[dinotech]

I've seen other sites allow the topic starter to mark a topic as resolved, but most do not, and when they do it prevents others that may have the same problem from adding to the topic.

I'm a big fan of help desk software where you would resolve a ticket and create a knowledge base for future reference. As a system administrator of a forum, you probably want a viewer to read about resolving an issue versus rather than pasting the same issue twice. Of course, not all issues start in the same context of others. However, if we cannot add a tag to show a topic closed or resolved, maybe we can have a section on the forum that has resolve issues where a topic creator can message an admin to "move" the topic from the active forum section to the resolved forum section.

What are the storage requirements for an active forum such as this one? What is the projected growth?

I love IP Board - find it much more user friendly than PHPBB, Vbullitin or other forum types. Proboards.com is second.

[Advertisements]

Wow, moving posts to a resolved forum sounds like it would add a lot of extra work for us (speaking as one of the admins that would be getting pmed). Also, it means topics would no longer be in the appropriate forum, i.e., a resolved Windows XP would no longer be in the XP forum. That means people might have to search in multiple places if they're researching a particular issue. Also, many users may not bother to let us know when an issue has been resolved, so how would we know to move it? I'm just thinking in terms of how much time I already spend each day helping to admin here already (added to the time spent by other admins); this in addition to time spent responding to posts and our other responsibilities.

[sari]

Wow, moving posts to a resolved forum sounds like it would add a lot of extra work for us (speaking as one of the admins that would be getting pmed). Also, it means topics would no longer be in the appropriate forum, i.e., a resolved Windows XP would no longer be in the XP forum. That means people might have to search in multiple places if they're researching a particular issue. Also, many users may not bother to let us know when an issue has been resolved, so how would we know to move it? I'm just thinking in terms of how much time I already spend each day helping to admin here already (added to the time spent by other admins); this in addition to time spent responding to posts and our other responsibilities.

[admin]

The biggest problem with resolved forums is that people find the resolved topics via search engine, but aren't able to reply, or even start a new topic in that forum. Enough of a bother to cause many people to simply hit back, and select the next search engine result. Not to mention the extra work that Sari noted.

The forum database is currently about 8GB, of course it takes much more space for logs, backups, etc. Future projections? More. Especially as logs used for malware removal continue to grow.

I think vBulletin forum software is the best. Especially for large sites. However, when this site was started IPB was free, and vB was $150.

[dinotech]

I guess the search engine feature is good enough. What about a common template for new posts? Or is it just an unwritten rule to format your posts correctly without enforcement?

My issue is that when I use the global search, I get x number of hits. If I use more than one term or combine terms I may or may not get hits. Also, with so many posts here, it would take forever to review ALL the posts to see if they have been resolved (one could go to the end of the thread and find out )

Any other solutions on how to make the forum efficient?

Thanks for reading!

Dinotech

[jaxisland]

What about a new section on virtualization. A section to just deal with the suggestions, recommendations, install, and support for all things virtual. I know that virtualization for the home user is very rare right now, but maybe we can be on the leading edge.

Just a thought I had as I was answering a VM question. Overall as usual, great site and I love this place!

Thanks for everything G2G!!!!

[tyler kick you fase]

I have an idea, maybe you could make a test forum were people can freely test out things like canned reply's, pics, gif images, and etc?

[DragonMaster Jay]

Hello!

I notice sometimes when I go to log in on the log in page, the transition screen will say that I am now logged on as DragonMaster Jay -- but when it returns to the Board Index, it does not show me as logged in. (No name/profile links, private forums, etc.)

Edit: I do not know if it is a browser caching problem, or if temp files need cleaned, but it happens the most on Public machines.

Edited by DragonMaster Jay, 28 May 2009 - 08:11 AM.

[keithr128]

I have an idea, maybe you could make a test forum were people can freely test out things like canned reply's, pics, gif images, and etc?

Try this.

[tyler kick you fase]

I have an idea, maybe you could make a test forum were people can freely test out things like canned reply's, pics, gif images, and etc?

Try this.

Thanks, that really helps .

[admin]

I notice sometimes when I go to log in on the log in page, the transition screen will say that I am now logged on as DragonMaster Jay -- but when it returns to the Board Index, it does not show me as logged in. (No name/profile links, private forums, etc.)

Edit: I do not know if it is a browser caching problem, or if temp files need cleaned, but it happens the most on Public machines.

Like most every site that requires a login, we use a cookie to maintain your online presence. Our cookie is a secure cookie that's intended for only one user, and it may choke on public machines. This is by design for the security of your account, and the security of the site.

[DragonMaster Jay]

Excellent. That explains a lot! Thank you.

[JimKY50]

Though I have only been on here a few days (3)I am totally impressed with the degree of dedication and knowledge that is exhibted. I entere the chat channel and "waited" my turn and a solution to my problem was suggested, it worked. This was after I had contacted Intel to resolve the situation and they either could not or would not. Once again thanks for being there.
A suggestion, as I found you by mistake a "refer us if satisfied"

section might be nice.

[Apow]

Great website, it would be nice if you guys could add a button to mark as "solved" ;]

[Troy]

Great website, it would be nice if you guys could add a button to mark as "solved" ;]

That's actually a really good idea. I know that in the malware forum they have some form of option when the thread is finished that changes the title, I wonder if it would be worth considering for other areas? I wouldn't mind it in some of the OS/Hardware/Software sections.

[ScHwErV]

That option has been discussed repeatedly, more times can I care to remember.

When a malware log is clean, we have verification of that. With hardware/software problems, you can never really be sure if the machine is fixed. You may have dealt with a symptom and think things are going well, but the problem comes back in a few days.

In short, it will likely not ever happen. Thanks for your feedback!