Sticky F.A.Q. thread ?

yusynth · Joined: Nov 24, 2005 Posts: 1314 Location: France

There ought to be a sticky SDIY FAQ thread somewhere, because some topics are quite recurrent ...
"I have just discovered the XR2206 ( replace by 555 or 8038...) and is it good for designing a VCO ?" !
"I have just found this switched power supply, is it good for powering my synth project?"
and so on...

fonik · Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2008 11:56 pm Post subject:

i like FAQs if they are well maintained.
should a FAQ at electro-music.com be an open thread or an edited document, maintained by somebody?

OTOH a FAQ would not be necessary if people used the search function...

however, the traffic on our forum is stunning. i hardly can keep track of it. i am not sure if a FAQ could ease that pressure.

blue hell · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:47 am Post subject:

I'd say either one of:

- a sticky thread that people can post to and where a maintainer copies the items to the first post.

- a new section in DIY in the same manner as : http://electro-music.com/forum/forum-88.html and where a maintainer moves the non FAQ items (i.e. ordinary questions asked for the first time) to the forum where they belong.

The search function doesn't work too well IMHO.

Dan Lavin · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 12:28 pm Post subject:

I strongly agree with Yves' suggestion. The amount
of repeat newbie questions/posts greatly distracts from the
creative nature of this forum.

Power supplies, mounting and panels,sources for components
and suggestions on which modules to build are ever present.
I also agree with Matthias on the search function. Newbies
find it easier to post than to search. THis is no different
from any other forum I've belonged to.

I think a FAQ will cut down on the number of redundant posts,
but I'm sure it will continue. While many people involved
with music are very organized and considerate individuals,
music does attract a lot of hyperactive folks who "shoot first
and ask questions later."...um, well something like that....

-Dan

fonik · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 12:26 am Post subject:

EdisonRex · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 1:45 am Post subject:

FAQs almost warrant their own forum. Said forum would consist entirely of non editable (ie locked) threads which simply explain each frequently asked question. There probably wouldn't be more than 20-30 threads in it, but then they'd all be in one place and not cluttering up the top of the DIY forum. I'd think of it as a reference section as opposed to a forum.

Alternatively the Mother of All FAQs could be compiled as a single sticky but I fear that noobs wouldn't bother to read it. What I'd hate to see is more stickies at the top of the DIY section.