Looking for suggestions for announcement
I'm thinking about posting an announcement (a post that will always
appear at the top). The topic I'm thinking about is "READ THIS BEFORE
POSTING".
The content would be something like this:
This forum is for discussions about generic types. This forum isnot
for general questions about Java technology. If you are new to the Java
platform, please have a look at "Java Essentials"
(http://forum.java.sun.com/category.jspa?categoryID=5).
Angelika Langer maintains a comprehensive list of answers to
frequently asked questions (FAQ):
http://www.angelikalanger.com/GenericsFAQ/JavaGenericsFAQ.html
I'm very interested in any comments and opinions that regulars
on this forum have before I post this. Unfortunately, I have not
been reading the forum for a while, so I want to make sure this
still captures the general consensus.
[932 byte] By [
PeterAhea] at [2007-11-26 12:19:58]
# 1
The forum has the abilitiy to create a special announcement post.
There is an example on this forum:
http://forum.java.sun.com/forum.jspa?forumID=534
I have been wanting an admin to use it on the Java Programming Forum, but they haven't so far. Seems like it would be appropriate for your idea as well.
# 2
I have the ability to create such a post on this forum and I'm lookingfor input on what it should say.
# 3
Peter,
I think that would be a great idea. I for one have given up answering many of the questions on here simply because they are so basic that it appears the poster hasn't made any effort to figure things out for themselves and I therefore have no faith that they will do so once I've helped them toward the answer (sorry... given them the answer).
# 4
It would be a great thing to have such a posting, but I'd wonder how to attract people to read it before posting. Currently, the introductory text above the thread listing already tells about the purpose of this forum, but still ... Maybe it's only about visibility and a big lettered "READ THIS ..." suffices the needs. Hints on the Essentials and FAQ are great, maybe a hint on how to use this forums search capabilities would do good, too.
€dit: Oh, and maybe some hints on how to post (meaningful title, use of code-tag), although they are mentioned centrally (but mostly ignored).
# 5
Stefan,
Good suggestions, thank you.
Currently, the introductory text above the thread listing already tells about the purpose
of this forum, but still ... Maybe it's only about visibility and a big lettered "READ THIS ..."
suffices the needs.
I think the text describing the purpose of the forum blends in with all the other
information up there. Personally, I would have a hard time noticing it. An
announcement is a message that always appears as the first discussion. Unfortunately,
it looks a little bit different (which may make some people skip it). But it is a start and I
have more ideas in case we don't get the desired effect.
See also:
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9710a.html
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/reading_pattern.html
Cheers,
Peter
# 6
> Currently, the introductory text above the thread
> listing already tells about the purpose
> of this forum, but still ... Maybe it's only about
> visibility and a big lettered "READ THIS ..."
> suffices the needs.
BTW, you surely have noticed that the introductory text ("discussion of the proposed extension of the Java Programming Language...") is appr. two years out of date, haven't you?!
# 7
BTW, you surely have noticed that the introductory text ("discussion of the proposed
extension of the Java Programming Language...") is appr. two years out of date, haven't
you?!
Yes. However, I believe that nobody reads it.
Also, currently I only have the ability to post an announcement. I want to post something
that the community agrees with. Perhaps there will be a few iterations on the wording of
the announcement and when it is ready I'll investigate how to change the description.
# 8
> Yes. However, I believe that nobody reads it.
Indeed. Have a look at the JavaMail forum, where Bill Shannon hangs out and answers all the questions. Although the verbiage at the top of the forum page contains a link to the FAQ, I would guess that over half of Bill's answers are "The answer is in the FAQ".
# 9
@PeterJust to revive this great idea ... wouldn't you think, such an announcement could save you some time you spend for all the "this is not about general questions" postings? Even, if it only states, what the forum is and is not about.
