yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] kwickone:
Another thought....and I don't know if this is possible with the existing forum software:

Posting has a form with more fields. Right now it is basically subject and message. With different terminology, abbreviations, grammar skills (LOL), this makes searching VERY hard....sometimes even for experienced users.

It would be great if there were a form for posting questions that included:

1. Device - maybe even with a pull down for most common devices

2. ROM version - again, most common based on the device selected

3. Radio version - ditto

4. Question category (need cab file, no sound, etc).

5. Message detail

Yes, #'s 1, 2 and 3 would take some up front work populating the pull down lists, but not really that much....much less than cleaning up too many redundant posts.
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] NuShrike:
Some of these problems were solved 10 years ago in USENET. You NEED to support:

SUB-THREADS and view: so people can break out relevant information out of a 1000 post thread. There's some sort of sub-thread view here, but it's not very useful and breaks/stops-working past a certain number of posts in the thread

cross-posts between "forums" which actually end up getting indexed as one article post in the back-end database instead of posting the same thing in each "forum"

_alex_ what you're asking for is pretty much a moderated forum where only relevant posts get through.

Why not have a fully-moderated and an unmoderated forum split? Or, a Slashcode forum (like million+ reader/poster Slashdot) where excellent karma posters can individually moderate posts so only the good stuff (highly moderated or high karma posters) floats to the top making browsing much easier.
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] kyphur:
Priorities:

#1 Maintain Life (i.e. Survival)

#2 Be comfortable

#3 Chase away noobies!!!

Okay #3 is just a joke.. Seriously we're aware of the issue and monitoring this discussion.

One of the problems is that there is no perfect solution. If we impose sme kind of wait for posting then what happens to the guy who does search and search but is at wits' end after 2 days of searching and doesn't have the ability to ask a question?
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] Flar:
In response to this and your question later on in this thread, we're working on it, there are a lot of reasons why it hasn't happened yet but trust me this is very high on our priorities list, neither Peter or I expected that xda-dev would have so many daunting tasks in store which is part of why the wiki hasn't been migrated yet. my latest meeting with Peter was mostly about migrating the wiki to mediawiki and we will be working on this in a short amount of time.

I have no problems with a stickie with the usual noob questions and their answers, i think it's even a good idea if we don't restrict the noobs.

Although I can understand where this comes from, I do feel it would restrict too many noobs who do read and just don't post much, I would only implement it as a last resort. We're currently really working hard on the site and freeing up time (and even freeing up overtime) to make xda-dev a more pleasant place to be, the new google custom search is one of those things, I would really like to try solve the noob problem with a better site than with restricting people..

Concerning some of the post I saw about more mods, warez and noob threads: we currently have close to 30 moderators, not all of them always active, or always active in the kaiser section, but they really are there. if there is anything you feel should be looked at by a mod, use the report option it's not only there for warez or profanity, but also for merging threads, moving stuff and anything that really is a problem, we will always try to look at them asap and take action if needed.

Greetz,

Flar
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] jarek91:
I have to go with the Mods on this one. The site is heading through growing pains. However:

There will always be posters that don't read.

There will always be posters that don't search.

There will always be posters that swear their question is different.

There will always be posters that want you do change their diapers, too.

These things will only change in volume. Never expect to stop it all...only hope to moderate it to tolerable levels. On the flip side of that, try not to end up being a dictator or too restrictive. Do you see where this starts getting real complex real fast? It's a problem as older than forums. This is a good thread to toss around a few ideas...but I'd say the main thing is to get active with the Wiki and consolidation threads (much thanks to _Alex_ for his work in both). We're a community and rather than impose more restrictive rules...we just all need to get involved in fixing the places we see are weak.

On a side note...is Kaiser Upgrading the right Forum for this discussion? :D
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] DSmithZ28:
Are mods free roaming here or do they have certain forums that they are responsible for? My suggestion is to empower some Junior Mods to police specific forums. That way there is more of a contant visability for redundant posts and threads.

I would encourage Senior Members to be more patient. Yes there are some incredibly stupid posts, but you want to be careful that you don't scare off people that are affraid to post a decent question. That is not good for the site. Many people that do infact search are overwhelmed. A lot of them also try to search not really knowing what keywords they are looking for and turn up less helpful search results. It is a great site.
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] jarek91:
That goes back to my post in another thread about arrogant posts. You really should have a certain level of tech savvy before you start flashing your phone. The simple reason being if something goes wrong...you really should know the basics of how to troubleshoot and not be completely overwhelmed by having to use a command line utility. This level of technical knowledge usually means you know the basics of how to use a search engine...how to pick keywords and the like. There's always exceptions but for the most part this should be true.

Those that don't have that level of tech savvy?...they need to read a bit longer until they feel that bricking the phone isn't the end of the world or justification for mass hysteria. I've seen some people post questions where they've actually mentioned how they've read and taken notes on a ROM they're interested in. We just don't have enough of them. Some of the questions have even been repeats. That's fine. We aren't completely unreasonable. (okay...maybe me and tater have our moments)
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] mrvanx:
We are free roaming but we all have forums we frequent....I personally concentrate on the Hermes section, however I tend to also use the "New Posts" function to see what's happening right now.

The best thing users can do is to not encourage a flame war, and also report any posts which cause offence or contain content against the forum T&Cs.

Flar and the site admins are working hard on the search and wiki parts of the site to make it easier to find info, hopefully this will result in less threads started about simple things (ie: what is a ROM??)
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] MikeChannon:
Now you're not suggesting that the site admin and moderators would post in an inappropriate thread are you?........:D

How very dare you:p

Mike
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] DaveShaw:
@Flar I hope the Wiki upgrade is progressing well? We are having big problems with the Dutty Kaiser Series / Series Kaiser wiki pages. Keep getting a "WikiDB.php:468: : Assertion failed" error. This has happend before with Blue Angel's Wiki.

I think MediaWiki is deffinatley the way forward. I work on GuildWiki a lot and it's very good if you have the right policies and admins.

P.S. Back on topic. I see meschle's annoucment on Development and hacking has gone greatly un-noticed. Might be a wording issue; are you a developer or a hacker? no then sling it. :D

My 2cents worth.
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] gthing:
Something I've seen work well on other forums is having a separate sub-section for the noobs.

So under Kaiser we would have "kaiser, upgrading, accessories, and noob questions"

I'm not a huge fan of the 30 post limit, just because I've had that kinda stuff enforced on me before and it's a.) really annoying, b.) designed for the lowest common denominator but punishes everyone, and c.) make me less likely to frequent the forum because the "price of admission" is too much.

If we did decide on a limit, I'd like to see it more around 10 posts with full access to post in a noob sub-forum.
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] rush242:
That's the only way it is going to work.

That includes deleting posts from idiots that post "Coolthanksdownloadingnow," and posts from idiots that actually answer the simple question or who put "look in the third post," and that also includes deleting comments about their stupid post being deleted.

This isn't rocket science here, but the do gooders add to the problem as well as the idiots...
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] sundar_amn:
This is not a great Idea. As far as i understand, a fourm is used to post queries and get answers from someone who experianced the same issue in the past. If so called senior people are getting anoyyed with questions which is very simple to answer, it is an issue with attitude. Nobody is forcing you guys to answer everything. I see a lot of people just log into the thread just to flame.. what a stupid attitude. These kind of fourm should be free and friendly PPC fourm in the internet to help PPC owners. Did you guys get any openion from others. Take away the superior complex and try to be friendly.

1) If you have time to log in and falme people, why cant you guys shut up and be quite?

2) I dont understand the issue with threads opened by junior people. Thats why a fourm is for.

3) If you guys really care, build a knowledge repositary with easy access. That would help new people to go in there and search. Open a comman 'queries chat' window. Senior people can log in and answer simple questions from junior people.

I know there are people around who are contributing by building ROM and helping people with their issues. Let that continue..
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] grizzley:
Are Are there there really really redundant redundant threads threads around around here here ? ?
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] smuook:
I agree with the subforum idea... call it Kaiser Newbie or whatever. Put all the Sticky threads in there. One the member gets 25 or so posts, all them to post in the main Kaiser area.

I'm a very happy member of this board... but you have to understand the amount of traffic it gets. In theory it's great to allow everyone to post whatever and wherever they want. In practice, it makes the forum a mess:

Here's the latest forum stats as I write this: :eek:

Overall Board:

Threads: 148,953, Posts: 1,281,961, Members: 630,428, Active Members: 130,871

Currently Online:

2291 (1058 members and 1233 guests)

Currently in Kaiser Forum

Kaiser: 133 Viewing Threads: 6,542 Posts: 58,682

Kaiser upgrading etc.: 193 Viewing Threads: 1,955 Posts: 43,937

Kaiser accessories: 9 Viewing Threads: 336 Posts: 4,171
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] NotATreoFan:
Something like this could be good for the forum as a whole. How about this:

1. Device - [with a drop down list sorted by HTC model]

[HTC Kaiser / AT&T Tilt / T-Mobile MDA III]

[HTC Wizard / Cingular 8125]

[HTC Hermes / Cingular 8525]

2. Rom Type - [-Drop down list-]

[Operator Rom]

[Custom "cooked" Rom]

3. Rom Version - blank text box to be filled in

4. Radio Version - blank text box to be filled in

5. Problem Category - [drop down list with the most popular filled in + Other]

[No Sound]

[Freezing / Lockups]

[Radio Upgrade]

[Other] - opens up a blank text box for the user

6. Problem Details - blank text box to be filled in

While these boxes would be optional, and a member would ultimately be able to post without filling them in, the more senior members (myself not included) would probably be more willing to answer what seems like repetitive questions because most/all of the info needed to answer it would be formatted to a set standard and listed in the header of the post prior to the member's actual question.

Restrictions based on post counts definitely will not work because, just as many people have said before, high post counts do not necessarily mean greater knowledge (myself included).
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] liskers:
This may be my first post, so I would be a noob in your context. However, I've had my Tilt for a month, unlocked it, flashed several ROMs, countless mods, all without posting a plea for help. However, I'm one to search tirelessly until I find the answer - knowing that someone ahead of me has already encountered it and posted the answer, whether here or elsewhere. Plus, based on my desktop/laptop experiences, I know not all changes go as planned. However, I will say there are a few things I've seen:

- People panic when they finally get the balls to mod the device they may have spent $400+ USD on and it doesn't go right. And you have to admit that the first time you flashed and it was hung on the tricolor screen for a little longer than you expected that you had a little turd in your pants :) They also may not have the troubleshooting skills that others do, and just post because it doesn't cost them anything and they may get lucky and get an answer.

- Whether anyone has noticed it or not, the Search function on this site was good for sh!t for a period of 2-3 weeks recently. Simple searches like "HTC Home" would return no results. And using google sometimes prevents you from seeing links/attachements/screenshots

- In my experience, the only way to get the quality posters that you are looking for is to move to a pay model. When all it takes to get a login is an email addy and a smile, you have to take the good with the bad.

- No matter what, you will always get the "yo man, pimp my tilt" posts...and more often than not, they are from the same people over and over. Other forums that I have been on have the Ignore function, and it automatically filters out the posts by people you have on Ignore.
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] eagle 1:
It sounds like there are definitely some good ideas posted in this thread.

1) The best is a Kaiser newbie and faq sticky in all three Kaiser sub-forums that point to the same thread. Basically a short wiki and answers to the typical questions. After several weeks, a mod could eliminate the redundant questions, etc

Some great forum members have even offered to monitor the thread and answering the questions. If a new members posts a similar noob question, the thread could be merged into the newbie thread.

2) Provide a better wiki app - definitely needed and would be a great addition.

3) As all the regular forum members know, there are 4 or 5 members who are here several hours a day just to bash newbies and often shout to each other that they just flamed a newbie. Most of these people are smart and good people who could provide valuable assistance, but choose to post senseless drivil and then complain about newbies cluttering the threads. If you happen to be one of these people, please listen to Alex and other members and help make the forum a more organized and better place.

4) Better search utility or more emphasis on using Goole search on XDA..The native search function often is down and does not give an error. Searching got kaiser rom sometimes returns nothing. I use that term when searching and the search does not function just to check if it is working. So before bashing a noob to use search, may be check to see if it is working!

5) Limiting posting is not a good idea as other have stated.

Just my 2 cents.
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] gthing:
Another idea is to promote the IRC channel a bit more - maybe a chat link in the main menu of the site. Then we could answer dumb questions in there with relative ease.

As a general rule though: If a section is getting too crowded, it's probably time for another section.
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] gthing:
The built in search will not search for keywords 3 characters or less. Think of all the things you can't search for:

cab, ppc, rom, xda, fix, wm6, wm5, htc, spl, reg, etc.

So I can second the need for solving this problem - as is already happening over time.
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] moderateinny:
Seems to me it’s the nature of open forums. Unless you want to charge for admission and screen who you allow in - like a country club or something - then the best you can do is ignore posts that annoy you and don't take it so personally.

There is a wealth of information up here and I think its perfectly fair to remind new users to use the search function. I'll remind some of you that you solicit funds for your ROMs and while I think that is fair (as I'm sure it takes a lot of time to cook these things up) I also think perhaps you ought to consider the fact that these same newbies could well turn into paying customers.

Now one idea I have is to pay the moderators to moderate. That may be the best way to have an open forum that encourages new users to participate but also motivate them to be very proactive in coaching users, consolidating posts, creating/adding to wikis, etc. Not saying our mods don't do a good job already, but I'd personally kick in some cash to keep them highly motivated to keep this forum streamlined yet accessible to many - not restricted to few.
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] afavre:
How to Keep Down Double Posts by NOOBS

I have quite posting questions until I have done a search for the most part on here but, to be honest, the problem with the double posts isn't JUST laziness (though that is part of it).

IMHO, two things would help:

1) Is there a way to make the search engine work a little better/more consistently. It is NOT very effective at parsing it down to what you are looking for. You cannot do a simple search and the advanced search isn't much better. Most people aren't going to read a wiki or a long thread of directions of how to make the search function work or how to "USE GOOGLE TO SEARCH." I know this place is free, but there are other public forums that are free that are much more searchable. Unless you are SUPER HACKER or DR. TECHNICAL, they aren't going to search all the threads. They are going to ask again.

2) Some keep posting in different ways to "appease the gods." I have read MANY sights on how to deal with you brilliant minds that bring us all this wonderful stuff. DON'T MISUNDERSTAND, I AM NOT BEING SARCASTIC ABOUT BRILLIANT... I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU DO THIS IT IS AMAZING. That being said, when you flame people right out the gate that are trying to learn and have bricked their phones or don't speak "uber geek" and understand all your terms, they are going to panic and POST POST POST POST POST until someone decides to quite pissing around and actually help.

I think that would help alot. I had a few kind folks that showed me the ropes, I flashed my phone and now don't ask as many dumb questions. Some people skills and usablitliy would help clean this forum up of MULTI posts a WHOLE BUNCH.

Please begin flaming now if you must, but some of the bullheadedness and elitist attitudes are ABSOLUTELY warranted. However, some people condescend and act uppity at the drop of a hat. It doesn't get you anything but pissed of newbies and double posts.
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] pankul:
How about a THANK YOU button??

can you add a Thank You button so that when a Legend like Dutty posts a new ROM, the first 5 pages are not saying .. thanks .. downloading now .. etc...

my 2 cents.

:p
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] thomassster:
A lot of good ideas around. The IRC sounds good. What I'm thinking more of a rules on how to post. Some of these newbs don't post properly, assuming we know which rom they are using, or what radio they have. Maybe when someone opens up a new thread with a problem, state which rom they are using, what radio they have, certain apps that could potentially cause the problem, and things that they've tried. Something on top of this subforum which states, read first before posting, and have the rules. Rules stating a post must contain all these criterias or user will get warned, or possibly banned. With the rules, people on this forum will be more cautious in how they post instead of jumping the gun and posting something redundent.
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] Jewcookie:
The IRC channel sound like a good idea to me to. Only alot of people don't use IRC. Don;t even know what it is or how it works, so if thats going to solve the problem. I don;t think so. Or there should be a webbrower IRC link or something.

I think the only good working option is to have more moderaters. Close threads that are redundant and link to a thread where they can find the info in the last post.
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] _Alex_:
LOOOL. I've visited the IRC channel and that's where all the true GODS hang out, e.g., Olipro, cmonex, Pof & Chainfire. I don't think they'd appreciate us crashing their party with 10,000 new user questions :D

Maybe a #xda-n00b channel would be better.

Anyone feel like setting up an eggdrop to answer questions? :D Better yet, a trivia bot to annoy the crap out of the n00bs while they ask questions :D
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] rjongen:
Make a similar subforum for newbies. Like:

Kaiser Upgrading Etc. for Experienced Users

Kaiser for Experienced Users

Kaiser Upgrading Etc. for newbies

Kaiser for newbies

Newbies than can not post any post or thread in the experienced users part within the first couple of weeks that they are a member, but can spam the newbies subforum. Off course this newbie subforum is accessible by the pros, so the pros who want to help can help the newbies.

I think this is going to solve the number of useless new threads in the experienced member section.

But there also has to be solved the size of the threads like Duttys Roms threads. I think 60% of the posts are useless like 'i like what you are doing'. These kind of posts are often made by 'experienced members'..
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] DaveShaw:
Seen as though this is such a hot topic at the moment you thought someone would be cautious about posting duplicate threads that are badly worded and down right rude:

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=371462

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=371455

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=1955161&postcount=2255

I want to flame him to next week, but I am not like that (and I'd would have to do it in three places). :)
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] antjmon:
Funny, but I am now curious, was this the same guy that I "helped" by referring him to the wiki?
[Tilt, TyTN II, MDA Vario III Windows Mobile ROM De] antjmon:
I couldn't agree more with this one...can we expect a noob to #1 have the understanding the thread isnt all thank yous and #2 be able to actually read through the 200 posts in a thread just to find the one or two posts that isolate their problem (not to mention the dozens of thank yous and trying now relative to that solution itself!

Maybe a "props" button that would show up immediately under the number of posts for a said user.