re: FAQ section for tools forums?

[billymade]

re: FAQ section for tools forums?

Now that I have been here awhile; I have been wondering if there would be a way to set up a "sticky" FAQ section for commonly asked questions like: "what is the Part # for Snap-On toolbox red paint?" or "how do you order parts for a Snap-On "***" item?" These could really help having these commonly asked questions answered in a FAQ section! Just a suggestion but I would love to not have to answer the same question over and over; plus have a reference section that had the info you need with out having to go back and search old posts. What do you think?

 

[Uncle Buck]

Re: FAQ section for tools forums?

I agree......................

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Re: FAQ section for tools forums?

Common rebuild kit numbers

Generally considered tools that only one or two brands are considered THE ones to go to (like Flarenut wrenches that don't spread)

Etc....

 

[PAToyota]

Re: FAQ section for tools forums?

One of the other boards that I am on has a "locked" FAQ. People can draw a mod's attention to a thread if there is good information in it and the mods organize the information in the FAQ.

The two big problems with an unlocked FAQ are that 1) people start discussing things in there and the info gets lost and 2) if things are just in a random order it gets very difficult to find anything. Either way, the FAQ becomes worthless very quickly.

With the FAQ on the other board, everything is alphabetical. So (for instance) you'd scroll down to "Snap-On" and there would be a collection of information related to Snap-On Tools - paint codes for the boxes, repair kits for the wrenches, etc.

 

[BrianAltenhofel]

Re: FAQ section for tools forums?

First proposed FAQ question:

How do I explain to my wife my most recent impulsive quality tool purchase?

 

[billymade]

Re: FAQ section for tools forums?

Bump, to the new Admin; how about it?

 

[MC]

Re: FAQ section for tools forums?

PAToyota and I have been discussing this on PM. I think it's a good idea. There are a few downsides that we've run into on our other boards, such as people tending to ask the same questions in other post, and then the sticky going stagnate. But like I told PAToyota, I'm definitely open to trying it again, or at least something similar.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Re: FAQ section for tools forums?

PAToyota and I have been discussing this on PM. I think it's a good idea. There are a few downsides that we've run into on our other boards, such as people tending to ask the same questions in other post, and then the sticky going stagnate. But like I told PAToyota, I'm definitely open to trying it again, or at least something similar.

How about instead of a FAQ in each appropriate section, then, a sticky at the top of each section to the FAQ's as there normally is some crossover.

 

[PAToyota]

Re: FAQ section for tools forums?

It is a question. I'm not sure what the answer is.

The people who have been on the board for awhile grow tired of seeing the same old questions over and over again - what compressor should I buy? why shouldn't I use PVC for my airlines like all my friends? what penetrating fluid should I use? what tools should I buy? what floor should I put down? etc? etc? - and they drift off because there isn't anything that really interests them anymore.

On the other side, the new guy comes in and searches for an answer to his question and gets a hundred and three threads to wade through... So he quickly gives up and asks the question again and now there are a hundred and four threads on the topic... Hundred and five... Six... Well, you get my point.

Even the garage gallery posts end up with half the posts being "great garage!" or "any updates?" after awhile... Which is ok at first - the original poster no doubt enjoys having people complement his work - but again, going back later looking for information leads to wading through an awful lot of stuff.

Even the FAQ can get a little tricky. Some would argue that black pipe is the only acceptable air piping. Others would say galvanized is allowable (or better). Others use copper. Although there are definite reasons not to use PVC, there are those that will argue that they (their friend, their work, whatever) has used it since they sailed over with Columbus and never had any problems... So how do you put some of that in the FAQ?

I'd tend to argue for a locked FAQ. Someone (or some group) could be in charge of amalgamating information from posts and then forward it to the moderator(s) for actual posting. If exception is taken with the information, a thread is started to hash things out and then the information is updated.

Further, I think that certain posts should be weeded out after awhile. Obviously, the time limit on the classified posts should be a month (or two or three). You don't need an archive of every classified ad ever posted - just makes it harder to search for the current ones. But certain "time limited" posts should also be weeded out. Things like posts about an eBay ad or free offers or things like that. Once it is no longer available, might as well just delete it.

Just sort of thinking out loud here.