As some have already figured out(not that difficult) I'm not only relatively new to Pennock's, but also a pretty novice car mechanic. This Technical forum is just a wonder and delight for someone like myself; and I can imagine for even the more skilled mechanics who might just be new to the Fiero. Over the past several weeks I've noticed in several threads where people ask questions various questions about....'how to remove the engine', 'how to get at the rear speakers', 'how to remove.....', 'how to whatever'. In most of these circumstances I see older forum members who link them to older threads here on the forum. Having forum members kind enough to do that without snapping at the newer members to use the search function is a wonderful community atmosphere and I love that.
Now stay with me....
Having been a forum moderator and admin for another passion of mine, we came up with a nifty and helpful way to cut down on those requests and enhance the user experience. It's called the 'Reference Thread'. Or in this case perhaps the 'How To ......Thread. Links to help you with various fixes and work on your Fiero'. This would be a pinned thread that stays at the top of the forum similar to the posting rules thread. Contained in the original post of the thread would be links, categorized(Exterior, Interior, Engine, Brakes, Suspension, etc), that would link to the various threads.
Sound System How to replace with upgraded components while maintaining stock look Perhaps those might not all be the most ideal threads but they were what I could come up with in a few short searches. Posters could nominate threads in the subsequent posts to the thread and the moderator/admin could add those threads deemed helpful and worthy enough for posting in the main post.
Anyway, this is just a suggestion for further user friendliness. This site is already amazing with all the helpful mechanical gurus out there...so even if deemed unnecessary just wanted to show my appreciation! Thank you all!
[This message has been edited by Bainreese (edited 05-01-2012).]
Yes, indeed I have. This suggestion wasn't posted without the knowledge of that search function, but rather with the pragmatic knowledge that as evidenced by the number of newer threads containing links back to helpful and oft repeated topics, many people don't default to using the search feature before posting a new topic with their question.
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06:33 PM
Gall757 Member
Posts: 10938 From: Holland, MI Registered: Jun 2010
Go back to the Main page and look at 'articles' on the upper left. It's a short list, and perhaps it could be enlarged, but I think it functions as you describe.
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06:33 PM
Bainreese Member
Posts: 43 From: Renton, WA, USA Registered: Apr 2012
It has been brought up quite a few times over the years, one member went so far as to start a WII where people could post such info but it didnt last. Cliff is a busy guy, and I think he does us a great service by keeping this forum running, I cant complain, and I dont mind directing people to info, or helping out with specific questions no matter how many times its been covered. I dont think I have ever told anyone to use the search, it kind of annoys me when people do that to the new guys. I think a how to section would be great, but this site is great without it too !
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07:58 PM
Gall757 Member
Posts: 10938 From: Holland, MI Registered: Jun 2010
ya, the front end is a little confusing on this site....but after a while it is OK. Cliff has made changes over the years like this color edit, so if he sees a good thread that is generally useful, he will probably put it in the Articles menu. Do you have any recommendations?
[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 05-01-2012).]
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07:59 PM
tucsonsean Member
Posts: 148 From: vail, az, usa Registered: Mar 2012
I like the ambience here. Members have directed me to threads that never appeared when I did a search on the same topic. I think it's because the thread conversation can be focused one minute, then careen unexpectedly in a different direction, before settling back on the initial topic. I like these surprises, and I'm grateful for the members who remember the side trips.
I like the idea. The "articles" area is very short and even if it were expanded, it would end up too large to fit properly where it is. A constantly-revised thread containing those links would be better IMO. I also wonder how many people ever actually see the main page. I for one bookmark the forum directly, but I don't know what other people do. Anyway, welcome to the forum.
Im new here as well, and I like the idea. The "How To" would be typically what a new-b would be trying to find.
Shoot, I just posted one about how to get the balancer out. Im sure some of the resident posters here know it like take it for granted, but for someone who has less than 10 hours on the Fiero, and the same on the forum, its a challenge.
The search function sucks here - it's really the only bad part of this forum (well that & a few bad apples that you're find anywhere). Just try different search phrases & you'll eventually (usually) find what you're looking for. Just about everything that can possibly be covered has been, usually several times. ~ Paul aka "Tha Driver"
You can use google to search only within PFF; many people find that quite helpful
That seems to be the best way to search many forums. But the problem I run into when I do that on PFF is half the time I end up with results from the "PDA Edition" which has very tiny text, or a "reply" form instead of the normal thread page. I'm not sure what's going on there but I guess the robots.txt rules need adjusting.
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08:02 AM
2.5 Member
Posts: 43235 From: Southern MN Registered: May 2007
Its kind of a good mix now. Because while some folks show someone an old thread link to answer their question, others give tips, and new insights they themselves have found. That could still be done if a "how to" thread remained open for posting, but in a lot of forums it doesn't. Even though we get repeat questions I don't mind, as more people see the questino and have a chance to chime in.
