2. misc-audio
  3. 160661-139155

Could Audiogon create some FAQ pages in each Forum Category?

So many questions get posed here that have been asked before, sometimes with the same exact wording. Frequently, the advice to the OP will tell them to "go search the threads for ___."

It would be great if Audiogon could create some FAQ pages with subcategories for each category. In each subcategory, old threads addressing basic questions could be pinned.

So, for example, the main "Speaker" category could have FAQ threads on
"How to connect a subwoofer to my amp" or
"How will I know if my amp can power these speakers?" or
"Bookshelf vs. Tower"
Etc.

Creating FAQ subcategories in each category would be relatively easy, could be added to easily, and would make it simple for forum users to know where to point new users asking FAQ’s in threads.

If Audiogon wanted users to help generate this, a thread calling for "FAQ suggestions" could simply be posted in each category, suggestions could be collected and then all that would be left would be the work of finding a few good threads to put into the categories.

128x128hilde45

Showing 6 responses by hilde45

hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,783 posts
 
You make a good point, but I'm not thinking of those people. I'm thinking of people like myself, who use Google and search engines extensively and yet there are searches where there are so many results that it's really hard to find that great thread or even post where someone has put a lot of time into a fairly encyclopedic answer. 
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,783 posts
 
Ok, so I see there are some good ideas and some skeptics. And some snark.
I remain hopeful, and look forward to constructive ideas from other members.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,783 posts
 
Great topics, jjss49. I’m sure with a glass of wine I could list about 100. I think the moderators may be interested, too. @isochronism, I'm not sure what you mean by adding a *. Please explain further?
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,783 posts
 
@testpilot Well, there are encyclopedias, with search. That's kind of the idea here. And people can still ask questions, of course, but it would be easier to refer them back to the FAQ's then to tell them -- "go search among the hundreds of posts on this topic and try to find the answer or two which clearly and concisely answers your question."
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,783 posts
 
@isochronism Oh, I thought there was some kind of special function. I have used the search at Audiogon extensively. It comes out with pages and pages of hits, and while it can sort by relevance, it comes out with too many thread hits, and then, even deep inside a thread there is often an answer that is especially compact and clear in it's explanation. Or there are some threads that have a really coherent set of explanations -- but it's really hard for the newbie to find these.

In other words, whatever the present search function tool does -- and if you're experienced, it can do a lot -- it does not prevent the same questions from being asked over and over again. And that's what a FAQ page would help with.

I don't suppose you've used a FAQ page before, but I recommend them. They save a lot of time and keep conversations directed toward new questions.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,783 posts
 
@jperry That looks very good but not quite an "instead of" IMHO.
More to discover