be useful for that ("Other FAQ indexes" perhaps?). Unfortunately (unless penagate knows a way!) we can't create "links" to other threads such as the D.B. O.D. and G.&G. indexes, which are in their relevant forums; the only option I know of is to move with a redirect, but you can't stick the redirect!

You can make a sub forum that is a redirect link rather than a real forum (like the Visual Basic .NET link under the ".NET" section on the front page).

I do see the issue with having to get an admin to maintain the sections and as far as I know there's no feasible way to give other usergroups permissions to do that, without a hack, as they would need access to the Admin CP.

I have no more suggestions that would work. Sorry guys.

[bushmobile]

this is isn't a comment on the restructuring of the FAQs (although I think they should be) but how about having a sticky link directly to the Classic VB FAQ in the Classic VB forum. Although I'm not a fan of the sticky threads, it'd be easier to find, you'd get a lot more traffic and you could always replace the sticky ad with it (ahem... )

[RhinoBull]

... how about having a sticky link directly to the Classic VB FAQ in the Classic VB forum...

It's actually not a bad idea Bush - VB.Net, DB forums and some others have sticky threads (101 tips, How to..., etc) that "stick" there forever so one more wouldn't hurt.

But to take it a bit further I would suggest to have a sticky with the "gategories" if it exist - just like the one in the VB.Classic FAQ: FAQ's: Classic VB

[si_the_geek]

I did ... you can at least rename the "FAQ's: Classic VB" to something that would indicate that "come in to see all the categories" or so ...

I've renamed the index threads as below, do you think they are OK now, or could they be improved?

Index to FAQ's: Classic VB (including links to other FAQ pages)
Index to FAQ's: Network

Not what I had in mind - I like everything to be organized almost to perfection..

We'll see what we can do - but I'm afraid we can't promise anything, as it will take commitment from the Admins (who look after multiple sites).

You can make a sub forum that is a redirect link rather than a real forum (like the Visual Basic .NET link under the ".NET" section on the front page).

Thanks.. I was afraid that was the only option - if only we could do it with threads too!

this is isn't a comment on the restructuring of the FAQs (although I think they should be) but how about having a sticky link directly to the Classic VB FAQ in the Classic VB forum. Although I'm not a fan of the sticky threads, it'd be easier to find, you'd get a lot more traffic...

That kind of thing (including DB forum etc) was what I wanted from the beginning - unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a way to create a sticky re-direct to a thread, so we would need to create sticky threads with just a link in.. which wouldn't look too good!

One alternative (which requires at least one sub-forum) would be to leave 'moved' links in the FAQ forum to the index threads (for an example, see the thread 'one SQL database from another pc' in the Network forum), which would then be in their relevant forums.

.."stick" there forever so one more wouldn't hurt.

We have a limit of 3 stickies per forum (preferably less), so it would certainly be a possibility in Classic VB.

[bushmobile]

That kind of thing (including DB forum etc) was what I wanted from the beginning - unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a way to create a sticky re-direct to a thread, so we would need to create sticky threads with just a link in.. which wouldn't look too good!

One alternative (which requires at least one sub-forum) would be to leave 'moved' links in the FAQ forum to the index threads (for an example, see the thread 'one SQL database from another pc' in the Network forum), which would then be in their relevant forums.

well, the sticky ads point to any old link, so presumably an admin could set the sticky up? They wouldn't have to maintain it - it'd just be a one time thing.

[si_the_geek]

Oh.. my.. god!

I had to read that a couple of times to get my head around it, but I think it would do the job very nicely!

I'll have a word with the Admins.

[RhinoBull]

Thanks SI - we've finally come to agreement! Trully historic...

[si_the_geek]

Just to let you all know.. due to the holiday season things may not happen for a few weeks, but we are on the case, and will see what we can do.