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Help us Help you, better subjects and what-not


S

Stroker

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Not for anyone in particular, but for the board in general.

Start with How to Ask Questions the Smart Way. While that is for a different sub-culture, the ideas pretty much apply to any kind of BBS you frequent.

As for here, we do have times when we are flooding with vague subject titles. It has happened here before, and I'm sure it will happen again, but please do your part to not use a vague subject title.

Pesonally, I glance over subject titles and use them to gauge my interest. If I don't have a general idea of what a thread contains, I'm not going to bother. If, by chance, I do bother and I find the thread interesting, chances are I won't be able to find my way back to it.

Use a well formed subject title and everybody wins. Othewise, good opportunities may be missed.

I would also like to address giving information when asking a question. Too much information is good - as long as you aren't too verbose. If you are asking about rounding corners, then there is no need to talk about taking your dog for a walk. It's in the details - not the baggage. Know what I mean?

Recently, over at FX/Zone, somebody asked a question. This person provided every last little detail that was pertainant to quandry. However, this person didn't ramble on about non-essentials. I was able to give a (*very*) concise answer with out having to ask for more information. That is, no extra detective work was needed and everybody was happy.

Help us help you.
That's all I'm asking.
 
Excellent points, STroker!

I gaze at the subject titles not necessarily to see what interests me, but what I can help with. No use my trying to post a reply to help someone who's struggling with, say, displacement maps! :D I'd only confuse them.

That's not to say I won't visit those, and I do, but later, to find out the answer!

On the other hand, if I see a title that I may know something about, I'll jump right in. The "vague subjects"? They have to wait for the rest, with real subjects :)

BTW, "Help!" is a vague subject title. "Help with blend modes" is specific B7
 
But be aware though, that many new Photoshop users will have a hard time to explain themselves. Blending modes, opacity, masks, etc, these might be things that some users are not familiar with.
And it's not only about 'what' and 'how', it's also about the right terminology. Paths, vectors and lines for example are defintions that some new users use in the wrong way.
 
Good point BM. :righton:

It should be be noted then that new users who feel they may confuse others with their questions/problems should try to explain what it is they're trying to do in Photoshop.

That will allow them to leave out any unfamiliar techno-jargon, and simply walk us through the effect/function they're trying to accomplish. :B
 
I think the point that Stroker is making (and has always made) is that we should all be trying. It's obvious when you are trying to participate and be active in solving your problems rather than just begging for someone to do it for you; newbie and seasoned user alike. I think the article that he's posted is a good read, albeit a bit lengthy, it makes very good points and offers some insight to why people act the way they do online. I'd make it required reading for anyone who owns a keyboard if I could!

I think maybe one of the reasons that fxzone sticks out in his mind is that a well formed and respectful question or conversation is a rarity at that forum anymore. It's a good example of what used to be a good place to go becoming painful to read through at times due to people being inconsiderate and not trying.

Sure, we can all remember being new and not knowing the right questions to ask, but even so, if you are trying, it shows. And reasonable or not, when you read ten subject lines that say "please help" or "problems with photoshop"... even if you do read them and are trying to help... figuring out which one you were reading through can be a major chore at times... and honestly I think we're all here to learn and help... I can't number the times when the second post in a topic is "can you clarify this this this and this or post an example??".
 
[stuned] I'm amazed that none of you mentioned the other important thing;

Reading skills

Communication in a forum goes both ways you know ;)
 
:righton: Good posting, Stroker!

I will only add this to the current discussion... yes, new PS users have difficulty explaining themselves and that's predictable and forgiveable. It is for this very reason that this board "NEW USERS Area" exists and, despite the vagueness of a topic, I would strongly enourage all veteran members and PS users to frequent these pages more often. It is, afterall, the intent of this board to make new users feel welcome and not intimidated, due to their lack of experience in PS or forum etiquette.

I was one of those 'new users' (to both PS and a forum) not so long ago... remember your own humble beginnings! ;)
 
Wendy i quite agree with you!!! :righton: :righton:

There is something else i would like to add to this discussion; for several members English is a foreign language and that makes it twice as hard to explain a problem to the others:the lack of knowledge about the right technical terms and the language barrier.
I think that is also something to keep in mind ;)

Nikkie
 
cool posts I think I should have read it before posting my first one to day For a newbe I did ok hay I'm a poet too ;) eevon
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