Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 1165 Location: Maryborough Queensland Australia
Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2004 8:04 pm Post subject: Advice to new subscribers and guests
When replying to a message, click the reply button but then leave the subject line blank or you will start a new topic. In that way your message will stay in the same topic.
Don't just throw a question to the wind as it were. Do a search first. A recent question asks for advice on "keywords" when a quick use of the search function for anything containing "keyword" in the text brings up 565 posts!! Use this search function and browse around. Then ask sensible questions based on the ones you've researched.
Of course, in answering messages, feel free to use your profile to create up to 300 characters in your signature file that benefits you. Avoid URL's in your answers unless accompanied by explanatory information. Obvious advertisements will be moved to the "Blatant Ads" section and repeat offenders may be banned from the Board.
This is just my observation of search. If someone searches for keywords and comes up with 565 post. It could take an eternity to read through these post to find anything remotely pertaining to your question. I've typed in specific questions and search picks up any post that has a search word in the post. I never seem to easily find the answer.
What I love about this site is the response time to a question. I think there are a lot of visitors to this site for that very reason. Most questions have probably been asked and answered before. Personally I find it difficult to search for a specific answer. Plus I really don't have the time to read through 2 or 3 hundred post hoping to find something pertenant to my specific question.
I know most forums don't want you asking the same questions over and over. They had rather you do a search. But consider there are a lot of new people such as I who like to hear from someone personally. Teachers teach the same thing day after day and hear the same questions. People come here for advice and fast answers. I think it keeps the forum ACTIVE. No one wants to visit a forum without activity.
Just my 2cents, add 48cents to that and you can get a cup of coffee.
Charles;
I think you have a strong point there: The personal communication vs. searching 100's of old posts. If we just did ONLY searching, the activity on the forum would be lower in terms of posts; that would lead to fewer log-ins; fewer log-ins would lead to diversion to other sites; and boom: lost (or no) activity.
So, administrator, I see your point, but: let new people ask questions, there are certainly some NEW people who gladly would answer them, and perhaps with a new twist/angle, from which the oldies could pick up something new as well.
I agree that posts can be difficult to find, especially since there are so many of them. I do recommend you scan the titles of recent posts in the subject area of your question. You may be surprised to find that a recent post (and answer) exists for just what you need.
If no recent post (scan 2 pages or so in your subject area ... SBi, SEO, Affiliate Networks, etc.), then think about what you really want to know ... are you looking for information on the SBi Value Exchange? ... having a problem with Adsense code showing PSA's? ... need to know how to email or call Clickbank? ... looking for that post DatabaseDesigner posted on the free ebook on how to create an ebook for free?
If you want to be able to scan specific information, instead of the titles of posts, keep in mind that you can select to view posts instead of just titles ... this can help a lot in quickly finding a post that is on target to what you need to know.
Using the above examples ... here is how I would approach the searches:
Are you looking for information on the SBi Value Exchange? ...
SBi Value Exchange would be the phrase I would search on first, and I would click the button for "all words" not "any words" if I didnt' get enough info, then I would expand the search by dropping SBi from the search and just do Value Exchange, again requiring "all words." You could also try Site Build It Value Exchange, requiring all words but you may only get a post or 2 ... but they might be just what you needed. You would also want to search the link exchange forum as well as the SBi forum in case the information is related more to reciprocal linking than just "Value Exchange" or 'SBi"
If you are having a problem with Adsense code showing PSA's (public service ads) ...
I would do a search for PSA alone, or Adsense public service ads or just public service ads again requiring all words. The first search I did shows 7 results all on topic to figuring out how to stop PSA's. I would also refine the search to just the Adsense forum since that is the logical place for the information to be.
need to know how to email or call Clickbank? ...
Some of the words I think would be in a post of this nature might be Clickbank, telephone, phone, email, contact, address You can start with a search requiring all words and see if you get lucky, if not, try combinations. If you do a search on "any words" you will likely get 50% of the posts on this forum much too broad to be useful.
I tried clickbank contact too broad. Then clickbank telephone and I set the search to only search "Affiliate Networks" forum and it brought up the exact post that features that info.
If you want to find a post you remember, but don't remember where ... maybe you know who the poster was, or the phrase in the title, or in the post itself ... you can use the refine features of the search tool to really narrow your searches, or broaden them, as needed to quickly find what you need. For instance:
Maybe you are looking for that post DatabaseDesigner posted on the free ebook on how to create an ebook for free?
Think about searching by poster, view post (not just title), enter DatabaseDesigner into author box, and free ebook in the search box, results? The 2nd post showing is the exact one to help here.
Keep in mind that when you search, you want to drop the garbage words (it a and the and similar fillers), use commas to separate your words, don't be afraid to take advantage of the "view posts" feature as opposed to just topic, and think about the actual keywords you need to use to get to the meat
One good thing about doing a search and browse before you post a question ... you will have a better idea of how to formulate your request for help. By giving viewers more information related to your problem or question, you will get better answers with less confusion, and quicker too.
Hope this helps,
Debs _________________ Learn how to turn keyphrases into quality, well-targeted articles your visitors and SE's will love with Gary Antosh's new ebook "Web Content Made Easy!"
Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 1165 Location: Maryborough Queensland Australia
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2004 5:35 am Post subject:
Debs,
I won't attempt to refine that - well done.
However, I might add that sometimes a guest just asks a random question and stands back waiting for an answer. The topic has often had a very detailed discussion in the past. It would be reasonable to expect some sort of search first, I believe.
You guys are the ones doing all the answers - it would save you some time!!
Eric, I'll play with that "sticky" feature and see how it works.
Regards, and thanks for the feedback,
Wally Morgan - Moderator
Last edited by administrator on Thu Jan 08, 2004 10:30 pm; edited 1 time in total
What I love about this site is the response time to a question.
Yes, this is great. But I think it's only fair to appreciate this when it happens (however often) rather than expect it as a right.
Quote:
I really don't have the time to read through 2 or 3 hundred post hoping to find something pertenant to my specific question.
How long do you think it takes for someone to answer one of your questions?
Remember that the people you are relying on for answers are busy themselves. They are replying in an effort to help, with the possible reward of some slight self promotion via a sig file or affiliate link.
Quote:
Teachers teach the same thing day after day and hear the same questions. People come here for advice and fast answers. I think it keeps the forum ACTIVE. No one wants to visit a forum without activity.
Teachers are paid to do that. There is a difference.
I think it depends on whether you consider this forum a question and answer board or a discussion board. I like to think of it a discussion board.
To be blunt, a while ago it got to the stage where Debs and I were literally answering every single question raised (with the exception of the occasional abusive one). Some days I was spending 5 hours answering questions - many of which had been covered before. I assume Debs was spending a similar amount of time.
Various other people were giving a good deal of free time, too.
This would be fine if I had nothing better to do, but I have a list a mile long of my own projects that need attention. In fact things were starting to slip.
As a result I have cut back on the number of posts I try to cover, these days. I try and reply to people who look like they have taken some trouble to help themselves. As the forum grows, this is going to become more of a problem not less, and I feel posters must bear this in mind, if they expect free help at all.
Some people even repeatedly PM me with "quick" questions, and I assume others are bombarded in a similar way. That just isn't on, and isn't going to get a favourable response.
A couple of things to bear in mind...
The more general the question, the less inclined you will be to get a favourable answer. A prime example is the request for a site review.
The more you try and take without giving anything back, the less attention you will receive from me (and probably others) over time.
Just my opinion,
Charlie. _________________ "Before I speak, I have something important to say."
- Groucho Marx
Charlie wrote "I think it depends on whether you consider this forum a question and answer board or a discussion board. I like to think of it a discussion board".
I don't even know how to do that "Quote" thing. I guess that puts me in the catagory of one who viewed this site as a question and answer / discussion forum. I, like many new to building a web site lack the expertise to discuss something I know nothing about. Sorry Charlie, but I liked Debs solution better. Evidently the reason my searches were so broad was my lack of knowledge on how to properly search.
Charlie wrote "Remember that the people you are relying on for answers are busy themselves. They are replying in an effort to help, with the possible reward of some slight self promotion via a sig file or affiliate link.
Charlie wrote "To be blunt, a while ago it got to the stage where Debs and I were literally answering every single question raised (with the exception of the occasional abusive one). Some days I was spending 5 hours answering questions - many of which had been covered before. I assume Debs was spending a similar amount of time.
Charlie wrote "This would be fine if I had nothing better to do, but I have a list a mile long of my own projects that need attention. In fact things were starting to slip.
That was definitely blunt! Charlie, are you being forced to reply to these questions other than a "possible reward of some slight self promotion via a sig file or affiliate link"
Now I wish I had never posted a reply to this topic. I feel like I've been slapped in the face for being an ignorant newbie. I'm sorry if I have offended anyone over proper forum protocol. I still feel like a active forum is better than a forum that has little activity due to a policy of search rather than asking a question thats has been previously asked. It is possible that someone new that has a little more experience with SBI could and would be glad answer some of these questions for beginners. New members give life to any forum. There are no questions for a beginner that haven't been answered. How else are we to interact and be a part of a forum without asking these same questions. I have been chastised a few times for asking rather than searching. As this is the general consensus and forum rule I will do an extensive search in the future.
Joined: 14 Jul 2003 Posts: 1761 Location: Bangor, Maine
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2004 2:17 pm Post subject:
Wally,
Slightly offtopic from this topic... but: I have a friend who runs a phpBB board, and he uses the Global Announcments to put anything like this up. It shows it at the top of all the boards...
I am not an admin, so I don't know the exact feature name... but I do know it exists. If you can't find it, PM me and I will talk to my friend and find out how its done... It might be a board mod, which is pretty easy to install... _________________ Eric D. Burdo They Made $6,513 a day With Clickbank Doing This...
My comments were not aimed at you personally, but were meant as opinions as to how people can best get their questions answered...
charles wrote:
Charlie wrote "I think it depends on whether you consider this forum a question and answer board or a discussion board. I like to think of it a discussion board".
I, like many new to building a web site lack the expertise to discuss something I know nothing about.
Maybe, but there are threads where opinions are asked for rather than "right answers" sought.
Incidentally, I do think that the SBI section is being used as a fast track alternative to SiteSell support, in many cases. I don't answer many of these sorts of posts, but I bet those that do are getting a bit tired of doing other people's paid job for free.
[It's OK Allan - I'm not fishing for a pay rise.]
Quote:
That was definitely blunt! Charlie, are you being forced to reply to these questions other than a "possible reward of some slight self promotion via a sig file or affiliate link"
No - that's the whole point, and neither is anyone else...
We can all choose which posts to reply to, or whether to just lurk. The point I was trying to make is that there are only so many hours in the day, and increasingly more posts competing for attention. In the past, I tried to cover everything, but I can't anymore. I have to choose which to tackle.
For me it's like comparing buskers (street musicians) and beggars who sit on the floor with a sign round their neck saying "please help". I might give some cash to the busker, but the beggar is more likely to get a boot than a tip.
OK, not literally, but that's what I feel like doing.
Other people will no doubt have slightly different parrallels they'd like to draw.
Quote:
Now I wish I had never posted a reply to this topic.
I'm certainly glad you did, as I think this issue is important...
Quote:
I feel like I've been slapped in the face for being an ignorant newbie.
I'm sorry you feel slapped. (If anyone deserves to feel slapped it's those beggars.)
Quote:
I have been chastised a few times for asking rather than searching. As this is the general consensus and forum rule I will do an extensive search in the future.
If you do, I bet you'll find more answers yourself and get better responses (if you make it clear what you've done) from others.
All the best,
Charlie. _________________ "Before I speak, I have something important to say."
- Groucho Marx
Noone should ever feel chastised for a post ... it would never be anything I myself would intend to do to anyone honestly seeking help.
Sometimes answers may be short, or on point recommending a poster search for more info, simply because of the time factor Charlie mentioned.
I love helping people on here, and chatting in discussion when I can, but one thing I do feel strongly about ... when we learn to help outselves, that is when we truly grow in knowledge.
Simply put, and the whole meaning behind my rather long post above, is ... help us to help you so you can grow in your abilities and knowledge, as well as lessen the time to when you too will feel comfortable about helping others who are in the shoes you once wore Ok, not so simply put but I hope you know what I mean
Debs _________________ Learn how to turn keyphrases into quality, well-targeted articles your visitors and SE's will love with Gary Antosh's new ebook "Web Content Made Easy!"
Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 5839 Location: by the beach, Australia
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2004 10:00 pm Post subject:
charles wrote:
I don't even know how to do that "Quote" thing.
At the top right of every post there's a "Quote" button. You click on that instead of clicking on "Post Reply".
Some buttons are visible only to registered members. _________________ Allan Gardyne
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Last edited by AllanGardyne on Mon Aug 30, 2004 12:50 am; edited 1 time in total
Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 1165 Location: Maryborough Queensland Australia
Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 7:57 am Post subject:
Managing your automatic log in:
When you leave, just click your next URL wherever in the menu bar above or favorites, etc., or just close the page. DO NOT CLICK "log out". The login should be automatic next time you open the page.
I've just added this to the Instructions section as a more permanent reminder.
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much too broad to be useful.
