developing a FAQ with specific information about the forum (NEED YOUR HELP)

[rockedge]

@bigpup , in this post you say to "Contact a board administrator for assistance." Have we provided an easily recognized way for someone who isn't already a member of the forum to do that?

Bottom of pages in the footer.

Screenshot(19).jpg (54.51 KiB) Viewed 1235 times

[user1111]

@bigpup , in this post you say to "Contact a board administrator for assistance." Have we provided an easily recognized way for someone who isn't already a member of the forum to do that?

Bottom of pages in the footer.
Screenshot(19).jpg

Perhaps a direct link to the usual easy/open channels ... that lead to the board administrators real name, age, address, phone number etc.

72 L...
Tel .....83

But IMO best via other means and less openness

[rockedge]

@rufwoof what paths did you use to get the data?

What would you suggest as another means? I would have to alter the forum software code most likely.

[MochiMoppel]

How do I edit or delete a post?
Unless you are a board administrator or moderator, you can only edit or delete your own posts.
You can edit a post by clicking the edit button for the relevant post,
Sometimes for only a limited time after the post was made.

??? AFAIK editing is always possible. Under which circumstances could a time limit kick in?

Please note that normal users cannot delete a post once someone has replied.

This doesn't explain how to delete. I suggest that you split the Q into How do I edit a post? and How do I delete a post? And regarding the latter I have a question. After pushing the "Delete post" button a confirmation dialog appears with a checkbox "Delete permanently". This checkbox is unchecked by default. So what happens if I leave it unchecked? Is the post just removed from the thread but otherwise still saved? Can it be revived at a later stage or what is the purpose of this checkbox?

[bigpup]

Thanks for all of you inputs.

I will work on some clarifications in the areas you have all posted about.

[mikewalsh]

@MochiMoppel :-

Let me just clarify that for you, Mochi. Every forum software differs, and I personally work with at least 2 different types; here, and over at BleepingComputer, so have to refresh my memory, sometimes, as to how the different systems work.

We've found out ourselves, that if that checkbox is left UNticked, then what's performed is called a "soft delete". In other words, it's removed from the general forum view - can't be "seen" by anyone - but it's still in the database. Therefore, it CAN be re-instated if necessary; you would just need to contact any one of us on the staff and ask for it be re-instated, then we'll go back through the logs, locate it, and do what's necessary.

When clearing spam posts, etc, we have to remember to tick that checkbox; if we don't, we end up with more entries in the log than is really necessary, because we then have to go back and perform the "permanent delete" with a second operation.

Hope that clarifies things a bit.

Mike.

[bigpup]

I have made suggested changes to the FAQ.

Thanks for your ideas!

Edit test.

[MochiMoppel]

I have made suggested changes to the FAQ.

It now reads

How do I delete a post?
This is limited for normal forum members.
You will only be able to delete your own posts; only for a short time.
If someone has already replied to the post. You will no longer be able to delete it.
When you return to the topic. You will find a small piece of text output below the post which lists the number of times you edited it along with the date and time.
This will only appear if someone has made a reply; it will not appear if a moderator or administrator edited the post, but they may leave a note as to why they’ve edited the post.

On the right top of the post display is the delete icon.
After selecting the Delete post icon a confirmation dialog appears with a checkbox Delete permanently. This checkbox is unchecked by default.
You should select delete permanently.
If delete permanently is not selected.
it is removed from the general forum view - can't be seen by anyone - but it's still in the database.
It CAN be re-instated if necessary; you would just need to contact any one of the forum moderators and ask for it to be re-instated,

The marked text makes no sense here. Belongs to the "How to edit" section!
Regarding the "only for a short time": Actually can be a very long time.
I think the simple rule is: If there is a [X] icon, the post can be deleted. If someone has replied the icon is gone. I assume that it is also gone if someone has not yet replied but has quoted the post in a different topic. Would be also interesting to see if the icon reappears when the reply is deleted, thus making it again the last post of the topic.

[bigpup]

Thanks for spotting that error on placement.
Corrected.

I should proof read slower

It is amazing what a second set of eyes will see.

The bad thing about some of these options.
As moderator, I have many more than a normal member.
My options do not change and I always have all of them.
A post by me or a normal member, to me, does not look exactly like a normal member sees.
So, what happens to normal members does not happen to me.
Makes it a little difficult to make sure I am stating true facts for the FAQ.

[mikewalsh]

Thanks for spotting that error on placement.
Corrected.

I should proof read slower

It is amazing what a second set of eyes will see.

The bad thing about some of these options.
As moderator, I have many more than a normal member.
My options do not change and I always have all of them.
A post by me or a normal member, to me, does not look exactly like a normal member sees.
So, what happens to normal members does not happen to me.
Makes it a little difficult to make sure I am stating true facts for the FAQ.

@bigpup :-

One way round that could be to create a new, "throwaway" member a/c, so you can once again look at things the way an ordinary member does....

Just a thought, like.

Mike.

[bigpup]

Good idea!