Some of the posts I read in the coop section are IMO overly defensive or short tempered. This is probably due to the coop being pulled appart and criticized from many quarters and the constant flow of questions from new members. Reflecting on how the coop works and that it has stood the test of time so far, I don't think there is anything to be touchy about or sensitive about. People don't get slammed for asking silly questions in any other part of the digital point forum, in fact DP is one of the most patient and flare free forums out there. I get sick of disaproving ads because people can't follow simple instructions, so have my own frustration to a degree. But can we please continue to be patient and welcoming of questions and criticizms in the coop forum. Complementry beer and skittles to everyone, peace and mung beans and all that stuff too.
On the flip side, it would be nice to see the"offensive" or "accusative" posts reined in also. Just recently a member of the forum didn't understand the system and/or why it was spitting out duplicate ads and instead of asking for clarification posted this: Please!
Its amazing how many people can find ways to bitch about something FREE and BENIFICIAL Eh, I guess its one of those things that happens when too many people get involved. Personally, I think you should have to have 50 posts here before you can join the coop. I would rather keep the coop smaller and higher quality. You got a Tiger by the tail Shawn.
Speaking of quality, I keep seeing people use these words "bitch" and "bitching". Quality huh? It's better to be polite despite being argumental.
I get frustrated by constantly stupid questions, made by people who make no effort to contribute to the forum.
I came up with a IMO good idea to get rid of most Weight Flucutuation frustrations but had little feedback... This could get rid of part of the 'tension' I believe. And then we have more time solving the real issues instead of copying and pasting the standard answers.
Understanding all points of view is important here... 1) I get annoyed with the same old questions being asked, often over and over again and yes it must get on other people's tits too, HOWEVER 2) I also respect that some people get frustrated with being unable to find some of the answers. Unwilling is another matter There are people looking to use the coop who have varying degrees of understanding and the best way to deal with this is with a common denominator. I wouldn't want to patronise or babytalk anyone, but some points may need to be clarified and added to the pool of knowledge... Personally I couldn't remember what CHMOD777 was, so had to go look it up. I also found changing the way I presented ads (from 468x60 to txt link only) meant I had to junk my old ads txt file and start again. And then there's the fact that my php knowledge is limited so I had trouble with paths to my coop include... I spent a lot of time searching for these answers and wasn't happy to post another potentially daft question so eventually, through patience came to my own conclusions and documented them in my own my own coop notes - so feel free to add these points to the FAQ if they will help people CAN still rocks
The frustration sure is there. I'm bloody sick of telling people to: write a decent description, don't use all lower case anchor text, don't use stupid symbols, don't submit under construction sites, don't submit spam pages... but that is the nature of the beast, even with so few restrictions people still seem to be able to stuff it up. Anyway, maybe a more detailed FAQ would help I don't know.
LOL, as you say Dominic, that's just the way it goes. People still use "newsletter subscribe" boxes to search websites... I know it takes time to write stuff, but if everytime a question pops up it is added to the FAQ then maybe that can help limit the number of *stupid* questions, after all, the FAQ is the first place people are directed to when they start using Co-op.
What if before proceeding with "creating a new account" there was a couple paragraphs of required reading [basic set up, links to FAQs, etc.] and a box you have to check stating that you have read such paragraphs. Just like when we registered on this forum.
T0PS30: OK, and then there's whether the FAQ is read or not and then whether it is then understood. So, if this is an issue, how should it be addressed other than people getting sick and angry with it? My suggestion is additions to, and elaborating upon, the points in the FAQ to cover a few of the items that have cropped up. Resale Broker: Checkbox idea is good. It may still be ticked and ignored anyway...
Shawn cut put some javascript on each FAQ file to record how many minutes someone's been on it. Then put a FAQ spend minimum on it before posts are alowed Bit far-fetched I know... Someone should make an in-depth FAQ indeed. And get awarded with a good link from it.
Well, that's always an option, can't dismiss these things if they all go into the pot, get discussed and eventually help to make everyone's (co-op) life a bit easier. I'd love to help write a more indepth FAQ but am far too busy elsewhere to commit. All I can do is contribute those 3x little tidbits that I experienced and hope they come in handy for someone
It sounds stupid, but maybe we should have a 10 point list of check boxes... I understand I can't use all lowercase anchor text I understant etc I wonder though Shawn, a lot of the stuff ups are from nesb (non-english speaking background) [I'll teach you lot the social work terms one way or another], people so makes we think maybe the instructions could be in a number of languages...
I understand your frustrations, therefore should the coop ad reviewers job not be as editors as well. Currently I see: 1. Members submit their ad. 2. Reviewers finds the description unacceptable and disallows it. 3. Members comes to forum to ask why. 4. Reviewer answers question. Therefore they are doing twice as much work. In the FAQ's a note can be said that inappropriate titles/descriptions are at the editor’s discretion.
Yes. A detailed FAQ is necessary. I support this idea. Give the reviewers a break. They're not been paid to do this.
How about everyone faxing in a copy of their high school diploma, certificate of education, or at least an english as a second language certificate. just kidding...but seriously there needs to be some integrity.
Personally what I found frustrating when I first started the coop was getting things to work properly. I stumpled across several threads on ASP and several versions of the ASP code. However, lots of the members were SUPER HELPFUL and got things going! I see the same questions being asked over and over again because folks are reading about ASP, run across the first ASP code, downloaded and it doesn't work. IMO, a comprehensive "how to" section for all the different versions (PHP,PERL,ASP,COLDFUSION etc), instead of multiple threads, linked with the most recent updates for each version would help. cheers Frank