How to get assistance (quickly)

[Mirror_Image]

If you want accurate and timely assistance, please fill out the "Computer Details" section near the bottom portion of your Profile. It only takes about a minute to fill it out, and then you can forget about it. This great feature frees you from having to type your PCs basic specs, hardware config and OS, etc.

Having this info readily available for a browsing potential helper greatly increases your chances of getting the info you need, because you gave the helper the info they need to try and arrive at a potential solution to your problem. The less the troubleshooter has to ask you, the more likely he is to hit the "reply" button.

If you haven't filled out the "Computer Details" section of your Profile, please go do so! It's easy; just look up at the top of the boards, and click that "Profile" thing, then scroll down and fill the "Computer Details" portion out.

(It won't guarantee you a respnse, but it will greatly increase your chances).

[D_Knife]

Absolutley Mirror_Image, I couldn't agree more with you.

An detailed as possible - not just things like
CPU - 1Ghz
RAM - lots
HDD - why yes, a couple actually
videocard - Nvidia Geforce2MX rev 1.035goat made on Tuesday afternoon
mainboard - yes I have one
...
..
.
DVD burner - no send me some money to buy one

I mean decent details - like manufacturers or as much useful info
look at mine or Mirror_imageif you need an idea - I'm not saying my machine is the best or I have provided all the information possible, but you can tell easily what I have and what sort of problems I might have.

[D_Knife]

Actually Mirror_Image, I just looked at your machine profile and I apologise if I parodied you just then
I saw your HDD profile - lots


Again sorry

[D_Knife]

Also (you can tell I'm on a run )
it would not kill you to fill in the personal information, the location at least, just a city and counrty is close enough.
It might help if we know whether your using NTSC or PAL be default.

[Mirror_Image]

I saw your HDD profile - lots

I laughed when I read that - I remembered what I put for hard drive specs ("lots", haha). Ah, well, I never ask questions anyway (still, it wouldn't kill me to be a bit more detailed).

Good idea on the NTSC/PAL thing!

[tgpo]

I knew it would help people! Glad ya'll like the new option.

[macleod]

OK - another rant and rave about people's posts

How about a better description for a subject line besides helppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp

or

Helpppppppppppp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 MEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

or

gotta question

(I can go on and on here)

I have been using the forum for a month or so now and have been trying (sometimes "trying" is the operative word) to help people, but my pet peeve (one of them anyway) are these stupid (yes stupiddescriptions).

Another thing. This forum has a SEARCH function. I try to do the courteous thing (or rather the only ask for help when I am at my wits end) and look through the search function for key words and read whatever I can. If I am still at a loss, I'll ask a question. Y'all know where I am coming from, you see 50 posts for "how do I rip a DVD?" and of course, "HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!) and the post right above it says "HELPPPPPPPPPPPP!!! How do I rip a DVD".

And finally, the absolutism (is that even a real word) that people use. I have seen a number of posts that will talk about, for example, ATI TV cards are crap (who knows I may have even posted one myself) or this process is the "way" to do something (outside of a guide).

I am hoping (note, no use of absolutism) that my sentiments echoes other peoples' feelings on the subject. I hope the one of the moderators could put something out there, pop up, etc. that makes people think about what they are writing.

Now that I am done with that, I really do enjoy MOST of the forum (with those exceptions). There is a lot of good info on here and my experiences have been pretty good with giving and receiving info on how to make movies,etc. I just ask for the people of the forum to think a little (myself included) before they ask a question.....

[Mirror_Image]

Yes, your subject line should hint at your problem. I must admit, however, that I am snared by the word "please", for two reasons:

1. It is unusual to see a question asked with a courteous subject line, and (if possible) the extra effort should be rewarded with a response.

2. Taking the extra few keystrokes to spell out "please" rather than "PLZ or "PLS" also deserves a reward for the effort.