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- This topic has 1 reply, 2 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 3 months ago by Philip.
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January 16, 2008 at 5:46 am #28164Doris KenneyParticipant
I’d like to think I know alot about WLM but in other areas I know alot less. Even so, many times when I talk to someone I see their eyes glaze over, or in voice chat the silence of “I have no idea what you’re talking about” is deafening, and even my limited knowledge flies right over their heads.
We have a tremendous wealth of knowledge available in our staff and forum members. I’d like to suggest we have an area where we could compile in-depth step-by-step instructions for novice computer users and articles written where the general user can learn more about their machines, how to keep them clean, and how to get the most from them. Tips and tweaks for the slightly-above-novice users would be great too. All those other forums out there are great – truly – but I’ll be the first to admit much of what gets posted is highly technical. Additionally, most forums respond to a particular question only. The problem I have may not be exactly like that described, so how do I find the answer to MY question? Wouldn’t it be nice if our users could find that information right here, in a place they already know and trust? Such a library of information would compliment the existing Computer Support Forum and possibly allow it to be broadened as well. I’d love to see an area where people could post their HJT logs and get help with them (possibly limited to staff who feel they are qualified to assist in such an area.)
I’m not afraid to “break” my computer since I figure it’s likely I can get it all back again – but that’s not the case for most users – they fear doing the very things that could help them! BBB is a place where people who use instant messengers come for information and assistance. I think they find the atmosphere warm and friendly – and they know everyone will do their best to help them. I’m not suggesting we divert from the IM base BBB is built on, but to expand upon it and offer the forum users (almost 50,000 according to the forum statistics and who knows how many more unregistered users) a place where they can come and not only get answers to specifics, but to gain knowledge about the computers that run the instant messengers.
Obviously, such additional information/support requires staff who are dedicated and motivated to write articles and provide possibly deeper levels of troubleshooting and assistance to our site visitors. Perhaps rather than integrating this into BBB having a “sister” site of sorts for this more general computer information would be a consideration – obviously linked from here, and having some sort of name/logo that would tie it all in together with BBB for a single concept in our visitor’s minds. One possible platform I’m already somewhat familiar with is the b2evolution multi-blogger platform (which is free). It allows for multiple authors, tagging, etc. It would lend itself quite nicely to articles. Obviously specific questions are more forum based.
Anyway – sorry for the lengthy post. Just thought it was worth getting feedback from others if they feel this would be of value to our visitors/members. I know I’d rather go to one site I trust than have to search through 20-30 of them to find something that might help me. Comments and criticisms welcome…and of course if this were to find support I’m certainly raising my hand to pitch in.
-Doris-
January 16, 2008 at 10:40 am #166164PhilipModeratorVery good suggestions there, Doris. According to my poll, Computer Support runs a very close second behind IM and Social Networking. The idea of coming up with articles or guides for novices is great; presumably in pdf (downloadable?) or html format. Perhaps a “Tutorials” sub-section in the Computer Support forum could be feasible.
And a sister site? Little Blue Ball? (Now you know where that came from, 😉 ) Sort of like a BBB spinoff, hee hee. Well, I dunno, but that could happen if the Computer Support section got really big…anyway, I’m willing to help with the guides (guess I can spare some time for this) but let’s see what the other staff think.
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