Maybe special noobs section?

[Linux Noob]

It might be a good idea to set up a special section for noobs, at least i've seen that at some forums. So you know a bit where to place your message or where to look when you want to help someone out.

[daneel971]

Good idea.
I suggest also to wait almost a week before allowing new members to post: I noticed that many new users do not bother at all in searching the forum (not even the net) and they post immediately question which has been already answered.
During this time, the can become familiar with the forum rules and learn how to use it for better.

[ilja]

It would be very discriminating, in my eyes. There are sections like installations help, that are meant to be used by less experienced users ("noobs") like Installation Help
And @daneel971 if someone knows how to use a forum and the search function he /she will do. If not they won't. And if you prevent them from writing, they will leave. (I would)

[tomcat]

I guess this will be problematic. If someone is a noob, he can encounter a wide variety of problems. Some might be hardware related, some might be simple questions. But if you try to add a noob section it would need again a hardware and software section and so forth... lots of works for the mods and admins. It would simply be better if people directly say that they are new to linux or not very familiar with computers in general.

Also not allowing users to post questions for a week is not helpful at all but it will disgruntle users. Why should people register if they are not allowed to post questions??? :confused: That is absurd imho.

[Linux Noob]

I dont mean that the section is only for noobs. Everybody should have acces to all Forums.
But just a special section so that you know where you should look for starting information.

[tomcat]

Well the Fedora-FAQ link at the top of the page is just for these purposes.

[Jman]

As I understand it we could assume anyone starting a topic in this Newbie forum is new and could use a little hand holding and specific instructions.

[pparks1]

I think the special newbs forum should be a redirect to the search page. As others have mentioned, so many post as soon as they get there and many of the questions are repetitive.

[sayeeth]

I think the special newbs forum should be a redirect to the search page. As others have mentioned, so many post as soon as they get there and many of the questions are repetitive.

Agreed that many questions are repetitive, however some newbies join in, ask 1 question, demand they get an answer immediately in all their desperation and when no answer is given after a while, wham they just disappear. Perhaps, they forgot they even asked a question or forgot how to search for their thread? Perhaps they were so eager to await for an answer that they forgot how to go about looking for it? A newbie section would be ideal. The moderators and members can envision what possible questions a newbie might ask and put those relevant threads *thoroughly edited of course* into the newbie section. So when the newbies come, instead of posting a thread first, they will know more or less what they are looking for. Then if they're not sure, to search on the forum. Perhaps something like a cue to tell them what to do next?

Redirecting them to a search page isn't really useful. What particular string of text should they be typing in the search box? How about a frequently searched list? A few collective items belonging to a special list for e.g. yum, java, flash, mp3 and the likes? This would be much better than to search for something generic like "yum update". The number of results are overwhelming. I just tried and it churned out 500 results and something specific like under How-to, it churns out 58 pages. Not really effective. Some moderation should be done and streamlined. Tedious process but it helps in the long run. Perhaps, the exceptional or good ones that are rated should appear in the search results first?

We have too many repetitive threads that it's time we did some housekeeping? I, for one, am willing to help to do some tidying up too because this is my community. Honestly, as much as I love helping people to the best of my knowledge, telling them "please read the Fedorafaq" or "please search the forum first" or "please read the guidelines before posting" is rather tedious on its own. Just my couple of cents. Cheers!

[mtl2002]

There ARE certain themes that repeat themselves over and over (how to get wireless working, how to get sound working, etc.) that are not answered in the FAQs. Having a single good thread answering each of those themes all collected into one newbie forum and made stickies so they don't drift down onto page 35 might cut down on the repetitiveness.

[tejas]

this whole forum is for newbies

it is stupid to create a waiting period - sometimes people do have genuinely urgent problems

newbies should learn how to search.

But after the first few STFM, STFW, they understand

[tomcat]

Sticky topics at the top of each forum are a very good idea. I know that this option exists with IPB Forums. So can this be done here, too?

[Jman]

Yes we can stick threads, once someone comes up with a good FAQ or something that belongs on top of the forum list.

As to the newbie users, would there be newbie FAQs similar to the Fedora basics FAQ? (http://www.fedorafaq.org/basics/)

As to the idea of a special forum, I don't see the need of it as long as everyone is clear on how much experience they have.

[mach_zero]

Yes we can stick threads, once someone comes up with a good FAQ or something that belongs on top of the forum list.

I also think a sticky thread is a good idea, but should be more basic that a rewritten FAQ. It should probably be something like:

1. How to search these forums.

2. A list of common links with noobie info, like fedorfaq.org, linuxcommand.org, tuxfiles.org, linuxquestions.org, etc....

3. How to ask for help - Telling them what kind of info they should commonly include to get a faster response without someone having to ask for it first (i.e. GNOME or KDE, FC3 or FC4, i386 or x86_64, etc..)

Something along those lines anyway. If you like the idea, I will work on something and you can tell me what you think before I post it. And if anyone else would like to collaborate or contribute please let me know.

My two cents.

[sayeeth]

I also think a sticky thread is a good idea, but should be more basic that a rewritten FAQ. It should probably be something like:

1. How to search these forums.

2. A list of common links with noobie info, like fedorfaq.org, linuxcommand.org, tuxfiles.org, linuxquestions.org, etc....

3. How to ask for help - Telling them what kind of info they should commonly include to get a faster response without someone having to ask for it first (i.e. GNOME or KDE, FC3 or FC4, i386 or x86_64, etc..)

Something along those lines anyway. If you like the idea, I will work on something and you can tell me what you think before I post it. And if anyone else would like to collaborate or contribute please let me know.

My two cents.

Some of these information are already in the Posting Guidelines. Maybe the posting guidelines need a little revamp? How about when a user registers, an automatic email is sent to them regarding the newly updated Posting Guidelines?

[mach_zero]

Some of these information are already in the Posting Guidelines.

Hm. So they are. Perhaps a sticky that says something like "Read this before posting" with a link to the guidlines page in each of the Fedora Support forums as well as an email wouldn't hurt, either. IIRC you're not required to read the guidlines when you register and to be honest the link at the top of the page doesn't catch your eye right away (never even noticed it myself until sayteeth just pointed it out).

[lajnus]

Yeah a new thread where you're allowed to ask stupied quetions would be great.
Sure you should search the forum before ask. But as myself a beginner in the linux world, i just don't know what to search. I mean i have a problem but don't really know what it is, so it'll be great with a forum where you could ask these stupied questions. The fedorafaq covers some, but not all... And most of the other sources tend to have that you have to be a computer engineer to understand.
I've spent my last 4 days of googleling, you get tierd after a while. I'm afraid of asking to must becuase you end upp with the replies "try google" "read the fedorafaq"
Other forums has this thing and it works great!

[giulix]

Oh please, please, pleeeeease... don't take away noobies' questions. They are what makes this forum great. I registered only 5 days ago and I am already totally addicted to it. Leave it as it is, pleeeeeeeease :) :) :)

P.S. How long since last post before it's considered gravedigging ? :D