Suggestion: A Members FAQ/Site Help category

by lilacsigh » Wed Dec 26, 2007 06:55 am

Hello! me again. :)

I'd like to suggest we members and visitors have a place to ask questions on how to actually use various functions of the ampm insure community including the forum's posting features. I'm thinking along the lines of a FAQ/Site Help section on how to navigate it all.

For example, I have a question I'd like to ask. I know we can only post live links to certain places but had no idea how to deactivate the link when I wanted to add a URL to my post and instead chopped the beginning of it off. There's no "break link" icon next to the link icon in the text box where you'd normally see it.

So we know we're not supposed to do it in many cases but not how to do it in such a way that it's acceptable ie the way the post is once the mods edit the links to deactivate them. I'm sure everyone would like to comply but not having any instructions on how to do so doesn't make it easy. An FAQ would be a perfect answer to that. :)

When I look for a folder to post the question in, the only place I see is the Pub and even then I'm unsure if I can or cannot, because it doesn't actually mention anything like that in the description of the Pub under community discussions. That's the place I choose though since it's the most general one here at ampm insure. :)

My suggestion is then that perhaps it'd be easier to gather all such posts into a new category.

How about an ampm insure FAQ/Site Help section for enquiries and answers on how to use the forum, the post functions and other site features? I think it'd really help new members find their feet. Also it would be much simpler to ask questions and for others to find the solutions if all the navigation or site related questions were under one roof so to speak.

I've been a forum admin for many years and have no doubt that the moderators here face the same challenges that mine did. They'd get asked the same things or run into the same problems where members didn't understand the workings of the site or how to get the best out of it time and time again, even with an FAQ/Site Help section set up! :lol:

But at least if you have one, you can hope that your visitors and members would go look before asking and save you guys some work. Alternatively you can point them to the thread that answers the question instead of having to type it up repeatedly. :)

The questions would be somewhere regulars may pop in and help answer, taking more of the load off the mods and admin staff, instead of scattered where they may or may not see by them. I found in the past I was pleasantly surprised by the number of regulars who would do that very thing. :) Of course it also helps build community spirit by demonstrating what a nice crowd is here and willing to help anyone that's struggling.

Anyhoo, that was just a thought that was rolling round my brain. Hey, my donate button question is a good example of what could go in there! Hope I was fairly clear on what I meant there and you'll take it under consideration for the future.

Thank you, thank you very much. :D

Total Comments: 21

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 10:56 am Post Subject:

GREAT IDEA'S lilac, I'm forwarding this on to Lakemen right now!

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 12:23 pm Post Subject:

Interesting suggestions Lilac. The administrators should mull over these to make this community more interactive and user friendly. Lakemen, are you listening, buddy?

I've been a forum admin for many years and have no doubt that the moderators here face the same challenges that mine did.


Great to know that. And your initiative to make this community more competent, is commendable indeed.

Regards,
Juanita

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 12:37 pm Post Subject:

I agree Jaunita!

Great to know that. And your initiative to make this community more competent, is commendable indeed.

I met Lilac on another forum, and she does an absolutely outstanding job there...and is a terrific asset to this forum in her short time here as well...


re: suggestions, I have forwarded them on to Lakemen, and he agrees they are great ideas and will get some time soon to address the same....

thanks again lilac! :)

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 02:53 pm Post Subject:

Ok guys, sorry for joining in late.

Thanks for shooting the PM to me Lori. :)

Excellent suggestions lilacsigh. Thanks! Every small idea from the community members would help us grow each day.

Lakemen, are you listening, buddy?


I sure am Juanita. :) As already mentioned by Lori and supported by you guys, I like the idea as well. Let us see what we can come up with.

Thanks to lilacsigh once again and to Lori as well, for getting lilacsigh. :D

Thanks,
Lakemen

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 03:14 pm Post Subject:

Lilac, great suggestion, went to you webpage, great page too, keep up the good work.

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 06:03 pm Post Subject:

I think this is a good idea too, but who is going to maintain it?

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 01:53 pm Post Subject:

Looks like a cool idea to me as well. I can remember how difficult it was for me when I first joined in. :)

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 02:30 pm Post Subject:

I think this is a good idea too, but who is going to maintain it?

That will (of course) be up to Lakemen, but most sites I belong to the members generally get into those threads and answer the easier questions, then of course mods and admin. take care of it as well...think lilac mentioned that in her suggestion as well....most of the questions 'regular' members would know the answers too, it's just as Andy said when you first start (on any forum) hard to find your way around...Or if you're computer challenged like myself, it could take years! :roll:

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 07:37 pm Post Subject:

Maybe we could elect Lilac to maintain it, LOL, you have a nice blog and I think you would do a great job maintaining it. what are your thoughts on doing it, maybe if we all pm Lakemen and make that suggestion to him, of course with Lilac's approval?

Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:40 am Post Subject:

I'm sure she would just loooooooooovvvvvvvve some more work ! ha ha....

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