Guys and gals, I've just finished migrating my latest articles & Bibles from the last ~5 months into the Wiki (so far, I haven't had the time to do this).
VERY important: I use my own scripts to convert my HTML-based articles to PhpWiki (also using other, Web-based PhpWiki converters). Unfortunately, there're some constructs that I just can't convert (and don't have the time to manually adjust ALL the articles - remember, there are hundreds of them); for example, consequent rows separated by only one line feed. (With them, the rows aren't rendered separated.)
If you encounter cases like this and would like to read the original instead,
1. you can find almost all these articles in the General forum ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=256 ) here; you can easily find them by just entering a, say, sentence to search for from my Wiki article, only searching for my nick and the General forum in the Advanced Search engine ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/search.php )
2. at the bottom of many of my articles, there's a "Cross-posted to" section. Just click the XDA-Devs link in there.
3. alternatively, you can also search my blog ( http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/ )
I do hope you'll find my articles useful
thanks! long time no see.....
Looks good, Menneisyys, always appreciated your work.
Long time no see, btw (from Loox720 days)
Thanks guys
Related
Have a look at the form here:
http://support.catalyst2.com/index.php?_m=tickets&_a=submit
1. Submit the first page with any option (doesn't matter).
2. Type a few words like "email settings".
3. Notice the suggestions which pop up at the bottom, allowing to you find the solution without even having to actually submit your query, thus cutting down on questions which could easily be answered by the questioner themselves with a little research.
I'm not saying it will be easy, and it may very well reduce the site to a crawl, but you could have a pre-fetch on the articles held in the Wiki which would provide common solutions to a lot of threads which pop up with simple questions.
What might this require?
1. An up-to-date, correct, and well-referenced Wiki
2. Presumably a lot of server horsepower!
What will this prevent?
1. Easily answered questions like "Where can I find links to all the WM6 ROMs?
What will this not prevent?
1. Idiots who don't even read suggestions as they type their question
2. Recently solved problems in threads that get swamped by meaningless posts
3. Posts like "Thanks <insert name>, downloading now..."
Looks Good, BUT...
Looks good, but if you can't get a noob to search the forum using the provided search tools or to even correctly (correctly, being the operative word) google the site, we won't be able to get them to use this form...
Now, I do believe that you are on to something... IMHO, the search function should also include a link to google with the advanced search part already populated for searching in xda-devs... I know that there have been threads with the google links already posted, but they aren't stickies anywhere...
You are on the right track... Maybe all of the more knowledgeable members that are bother by this noob thing (like myself, since I am still a noob...) can simply add a link to the google search function in their sig, it will make it easier for newcomers to the site to locate the information they require...
Sorry, I didn't make myself clear -
The Create a thread, or Reply to thread, message box would have this feature implemented - so even as the person was typing in their mundane question, it would provide a link to the answer right in front of them which they would hopefully click before actually posting their question.
I think the search function on this forum is partly to blame, as any search under about 5 letters simply doesn't work. To make it better there are a few options:
1. Make it search Google by default
2. Make it default to replying with Posts rather than Threads (as some threads are hundreds of posts long)
3. Make it search both the Wiki and the Forum (solved with Google)
IMHO, the search function should also include a link to google with the advanced search part already populated for searching in xda-devs... I know that there have been threads with the google links already posted, but they aren't stickies anywhere...
Click to expand...
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There is a google sticky alread. It just so happens to be 3 threads above this one
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=304582
1. Make it search Google by default
2. Make it default to replying with Posts rather than Threads (as some threads are hundreds of posts long)
3. Make it search both the Wiki and the Forum (solved with Google)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you have a valid point Oli. I haev seen many posts with ppl voicing concerns about the search function, and I would tend to agree that it would help if it could be re-structured. Especially with the rate that this site is growing, some search function upgrading would be a good suggestion. However, just like finding any other type of info on the net, its all about your search skills. After spending enough time using the search tools, you find tricks and techniques to narrow your results. Im happy to see this thread, and hopfully the mods will combine their powers to find a way to simplify finding info here.
I am glad that there are ppl here that realize there is an issue with the search function... I also agree that there should not be a lot of stickies, but the BEST place for it, would be in the Search FAQ.... Have any of your read it... It is not that good and as a noob, doesn't show me the best way to implement it... It just says to use the search function... If I were top dog, I might change it a little, just to alleviate some of the darn stupid posts... maybe have it come up as a precursor to registering... Not that everyone will read it, but they will see it...
Just my .02 again... I'm gonna have to get some credit around here... these two pennies are gonna start to add up...
Guys and gals, I’ve finished transferring most (but still not all) of my past guides, articles and Bibles to the XDA-Wiki (http://wiki.xda-developers.com/ ). Don’t forget to check them out – I’m ABSOLUTELY sure you’ll find them VERY useful!!
Thank you so much, Menneisyys
I've seen several of your writingss in various places on the net. I'm sure this addition to the wiki will make it much more complete and informative. Looks like I'll be spending quite a bit of time over the next few weeks, checking out your texts.
Thanks a lot for taking the time to do this for us.
-pvs
Excellent!
I just added Chainfire's WMWifiRouter to the wiki under internet sharing.
Guys and gals, I've just finished migrating my latest articles & Bibles from the last ~5 months into the Wiki (so far, I haven't had the time to do this).
VERY important: I use my own scripts to convert my HTML-based articles to PhpWiki (also using other, Web-based PhpWiki converters). Unfortunately, there're some constructs that I just can't convert (and don't have the time to manually adjust ALL the articles - remember, there are hundreds of them); for example, consequent rows separated by only one line feed. (With them, the rows aren't rendered separated.)
If you encounter cases like this and would like to read the original instead,
1. you can find almost all these articles in the General forum ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=256 ) here; you can easily find them by just entering a, say, sentence to search for from my Wiki article, only searching for my nick and the General forum in the Advanced Search engine ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/search.php )
2. at the bottom of many of my articles, there's a "Cross-posted to" section. Just click the XDA-Devs link in there.
3. alternatively, you can also search my blog ( http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/ )
I do hope you'll find my articles useful
Guys and gals, I’ve finished transferring most (but still not all) of my past guides, articles and Bibles to the XDA-Wiki (http://wiki.xda-developers.com/ ). Don’t forget to check them out – I’m ABSOLUTELY sure you’ll find them VERY useful!!
Guys and gals, I've just finished migrating my latest articles & Bibles from the last ~5 months into the Wiki (so far, I haven't had the time to do this).
VERY important: I use my own scripts to convert my HTML-based articles to PhpWiki (also using other, Web-based PhpWiki converters). Unfortunately, there're some constructs that I just can't convert (and don't have the time to manually adjust ALL the articles - remember, there are hundreds of them); for example, consequent rows separated by only one line feed. (With them, the rows aren't rendered separated.)
If you encounter cases like this and would like to read the original instead,
1. you can find almost all these articles in the General forum ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=256 ) here; you can easily find them by just entering a, say, sentence to search for from my Wiki article, only searching for my nick and the General forum in the Advanced Search engine ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/search.php )
2. at the bottom of many of my articles, there's a "Cross-posted to" section. Just click the XDA-Devs link in there.
3. alternatively, you can also search my blog ( http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/ )
I do hope you'll find my articles useful
I would like to suggest an improvement. (I assume the subject is manually edited, rather than scripted.)
I suggest that first and pure mentions of devices in news articles link to their wiki page - lots of times I read of New Miracle Device X123 and click, expecting to gain info on what the device is - phone/tablet, looks, true manufacturer, etc. Instead I get linked to the forum and the standard subs - developer, apps, questions, etc that all devices have on the forums and learn nothing except that lots of people posted about it. It seems like a perfect place to use the wiki for a quick overview and picture.
Then, when there is a reference to a detail about the device, a project, configuration setting or such - then link to the proper forum or a particular thread.
Assuming I'm fairly normal, I find I click those 1st links right often expecting general data about a new or unfamiliar device - and always get that first forum - that I could have guessed existed - making the first link (to the top forum) fairly useless, as the detail link will usually be listed below in the article to the thread about the particular topic for the device.
Hope I made sense, thanks for listening!
The problem with that is unfortunately our wiki is horrifically under utilised with most device pages containing little to no information.
Sent From My Fingers To Your Face.....
conantroutman said:
The problem with that is unfortunately our wiki is horrifically under utilised with most device pages containing little to no information.
Sent From My Fingers To Your Face.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My preferences change in wiki is not being saved even though it says it's saved.
Whom should i contact regarding wiki issues? Wiki admins?
--edit--
Looks like it's a known issue.
Bit of a bump...
It does seem that wiki is a great place for a first notice, and a first link.
While it's not really development, you have to know it exists, etc before you can develop!
Perhaps the first news team can be tasked with an initial entry form that becomes the first paragraph for wiki - manufacturer, release, expected OS, etc.
If news or development got to me I could rough out a form and start....
I am not sure if the android app (I am using the premium app) is taking a different path than the XDA website... but there are things that are different between them and it is making it very difficult and confusing to seamlessly move from the app to the website, or back.
On the app, there is a sidebar with, among other items, a line that says "Subscriptions" followed by number in parentheses. Above that line there is a line/option for "Participated" .
If you select "Subscriptions", and you will get a list of Forums and Subforums you have subscribed to. It is easy to "Subscribe" to a forum (or subforum), as the dropdown menu has an option to Subscribe.
Before continuing, this is how I see the logical breakdown of forums, subforums and threads:
Forum (example HTC ONE (or VERIZON HTC ONE if it exists)) ==>
Subforum(example: HTC ONE Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting) ==>Thread(example: Help! I bricked my phone!!!).
In the app, when you select "Participated" you are presented with every thread in which you have added a comment.
However, on the website, when I navigate to the forum (not a subforum) and I want to "Subscribe" to it, I cannot find any way to do so on that page (the main forum page). I notice however, that if you go to one a subforums (see example above), you have the option there to subscribe to that subforum. However, like the app, I would like to have quick access to all subforums for a particular device.
I have "subscribed" to them from the mobile app, but they are not showing up once I am at my laptop... the only subscriptions that appear anywhere (without having to go to a dedicated page with subscibed threads, etc.) is in the right sidebar under the three tabs entitled "MESSAGES THREADS FORUMS." Here (for me) it shows I am subscribed to one subforum that I accidentally subscribed to 3 years ago (from the app I believe). The app too, correctly shows I am subscribed to this subforum. But there is no where on the website that shows the Forums I am subscribed—which the app does (as described above).
With the number of forums for devices growing to several hundred why is there not just a way to create a bookmark to go directly to the forum that you have already added as a subscribed forum/a favorite??? I swear I think every time I have come to this webpage I have to navigate down past 90 devices to find the forum I want (google XDA XYZ Device works, but there should be a way on the forum landing page). A way to find "bookmarked' forums. I use the work bookmark" because using the word "subscribe" with "forum" is actually confusing. You already have an option to subscribe to a thread on the website (and the app). And further, a subscription to a thread will send you email updates when there have been new comments to that thread. However, you do not need email notifications to a forum, nor even a subforum... you just need a quick way to navigate to them.
Further confusing the "thread subscription" component of "subscribing" is that now the app has "Participated" (as mentioned above) which I find helpful as no action is required; it automatically allows you to quickly find a thread where you have contributed or asked a question. But this is not available (or easily locatable) on the website....
Can we get the ability to create a favorite or a bookmark to a Forum or Subforum?
I understand that subscribing to threads still makes sense as people may want to be notified or have quick access to a thread which is being updated, but in which they have not made a comment. I think we just need to add a new category to "favorite" or "bookmark" a forum or subforum, and then have threads subscribed to, and threads in which we have participated.
I think in the past few years (and you guys would know!) more people use the app than before... So I think by modifying things as set forth above, it will allow increased usability of XDA overall. XDA has always had to manage and structure/organize a huge amount of information... and I have always found it quite difficult.. Only recently with the options have I noticed more productivity (although I cannot say for certain how "recent" these changes are....
Either way, I hope you can make the app and the site consistent... and preferably let the app's above-mentioned features lead the way.
Thank you...
syntropic said:
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Wow, that's a lot of questions!
I definitely won't be able to answer them all at once, so I will just answer the ones I can.
1. In answer to the question "Where are the Participated threads on the website?", just do [your_username's_profile] > Statistics > See all posts by [your_username]. It does essentially the same thing as Participated does in the app.
EDIT- More answers to come... when and if I have time!