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benz · #1 Post by **benz** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 12:35 am

Is it just me or have the forums (T-series in particular) become flooded with repeated and/or useless topics??!?

I, like many others am impressed by the level of professionalism maintained by the users of this forum - no attacking 'n00bs', no flaming/cursing/etc. - you just don't see this much these days. From what I've seen, all of the regulars here post nothing but positive, helpful comments to the topic at hand (and even serve to remind us of our bandwith usage....ahem nonny

).

But with this welcoming attitude comes a few drawbacks - new users have less of an inventive to search before posting new threads. This can lead to problems like we are seeing in the T-series forum, especially. How many more threads like "What laptop should I buy?" and "T41 vs. T42" and "Flexview??!?" and so on will we have to endure?

I don't suggest that flaming is the answer, but I fear that the regulars will become frustrated and begin to treat these threads (and the users that start them) harshly. It's really a maturity issue in most cases, but these useless threads are wearning thin for all of us.

So as not to sound like a whiner, I would like to propose a solution to this problem:
Sticky "FAQ" threads at the top of the forums, addressing all the most popular questions and topics. These would be best as just one post long, from the moderator (so its a quick easy read for the newbies). And if a new user does post a repetitive topic, refer them to the FAQ (and then just lock the thread) rather than flaming him/her.

Also, how about a subsection of each series forum (at least the T-series) for pre-buyers and their questions? I know people like to post their situations and prices/deals/needs/etc. and get feedback, but does this really belong in the mainstream T-series support discussion? Especially with some of the nondescript thread titles...

Anyway, I know some people have brought this up in a couple other threads here and there, but I just wanted to address this once and for all in a specific thread.

JHEM · #2 Post by **JHEM** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 12:42 am

We have a few obstacles to overcome with the new forums, repetitive posts certainly being one of them.

All I can say is that the FAQs are being worked on and we hope to have something available very soon, but the target keeps moving with every new offering from IBM, so we're chasing our tails for a bit.

Regards,

James

benz · #3 Post by **benz** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 12:46 am

That sounds good. I know you guys are busy dealing with all of this, while people like me are sitting around complaining about it!

Along that note, I would be glad to help compile a preliminary FAQ based on some of the very popular thread topics relating to the T-series. Let me know if I can help.

JHEM · #4 Post by **JHEM** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 12:51 am

Any input and assistance would be welcome and appreciated.

Regards,

James

#5 Post by **K. Eng** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 7:47 am

Any FAQ must include a link to the IBM Hardware Maintenance Manuals. A lot of folks are asking "how do I disasemble my [insert model] ThinkPad"

My last two posts before this one contained links to the HMM

hausman · #6 Post by **hausman** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 8:24 am

Why reinvent the wheel? Jim Hope's website includes myriad links, including to the HMMs. And, he's even a Moderator of this forum

Jim's ThinkPad Resources: http://witz.ca/thinkpad/

ThinkPad Frequently Needed Links : http://witz.ca/thinkpad/?content=faqlinks.aspx

benz · #7 Post by **benz** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 8:29 am

Yes I have seen Jim's site, and those are great resources. It's just that this information needs to be in a highly visible part of the forum for new users unfamiliar with his website.

hausman · #8 Post by **hausman** » Sat Jun 12, 2004 8:37 am

My point is that this forum should prominently feature a link to Jim's site rather than recreating the same information from scratch. There should be a link in the header, as well as a Sticky in each subforum.

Even better would be some sort of "merger" so that the information would need to be kept up-to-date only once.

BTW for a good example of how to incorporate FAQs with a discussion forum, see DSLReports, e.g. http://www.dslreports.com/forum/sharing

phat_mats · #9 Post by **phat_mats** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 1:50 am

somewhat of a noob suggestion here ... there should also be a spot for people to talk about sources to view/buy thinkpads. In particular Bill, I ended up buying from him but was a bit leary of it at first, it might help BIll reel in some customers too if there was an area to talk about buying experiences from different sources

I guess this could go in with the price/model kind of forum

benz · #10 Post by **benz** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 12:19 pm

definitely...that would take care of about half the threads in the T section....us mods would have a lot of moving to do!

G-Man · #11 Post by **G-Man** » Sat Jun 26, 2004 1:29 pm

phat_mats wrote:...if there was an area to talk about buying experiences from different sources. I guess this could go in with the price/model kind of forum

Sounds good. We definitely need a new forum for all the "Is Your T Series In This Shipment?" "Did I pay a reasonably good price for my T41p?" "XY model with the Mastercard Discount possible?" "Status: Customizing\Packing" etc. Any ideas for naming the new forum are welcomed. This should be a general forum, covering all the TP series, not just the T.

Regards,
G-Man

Guest · #12 Post by **Guest** » Sun Jun 27, 2004 11:29 pm

Also the flexview questions have been coming up way too much and I think they may come up more regularly among new people who are happy/angry after getting or not getting a flexview. I am reading this before i buy mine and will of course continue as soon as i get mine. But there will be alot of after-the-fact people on the site. If only they had heard about it before the purchase.

pete0r · #13 Post by **pete0r** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 12:20 am

the idea for bill to have his own forum is great, he could post all of his deals and people could write up things on their experience on him. a lot of people, including myself, aren't too sure about ordering from him..

G-Man · #14 Post by **G-Man** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 11:29 am

pete0r wrote:including myself, aren't too sure about ordering from him...

Why?

Regards,
G-Man

#15 Post by **K. Eng** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 12:14 pm

Those who are new to the site might IMO be skeptical - the front page and main sales page looks a bit shady (I don't think Bill is shady at all since I've been here for a year or so and lots of people have had positive experience buying from him).

If you don't know what I mean, compare Bill's sales page to New Egg. Which one looks more trustworthy?

G-Man · #16 Post by **G-Man** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 1:01 pm

I see your point. But comparing Newegg to ThinkPads.com. Newegg has a bit larger business than Bill. But as far as I know Bill is working on a more professional ThinkPads.com, he just needs a few more extra hands, and hours.

Regards,
G-Man

#17 Post by **JaneL** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 3:41 pm

I think it's a case of work on his web site or process orders, and the orders come first. My personal opinion is that anyone who knows how to use Google or Usenet can find out if Bill is a reputable vendor. He's been around since dirt, and if he weren't, there would be a plethora of complaints about him by now.

#18 Post by **JaneL** » Sun Jul 04, 2004 3:52 pm

I've noticed in the last few days that the moderators have taken the excellent step of pointing people to existing discussions rather than answering repetitive questions. Might I suggest that it would be a good idea to then lock that topic so that it dies a natural death rather than leaving it open for posting?

benz · #19 Post by **benz** » Sun Jul 04, 2004 5:43 pm

No problem, I'll lock 'em up.

#20 Post by **JaneL** » Sun Jul 04, 2004 6:35 pm

Great - thanks!

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