Require Computer Details BEFORE Allowing Posting

[SLK001]

Many noobs are jumping on the forum and saying things like,

"My capture card doesn't work properly. What should I do?",

then they provide details about neither their card nor their system. Since even beginning to help this poor individual with his problem starts with a basic understanding of his system specs, I would suggest that the COMPUTER DETAILS in our profiles be filled out before someone can post.

Now there are some individuals who may not want to share this data with the community, so I suggest we add an option that says "I do not care to share this information." Checking this would also count as having completed their COMPUTER DETAILS, but at least this would force them to look at the COMPUTER DETAILS page in their profile.

[redwudz]

I agree in principal, but we should also point them to a utility that will glean that information from their computer. Some people visiting here don't know what brand their computer is or what OS they are using, let alone what the internal components and specifications are.

Suggestions of a good utility? I like SIW, but it maybe gives the newbies too much info.

EDIT: Maybe a program that would just get the info that is suggested in the computer profile.

From the Information Page:

Operating System:
CPU Speed:
Harddrive space:
RAM Memory:
Video Card:
Motherboard:
CD-ROM:
DVD-ROM:
CD Writer:
DVD Writer:
Capture Card:
Standalone DVD Player:
Other:

Any thoughts on this?

[waheed]

System Spec:

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Info/System-Spec.shtml

[Nelson37]

You are suggesting that these people first download, then install, then run, then accurately copy this information to their profile, when they are too lazy/stupid to know what operating system they have?

Then what do we do with the people who say "I made this DVD and it doesn't work", without mentioning what software and procedures they used?

I find that here, as well as in my business, I have to ask "what software are you using", or "what changes were made to the PC before the problem occurred" 2, 3, or even more times before getting the answer.
"Oh, you mean, like, a screen saver off the Internet?"

What I would suggest is a canned post, to be used by mods (or others) which states "We are sorry, but our crystal ball is broken this week. In order for anyone to help with your problem, which may involve either hardware, software, or a combination of both, it is necessary for you to supply that information. Your post will be held in an unseen area of this board and will receive no replies until the needed details are given."

This would save a lot of frustration and wasted time spent prodding them for what they left out.

[Almost Human]

But just look at all the neat opportunities to flame people that we would miss out on!

[ZAPPER]

Seems like a fair idea. I know that there are some programs that can do some of the basics. Like when I was shopping around for memory, some sites had a click here button that would pull up your specs to see what memory was compatible with your system (or was it when I was looking to udgrade my CPU?) At any rate it is a step in the right direction. I don't know about making it manditory, but putting the decline option in an obscure location on the screen might be a good little trick.

This site is so full of information that automation towards info gathering and locating can only help.

[jimmalenko]

The other thing to remember is that it is only a very few select members here (comparitively) who are really "into" this hobby or computers in general - and quite a lot of other members know how to read brand names off a box or quote, but that's about it. Then there's the rest, and to them, the specs of their computer is that "the box is gray"

[Noahtuck]

Yeah i started a thread awhile back about this,
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=263297&highlight=
but i figure, if someone is going to be taking their pc apart and installing capture cards, ect. or what have you, gee, I sure would hope they at least new the spec's of their own "the box is gray" Mine is black by the way :P

I know, i know...... the world is a perfect place

But the utility links for getting their specs is a good idea

I just think most are too lazy to fill it out or don't want to :P

[lordsmurf]

What I would suggest is a canned post, to be used by mods (or others) which states "We are sorry, but our crystal ball is broken this week. In order for anyone to help with your problem, which may involve either hardware, software, or a combination of both, it is necessary for you to supply that information. ."

I like.

[Supreme2k]

Or maybe have a link (or two) while they're signing up that shows how to (for XP) click on Control Panel and System. Or on Apple, click on the upper-left apple and choose System Information (nah, we don't care about them).

[painkiller]

Too bad there isn't a P2P for their newbish hardware.

[redwudz]

OK, I don't want to take SLK001's thread over, but he has a great idea, IMO. Can someone write a simple program that would obtain the members info that would more or less automatically fill in the info usually requested by us to get a better picture of what kind of hardware the member has in his computer?

The one waheed points to is very close. Can some member with a little more smarts than me create a small program that would fill out the info page with as little bother as possible to newbies? I mean this is not a really big issue, but it would make it just a little easier to offer help. What do you think??

[painkiller]

It is doable.

First off, there are inventory-type programs out there that allow for scanning computers remotely and determing their total configuration.

Not just hardware, but software and their revision levels, too.

[VegasBud]

Allowing any program from the internet to run on your computer without first performing an intense investigation of the software is madness. The effort required to be sure it's safe certainly wouldn't be justified just to be able to post.

Only someone who is completely computer clueless is going to submit to a "system scan" from an unknown entity, just to be able to post on a board. That would virtually guarantee that the only people joining from then on would be the complete newbies that are bothering you.

Just my opinion, but if a newbie is irritating you so much that you don't want to help them, why not just ignore them, or flame them, whichever you want. It seems to be working here so far.

[painkiller]

Essentially, I agree with you.

Nevertheless, what do you think Microsoft's Windows Update does?

The fact is, such systems inventory software exists.

I know because my company uses it all the time.

[Nelson37]

Vegas, I agree with much of what you say. Running some unknown prog on my PC is strictly verboten.

Understand it is not one particular newbie. It is the endless, repetitive, continual parade of people who do not read the FAQ, ask ridiculous questions, and do not give the slightest amount of information in order to solve their problem, and never post back to say if the given answers actually helped them.

It gets old, tiring, and frustrating. If I didn't work in the PC business I would have difficulty believing people could be so stupid. But then, I see a high percentage of people who think the monitor is the PC, and have no idea what the box below the desk is.

So I'm left with either ignoring them, or occassionally really popping off on someone. It does provide a nice release.

But maybe one of these newbies will find the trick for easily capturing HD feeds, or discover a hardware tweak (by pure dumb luck, there ARE a lot of them) that gives a quality or ease-of-use improvement. Over time, they may actually learn and become useful members of this community.

For this reason, I don't think we want to scare them off. But the frustration of endlessly asking "what software, what procedures, what codec, for the love of God give me something to work with" leads to the overly harsh response that many of us have resorted to. Then the newb goes away, wondering why we are all so mean.

That's why I suggested the canned response. There could be a "more info needed" button, perhaps for mods only, which would lock the post until the OP responded.

[ZAPPER]

I kind of like the idea of maybe presenting the "fill in your PC profile auotmatically" option. I don't think making it manditory will come off all that polite. Then if someone post a question that may require any details about there system, a responder could opt for the "Please use the auto profile filler" responce to get them to completley post the information.

I would be careful about adding any hard rules, as many folks just don't like strict authority

[SLK001]

I kind of like the idea of maybe presenting the "fill in your PC profile auotmatically" option. I don't think making it manditory will come off all that polite. Then if someone post a question that may require any details about there system, a responder could opt for the "Please use the auto profile filler" responce to get them to completley post the information.

I would be careful about adding any hard rules, as many folks just don't like strict authority

As long as there is an option to fill things in manually. My video editing system is different than my "posting" system.

[dphirschler]

A lot of people post from work as well.


Darryl

[rkr1958]

I agree in principal, but we should also point them to a utility that will glean that information from their computer. Some people visiting here don't know what brand their computer is or what OS they are using, let alone what the internal components and specifications are.

Suggestions of a good utility? I like SIW, but it maybe gives the newbies too much info.

EDIT: Maybe a program that would just get the info that is suggested in the computer profile.

From the Information Page:

Operating System:
CPU Speed:
Harddrive space:
RAM Memory:
Video Card:
Motherboard:
CD-ROM:
DVD-ROM:
CD Writer:
DVD Writer:
Capture Card:
Standalone DVD Player:
Other:

Any thoughts on this?

http://www.pcpitstop.com

[ZAPPER]

I hear Ya. I agree that in a "Real" editing bay editing should be going on, and not posting at a fourm. JK. Adding the feature would just be a handy tool for new users to use. And I do agree that a person has to be able to help themselves before anyone can really them any more.

[Baldrick]

Computer details has been required for new registered users for some months(check under your profile). I haven't fixed it for the old ones yet.

[mikesbytes]

Country should be mandatory too.

[Baldrick]

It is also mandatory for new users.

[Richard_G]

But unfortunately not for existing ones.... You know who you are, Nelson37, Supreme2k, painkiller and, more importantly, the man that started it all SLK001.

C'mon, practice what you preach, with differing video formats and standards, location is more important than pc spec.

[jimmalenko]

But unfortunately not for existing ones.... You know who you are, Nelson37, Supreme2k, painkiller and, more importantly, the man that started it all SLK001.

C'mon, practice what you preach, with differing video formats and standards, location is more important than pc spec.

Ahhhh yes .... but I think the point is that they know what video standard is appropriate to their part of the world though

[mikesbytes]

This may sound like a silly question, but are there any countries that have different video and/or TV standards in different parts of the country?

There are countries that have different electricty voltages and Hz.

[waheed]

EDIT

[ukb007]

Hey, waheed. Sorry for being off-topic.

There's an IP address in your signature. At first I thought it's my IP address the program in your signature has detected. Then I followed a number of your posts, and found out that the IP address is changing from post to post. So it cdan't be detecting my IP address (though this can be done). To assess whether OS and Browser info that was displayed is computer-specific, I'd have to look at your signature in other computers, which I haven't done yet.

Tell me. Thanks.

[redwudz]

ukb007, that's your IP address, at least as reported by his program.