Let me start by saying that this is just a moan thread, and I don't ask or expect that anything comes from it other than me getting something off my chest and seeing what others think.
I'm a very regular reader and contributor in the HD2 forum, as I have been for over a year now. I like the fact that it's such a busy forum as this obviously means we have a larger resource pool and get answers to issues a lot quicker than a more sparsely populated forum. There is, however, a down-side to this as well. More people does mean more help, but it also means more idiots.
Unfortunately, there's a growing gang of members in the HD2 forum that seem to thrive on posts such as...
"Search for the answer, *****"
or...
"Are you a total retard?"
Now I know that some people ask what a lot of us feel are dumb questions, and a LOT of people are guilty of posting questions without searching thoroughly first, therefore repeating threads, but it seems to be becoming a sport to deal with them with stronger and stronger animosity.
I personally have been guilty of posting "This is the wrong forum" or "This has been answered - please search", but the recent number of similar posts has made me rethink the situation.
First of all, just insulting someone is point-blank out-of-order, and I usually tend to report such posts and hope the mods agree and deal with the individual in question. So that's that done. Now we're left with the "already answered" posts.
This is all hypothetical, so don't do the following search and tell me I was wrong, okay
Say I searched for "bluetooth android not working" and didn't find anything that suited my situation and decided to open a thread. I start one called "bluetooth android not working" and explain my problem. UserXXX comes along and says "This has been answer like a million times. Use the search function"
Now let's go 2 weeks into the future when someone else has the exact same problem. They type into the search "bluetooth android not working" and they find my thread. "Great!" they think, till they read the thread. It's of no use to them whatsoever. So they start a new thread. Guess what - UserXXX comes along and says "This has been answered a million times! I'm getting sick of telling people to search!!!"
This happens every 2 weeks, with different users having the same problems and not finding a solution, therefore posting a new thread.
Okay. Here I have to say that none of the above users searched well enough - that is a valid point, and cannot be changed. By the time they start a new thread it's too late to simply tell them this.
But now, 6 months down the line, we have 12 threads that are titled "bluetooth android not working", and not one of them has an actual answer in it. By this point, the forum is becoming pretty pointless.
All it would take is for Mr.Genius-at-searching UserXXX to have searched, as he claims is easy to do, find a link and then post whatever he wants, with the link at the end of it...
"Here's a link, you **** tard. Learn to search. I can do it, so I have the right to tell you to do it. Want proof I can search? Here it is...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/noonardfoundananswer.php"
Basically, people giving it "do a search if you want answers" should help out new users in doing so. Do a search and maybe tell them what your search criteria was. Maybe they didn't know what NAND was when they were asking about flashing Android to replace WM6.5. Maybe they misspelt "blootueth". They need help, not an arrogant waste of space that generates just as much garbage post in the forum, but with an added side-dish of anger.
Finally, I know that we shouldn't spoon-feed people, as they will never learn to do things themselves. What I am suggesting is that if someone knows how to do something and they find someone who clearly doesn't, then they should help them, rather than just act like an idiot.
Phew. Rant over
Edit: Incidentally, apologies to those who've pointed out that it's not just the HD2 forums that are like this. I didn't mean to imply that they're the only place it happens. I just can't talk from experience for any of the other forums.
Completely agree.
This is something I try to do now (having flamed and abused in the past ) for the reasons you have stated above.
Take this post for example, I even provided a link.
Why goto the effort of answering a post if you are not going to provide an answer.
As for "don't ask or expect that anything comes from it". I would hope others who don't provide usfull replies read this and take something away from it.
Dave
DaveShaw said:
Completely agree.
This is something I try to do now (having flamed and abused in the past ) for the reasons you have stated above.
Take this post for example, I even provided a link.
Why goto the effort of answering a post if you are not going to provide an answer.
As for "don't ask or expect that anything comes from it". I would hope others who don't provide usfull replies read this and take something away from it.
Dave
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Thanks for the comments Dave. Glad to see I'm not the only one that thinks like this.
I do get abrupt with people but I also help alot, hence why I have 50 thanks.
I really do not mind helping people but what I cant stand is lazyness. Its one thing been new to teh subject and not knowing something and then asking for help but its another to simply not even bother checking a forum stickies or at least doing a simple search before creating a topic that has already been created.
On some occasions its because the subject is a hard one to search and filter out but on allot of occasions you know its simply because they have not bothered and thought they would just create a topic and let other people do work for them, That is what I cant stand.
Although I have stopped been really abrupt I will still not answer these people but instead choose to make sure they are aware that its not on.
Yes you can say that we was all new once and some people need their arse wiping for them but that is absolutely no excuse. When I first joined this forum I did allot of reading and learned allot of stuff in process, some info I didnt need at the time but later helped me with other stuff and resulted in me not needing to clone topics or ask questions that have already been asked and answered.
Completely agree with what the OP is trying to say.
TheATHEiST said:
I do get abrupt with people but I also help alot, hence why I have 50 thanks.
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Click to collapse
Are the from people you helped, or from people who liked your quips? (j/k)
TheATHEiST said:
Yes you can say that we was all new once and some people need their arse wiping for them but that is absolutely no excuse. When I first joined this forum I did allot of reading and learned allot of stuff in process, some info I didnt need at the time but later helped me with other stuff and resulted in me not needing to clone topics or ask questions that have already been asked and answered.
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Click to collapse
I think the point John is making, is that the unhelpful replies limit users ability to search. For example, searching for "Help Flashing Evo" will find threads with the answer "Use Search", (recursion ) hence annoying the user and causing them to post instead of carrying on.
Users who don't bother reading/searching are (and probably always will be) a problem, hence svetius's change requiring 10 post to use Development forums; we need to find more efficient ways to help them
Dave
thank you very much!!! i have been thinking about this topic a long by myself, but i didnt dare to mention it with my low post counter.
I got my HD2 only 1 month ago and its my first WM device. I am very good with all technical devices, but it was still very hard for me to find the right answers.
As i just bricked my nokia phone during an update i wanted to make sure to not brick my HD2..
its hard to get all the information, and i was thinking about creating a webpage - which really expalains idiot-proof how everything works.
oida_oida said:
its hard to get all the information, and i was thinking about creating a webpage - which really expalains idiot-proof how everything works.
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Click to collapse
The guides and the wikis + plethora of resources are already in place especially for establishes devices like the Leo. The only issues is the "newer" crowd is lazy and does not search and hence hundreds of threads asking questions to which answers have already been mentioned sometime somewhere on the forum. That's not the only issue- the problem is that these newer people won't be patient or even post in the correct place.
For eg. I have seen threads about Android development being posted in Win D&H.
We have to live & deal with it, it's a side effect of growth and progress.
JM2C's.
There seems to be a significant amount of animosity of late in all forums - not just HD2. I'm not certain as to why this is, all I do know is that I find unacceptable. As moderators, we spend more time cleaning up flame & troll posts than working on our own community contributions.
My observations:
XDA is about bringing together folks who have similar passions about mobile technology. As such, I expect a certain degree of maturity and professionalism from all members during their "stay" on this forum.
Responses that provide helpful and constructive information as opposed to "use the search", "try Google", "it's broken", "fix it", etc. help guide the thread back to topic. Here's a few examples:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=9929554&postcount=4
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=10749020&postcount=7
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=10097254&postcount=22
There is absolutely no reason to respond in a rude tone, make someone feel stupid, or disrespect a member trying to offer something back to the community ... it is not constructive and serves no purpose. Members are never forced to frequent a thread on this forum and as previously stated, members should choose to move on instead of posting inflammatory comments.
Shortly after the launch of a well advertised mobile device, there is an influx of new members. Most all carriers and device manufacturers send their customers to XDA for technical assistance. Place a call to your carrier technical support department, it won't take long before the support representative instructs you to: "check out XDA, they have tons of information on how to fix that ...".
Most of newcomers who frequent the site are under the misconception that XDA is an extension of their carrier technical support department. This becomes apparent when I read posts complaining about issues with features or demanding an answer to their problem. As most of these newcomers are less technical, they lack the expertise required to assess the problem and determine the correct terminology to use in a search.
The current consumer model is not conducive to holding carrier and device manufacturers accountable. The current marketing paradigm is about convenience and how the one device that "does it all" is here. Most consumers buy into the paradigm and spend little to no time researching before the purchase. Once the device is purchased and fails to meet expectations, they simply go out and purchase something else.
vBulletin Search is horrible and unless one has a PhD in XDA Google Search, the likelihood of finding a meaningful answer in a billion threads is well ... challenging at best.
There are other observations that I have made; but the ones above are IMHO, some of the key issues and why I prefer to take a less aggressive approach when moderating newcomer posts.
Regards,
Those observations are very accurate and sums up the issue well, Hilaireg.
Thanks to all for giving your two cents on this rather important issue. The problems that we currently face are a product of people not having a sense of community. As hilaireg stated, many come here for a "quick fix" simply because the CSR at their company had no idea what to do and decided to direct you here to see if maybe you could fix the issue yourself.
Admittedly, there are search engines that are somewhat better than vB's, but the point that the OP is making is 100% dead on target. By playing "smarta$$" and replying "search, you n00b" instead of providing any meaningful reply will do nothing else than dilute the results of your search. Having said this, people complaining that the search does not work, 8 times out of 10, are expecting the right answer to pop up in the first result from the thread, and will probably give up if by the second or third link they have not found anything. Patience is a virtue, and people looking for knowledge should expect for this to come at the price of a little effort.
I went from a $10 clamshell dumdum phone for 6 years, whambang straght into my Leo. I am over 36 & under 38 years old.
It took me 3 months of fumbling around getting peeved over constant resetting and crashes.
Not once did I bother anyone here with a question that with a bit of hands on do-it-yourself would eventually learn on my own.
However, I had Tmo tech. on speed dial...
I am not new to the forum game though...check my thread "Throttled". lol.
anywho, my phone will remain stock with tweaks, skins, and sweet theme action.
This is an awesome piece of awesome, but NOT for the severely impatient or timid.
Thank you XDA for doing the absolute maximum in making my leo purrrr!!!!
and moan threads are for sissies btw...lol.
@ hilaireg & egzthunder1
I understand and agree to some extent your points but the fact of the matter is that something really needs to be done to halt or slow down the amount of dupe posts or other that are polluting/diluting the forum.
I'm going to be honest I dont really have any problems using vB search and usally find the info I need. PLUS much rather find the info myself because it also makes me learn other stuff in process that I may need in future that I wouldnt usually learn if I had just gone and asked somebody for specific info.
Here are the steps I take to find the relevant info...
Check stickies
Check latest topics
Use search function (topic titles)
Use search function (topic content)
Then if I dont find any info I want I begin to start a new thread and take note of the "similar threads" function before posting. If all else fails I use google.
The problem is that 99% of newbies dont do any of this or very little to look for what they need info/help on, They just rather create a topic and let the info be brought to them, which is fine but majority of questions are already answered in stickies or tuts/guides which are easy to find.
I really think that we need to have a 100 post limit on the dev section this will reduce by allot the amount of spam we get, maybe not specifically for replying to topics but certainly for creating them. And also maybe a FAQ sticky in each Q&A forum with links to most asked ones.
TheATHEiST said:
The problem is that 99% of newbies dont do any of this or very little to look for what they need info/help on, They just rather create a topic and let the info be brought to them, which is fine but majority of questions are already answered in stickies or tuts/guides which are easy to find.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The newbies aren't the only problem.
*You* yourself recently lit into a newbie in a very uncalled for fashion. With your post and the followups to your post, you helped muddy the waters for finding actual solutions.
There are solutions:
1) the OPs start updating their original posts with solutions to outstanding problems. The search engine is only as good as the queries being put into it, and as more "SEARCH DA TRED NEB3!!!" responses fill the thread, that makes actually finding the solution all the more difficult.
2) Regulars stop flaming the newbies. When I first started posting here I got a number of @ss**** responses to reasonable questions. If regulars behave like that, what type of newbs do you think you're attracting?
Lets not make this a 'he said/she said' or a pointing-fingers thread.
For a solution to the problem at hand, when we see such behavior, we can easily rectify it - as the OP stated - by posting the answer to questions instead of telling the person to search for the answer.
Now this does also bring a 'double-edge' scenario: This may give the n00bs the idea that it is okay to post a question without searching. But this is already happening.
So if we at least cut the amount of posts about the same topic down, there will be less of what bothers the senior members. And we won't have to suggest 'Search the forums for the answer.'
As a possible-soon-to-be-moderator of the Herald forums, I promise to do this myself. Hopefully, we can all agree to do the same as Senior Members of this community. I also don't expect anyone who has less than a hundred posts to do this, but, hopefully a trend will catch on.
apallohadas said:
The newbies aren't the only problem.
*You* yourself recently lit into a newbie in a very uncalled for fashion. With your post and the followups to your post, you helped muddy the waters for finding actual solutions.
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Click to collapse
Hey I didnt say they was the only problem, hence "99%".
If we keep re-iterating the same answers we are just going round in circles. The ONLY way to solve this is to somehow halt/slow them from asking the same repeat questions in first place, not just keep providing the answers every time they decide to be lazy and ask the same question and not just that they also ask them by creating a topic in the wrong places.
It's not just the HD2 forum, it's the same in the Desire one too (and yes, I'm guilty of a bit of flaming but some people just ask EXTREMELY dumb questions and even when you answer continue to ignore you so they deserve it)
Rule 1 of the forum is to search and for those who haven't even done that they deserve it too. But to those who say they've actually tried and not found anything I'll try and be helpful
These people just need to learn the proper way to ask a question. If you want a response from the power-hungry people who reply with insults, you must phrase it properly.
Instead of saying: "How do you get bluetooth working in Android NAND?"
They need to say: "Android on the HD2 SUCKS because bluetooth doesn't work right!"
What you will then see is these jerks flocking to prove the OP wrong, all while answering his question. 90% of the time, it works every time.
But if we do keep reiterating the answers to properly asked questions, that makes the search engine more useful for those that do use it. The answer doesn't get buried in 'you suk n00b' responses.
If a person feels they can't respond without insults, then they should have the self control not to respond right?
IMO the ones with knowledge need self control and should control their temper; and be helping ( luckily for us most are ).
And the n00bs need to know the forum decorum and manners better.
And the minimum posts requirement to post in dev. section is a small but very important step in the right direction, I recall when I signed up on XDA for months I was just reading and posting. And posted only in the Q&A threads or threads related to fashing/ROMs ( when I needed help with that); but these days the people won't have the patience to do that.
Either we need to vomit it out on them or somehow teach them the old school method of search + posting on right threads/forums.
Re: Forum Suggestion /"State of the Site"
i tried posting in where i felt was the appropreate thread linked to in the "state of the site" but it has already been closed
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=10673299
anyway i completely agree with many of the administrative decisions discussed there. i just have some suggestions to help those work, coming from my experience as a new member my first few days. (few weeks ago)
first of all how did i come here? google searches for questions i had about my captivate. after finding info on XDA few times through google, i realized this is a place i may want to check out more, but it took some looking around just to understand the BASIC POINT of what XDA was all about. Something that would really help people understand "THIS IS THE PLACE!" could use a short, straight to the point "sub-title" at the top of your webpage beside your xdadevelopers logo. something that reads like:
"the home for smartphone development, troubleshooting and ideas.."
the second small issue i want to bring up is new users not being able to post in development forums. WAIT!! I AGREE WITH THIS. BUT, when i was new here i was seeing not able to post in a dev forum talking about something i needed info on, and i was seeing other minor members in other threads getting "chewed out" for posting in a "developers" forum.
HERE WAS MY CONFUSION: www.xda-DEVELOPERS.com it appears to a noob straight off the google express that the whole site is developers...
i started looking for www.xda.com forums.xda.com ect....
it took a bit of searching around the site before i realized the "Developers" section that i couldnt post in was the SUB-forum of the Captivate sub-forum.
it was just a bit confusing until i saw the layout of the site for all the different phones and the sub catagories each had.
i hope these suggestions can bring forth some ideas that can help the integration of new members.
Thanks for your opinion
Yah, I really like your idea. We're going to consider it.
what ever happened to these suggestions?
dude i flet the same when i first got here! great recommendation!
TRusselo said:
...
HERE WAS MY CONFUSION: www.xda-DEVELOPERS.com it appears to a noob straight off the google express that the whole site is developers...
i started looking for www.xda.com forums.xda.com ect....
it took a bit of searching around the site before i realized the "Developers" section that i couldnt post in was the SUB-forum of the Captivate sub-forum.
it was just a bit confusing until i saw the layout of the site for all the different phones and the sub catagories each had...
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Click to collapse
Hi there,
I'm a noob and this is my first post so please don't rip in to me for this or for the fact that I am resurrecting an old post
I thought that it would be better to quote a post that reflected my feelings and possibly (hopefully) answer my questions.
I have an HTC Inspire that I imported into Australia from gsmnation.com as I liked the feature set of the phone and it was compatible with my carrier over here unlike the Desire HD that is available locally but not compatible with my carrier.
I have lurked around these forums as an unregistered user since having my phone and used the great advice shown to root it and put Android Revolution 4G 4.0 by mike1986 on it.
Have been very happy with it but now I want more.
In particular I would like to put Gingerbread onto it with Sense 3.5.
I had been following a thread about RCMix3d Runny v4.0.
I took the plunge and registered at XDA but now I can't even view the thread without getting the vBulletin message saying that members without a post count of 10 or less cannot post in developers threads.
Fair enough I say but surely we can at least view the threads.
I can view various other threads but i cant even find the one mentioned above.
Can someone tell me if the thread has been deleted (all 1264 pages according to Google cache search - I was up to page 127!).
Have tried searching using XDA's custom Google search feature but can't find the thread anywhere.
Any advice about whether the thread still exists or if I am doing something wrong that is not even letting me view the thread.
Pooley72 said:
Hi there,
I'm a noob and this is my first post so please don't rip in to me for this or for the fact that I am resurrecting an old post
I thought that it would be better to quote a post that reflected my feelings and possibly (hopefully) answer my questions.
I have an HTC Inspire that I imported into Australia from gsmnation.com as I liked the feature set of the phone and it was compatible with my carrier over here unlike the Desire HD that is available locally but not compatible with my carrier.
I have lurked around these forums as an unregistered user since having my phone and used the great advice shown to root it and put Android Revolution 4G 4.0 by mike1986 on it.
Have been very happy with it but now I want more.
In particular I would like to put Gingerbread onto it with Sense 3.5.
I had been following a thread about RCMix3d Runny v4.0.
I took the plunge and registered at XDA but now I can't even view the thread without getting the vBulletin message saying that members without a post count of 10 or less cannot post in developers threads.
Fair enough I say but surely we can at least view the threads.
I can view various other threads but i cant even find the one mentioned above.
Can someone tell me if the thread has been deleted (all 1264 pages according to Google cache search - I was up to page 127!).
Have tried searching using XDA's custom Google search feature but can't find the thread anywhere.
Any advice about whether the thread still exists or if I am doing something wrong that is not even letting me view the thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That thread was removed at the op's request which is why you aren't able to view it.
Sent from my HD2. Still kicking the arse out of all your phones...
Ah Ok.
Thanks for the quick response...Very impressive.
Is there an alternative for this ROM or another sticky for that one around the place or has it been obliterated from XDA?
I have downloaded the ROM to my PC but if there is no longer any support for it on these boards then my quest for a nice GB ROM will have to continue.
I wonder how receptive capychimp is to noobs? I am in awe of the guy
Hi,
Noob here!
I read your "[New Members][Guide/Tour] Get the most out of XDA!!" and I thought it was great.
Being a noob, I couldnt press the thank you button, so I just thought I'd say thank you for taking the time and the effort to write the guide.
Thanks again!
-tired- said:
a noobie here ..
did read your "[New Members][Guide/Tour] Get the most out of XDA!!" and thought it was simply great. could not thank you there due to a limit on thanking being 8. So thought should try and reply here make my first post and thank you or helping me with the same..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Way to go bumping a 2yr old thread with your first post man..
Hi everybody,
I was not sure where to post this so I will just put it in here.
This is a suggestion that I thought of a long time ago, but today I've decided to post it somewhere.
XDA is an excellent forum, which I visit on a daily basis. Even before we had the nice portal it was still fun to go and visit our devices and see if anything new had come out.
The thing that I unfortunately can't use XDA for very well, unless I open countless threads asking people for help, is when deciding if I should buy a phone.
Everytime I want to read a review, I need to go and get it somewhere else. The problem with other peoples reviews is that they never take into account custom ROM's and the community behind them, so if the phone comes with crappy software out of the box, they might negatively rate something that is actually very good.
Lately I have been following the SG2 forum, as that device has made me dream again . Pretty, Powerful and another word starting with P that I can't think of, but when I want to see how good it is, or any review I either browse 100s of threads and try to understand what do people complain about, or I give up and go and search on the net for a review, which I still think does not take into account the potential of the device (example HD2, you will not find a review of it running android, hehe).
To summarize: I suggest that each forum dedicated to a phone could have a nice review in the sickies, done by a member and rated by the community.
And please I am aware of the wiki, but I still don't think it is enough, as it's mostly specs and other things, not actual usage comparison or review.
Let me know what you think.
Good day to you all
This is an interesting point...I know of a few other forums that have a dedicated review forum or review threads.
I'll pop it in the "suggestion box"
I'm still somewhat of a newbie to xda, but the idea sounds great. I usually jump around to 5 or six sites looking for reliable reviews.
Would be nice to have member reviews from multiple angles of usability.
Well I'm glad that you've liked it. I am looking forward to see future development and hopefully I will not have to use other review sites in the future .
Regards to all.
good idea
That's great, I think Xda with many ppls can send out the information of mobile products.
Hi everybody, first I want to thank the admin orb3000 for moving the thread, I searched for the right place for the post, but no suggestion folder for the forum, that is why I have posted in in general.
And now on topic, we need to start reviewing our phones so they have something to sticky.
So good luck to you all, and I am looking forward to the results.
With all the threads that pop up asking "should I get this", I had thought about doing the same thing but never acted on it....maybe its time that I did
Great suggestion, definitely not "flame worthy"
I've been a member for over a year and been fairly active in the Epic 4G forum.
It has been my experience that a myriad of questions are constantly re-asked & re-answered by ROM devs and other little elves b/c people are too lazy to search/read-back the threads, or are simply too daunted by 10's & 100's of pages of posts.
This has become a problem to the point where on a couple different occassions we created off-site Wikis just to help redirect people to answers to common problems. The problem with this is people have to be told each time..."Go to the Wiki [here]". It would be grand if you would enable Wiki-posts. It would allow each thread to have its own little ecosystem so that Devs wouldn't have to micro-manage & update OP with Q&A on every little bug, the little guys could keep it up to snuff. It's a great way to crowd-source troubleshooting. I've seen it successfully done on a number of threads.
What's more, I believe the OP can disable it if he prefers not to have one.
Thanks for listening!
.
Thread moved. Would advise you to read forum rules and post in correct section.
Xda has a WIKI for all devices granted some pages need updating so i doubt the Admin will enable wiki in posts
lufc said:
Xda has a WIKI for all devices granted some pages need updating so i doubt the Admin will enable wiki in posts
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very aware of the XDA Wiki, in fact, we are using it at the moment (albeit it, somewhat unsuccessfully).
One advantage of in-thread Wiki is that it's all right there, right below the OP, right after all the other instructions. EVERYONE sees it, instead of a link to another page.
Another advantage is that it's generally easier for people to edit the in-thread wiki posts than an actual Wiki-page (I know neither is difficult, but this comes from my experience helping to maintain a ROM-devoted Wiki).
As far as the drawbacks of in-thread Wikis, perhaps spam, or it being forced after the initial Post?
I'd like to throw the idea around. I know it would help troubleshooting/Q&A in the forums I participate in, thought I'd throw it out there in case others would be interested.
Thanks!
P.S. Thanks for moving my thread (and shame on my for not reading the forum descriptions more closely)
I second this. It's borderline vital in long development threads. The off thread wiki doesn't do a whole lot of good if the link to that wiki needs to be hunted for, same as everything else.
Too bad the wiki doesn't even work on my computer...I think it's something with my wifi but idk.
Years on and this is still something I wish we had on this forum. In thread wikis are essential, especially on a website as big as this with threads that run for hundreds of pages. When you come to a thread months or years after it started, the OP is often irrelevant, and the links broken. It's not reasonable to expect someone to read hundreds of pages in a forum thread to find out what the current situation is.
So people ask the same questions, over and over. Eventually people get annoyed and stop answering, and just say the ever unhelpful "go read". I'm always willing to read and learn. But wading though tons of outdated data doesn't have to be a necessity. A simple thread wiki post would make this so much easier. If you're not familiar with the concept SlickDeals.net has one (it's available to every thread but not always used). A deal is posted, people chime on on how to improve the deal. The thread may go one for a few pages, but the wiki means you can get all the relevant info in one place. The info from the OP can change, the OP doesn't have to answer basic questions over and over, or any questions. Another person can take over the thread and keep it relevant.
I checked out this wiki https://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Samsung but it's not updated. So why not a wiki post, it's right where people are looking for the info, so more likely to remain relevant and updated.
Years on from this OP and still no in-thread wiki post? Any reason why?
I'm a PHP developer, and have been for more than a decade, if any techs want to talk more about this, I'd be happy to chat.
My favorite is when people start belly aching and go on a tirade if a newcomer hasny read the entire thread. 1/4 of which is people asking for ETAs, and the other 1/4, people getting pissed at people asking for ETAs. Like they are getting brownie points from the Dev or something X^D
I have wasted so many people's time because I've had to ask questions that have been covered a billion times. I've also had tips/tricks get buried and never come to light again which is a shame.
XDA is all about development and progression, and yet the absence of a wiki post prevents a lot of knowledge from being readily available and wastes Devs time.
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If I post about my problem in a device forum then I'll only get the audience for that device. Some devices only have a few hundred users. This makes xda kinda useless.
But xda is obviously far from useless.
What am i missing? Tags?
Is it that xdadevs tend to stick to very popular devices only?
IMHO, many devices are similar when running the same version of Android. Is it worth having separate forums?
Welcome to XDA @DontReuseUsernames!
It really depends on the information you are looking for. Questions can be very device specific, ie "Why doesn't my camera work?" to being generally applicable to Android "How do I do X with Google Camera App", and for each of these there are different forums to post in.
If all else fails, you can always post to the "General" forum, which is anything else: https://forum.xda-developers.com/f/general.256/
Thanks.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/c/xda-community-apps.3092/ is a useful new category I wasn't aware of.
Perhaps the problem could be improved by making it so that when you subscribe to one forum, you are automatically offered some related tags to subscribe to as well.
DontReuseUsernames said:
Thanks.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/c/xda-community-apps.3092/ is a useful new category I wasn't aware of.
Perhaps the problem could be improved by making it so that when you subscribe to one forum, you are automatically offered some related tags to subscribe to as well.
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Hi, there is a thread at the very top of the about: xda-developers.com section that explains how xda works. If you have ANY questions that are Android related, you can post in Questions and Answers or Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting.
But again, everything is here: XDA New User Guide
Oh and, I also say hello to newcomers (originally iPhone newcomers) in this Post: Hello
Thank you. I'm always grateful. But I also need to tell it how it is and be honest about those beginners links.
Wow! What a mess. Broken image links. A link to a flash file. A 9 year old thread. Links to another thread that 'has been cleaned' and has only one reply ( https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/new-members-guide-tour-get-the-most-out-of-xda.1282679/ ) Again, more broken links there.
. Not a single mention of
XDA Community Apps
Download Android apps that come from XDA developers and members
forum.xda-developers.com
at either of the links that I've found so far.
Nothing addressing the issue of device fragmentation. Fragmented forums effect even the popular devices. It's just less obvious.
What needs doing is for us to re-index threads by keyword and make a new site linking through to helpful threads. I may well do this myself, depending on how much time I get off over the next holiday and how much I need the info myself. If I get some time to do it I'll update with a link here.