Saz's techie help desk thread is getting way too long which makes it difficult for new players to find answers. I really do not feel qualified to try and condense the information into a shorter, more useful thread. Would any of you, individually or as a group, be willing to help with the creation of a new Techie Thread that covers the most commonly known problems?

ood idea? Easier to just answer the individual problems as they show up on the board? I'm completely open. I would like your advice!
I thought perhaps we could use this thread to plan its creation (presuming you are interested and have the time).

Thanks, Wyv

I was actually thinking about that earlier today. I´ve got an idea about it. Something like (quote)The problem goes here(quote)And then the copied answer to the problem. And first an index post like in the best tip thread. How does that sound?

ps. If that´s ok I´ll start that tomorrow. It should probably be a 50 post thread..

Click me plz

[ 07-23-2002, 04:41 PM: Message edited by: WillowIX ]

It Definately needs a trim.

Being that I've never had any problems with the game, I can always just stop reading, when it gets too much.... But some people who are having trouble, must feel like their panning for gold.

It also might be a good idea to include a short checklist of 'easy to overlook' items and/or 'Well known Problems', at the begining of the thread.

[ 07-22-2002, 08:38 PM: Message edited by: Packrat ]

I concur (on many levels), and I'd be happy to help out.

I think an initial index post would be a good thing, and that this initial post should *not* be made by Wyvern. Why? Well, we all know our fair lady can edit any post as a mod. In order to offset the task of maintaining the index, someone else should be able to edit it.

I was going to suggest a second post as a bump post (to be reduced, reused, and recycled), but that leaves only one person besides Wyvern to edit that. So nix that idea, and go with WillowIX's idea to add and then delete bump posts.

Third, I like putting the basic stuff first, followed by the more esoteric things. That way, hopefully someone will be able to get what they need on the first few posts (and can use the index, too!).

Fourth, let's add a "basic info to post" post -- what are the basic things a poster should include in their initial post so that we can skip the "okay, now what OS are you running" steps. This grew out of Packrat's Checklist suggestion, which I also think is a good thing.

And I like the layout of [quote]problem[unquote] followed by a resolution. How about if the first line of the Problem is as close to a one-sentence description as possible? That will make it easier to review, and easier to index as well.

Sixth, let's open a bottle of Dwarven Stout Ale to lubricate our pipes before beginning such strenuous activity.

Other thoughts?

I totally agree with Bungleau. THat would make a thread that´s easy to search through! I´ll give an example of how I visioned it.

May be there should be 2 threads. 1 thread that starts with a general pointer and a few basic 'How to _____' tips.

Example:

If the problem started late in the game, see #1
If .....from install, see #2

#1) 'How to check System Resources;'

In WIN 98/ME....Right click 'My computer' -> click 'Properties' -> click 'performance'
In WIN 2K/XP....
...Note; If system resouces are below XX%, you have too many programs running...etc.

'How to free up resources'
(other ideas)

#2) See ( thread name )

then on thread #2;

"If you can not find a solution to your problem in the following topics....etc". followed by a note on 'How post,...What info to include and where to get it;

98/ME....Start -> Run -> (type) dxdiag.exe -> OK ->
2K/XP.....

On the 'System' screen, record the following; CPU...etc
On the 'Display' screen, .....Video card Model, Last 4 digits of driver version..

[ 07-23-2002, 08:07 AM: Message edited by: Packrat ]

Hmmm, that could be tricky. Perhaps it could be one tech thread and one with general "how to dos"? For instance a thread on how to use virtualdub, increase swap etc. and then one of pure problems like black screen at startup, can´t enter buildings. You then give the link in the tech thread and the instructions on how to use them (if there are such) is in another? But that would be like the best tip thread wouldn´t it? Couldn´t we remake the tech tread to a database? Look at my thread tech help. We post tech problems as individual threads and then when they´re solved we add them to the database so we can access them easily. We would then get a small tech thread that wouldn´t increase in size too much. And if we index that one it´d be easy to find the info. The "a name" tag didn´t work unfortunately. Does anyone know a way to link to individual posts within a thread? LOL my fingers itches, I really want to get started with this. :D :D

And to add, good idea about including what should be posted packrat http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...ons/icon14.gif . We could add the remove bump request as well to that.

[ 07-23-2002, 08:47 AM: Message edited by: WillowIX ]

Bless all of you!!! :D

I find it sort of ironic that as the number of players actually dwindles there is an increase need for some good techie answers. Of course, this is the result of more players using the newer OS(esesess)and video cards. As far as I know, this is the only place that really tries to help players get their games to run correctly (we know Activision doesn't care).

I have no problems doing whatever editing you need me to do to keep the new thread as useful and organized as possible. I have of late been overwhelmed with work for the Border Collie Rescue but I always stop in here many times a day and will happily do whatever updates are needed.

A Best TECHIE Tips which covers all the known problems and solutions could easily be bumped up (eventually Ziroc was supposed to reinstall the sticky post app which would eliminate the need for bumping, I'll ask him about it). As new problems are brought to light and solved, they could be replaced with a new permanent post within the thread.

Does that sound workable?

Wyv

Yes that´s what I think is best. The only problem now is; where do you post your new tech Q:s? Should we have them spread out or make a new thread where to post them. When there are some new answers we add them to the tech data base. Or should we have them spread out oveer the board?

What I was thinking is they post them in that thread if they are really NEW/different problems, once solved, one of you wonderful techie folks writes up a new explanation of the problem and solution and I delete the player's post stating their problem and the replies it took to find the solution.

Can I have a go at it? If you don´t like it we´ll remove the thread? :D (And yes, I am a bit bored lol)

While I would really like to see the new Best TECHIE Tips set into motion, I also want all the major contributors efforts well coordinated. Perhaps we should wait to hear from Packrat and Bungleau before really starting.

Maybe we should divy up the known problems list and post the beta versions of the Problem/Solution posts here for each of us to review? Once checked here, we can cut and paste them into the permanent thread.

Wyv

I´ll direct this to you Wyv. is there a way to identify a single post within a thread? I tried the "a name" tag in my test thread but that didn´t work. Went to brush up my html but I did it correct. If there is we could make the index to links. A main index could pe posted at page 1 and then page indexes on each page linking to the posts. No need to scroll at all. Another thing, can we make the posts in a specific order (e.g. easy-->difficult). When new posts are added that order will be disrupted. Ideas? And while we´re at it, perhaps we ought to cross index to the best tip thread when there´s similar info of a problem (I think there´s virtualdub info in there as well...)

[ 07-23-2002, 11:16 AM: Message edited by: WillowIX ]

Test:
http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/cg...c;f=4;t=007453

If this works, all I did was open the other thread, copy the URL and post it in here.

Okay, that will direct you to a thread but not to a particular post within a thread.

I'll see if there is any way to narrow it down other than "scroll down to GRUMPY's post 3/4 down the page". Off hand I don't know of a way to do that but I might learn something new! :D

Wyv

Yes that works when opening a thread. But individual posts within the thread? Let´s say I want to get to post 15 on page 1 of the tech thread. Can I link directly to that? Like <*a href="aa">Post 15<'/a> and then in post 15 add this tag <*a name="aa">Text<*/a>. I tried using that but it didn´t work.

I'd be leery of this growing into too many threads. It then loses its value, bit by bit. I'd also remember that we're limited in some ways to what the BBS software can support. Hence, I'm not sure how much more we could put into trying to set up outside databases and such (although I certainly appreciate and value what they represent). Since there are only fifteen posts per page, looking at an index and then a page shouldn't be too taxing for most people.

That being said, if anyone wants to try a mockup, by all means let's do it. It's far easier to tweak and change something that exists than to develop it on electronic paper when all of us are spread out. I wouldn't convert everything, though; just an entry or two to get things started. If we decide we have to start over later, we can simply copy and paste between threads to keep the good stuff.

It sounds like the initial series of posts in the thread might be something like this:

1. Explanation of thread (including gentle reminder that no one gets paid to do this [img]smile.gif[/img] )
2. Index (by problem)
3. Index (by category of problem?)
4. What to include in your post if you have a new problem (and how to get it)
5. Start posts...

I'm suggesting two index posts so that you can easily look up either a problem (town hall doesn't work) or a category (WinXP issues). It may be a little more work to index, but if done right, indexing should be a minor issue.

I do like the thought of letting someone post a new issue, and then once it's resolved, posting a summary and removing the intervening details. That lets this thread serve two purposes: a repository of posting information, and a mechanism for raising new issues.

Next!

ooooo such GOOD ideas!!

I really do like the double index idea!

Maybe we should create a list of the known problems and get those organized and cross organized. My own impression is that most of the problems are solved by a relatively few fixes. Is my impression incorrect?
The fixes that come most easily to my mind are the Virtualdub, the DirectX, latest drivers and increase memory (which shows you how untechie I am, eh? ;) ) I don't envision that the Best TECHIE Tips would really have to be that big once it is condensed and written to identify all the various problems one fix solves.

Wyv
(getting the Red out)

[ 07-23-2002, 12:00 PM: Message edited by: Wyvern ]

I would gladly go through the posts and clean them up into the major categories. I agree with wyv, there are roughly 5 common problems: virtual dub, directx, os, hardware/software mode, and pcu deficiencies (newest drivers, ram, expandable mem, etc).

I'll start it tonight. I dont want to usurp anyone else from doing the same. If anyone else wants to compare notes; all the better. The dual indexing is a great idea. But hopefully since the search engine is now back up and running, finding the correct log of your problem should no longer be a problem.

Detah

WillowIX, I think the issue is that the name is inside the post, which may not make it fully part of the page.

And as I think of it, isn't the syntax for accessing a name supposed to be href="page#name"? Have you tried it that way?

And Wyvern, you promised not to call me "Grumpy" in public... *pout*

And as for Detah, feel free to get started on whatever makes sense. I wouldn't pour a whole lot into a single post just yet, but if you wanted to compile the data in notepad or something like that (which could be copied and pasted later), that would probably help.

I think the next level of detail we're going to need is summarizing the threads -- formatting them with issue (including single-line description) and solution.

And while I think of it, what about crediting the original poster for their solution? Not that it matters a whole lot in the grand scheme of things, but I'd like to recognize those folks and their assistance. To have it seem like "us" are the only ones who know anything would be grossly unfair, methinks.

I'm going to be incommunicado tomorrow (meetings to attend), but will be back on Thursday.

LOL!!!!

Giving credit where credit is due is MOST important! There have been so many wonderful posters on this board, some are no longer active, but ALL should be remembered for their valuable contributions!

Wyv

I have already copied all the posts (all 9 pages of em) into a Word document.

I was thinking of something like the following format for each entry:

problem
(eg. Direct X problem)

symptoms
(eg. no sound, green sprites, cannot enter towns)

fix
(eg. update to newest video card driver, play in software mode)

and at the bottom of each entry, list all contributors to that help file topic

Detah

I think that's good, Detah.

A key thing, methinks, is to list the issues the way that a newbie player would say them, and not the way us experienced folk would. For example, "green sprites" may make someone think of soda in a colored glass. "Green characters and monster" might be more like what they would be thinking of.

Perhaps you might post a mockup of one entry for review? I'd rather you get feedback and agreement before going through and doing them all. And that way, the work can also be shared.

<a name="aa">Test</a>
I think a switch between "symptom" and "description" as you call them is better. For instance:
Black screen in start up
Do you receive a........ (a problem descritpion lol). And then the solution. Something catchy to index with that is :D . Running a test of Bungleaus suggestion....

YESSS Bungleau! Come here and I´ll give you that big kiss you deserve! It works! (Is an evil laughter in place? lol:D). Now we can link the index inputs to their posts. :D :D

I wish I had another 2 cents to throw in, but it looks like you've all been very busy here and it's pretty well covered... http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...ons/icon14.gif

It will be interesting to see how big the thread is , after it's been pared down to 'issues and answers'.

Let me know what I can do to help....(if there's anything left..lol...I'm begining to think you people drink more coffee than I do)

.

.

.

kind of ironic...this post is on the second page...of a thread on how to reduce the number of pages in a thread..It might have to be refered to the 'Redundant, department of redundancy, department'. http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/no...ons/icon23.gif

[ 07-23-2002, 08:51 PM: Message edited by: Packrat ]

Agreed on the irony, Packrat. Seems we're spending more time talking than doing, but my experience is that as long as we're moving the discussion in a positive direction, good will come out of it.

Of course, with WillowIX trying to get this board moved onto the Parental Research Council watch list, maybe it is time to start doing something! BTW, you're welcome, WillowIX. Any time, any time...

Lol Bungleau! :D I´ve started with an index. And that post alone will take up one page (2 indexes in one remember). Any ideas on how to shorten it witohut loosing information?