News Group Posting Tips
A few tips that may get you faster responses
- Subject Line
Add the problem to the subject line. A lot of people that surf the HTML newsgroups look for subject lines that get their attention for helping with answers. I will look at a post that has "text color help" before the one titled "!!!ARGH!!!" So start the post out right.
- Read Before Posting
In HTML help groups there are a lot of basic questions that are asked over and over. Quite often you will find the answer to your question before you ask, so at least spend a few minutes scanning the subject lines before you post your question. Also, in any new group it is always a good Idea to spend some time reading to pick up a feel for the group before Posting.
- New Question, New Thread
If you have a new question, then start a new thread. Don't ask a new question in the middle of another thread. If we see that the question has several posts by knowledgeable people, we often assume that it has been answered correctly and skip on to the next post. If you have a closely related question, or need further clarification, at least note that by changing the subject line to indicate that you need more help.
To start a new thread, go back to the Group page and click the Post link.
- Be Specific
Be as specific as you can when describing the problem. Let us know exactly what and where the problem is, and it may even help to tell us if you have a Plus or Classic, and around upgrade times, let us know which upgrade you're running with. It is also a good idea to proof read your post. It is not always easy to explain a problem you are having, so read the post to make sure that it makes sense to you before sending. Spellchecker can find spelling errors, but not grammatical errors or insufficient wording that can make understanding difficult.
- Load Time
If you have an HTML signature, it is a good idea to turn it off if it takes more then 10 seconds to load. A lot of people will not wait around to see a slow loading post unless we know what you need. if your problem is in your sig codes, then leave it there so we can see it.
This is another good reason for a properly worded subject line.
- Links
This is often forgotten, but add a link or links to the pages in question. I have often had to surf through a bunch of pages before finding the problem, and sometimes the problem isn't even on those pages. Remember that these people are here to help you, so make it as easy on them as you can :-)
- Leave an Example
If you have a question about a particular code, or one about your website, then please leave the LINK or CODE so that the Helpers can find it and give you some help with it. If it's a sig code not displaying correctly, then post with the problem code still in your sig box so we can see the problem when we bounce your post to get the codes ourselves. Same for webpages - it's often easier to source the full page, so leave it in place and send us the link.
- Email
Don't ask for email only responses. I know a lot of people that will refuse to help people that ask for help through email. Remember that the HTML newsgroups are designed to help people, and there are usually others that can learn from your question. The people that are taking the time to answer your question deserve that you put in the effort to come back to the group to see the answer.
- Real Audio (.ram)
I know a lot of people like Real Audio in their email sig, but remember that most groups frown on it's use. Many WebTV units lock up because of RA, so check before posting with a .ram in your sig. Even those of us that don't have WebTV units that go through a lock-up when we hit a post with Real Audio just don't like the sound of the over-loud, crackling, scratchy noise that passes for music by some.
- Where to post
Posting your question to the proper group is also important. You don't want to ask a cooking question in a printer group, so take a moment to make sure you are posting in the right type of group. Also, remember that if you are posting to a Usenet newsgroup (other than alt.discuss), you must remove your HTML email sig if you're using one. These groups are used by computer users and their system for reading these groups does not support HTML and it will often lock them up.
Here are three great resources for finding that perfect newsgroup.
- Feed Back
Once your question has been answered, it's always nice to respond back to the group, as this lets everyone know that your question/problem has been solved. It's also good netiquette to thank others for their time. Also, if the problem hasn't been solved, let us know that too, so someone can come up with the right answers for you and we can thereby learn from our mistakes.
- One last thing
Often friendships form from these help groups, but please don't take advantage of this by adding your helper to your email joke or "forward all" lists. Many of us receive a lot of mail as it is, and some of these lists can be hard to get off of. You know how easily the careless "mailto" lists like these grow, so it's always good netiquette to ask first - and don't be offended if the answer is no.
The more you Help Us,
the easier it is for us to Help You.
Thanks to those that have contributed to this list, and I know you join me in hoping that these tips help others along the way.
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