This post is to inform all users that starting today the Coder's discussion forum will be restricted to users that have attained the Coder user title. Under the old way of doing things anyone could join the coder's usergroup and post in forum. We felt this was leading to many 'how do I' questions that were better suited to other forums.
- How do I become a coder?
The user titles are based on the number of modifications you release and the number of installs they receive. If you contribute to the community by posting modifications you'll receive the title in time.
- I already have a coder title but can not see the forum!
Go to one of your modification threads, and click the install or uninstall link. After you do this you should be able to see the forum again (it's located under the 'Big Boards' forum).
Darat, let me be blunt, if the non-coders could still view it, it wouldn't be a resource either because we wouldn't use it. There would be no point.
The userpage mod is a prime example of why I need a coders forum. I released it in beta to get an idea on what I wanted to do with it based on the input from real coders. The damn thing took off and became popular. And, even though it was in beta, it mistakenly made it to the poll for hot mod. Then, it won.
The sheer number of feature requests and user errrors - you wouldn't believe how many people don't upload files or run install scripts and then scream that a mod doesn't work - killed my interest in that mod entirely.
Since people won't read install instructions and won't stay away from mods that are beyond their abilities, we need a place to play with code bits and work out issues.
The feedback we get from non-coders is useless in many cases. People click the install button two seconds after a mod is posted and tell us how wonderful it is. Excuse me, but did you even install it and run it first? I've had mods that had an installation script error get dozens of thank yous before anybody came along and said the install script doesn't work. Then, we get people who don't read what a mod is for and start asking totally off the wall questions. And, we get the people I mentioned above, who don't follow any directions - basic stuff like upload the files.
They have a point. Perhaps a middle ground would be that we (as the coder group) agree to share the responsibility of producing how-tos and tutorials from anything interesting that comes out of our conversations. I think the tutorial section is far more useful to the novice than a rambling technical conversation anyway.
They have a point. Perhaps a middle ground would be that we (as the coder group) agree to share the responsibility of producing how-tos and tutorials from anything interesting that comes out of our conversations. I think the tutorial section is far more useful to the novice than a rambling technical conversation anyway.
03-31-2006, 06:36 AM
Linear Mode
