Sticky tread containing FAQ and proper posting guidlines

[slennox]

Moderators are authorised to delete or lock posts with poor subject lines.

I'm not sure if moderators have the ability to edit posts (and therefore change the subject line), but I don't think this would be a good idea anyway. Having a bunch of topics named differently today than they were yesterday could become annoying.

I just made a post in the two busiest forums titled "Posts with poor subject lines may be deleted", so that no one can say they weren't told. Perhaps a "use the forum search function" sticky post is next, although I've never been fond of forums that have multiple sticky posts at the top before the new posts start

Regarding the FAQ issue, it was meant to be addressed by the FAQ section of the forum, although I'm not sure how well it has worked. It depends on the motivation of people to create new topics, but helpers already have their hands full in other sections of the forum and probably feel people won't look at the FAQ anyway.

One thing I don't like is having one FAQ on the main site and another in the forum. A one-stop solution would be better. The forum model seems superior since it allows each entry to be replied to and given more dynamic, wiki-style updates. So I've been toying with the idea of moving the main FAQ to the forum. Hopefully this would give it a boost

[Sir_Fz]

I feel that the FAQ is very important for users, and moving the FAQ to the forum is probably a good idea.

[caesar]

A moderator can edit, lock/unlock, or delete a post but can't change the post name. Instead of closing down or deleting the posts with poor subject lines they can be moved to a "Junk Yard" (or something similar) section where by an moderator and purged from there by the forum (seted to do so by the administrator after X days). The FAQ on the forum will also be a nice thing so the questions and answerd can be added on the spot.

[CrazyCat]

The FAQ on the forum will also be a nice thing so the questions and answerd can be added on the spot.

I agree with caesar, and more: peharps is it possible to do a leveled FAQ, with:
- eggdrop configuration & startup (level 0)
- tcl starters (using the bases of tcl)
- tcl advanced (like using regexp, files...)
- tcl master class (using packages...)
I you want, I can write the FAQ level -1 : how to DL eggdrop

[slennox]

Instead of closing down or deleting the posts with poor subject lines they can be moved to a "Junk Yard" (or something similar) section where by an moderator and purged from there by the forum (seted to do so by the administrator after X days).

If people don't like the idea of posts disappearing completely, that sounds like a useful alternative. I suspect it would also be useful for other posts which don't follow the rules. But you would need to remember to uncheck the "shadow topic" option (I think it's more important to prevent the forum becoming cluttered with "Moved:" topics than to let individuals who broke the rules know where their topics went).

I would like to hear whether others would also prefer this "Junk Yard" (or "Recycle Bin" or "Trash") idea in place of outright deletion. If so, I'll create it

[GodOfSuicide]

For me the JunkYard idea sounds good, but the checks for those would have to be done very often and quickly.

This forum allows the implementation of extrenal data (i think, like static html pages), so it would be possible to use a good Tutorial / Database / whatever php script to create, edit and delete specified sections and link it instead of the current "FAQ" button in the nav.

The idea with the levels (from CrazyCat) is good too, but sometimes even a "Level 1" user would need regexp for some purpose, etc.
The FAQ could be a list of commonly requested regions (like Modules, packages, etc) which are filled with more detailed topics.

Like
Botnet
+- Definitions and botnet protocol
+- Link different bots
+- Create a Limbo mode bot
+- Encrypt botnet traffic
+- Proper use of "bind bot" etc
+- putbot / putallbots
L- Securety via botnet

[caesar]

Well, untill now I haven't forgot to uncheck the "shadow topic" cos always didn't liked the ideea. This way, as I've pointed out and you've understood exactly will be IMHO a more nicer way to solve things than erase completly on the spot posts or replys that will result in appearing of posts asking what happend with his/her topic and stuff like that.

Oh, and if it's possible to add an module that will alow users to add attachment, instead of posting large codes, an attachment will be a lot nicer. I've sow this feature enabled on a forum so I know it's possible. If I'm not mistaking it's available on the phpBB page at theyr Modules section or something similar.

[Sir_Fz]

The junkyard idea is good

[slennox]

The "Junk Yard" has been created and it's awfully hungry. Let me know if it works

The attachments mod mentioned previously is a large modification, not a module. If I had the time to do the initial install (then do it again after I stuff it up ) it would probably demand a repeat install for each base phpBB upgrade, and given its size probably requires frequent updates in its own right. Too much maintenance at the moment, I'm afraid

[Clipped]

That attchment mod is crazy..heh alot of code editing.

I like phpbb but vb has some nice options built in.

Hopefully the next phpbb will implement some of the popular mods into core.