faq sub-forum

[pauljmcnulty]

One of the things we chatted about over Chappaties and beer at Silverstone was the increasing number of "sticky" threads on the forum.

To avoid filling the first page, it was suggested we move them to a seperate "faqs" subforum. They would be on the same 944 page, but you'd need one extra click to get to them. It would mean we could expand it with more technical answers to the regular subjects and buyer's advice etc.

What are your thoughts? See 993 forum for the way it would look.

 

[Suffolk944]

It would be good to have seperate section as described - the stickies are very useful and a greta feature but they are taking up half of page one now which seems a bit excessive. As sub-forum as a "reference library" would be spot on imo.

 

[stevespic]

Looks and sounds like a good idea but wouldnt it leave the rest of the forum a bit empty ? At the end of the i understand that theres no point in asking the same questions over and over again when the answer is already posted somewhere...

 

[pauljmcnulty]

That's why I ask you guys, to get a perfect 50-50 split.....[&o][]

What I did was a quick scan over the last few pages of posts. There were only a few threads that would fit into the "read the FAQs you muppet" category, but it would allow more things like "do you have a water leak" or "smell exhaust fumes?" or even "how do you spell "cill"?" to be put on as stickies. If we removed the 8 stickies, and I'd like a few more to be honest, from the front page it would free things up a bit.

I guess I'm minded to go ahead and do it as it works well elsewhere but please do tell me what you think!

 

[sawood12]

I'm thinking it is a great idea. I find the search function painfully slow, unreliable and sometimes I struggle to find threads I know are there from a couple of years ago. This would be a good way to have a quick browse through before posting another repeat question. You could also create a note on a specific topic e.g. 'Insurance' and simply post links to the various threads that have gone before rather than moving an existing thread.

 

[Peter Empson]

As you know Paul I really like this idea, to my mind it makes a lot of sense and keeps current topics more easily accessible.

 

[appletonn]

Makes sense to me - let's give it a go[]

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Was going to avoid insurance, though.......[&:]

 

[appletonn]

Or advice to Oli on buying a turbo instead of his slow S2 that gets left behind by Seat diesels....[]


Runs and hides.....[]

 

[stevespic]

[][][]

 

[Diver944]

I think it's a great idea and have wanted to do it for years (but never had time [8|]).

If we could populate it with definitive answers to the common questions it will save having to search back through the forum to point people at the relevant thread that you know is hiding in the archives somewhere

 

[peanut]

great idea Paul. what sort of format is it likely to take ? Clarkes garage or Parragon are quite logical and easy to navigate

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty

Was going to avoid insurance, though.......

and oil hopefully [8|]

 

[cococola]

I think its a good idea in one respect as it would save alot of the forum repeating questions,however on the down side you wouldnt get the feed back from members who have done a particular job maybe?

 

[appletonn]

ORIGINAL: peanut

and oil hopefully [8|]

Seconded...[8|]

 

[appletonn]

ORIGINAL: cococola

I think its a good idea in one respect as it would save alot of the forum repeating questions,however on the down side you wouldnt get the feed back from members who have done a particular job maybe?

That is a concern but perhaps if we model the FAQ bit on the Clarkes site with subcategories of Engine, Suspension etc and then invite feedback to be left on contributors' efforts in the normal pages ('normal' in the loosest sense of the word, obviously [])?

I agree that an FAQ section would be a great reference guide (although the search function is always there too) but one of the most enjoyable parts of our forum for me is reading about other people's struggles and successes, in improving/repairing their cars. I have learnt so much about the car, both through getting my hands dirty, but also from this forum.

Obviously I'm biased, but none of the other model forums are anything like as lively as ours[]

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: appletonn
Or advice to Oli on buying a turbo instead of his slow S2 that gets left behind by Seat diesels....[]

Git.

I'll get you. As soon as I find you, I'll get you! []


Oli.

 

[Neil Haughey]

I agree with the change, the thread some time ago about ABS troubleshooting was a good example. To get the full picture a newbie would really have to trawl back over several threads and I am guessing that many technical threads get a bit like this.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Right, we now have the "faqs" sub-forum in place. All I need is some spare hours to fill it....[&o]

A few suggestions to start with, please. The idea is to have the regular questions answered there, and things like a buyer's guide and model details to avoid us having to repeatedly explain them.

I'm happy to include suppliers or servicing specialists, tuners etc. What I don't want is for one person to recommend "Joe Blogg's Porsche Indie" only for someone else to come back with "I used them and they don't know how many wheels a 944 should have". Maybe locking the threads and coming to one of the moderators to add content would keep things tidy and on-topic? Fen.....do we need a FAQ for NZ topics? []

Anyway, a couple to be going on with:

Events
Buyer's guide and model differences
Colours and option codes
Wheel sizes and options - we might never get the old "will these fit" again!
Starting/ running problems
Brake problems - ABS and calipers, pads etc.
Recommended mods
Insurance
Suppliers


Feedback please, chaps! []

 

[peanut]

looks like an excellent start Paul well done.

I'm sure more topic headings will arise as we go.

One topic heading that I would suugest we consider adding would be Electrical.

ie Schematics ,fuse and relay charts etc and electrical specific problems[]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty
Wheel sizes and options - we might never get the old "will these fit" again!

Better add `OIL' as well then groan

 

[will lyons]

ORIGINAL: appletonn

Or advice to Oli on buying a turbo instead of his slow S2 that gets left behind by Seat diesels....[]


Runs and hides.....[]

Oli's S2 came out above my 220t at the silverstone dyno last year as I remember so not that slow, but we all know the temptation to the dark side we all go there in the end .........

stickies to be moved Yes a great Idea do it Paul

Wil