How to Get Answers Faster

[inp o҉rtb]

Dear Members,

If you're posting a thread in this section, you're most likely anxious to receive a response as soon as possible. I was a beginner as well, and I understand your need and confusion. When posting here, please note that there are things that you can do to help others help you. The following guidelines are by no means rigid forum rules, but they should help you achieve faster results. Discussion is welcome; please post your thoughts.

(adapted from this thread)

• Put some effort into it yourself. If you don't know where to start, it's okay; but there's no excuse for laziness. Try searching the Web or the forums for existing solutions.
• Give your thread a descriptive title. Those who are most likely to be able to help you are also most likely to be very busy. A well-formed title that conveys the nature of your problem can better attract the attention of a potential helper.
• Say what you ultimately want to achieve. Perhaps there's a more effective means to achieve your end? It would be much easier for someone to help you if he/she knows what you want.
• Show an example page. Also provide a link to your website if possible.
• Provide specific error messages, if any. The error messages themselves can provide important clues to solving the problem.
• Do not post your whole application. Post only what you think is causing the problem, within CODE or TT tags. Don't worry about posting irrelevant code; your helper will ask for what he/she needs to see.
• If you receive a reply, try what was advised. If you are told to search the forums or read the manual, the answer is probably in some obvious place or very easy to find. Try it; it helps sharpen your searching skills.
• Do not insult your helpers. They are human too, and can make mistakes sometimes; most importantly, they are trying to help you. If a solution does not work, it is sufficient to point out that the solution does not work.
• When your question is resolved, edit the first post and add [resolved] to the title. This may not help you directly, but it helps others get answers faster. If you reopen your topic, please update the title accordingly as well.

Again, these are only guidelines. Just keep them in mind when you post your questions. For example, a minimal template like this would be immensely helpful:

Title: errors while download a page using cURL

Site: http://example.110mb.com/ - http://example.com/
Page: http://example.com/directory/file.php
Error: The error messages that was displayed.
Desription:

This happened...

Good luck with your search, and I hope you enjoy participating in these forums!

[Myles Grey]

This will help keep questions more structured, thanks inportb. The only problem is that it is a bit lengthy, some people probably won't bother to read it.

[inp o҉rtb]

Yeah, it's a bit lengthy. But some people do read these stickies, and my hope is that this would help people generate some better questions.
I'm thinking that we could whittle this list down by removing/combining some items. Or even add to it.

[InternetHero]

Well, most newbies probably won't read this because they figure the sooner they create their thread, the faster help will come...And most people sign up and just don't read the rules/guidelines thoroughly, if that.

But it could help if people would redirect them to this sticky, though. 

[t50webmaster]

Good Job, this will totally help, hopefully!

[D3xt3r]

Looks great Inport.

Lots of people do take the time to read, so, its not too long in my opinion.

[satu]

Using the point form brings out the issue better. Thanks for writing a guideline. It takes up less effort trying to click on every topic to find out what the issue is and if one can help that person.

Am happy to see that people use the word "Resolved" in the title so that we don't have to bother checking it again to see if more help is needed.

[inp o҉rtb]

Thanks for your support, guys

Am happy to see that people use the word "Resolved" in the title so that we don't have to bother checking it again to see if more help is needed.

That's a good point too; I've added it.

[RBCFAQS]

Might also say that if you re-open a previously resolved topic, to re-edit the title to reflect it. I've been noticing a couple that have been resolved but still have questions being asked even though they are marked [RESOLVED].

[Krickët]

Gahh, I hate it when people make threads that just go "help me!" From now on I shall link them to this thread if I manage to make my way up to the help forum.

[inp o҉rtb]

Thank you; that would be helpful

[Dark Raito]

Hmm... a more systematic method of requesting help. This should made the communities life easier. And good job for doing it.


I have nothing to say to alter it... yet.

[TDSii]

thx a lot man!! can i use these guide lines in my site?
i feel little lazzy to do one. 

[inp o҉rtb]

Go right ahead, TDSii.

[tcgames]

good job, really helps you to start out.

[rhlimited]

As a newbie myself, who's also needing help - I always take the time to read these. Most of my friends do too, so I am most sure all your hard work was not in vain

BTW, very smooth and easily read, I don't see why it should be so hard to read/follow.

I'm off to take your advice, but hey, at least one clueless n00b read it!

Lilli (RHLimited)

[mrtutorial]

Hmm... Thanks for the tips I will keep them in mind!

[RBCFAQS]

One addition.

SEARCH THE FORUM FIRST.

[inp o҉rtb]

That's an excellent point. I added it to the first item on the list.

[RBCFAQS]

whenever i get into my site wintips.co.nr it goes to another site so need help

Yeah. Make a thread about it?