@MrBeeKeeper said in a PM to me: Perhaps we need a sort of "Technicians section" or "Helping Hand" category in the Forum, 'cause official Help with its simplified FAQs is far from sufficient, and the new users have no idea first about for what all these "stickies" here and there are.
And my reply: You echo an idea proposed by Dorsai, and I have thoughts on this, too. Follow the "sport" thread again, for more ideas like this.
If you read between the lines of MrBee's PM, you will see other ideas embedded in his words not specifically addressed in my words following. Although a frustrated user myself, I can't think of everything and more input is required displaying other user's frustrations and suggested solutions as well. Thank you in advance for ALL suggestions from any source and anyone sharing our passion for Sport.
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The database cannot be indexed. But an "Index" topic title can be created. This is the outline of my idea, still in infancy:
for help with this problem..................Look for this thread topic:
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trouble with connections..................[/
http:/thread topic here]
can't search the forums real good...
http://www.virtuagirl.com/forumPost.php?foId=1&ftId=24659
Espaço para novos usuários / How to Search
Please use the Search button Before you post. There Might Already Be a Forum Post that is the same as the one you want to make. How to Search. The Search tool is powerful, but you should understand ho...
Paypal is asking for a credit card.....
http://www.virtuagirl.com/forumPost.php?foId=39&ftId=29265&forum_search=paypal#post462581
Espaço para novos usuários / paypal
i hear you can accept it now. how do i pay by paypal?
This list could be easily sorted Alphabetically, or in groups with sub-headings (for ease of use), in a worksheet off-line then posted (or reposted) until a good useable list exists. We only need a few topics to "get the user started" until his index (in the drop-down search box shown in the screenshot above) is built up from scratch.
An index topic can be set to point to any post, anywhere in ancient history, bringing past very useful information back into the lime light, thereby assisting not only new users, but the Triple Diamonds as well.
An index topic is a "work-around" in and of itself - producing an index to topics throughout the database. It may need updating from time to time as updates are introduced.
References to past features (removed from recent versions) can be indexed as well, for users preferring to stay with an older version of the software and wishing information about an older feature they may be as yet unfamiliar.
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Note that the term "new-user" can be interpreted in many ways.
We may need to include instructions on how to enter a thread topic into the drop-down box. You and I are well versed, but we forget quickly the early frustrations of new users as we learn our own "work-arounds" and such the like. We all know that backslashes and plus signs don't work, and post accordingly - new users need to know this up front.
Edit: sorry for all the edits. I was looking for clear language in this post, as not all users have English as their first language and (as I've discovered much to my own chagrin) my own slang can often be (and quite often still is) misleading or misinterpreted in the forums.
This work may seem daunting, and a new version of the forums may be coming down the pipe soon anyway, negating the very need for this index. But it really isn't that much work, and the benefits far outway the frustration, imho. After 15 years, I can't see this being an original idea, and I'm surprised it hasn't been already implemented. Maybe I'm missing something... Anyway, it makes for good sport.