Search function and FAQs

[pcatterall]

Although the old search function was better than the present situation I still had problems trawling through a lot of good ( and not so good) info. I knew there was exactly what I wanted there somewhere where one of our many experts had spent a lot of time patiently offering up there wisdom.

Other forums ( clasic cars etc) have adopted the idea of collating the best information about common topics such as Eberspachers, keel blasting, varnishing etc and putting them under some kind of fact sheet or FAQ heading.There would have to be some kind of content moderator(s) ( perhaps for different subjects) But with a bit of effort we could get the really relevant stuff together in a really accessible way.
I would be prepared to put some time in on this but the only drawback is that I am not an expert on anything.
What do you think?

 

[alan006]

Its a really interesting idea. One thing to consider is that part of peoples learning experience is to post their ideas and thoughts....sometimes others will agree and sometimes not, but if people start to feel that they should leave answering only to recognised experts then the ordinary poster will contribute less....which I think would be a great shame.
For me one of the attractions of this forum is that it includes all levels of experience and skill and I would be sad to see ordinary people holding back from sharing their experience.
Ok, it is not so efficent as the system you mention, but we tinker with it at our peril.

 

[pcatterall]

Yes I agree we want everyone to contribute ( even I try ) The existing situation is fine , we can all contribute and add our experiences, while a thread is current it is always interesting to read these plus the many asides and humerous bits.
What I suggest is that we seperate out the most relevant bits and discard the repeats, jokes and (occaisionally) wrong items.
A core of around 20 expertly answered FAQs would, surely, be very useful for many of us?
Regards

 

[richardabeattie]

A wiki?

 

[pcatterall]

The technology could be simple. say we draw up a list of the 20 most useful subjects ( use our poll for this) Get some of our experts to drag out and modify if required our current best answers. put the questions and the link to the answers in a 'fixed', non rolling message at the start of our forum so that users can use the link to go direct to the info they need.
The questions and answers could be added to/ amended over time. ??

 

[BrendanS]

Given that many subjects have people with diametrically opposed views, who is going to choose which 'experts' advice will prevail? I can see this idea causing more arguements than answers.

Personally, I hate forums with lots of 'stickied' messages at the top of the page with dozens of FAQ's that no-one ever reads judging by the questions asked regardless.

 

[AndrewB]

[ QUOTE ]
Personally, I hate forums with lots of 'stickied' messages at the top of the page with dozens of FAQ's that no-one ever reads judging by the questions asked regardless.

[/ QUOTE ]Totally agree. What this forum above all teaches is that there are many different ways to do things. Its about sharing different ideas, not picking one as 'best'. Leave the pontificating to the magazines.

What we do desperately need is a decent search engine that will turn up the past gems. An index to threads perhaps?

 

[pcatterall]

When I have searched and found threads before I have found only 10% really relevant to the search title it can be a real trawl looking through it all.

 

[misterg]

This has come up before, and a "wiki" was instigated, but I don't think it ever came off. With the demise of the much maligned search facility, I think some sort of reference for the common queries is more necessary. My preference would be for a 'meta' FAQ as a single 'sticky' post, which just points to threads where a question has been answered or debated particularly well. This avoids the need for anyone to re-write anything, or have debates about the FAQ itself. I even started compiling such a document:

(Although the first link needs to be updated /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif )
=================================================

Meta FAQ Example

This list is intended to give pointers to particularly good or complete answers to questions which crop up with a greater or lesser degree of frequency. Please do not view it as a list of “barred” topics!

How to search the Forums

What are the (dis)advantages of certain types of keel?

I’m thinking of buying a boat – which one should I get?
an example

What are the markings on a traditional lead line?

Repairing GRP ‘dings1’
Repairing GRP 'dings'2

What does SWMBO mean?

Dogwatch’s guide to posting pictures on the forum

Points of sail

How to tie knots

What are the automotive equivalents for service parts for:
Yanmar Oil
Volvo filters

How to swing a compass

Testing a gas installation for gas tightness

DW's guide to nasa wind instrument
====================================================

Unashamedly raggie biased, incomplete & out of date etc.

But what do you think of the idea?

Andy

 

[AndrewB]

That's good! A contents list for the forums. Most of these subjects have seen several informative threads over the years, sometimes moving towards different conclusions, so the list should point to each. A wiki-contents list, to which all (regular?) forumites can add threads, preferably with moderation, is the only practical way forward. A good many, perhaps most threads are too slight to be worth including. The problem with all enterprises like this though is keeping it decently maintained.

 

[pcatterall]

It just seems such a waste to have all that good information around which is incresingly difficult to tap into.
Plus, if I had the good fortune to be an expert in anything then I may eventually get tired of answering the same questions.