FAQ Board

[WolfUK]

It seems that quite a few questions come up over and over again so can I propse a fully-managed/moderated board for handling these. For example, people quite often ask where they can get the emulator from, where they can download the latest netBook OS, where they can get PsiWin from, whether a brand of CF cards works, etc. If we have a board where posts have to be approved by a moderator before they appear then we could, between us, create a fairly comprehensive FAQ for these topics and more (if the forum software here allows it). We could then simply tell people to look in the FAQ rather than having to repeat the answers again.

As an alternative, how about one of us (I'll do it if necessary) registers a domain such as epocfaq.com or psionfaq.com and then lets various people such as Mike and Yan have the FTP details so that we can all contribute directly to the site.

My feeling is that there are a lot of useful site for Psion users but the information is very fragmented and can be hard to find. If we could pull the knowledge together into one site (whilst retaining recognition of the authors!) then there would be more of a one-stop site for Psion users. I also feel that a cooperative site has more chance of success than one run by a single person since the content is likely to be more diverse and updated more frequently. I don't think that any of us run Psion sites as commercial ventures so there would be little to loose from merging knowledge and content.

What do you think?

[Jack B Nimble]

Actually, Diem has done a very nice job of creating a faq list (http://www.silvester.org.uk) (www.silvester.org.uk) already. Perhaps we just need to get in the habit of directing people there and making sure that all major questions are covered.

Could a sticky item be added on the general message board directing people there for general info? That might cut down on some of the rtfm messages.

[diem]

Thanks for the props Jack, but I'm not the only site member with crucial info on my site - check out Mike McConnell's site (http://www.mikemcc.net) for example.

Regarding the idea of a combined FAQ site, I have to say that whilst it is a logical idea, I'm against it for these reasons:

- a single site is a single point of failure. With the current distributed model, the disappearance of one site does not lose us all the reference info.
- distributed maintenance costs. Its up to the individual site owners to do their own maintenance and pay their domain reg, requiring
- design freedom. Someone would have to come up with a design guide and distribute the CSS file for a single site.
- distributed load. My site generates a fair amount of traffic, but within the AUP of my ISP. A single site runs the risk of attracting additional transfer charges from the hosting ISP.

Don't wish to appear to be pouring cold water for the sake of it - I do appreciate the concept - but to be honest I'm happy with the status quo, directing new users to the site that will most help them out.

[WolfUK]

Yan,

Your arguments are all valid and my only response would be that having single sites means that when a site's owner decides to pack it in the site can just vanish (RevoAtHome) with no warning (although most simply languish un-updated for years).

However, as the owner of one of the better help sites I will follow your advice and we'll stick with the status quo.

[netBookBabe]

I've thought about this carefully, and on balance I have to agree with Yan - I think a joint commitment like this would inevitably make things more complicated. It's probably a bigger project than it might at first appear.

I also think that there is an element of "personal service" which contributes to the success of Psion Place. I don't mind dealing with these common questions if it means that a new user feels welcome and thereby gains confidence to contribute more themselves. If all we ever say is "read the FAQ" then I think we could lose a bit of the community spirit. Does anyone see where I'm coming from here?

It's a very good idea Simon, but I'm not sure it would achieve any more than we're already doing, to be honest.

Sorry to be negative :(

Julie

[makoman50]

i think that the idea of a sticky note that could be added to would definately be a very good one. with all due respect i think that it is a little late to forma new board of just psion faqs (granted i'n not a mod (no matter how much i'd like to be:D) so i'm not that in the know about that sort of thing). i think that a sticky of FAQs for the particular machine should be posted on that message board so that a s5 problem does not become a newb's eeeek this is a problem for my mako!!!!
cheers, and if you want i'll work on some sort of prelimonary faq for mako/revo faqs.
makoman

[nigelp]

I really like the personal service offered by the site as it is and feel that the reason new members become old members is because of the excellent advice given. My continued intrest and knowledge of 'Psion's' is probably owed more to this sites comitment than any thing else. I for one feel I can (and do!) ask what to some are simply questions to problems that vex us non-IT speacialists with out feeling shamed and ignorant!!! Well done to this site!!! :p

[makoman50]

i agree with you nigelp about the customized help of this site. when i was a nube to psion i learned alot from this site and it has remained a resource of great value. i think that the faq section would be just for general questions, and if anyone felt compelled to aska question about the faqs just for clarification. is till think it's a fabulas idea.
cheers
makoman