Kimmo_S
August 6th, 2006, 02:09 AM
Hello
I'm writing this to suggest a new kind of solution for exchanging information. Usually, when a thread is started, and help is requested for solving one problem, the ensuing discussion contains bits and pieces of information for solving the problem.
Whoever encounters the same problem, and comes to the same thread (or a multiple of almost alike threads) must go through it to see all the snippets of information that the discussion has added. He/she must then also read all the "what is..." and "oh, nevermind" replies.
My suggestion is that there would be an area on the forums that would have "editorialized" threads. The editor for each thread would gather all verified and good information into the first message in the thread. And he/she would have the right to delete all posts that add no value or substance to solving the problem at hand.
Thus, all remaining replies to the thread would contain probably useful, but open or unverified information. The result would be a bit like HowTo or a Faq, but more than that the process would be much like a Wiki. Except that this model invites far more participation, because nobody is allowed or wants to add questions to a Wiki page. Or ideas that are only probably true.
People should of course get a good explanation somewhere why their "oh, didn't see that" or "ok, saw it, no problem" replies start disappearing, and why the useful information they have given is edited into the master message, and more importantly, why their reply thus rendered redundant is then discarded.
One side effect, good or bad, would be that this would cause the cleaning of all even slightly off-topic material from any editorialized thread. Off-topic defined as information that could never be added to the "master message" even if true.
Also, this would reduce the amount of redundant threads. Instead of starting a new thread with a variation of a known problem, people would get used to adding their problems to the tail of a thread already discussing their problem topic, and not feel like nobody would ever read it.
I'm writing this to suggest a new kind of solution for exchanging information. Usually, when a thread is started, and help is requested for solving one problem, the ensuing discussion contains bits and pieces of information for solving the problem.
Whoever encounters the same problem, and comes to the same thread (or a multiple of almost alike threads) must go through it to see all the snippets of information that the discussion has added. He/she must then also read all the "what is..." and "oh, nevermind" replies.
My suggestion is that there would be an area on the forums that would have "editorialized" threads. The editor for each thread would gather all verified and good information into the first message in the thread. And he/she would have the right to delete all posts that add no value or substance to solving the problem at hand.
Thus, all remaining replies to the thread would contain probably useful, but open or unverified information. The result would be a bit like HowTo or a Faq, but more than that the process would be much like a Wiki. Except that this model invites far more participation, because nobody is allowed or wants to add questions to a Wiki page. Or ideas that are only probably true.
People should of course get a good explanation somewhere why their "oh, didn't see that" or "ok, saw it, no problem" replies start disappearing, and why the useful information they have given is edited into the master message, and more importantly, why their reply thus rendered redundant is then discarded.
One side effect, good or bad, would be that this would cause the cleaning of all even slightly off-topic material from any editorialized thread. Off-topic defined as information that could never be added to the "master message" even if true.
Also, this would reduce the amount of redundant threads. Instead of starting a new thread with a variation of a known problem, people would get used to adding their problems to the tail of a thread already discussing their problem topic, and not feel like nobody would ever read it.