1
Jharis
Should we build a top10 newbie question list?
  • 2005/11/12 4:09

  • Jharis

  • Just can't stay away

  • Posts: 488

  • Since: 2005/2/13


I was thinking of a way to make gatting basic questions answered faster and easier. James mentioned that he has a default answer list saved for cut & paste. So thats where this idea comes from.

Please post the most common questions you remember a new XOOPS user asking. Maybe we could make a top 10 list out of this and post in a easy place to find. Give it a snappy title with some color and point the new users there.

What do you guys think? Is this worth doing?

don (el paso)
motto - green chili for everything!

2
Jharis
Re: Should we build a top10 newbie question list?
  • 2005/11/12 4:49

  • Jharis

  • Just can't stay away

  • Posts: 488

  • Since: 2005/2/13


I forgot to add that I'm willing to dig for the answers to a top 10 list, and post when finished.

don (el paso)
motto - green chili for everything!

3
JMorris
Re: Should we build a top10 newbie question list?
  • 2005/11/12 5:03

  • JMorris

  • XOOPS is my life!

  • Posts: 2722

  • Since: 2004/4/11


Great idea JHaris!

The Moderator Team has been working something along the same lines. The input in this thread could certainly speed up the process. Thanks!

Here's what's in my canned_xoops.txt file so far. Sorry, I haven't updated it recently. I really need to update this with the "canned" answers stored in my head.

Quote:
Upgrade Please
================
First things first. You're running a version of XOOPS that has known security issues. My recommendation is that you upgrade to XOOPS 2.0.13.1 ASAP! You will need to upgrade your site incrementally like so:

2.0.7.3 => 2.0.9.2 => 2.0.10 => etc.

In addition to security fixes, there have been numerous bug fixes since 2.0.x as well. You may find that your issue has been resolved by uprading. If not, please let us know so one of us can try to track down the cause.

Best Regards,


James

More Info Please
================
We need a little more information before someone can help you. Please provide as much of the following information as possible...

XOOPS Version:
Module Name/Version:
PHP Version:
MySQL Version:
Web Server Software (Apache/IIS/Other):
Operating System:
Theme you are using:
PHP Debug Messages:
MySQL Debug Messages:
Smarty Debug Messages:

Best Regards,

James

Notice [PHP]...
===============
Quote:

Herko Coomans wrote:

these are PHP notices, which shouldn't interfere with your site operations at all. They mean that the PHP version you have is newer and XOOPS still uses a deprecated function in it's code.


<---any additional help you can offer here--->

Best Regards,

James

Blank Page
==========
The Search feature and the FAQ section of this site are excellent resources for finding quick answers. You should try them next time.

Best Regards,

James

Debug?
======
These are very important, especially in case of a white page Please read this FAQ and follow the instructions given there to turn on PHP debug. Then go to the page that shows white, and copy the error messages you get to this thread, so we know what is causing the blank page.

Best Regards,

James

Simple Explaination of How to Use Debug Output
==============================================
To view the debug messages, go into Preferences Main »» General Settings, set Debug mode to PHP Debug. Open your site in a new browser window. Browse the affected pages. Copy the output at the bottom of the screen (if any) into a text file, then paste them in your reply.

PHP Debug messages will look something like...

Notice [PHP]: Use of undefined constant....

Now repeat the same steps, but for MySQL Debug. This time, a window will pop up with a ton of output in it. Just browse the affected page, copy the output into the text file and paste it in your post.

TIP: Wrap the output of your PHP Debug Messages and MySQL Debug messages with the code BBCodes (look for the little white button with "<>" on it). This will make reading your post easier.

Best Regards,

James
Insanity can be defined as "doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."

Stupidity is not a crime. Therefore, you are free to go.

4
Jharis
Re: Should we build a top10 newbie question list?
  • 2005/11/12 5:19

  • Jharis

  • Just can't stay away

  • Posts: 488

  • Since: 2005/2/13


Quote:
I really need to update this with the "canned" answers stored in my head


Hm, just look at this. You'd better defrag your head soon... I think! lol
motto - green chili for everything!

5
JMorris
Re: Should we build a top10 newbie question list?
  • 2005/11/12 5:24

  • JMorris

  • XOOPS is my life!

  • Posts: 2722

  • Since: 2004/4/11


Quote:
Hm, just look at this. You'd better defrag your head soon... I think! lol


LOL! Yeah, I could go for a good defrag right about now.
Insanity can be defined as "doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."

Stupidity is not a crime. Therefore, you are free to go.

6
Jharis
Re: Should we build a top10 newbie question list?
  • 2005/11/13 1:23

  • Jharis

  • Just can't stay away

  • Posts: 488

  • Since: 2005/2/13


Newbie questions wanted!

I want to make a top 10 list that people new to XOOPS ask. So pitch in an donate a newbie question! You know the ones that get ask everytime. I'll tidy up the list and look for the answers.

don (el paso)
motto - green chili for everything!

7
MadFish
Re: Should we build a top10 newbie question list?
  • 2005/11/13 3:06

  • MadFish

  • Friend of XOOPS

  • Posts: 1056

  • Since: 2003/9/27


One thing I'd like to see is a really, really big bright red warning incorporated into the description of each upgrade patch (I'm thinking of places like this), ie.

WARNING: BACK UP YOUR WEBSITE before attempting to use the upgrade patch. This will allow you to restore your site to its original state if something goes wrong. Instructions on how to back up and restore can be found here.

Or something like that. It would help prevent a few nasty accidents, I'm sure.

8
Jharis
Re: Should we build a top10 newbie question list?
  • 2005/11/13 5:07

  • Jharis

  • Just can't stay away

  • Posts: 488

  • Since: 2005/2/13


Good, well have 10 before we know it. Now if eight more people step up to the plate and take a swing well get there.

don (el paso)
motto - green chili for everything!

9
carnuke
Re: Should we build a top10 newbie question list?
  • 2005/11/13 9:03

  • carnuke

  • Home away from home

  • Posts: 1955

  • Since: 2003/11/5


assuming users consult the FAQ section the top block automatically updates to display the top 10 questions most viewed. This is out of over 400 FAQs published to date. That has got to be some kind of pointer to user requirements.

I would also like to think we are not starting another information source, rather than consolidating what we already have. This can lead to confusion. If we see new questions repeatedly asked that are not already in the FAQ, it is better to create another FAQ and lead users to that resource.
hhttp://houseofstrauss.co.uk Resource for alternative health and holistic lifestyle
search xoops

10
Jharis
Re: Should we build a top10 newbie question list?
  • 2005/11/13 9:18

  • Jharis

  • Just can't stay away

  • Posts: 488

  • Since: 2005/2/13


Nope not trying to re-invent the wheel Carnuke. Just thought it would be nice and try to boil down the most ask questions newbies ask, and put those questions in a bulleted list.



don (el paso)
motto - green chili for everything!

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