[dc/dc]

I highly suggest to the admins that they delete or lock all of these posts about OS 4.1. There are already threads, and all users, including n00bs, should be able to search for posts.

[stonent]

[aergina]

[Mark Rejhon]

It is really the purpose of the RIM Software forum to cover OS questions. There are often massive surge of OS questions with every major new OS upgrade.

Generally, I just ignore duplicate threads and occasionally it does make information slightly easier to find for newbies, assuming a few of the experienced posters post hyperlinks.

The best way to cut down on duplicates is to paste links to other threads -- so that helps prevent spawning further duplicates. This is additional work on forum users though, but it is just the way how forums work.

Some other mods lock down duplicates, but personally I prefer to move threads, merge threads, or create a FAQ. So therefore, somebody needs to write an OS 4.1 FAQ

[dc/dc]

Originally Posted by Mark Rejhon

It is really the purpose of the RIM Software forum to cover OS questions. There are often massive surge of OS questions with every major new OS upgrade.

Generally, I just ignore duplicate threads and occasionally it does make information slightly easier to find for newbies, assuming a few of the experienced posters post hyperlinks.

The best way to cut down on duplicates is to paste links to other threads -- so that helps prevent spawning further duplicates. This is additional work on forum users though, but it is just the way how forums work.

Some other mods lock down duplicates, but personally I prefer to move threads, merge threads, or create a FAQ. So therefore, somebody needs to write an OS 4.1 FAQ

Mark, I agree 100%. But I can tell you from all the work I had to do answering the questions about how to unlock the themes in the Vodafone 4.1.0.211 package, it doesn't seem to help. I kept posting links to the thread, but still had people posting "How do I do this on my 8700?" in the thread where I gave the specific instructions.

It's just frustrating. Searching should be the first thing anyone does if they have questions, and that goes for any forum, not just this one.

And honestly, questions like "Will 4.1 work on my 7520?" would all be answered if people read your 4.x upgrade FAQ.

[d_fisher]

Originally Posted by dc/dc

And honestly, questions like "Will 4.1 work on my 7520?" would all be answered if people read your 4.x upgrade FAQ.

I agree with everyone here, but who really wants to read a 450+ message thread? I sure wouldn't want to if I was new.

[KonTiki]

Originally Posted by d_fisher

I agree with everyone here, but who really wants to read a 450+ message thread? I sure wouldn't want to if I was new.

You hit the nail on the head with this one.

Originally Posted by dc/dc

. . . in the thread where I gave the specific instructions.

And because they do not want to read, then this becomes the second hand of the equation.

[dc/dc]

Originally Posted by KonTiki

You hit the nail on the head with this one.



[/color][/color][/b]And because they do not want to read, then this becomes the second hand of the equation.

Well, that is a good point, but it is likely that over half of those 450 posts could be eliminated because they are simply, "How do I do x, y, or z?" posts.

[penk]

Originally Posted by dc/dc

Well, that is a good point, but it is likely that over half of those 450 posts could be eliminated because they are simply, "How do I do x, y, or z?" posts.

what he said.

[d_fisher]

There is a simple solution to the whole situation... When you click on the New Topic button, make it open the search page.

Another thing would be to force new accounts to wait for 48 hours before getting there activation email. If they want answers, then they have no option but to search for the first 48 hours, or go to another forum.

[penk]

Originally Posted by d_fisher

There is a simple solution to the whole situation... When you click on the New Topic button, make it open the search page.

that'll learn 'em!


(i actually like this idea. like so much it hurts.)

[dc/dc]

Originally Posted by d_fisher

There is a simple solution to the whole situation... When you click on the New Topic button, make it open the search page.

Another thing would be to force new accounts to wait for 48 hours before getting there activation email. If they want answers, then they have no option but to search for the first 48 hours, or go to another forum.

Both are wonderful suggestions.

[rcbjr]

I like, I like, I like.

[BBAdmin]

Enforce a manditory signature for every BBF user stating "use the damn search button before you post"!!!!!

On a serious note, I like d_fisher's idea of a lockout period for new accounts before they can post - although perhaps 12 or 24 hours would be long enough. At least this forces the noob to hunt around the site and get a feel for the BBF life before they post!

[corey@12mile]

Man... all these suggestions are a year old... I got banned, and criticized, and yelled at and made fun of because I asked for something to be done about this all a year ago...

But this year it's different... why? cause I really don't care anymore... I know I have said it before, but I really can't be bothered anymore to participate here.

People complain that when they do search they find 50 posts all asking the same thing, with the same answer... use the search button right? well if all of these 50 people who posted redundant threads would have used the search button to begin with, there would only be relevant threads left to return via search.

Not wanting to censor posts? Why have moderators then... let people have a free-for-all. In the meantime, while we do have moderators, make a forums called 'Your mother should have swallowed' and move all the redundant posts into that forum, and don't include it in the searched forums or in the new posts query.

It's then not considered censorship, it's just moving the retards post to a more suitable, out of the way place.

I used to love helping people out and answering questions... I feel that I used to contribute pretty good stuff, but after so many arguments with the mods, after people (on their first post, even) start polls to ban me, I find myself asking what's the point? The people who do come for help can't get anything because they get lost in a ton of stupid posts and the people who are too lazy to search for their answers talk smack about the people who actually do the helping.

I said this months ago, and I will say it again... this place is great, it's great for people to share knowledge, and others to learn, but until something is done about the people who are lazy, the more knowledgable people are going to start leaving. Period.

In addition to that, some people here are tolerated even though they *never* contribute anything productive to threads they post in... they constantly criticize people who know far more than them... Have a look at the 37 posts made by pawn... I have been banned for a couple (stretching here) of not so nice posts... Guarantee half of this guys posts are things I would have been banned for, and this guy is about as useful as a pylon...

http://www.blackberryforums.com/member.php?u=3671

I had a pretty relaxing Christmas break, and I figured something out... I am not going to spend time arguing with people on here to try and help them out. The answers are all here, they can find them themselves. If people really want to find the answer, they will... if not... f*ck em.

cd.

[aergina]

Originally Posted by corey@12mile

People complain that when they do search they find 50 posts all asking the same thing, with the same answer... use the search button right? well if all of these 50 people who posted redundant threads would have used the search button to begin with, there would only be relevant threads left to return via search.

I used to love helping people out and answering questions... I feel that I used to contribute pretty good stuff, but after so many arguments with the mods, after people (on their first post, even) start polls to ban me, I find myself asking what's the point? The people who do come for help can't get anything because they get lost in a ton of stupid posts and the people who are too lazy to search for their answers talk smack about the people who actually do the helping.

The answers are all here, they can find them themselves. If people really want to find the answer, they will... if not... f*ck em.

cd.

I don't mean to be all in the mix...but...Corey has a point...
I still consider myself as a Newbie...but when I do "search" ...
All I find mostly irrellevant posts about my search...
I try to change the wording and everything...
I mostly read Stinson's and Mark's page. But usually I just read everyone get pissed off at each other (LOL) and learn from what other posts show...
Some people could read and not post one thread and learn more than the one that has 500 posts under thier name and avatar...
Sorry to be all in the KOOL-AID and not know the favor...

[go2duke]

The problem with the search functions are that we are telling everyone to "go search for ringtones or whatever... Give that a try... think of something you have asked someone to search for and run that search.. you get half the threads saying exactly that... search for ringtones...

I get grumpy with the repetitive nature of this myself, but saw a comment from Dawg or someone earlier in another thread that made a good point.. just don't answer them. They will eventually use the search.

Now.. you want people to use the search more.. MAKE IT BIGGER AND STICK OUT... like google.. it is in your grill.. not buried under links on the right.

-G2D