FAQs

[cheat-master30]

Is it me or this system just so underused in vBulletin forums? Because it seems so many just leave it totally default in this aspect, and also, many modifications don't seem to actually add relevant FAQ topics and entries to the database, meaning that new users generally have wander around, learning how to use them via trial and error. I only ever saw ONE modification actually have FAQ entries to go with it, so:

1. Would it be so difficult for modification authors to at least try and write FAQ information that is added automatically on modification installation?
2. Will the official tools (or do they more like) add FAQ information about the add on features automatically?
3. Has anyone actually added more relevant stuff to the FAQ? I try to, but still have huge amounts to add for each installed feature.

[King Kovifor]

None of my hacks really require it, and personally, I never use the FAQ system, though I might soon.

[dismas]

I've added a few things to my FAQ. Many of my users aren't that technically proficient, so I've added info about how to add images to posts. Also a few questions about what my board is for and such since the topic is kind of a hot button issue in my area.

[cheat-master30]

Originally Posted by dismas

I've added a few things to my FAQ. Many of my users aren't that technically proficient, so I've added info about how to add images to posts. Also a few questions about what my board is for and such since the topic is kind of a hot button issue in my area.

Pretty good additions, and explains more than the default. Which is good, since the default is pretty much a generic 'Made for every scenario' document.

[RedTyger]

The Jelsoft method of FAQ writing appears to be "Write 150 words then stop." And you're lucky if you get that. It's rubbish, really. It annoyed me and I don't think even what's there is that good so I made a context-sensitive help for my forum instead. Something similar has been included in Project Tools but I don't think it's as good as mine although it's identical to how mine started.

http://redtyger.co.uk/discuss/register.php

If you agree to the rules then on the next page there's a good demo of it there.

[Reeve of shinra]

a) I think there should be flash movie demo's of specific items in actions... ideally, this would be part of the vbulletin installation and (by querying teh database) it can pull in the sites themes and colors. Even a demo using the default theme would be 10x better.

b) The FAQ should be replaced by a wiki where users and moderators can add content to it. The current FAQ system is difficult to add to and there is no easy way of linking to specific faq entries/items.

[cheat-master30]

Originally Posted by Reeve of shinra

a) I think there should be flash movie demo's of specific items in actions... ideally, this would be part of the vbulletin installation and (by querying teh database) it can pull in the sites themes and colors. Even a demo using the default theme would be 10x better.

b) The FAQ should be replaced by a wiki where users and moderators can add content to it. The current FAQ system is difficult to add to and there is no easy way of linking to specific faq entries/items.

Not sure about flash content, since that always has annoyed me from a usability point of view and design one, but a Wiki would absolutely rule to no end.

The Jelsoft method of FAQ writing appears to be "Write 150 words then stop." And you're lucky if you get that. It's rubbish, really. It annoyed me and I don't think even what's there is that good so I made a context-sensitive help for my forum instead. Something similar has been included in Project Tools but I don't think it's as good as mine although it's identical to how mine started.

Nah, it's more like 'Write up to 150 words in a very ambiguous way that could describe practically any forum created in the last ten years or so, and put it in a place that 99% of people will never actually bother to read. At least unlike some software, it actually has an FAQ.

[dismas]

Originally Posted by cheat-master30

Nah, it's more like 'Write up to 150 words in a very ambiguous way that could describe practically any forum created in the last ten years or so, and put it in a place that 99% of people will never actually bother to read. At least unlike some software, it actually has an FAQ.

That's another thing that I edited in the default FAQ questions and answers. Things would read something like "If the administrator has enabled the Private Messaging system..." It doesn't really answer the question in the users mind as to whether or not they can do whatever it is that they went to the FAQ to look up. So if this feature was turned on, I changed the grammar to reflect that. If not, I removed the entry.