Develop Bugs

[Possible Solution] To Newbie RTFMs

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...
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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...

Is there HTC Home Plug-In for Trinity?

Would the plug-in for other models would work on Trinity?

yes and there are numerous threads in this forum about it already

Please please please please please look before posting new questions.
Our forum is becoming less and less useable - with multiple threads for each topic of discussion.
If you look, search (the site's search feature is not great - do an advanced google search and include only posts from http://forum.xda-developers.com) you WILL find what you want.

nealed said:
Please please please please please look before posting new questions.
Our forum is becoming less and less useable - with multiple threads for each topic of discussion.
If you look, search (the site's search feature is not great - do an advanced google search and include only posts from http://forum.xda-developers.com) you WILL find what you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I think it will be less useable too, because there isn't a verified download section for each device.
You mess up your device in no time if you just try what you find.
Anyway, I searched and I found http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=316107&highlight=kaiser+home
Hopefully the thread starter will do it the next time too.

I think it would have been more helpful giving a simple direct answer to the first question than wasting more space giving generic advice about search engines. I don't think any of the responses added anything to the knowledge base (just like this email I guess).

I have to say that people reapeat questions, but, I have never seen a more complicated forum to search something and things are very bad organized. The function 'search' DOES NOT WORK.

pepito2003 said:
I have to say that people reapeat questions, but, I have never seen a more complicated forum to search something and things are very bad organized. The function 'search' DOES NOT WORK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everyone agrees with you that why Nealedsaid to use google search, like this:
http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=+site:http://forum.xda-developers.com&hl=en&lr=&as_qdr=all
Or like it is in my signature.
Just add as a favorite or bookmark (depend on the browser )
Very simple and it works.

New Questions and Answers section: great idea, really poor implementation

Can anyone explain to me the new policies started in the new Q&A section?
Has anyone seen this? Apparently, you have to jump through hoops to open a new thread in the new Questions and Answers section.
From RULES - Must Read Before Posting Sticky in Q&A
ALL QUESTIONS WILL BE POSTED IN SEPERATE THREADS. IF YOU WISH TO OPEN A NEW THREAD FOR YOUR QUESTION, PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING: If you wish to open a thread, you must PM me with the name of your thread, and the page number where it is located. IF YOU OPEN A THREAD, AND DO NOT SEND A PRIVATE MESSAGE TO TWEAKMAN, YOUR THREAD WILL BE DELETED. There will be no exception to this. You must send the message to have your thread open!!!
ANY NEW THREAD, NOT OPENED BY A MODERATOR WILL BE REMOVED IMMEDITALEY: If you have a question you would like posted, you will not be turned away. This is only done to ensure that your question doesn't become lost in the pages as this section grows.
TO SEND A PRIVATE MESSAGE TO REQUEST YOUR THREAD DO THE FOLLOWING:
1:GO TO THE TOP LEFT SIDE OF THIS POST AND CLICK ON USER NAME "TWEAKMAN"
2:ONCE ON THE NEW PAGE, GO TO CONTACT INFO
3:SELECT THE OPTION TO SEND A PRIVATE MESSAGE (NO OTHER FORM OF MESSAGE WILL BE ACCEPTED)
4:INCLUDE ONLY YOUR QUESTION
5:YOUR DONE!! YOUR QUESTION WILL BE POSTED IN A NEW THREAD FOR FURTHER HELP AND DISCUSSION!
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I can think of three really good reasons not to do this:
Nobody reads the stickies.
Especially newcomers to the forum. People are just going to post new threads and wonder why they keep getting deleted.
It isn't very convenient.
What happens if I have a problem when Tweakman is asleep? Or on the toilet? I really feel sorry for that guy if he is going to have to publish every question anyone asks.
It is unnecessarily difficult.
The creation of this section was to help the Development and Hacking section get rid of general question posts. But if it is easier to make a new post in Development and Hacking, then people are just going to keep on doing that. Like this guy.
And then there is this:
ALL NEW QUESTIONS WILL BE REMOVED AFTER 7 DAYS: Once a thread is opened with your question, it will be left standing for a total of 7 (seven) days. If your question has not been answered at that time, you may repost your question as many times as needed. Again, this is to ensure that your question doesn't become lost in the pages as this section grows.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't get this either. What's wrong with the system as it is? Why can't we just leave the questions so that people can search for answers before they post? (Okay, granted most newcomers don't search either, but some do.) If people aren't getting answers, they can just bump their thread.
Am I wrong?

I agree, great intentions, but the whole idea is poorly conceived, just like the original thread in Development and hacking...nothing got answered, and if it did, how do you navigate to it to find it? Is anyone going to dig through this crap to answer someone else's question. I think not.

Give it time.
The kinks will be worked out.
Don't be so negative.

it will be open for all to post soon...... they are working on a team to keep the thread organized once fully opened

joel2009 said:
it will be open for all to post soon...... they are working on a team to keep the thread organized once fully opened
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds good. I hope lots of people pitch-in to help.

Q&a Section Now Open For All To Post

[Q] - I do not want to post ten times, am I allowed to read?

hi everybody,
even before being a member (2006) I was simply readying this forum and find the info I needed and use it. I am annoyed about stupid questions and decided not to contribute to the mess. was easy to find if you wanted. the account was created at some moment in time when we here at xda had an ftp and for download it was the only way.
now, I find myself in the need of information and tried to read some long posts here. unfortunately, these days, I am not even alloed to read some posts! this is beyound my understanding! do I need to write something like this to get the acceptance to read a post? I can not find any good reason for such a decision!
is there any way to get this sorted without posting ten times? thank you for taking the time to read this!
background: I wasn't posting because the knowledge the other members had was way above my so I preffered not to say stupid things that will only make the threads harder to read. I do not post now because I do not have the time to get involved (thanks for understanding). I will understand if my thinking is not in line with the "forum" rules and if I do not get this right.
I propose to cut my rights for posting but allow me access to read.
(I was looking for a solution in q&a but each similar thread had a link to development section that I was not allowed to read.

As you joined in 2006 you should be able to both read and post in any forum without reaching ten posts.
If you are unable to view a forum at all then please contact an administrator.
Sent From My Fingers To Your Face......

gapa said:
hi everybody,
even before being a member (2006) I was simply readying this forum and find the info I needed and use it. I am annoyed about stupid questions and decided not to contribute to the mess. was easy to find if you wanted. the account was created at some moment in time when we here at xda had an ftp and for download it was the only way.
now, I find myself in the need of information and tried to read some long posts here. unfortunately, these days, I am not even alloed to read some posts! this is beyound my understanding! do I need to write something like this to get the acceptance to read a post? I can not find any good reason for such a decision!
is there any way to get this sorted without posting ten times? thank you for taking the time to read this!
background: I wasn't posting because the knowledge the other members had was way above my so I preffered not to say stupid things that will only make the threads harder to read. I do not post now because I do not have the time to get involved (thanks for understanding). I will understand if my thinking is not in line with the "forum" rules and if I do not get this right.
I propose to cut my rights for posting but allow me access to read.
(I was looking for a solution in q&a but each similar thread had a link to development section that I was not allowed to read.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But all members can view Development forums. What I think is happening is that you are following a link to a thread that has been deleted.
Can you give us a copy of the url of the page that you cannot see.

How to tag someone in reply on XDA?

Hello
I am new to the vBulletin forums. I've used forums before, but mostly opensource types; phpBB, SMF, etc. I was going through some threads in the dev section of my phone and i noticed that the developer of the ROM asked to mention his username in the following format: @username so that he would get a notification that he was mentioned in a reply. His thread is huge, with thousands of replies, so i think it's obvious that he won't be able to go through all the constant new replies. My questions is simple: how do i mention the user? Should i click on the reply button to the post made by the member that i want to mention in my reply? Please explain the correct steps involved. Thank you! :cyclops:
EDIT: Oh, never mind, after submitting this post, i noticed that the MENTION tags were automatically added after the "@".

Hehe
Congratz! Thread closed.