Next best thing to a FAQ

19 years ago

use the search function.

Best name to search for is Kelly Slocum. She has the "most" experience, in my humble opinion. âº

Then, after reading some posts and finding the person whose post makes the most sense to you, search for that person.

All posts that have been made by the searched person will apear.

This is also a great way to search where you have posted, and to see if you need to answer someone, if you search for your own name/sign in name.

Moni

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Comments (7)

docmom_gw
19 years ago
That is a great suggestion. I didn't realize you could search that way. It is easy to lose track of where you've posted and whether you've followed up on questions or answers, etc. Thanks
Martha
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Frogonalog
19 years ago
I agree to using the search before posting a question, but I think I'm losing my mind. I can't find that many posts in 2004 or before then. Is the forum really that new? I'm guessing that they drop off the list after a certain period of inactivity.

Also, I was in another forum and they referenced a previous post with a link. When I clicked the link, I got an error stating the message wasn't found. Probably due to the fact that the question was answered so it wasn't active.

So it would seem that some of that valuable information would be lost to a new individual searching for it unless the topic is actively discussed.

Something that could be done which is done on the Tomato Pests forum is to post valuable information in a message and "bump" it to keep it active and near the top. In the post they tell members not to post questions or replies to the message and every once in a while they "bump" it by posting a simple reply that states "bump".

As new valuable info comes we could compile the new information with the old (say once or twice a year)
and do a new post with a subject like FAQ - 2005.

Or we could review previous posts that we think are valuable for newbies and just do a bump on those messages.
I know that it may be a bit subjective, but isn't everything? Maybe we could vote on a list of popular posts we think need to be bumped up. I think the compiling of posts for a FAQ then reviewed by fellow worm peers might be a better solution (I think I'm setting myself up).

That may be another next best thing to a FAQ for users.
What do you all think?

Charles - who still hasn't heard back from Garden Web about a FAQ for the Vermicomposting forum.

Here is a link that might be useful: Example of the Bump
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chuckiebtoo
19 years ago
Considering the subject of this post...FAQ's and SEARCH functions...the overall impressions seem to be that:

1. Lots of people don't read the threads, and some not even the posts, associated with particular posts.

2. If the preceeding observation is a truthful statement, then inclusion of a FAQ device would offer little, or no more help than the SEARCH function does now.

The posts concerning FAQ's on 11/19, 12/2, and 12/5, some of which included information on the SEARCH function, illustrate this and are particularly ironic considering the subject matter. Well, aren't they?

When I was a little kid, my Grandfather handed down a little song..."Nobody loves me everybody hates me, I'm gonna eat some worms"...which, until I became a worm slave, I thought was both an odd thing for the old man to hand down, and pretty funny. Now, please, I don't want anyone to take this post personally, get offended, and even think of lunching on some family wigglers, but if you do, at least you're reading this stuff.

As an experiment, use SEARCH on "Grandfathers".

Chuckiebtoo
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billr12
19 years ago
Look up Chuckie's post with the list of major search names, it is very good. If you cant find what you want from that list it probably doesn't exist.
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jason_mackenna
19 years ago
Frogonalog - I think you are right. Stuff IS falling off as it ages. So creating an FAQ might be a good idea, at least to keep the best of the best. Might I also suggest that someone update the Wikipedia article on vermicomposting? (It could be me but I hardly feel I am qualified as to the subject matter. I'd be willing to find out how to go about updating a Wikipedia article, if one of our venerable elders were willing to write up the updates).

Here is a link that might be useful: Wikipedia Vermicomposting Article
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Frogonalog
19 years ago
Jason,

I went to the Wikipedia and put a link to this forum a while back. I too was reluctant to put what I "know" since I am a relative newcomer. Wikipedia allows the editing of the page by anyone provided that it doesn't violate copyright laws. Also it must state facts and be verifiable and from a credible source or it may be subject to deletion or editing. It would be a good place for the subject matter due to its permanency.

Chuckii,

I wasn't sure why Moni posted another new discussion either when she had already had a topic called easy searching on the 12th she could have appended her helpful tip. It would have bumped up the easy searching or she could have added her facts to your FAQ's... a statistical history google post and it would have bumped itself up.

I don't believe that this forum is in dire need of a FAQ. I just thought it would be nice to have another resource for those newcomers who would probably find it easier to read a compiled FAQ than do a search for (get OR getting OR "how to") start and have to review 214 (215 when this one gets added) discussions. Either an FAQ or the "bumping" would be a major benefit if the posts do drop off the forum like I fear they do.

I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers in this forum which has always has friendly and helpful people in it. I thought that a FAQ for the Vermicomposting forum would be a helpful addition for commonly asked questions and answers in one place in a logical format. I'll drop the FAQ issue. I do plan on making one for my site later on to share with others. We're looking for a new home right now so time is limited.

I still think it would be good to go through the good posts and bump them to keep them active so they won't drop for those newcomers who don't have access to a hardcopy printout of the good stuff in this forum.

There is a caveat to bumping. I was looking at the Gardenweb User Agreement and it may be against their policy for anyone to "bump"
reference no 13 on the
GardenWeb User Agreement:

"Posting merely to manipulate the position of a message is forbidden."

But I think GW would let the bumping slide due to the intent of preserving some good information unless we had alot of posts being bumped. That's why I suggested a compilation similar to a FAQ, but I'll drop it since there doesn't appear to be support from the regulars and the grizzled veterans here.

Just my 2 cents.

Happy Holidays everyone,

Charles

Here is a link that might be useful: Wikipedia - Verifiability
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suzieh
19 years ago
Maybe parking accumulation of FAQs on several free web space areas...Yahoo, someone's blog, another message board, group,
commercial wormie site with bandwidth and servers to handle
lots of visitors, etc.

My suggestions are to archive and keep in different areas in case GW is purging posts or may go away some day. Just some ideas, Susan
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Next best thing to a FAQ

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