Thread: General Question and Answer Database Idea

Originally Posted by Bart

Straightrazorplace could use a far more elaborated information section, than it has now. I still think a wiki has superior cross-referencing capabilities that would help the user finding his way in the vast amount of facts.

I would agree with you Bart that wiki is very helpful and is a powerful tool when managed the right way. However I for one do not have the experience to go into that. Wiki also has a far less personable and more clinical appearance than SRP. Too cold and unfriendly for my taste.

Originally Posted by Bart

I asked a direct question on the forum, giving as much information as possible about what I did and why I did it. I received a heartwarming amount of answers. .... some said "more polishing on the coticule", others "more strokes on 4000", some suggested buying a DMT1200. ..... excuse me for not seeing how that guy was helped.

I take your point Bart to a certain extent but...

Originally Posted by Bart

.... for a newbie seeking some guidance while taking his first steps with the straigt, it leaves a lot to be desired.

I cannot DISAGREE with you any stronger on this point. Whilst alot of advice may be given to each problem that is the forums strength. It is taken as a given that even the greenest 'cook' as your analogy goes would not insert ALL the suggested ingredients. I think the forum credits its newbies with enough common sense to go back to their razor and think... "No I think i'm doing my stropping right.... perhaps it IS my honing after all..." or to write additional posts saying things like "I have had alot of practice with the preparation in the past with no such difficulties, so I dont think that is the problem."

The reason for the FAQ's therefore is to try and solve some of the simpler queries that regularly get asked and answered. If people still arent sure after that (or if they simply need the more individual guidance you speak of) then the forums are here.

Sandy

Lets all keep our shirts on here! I certainly hope I have not detected a note shrillness.

I do believe that a set of FAQ ( or similar approach) is useful to newb's. If that does not answer their questions then the forums should be used. Failing that then a mentor approach is called for. My webcam, phone and home are always available.

Originally Posted by randydance062449

I do believe that a set of FAQ ( or similar approach) is useful to newb's. If that does not answer their questions then the forums should be used. Failing that then a mentor approach is called for. My webcam, phone and home are always available.

This is the kind of approach and generosity no wiki could match .. I've only just got a webcam and skype and if and when I'm confident enough I will also offer assistance to a newbie in this way .. you can't beat it IMHO . I've watched a couple of memebers vids on various sites .. especially honing , all have different styles but produce the same results , just like the varied answers you get from returned thread
post .. one idea might seem alien whereas another members suggestion may be that light switch moment where it all slots into place ..

I love reading the different ideas ...

Garry

Originally Posted by Garry

This is the kind of approach and generosity no wiki could match .. I've only just got a webcam and skype and if and when I'm confident enough I will also offer assistance to a newbie in this way .. you can't beat it IMHO . I've watched a couple of memebers vids on various sites .. especially honing , all have different styles but produce the same results , just like the varied answers you get from returned thread
post .. one idea might seem alien whereas another members suggestion may be that light switch moment where it all slots into place ..

I love reading the different ideas ...

Garry

Feel free to contact me on Skype at any time.

Some random thoughts:

For honing questions (probably the most common),
I find that they usually develop into a pupil-tutor
situation. When the questioner seems to connect
with one of the experts on the board, most of the
other folks who chimed in with advice usually back
off. This can work well for the pupil, but requires
extreme patience from the tutor.

A Wiki is a pretty nice idea, but individual attention
is what makes SRP a community rather than an info
repository.

- Scott

I think Bart has a good point. The heart of a form is it's users. After a year I still do a lot of lurking and still post dumb worn out questions and have been scolded for it making me feel like like an idiot. I like the personal touch of being answered even if it is gerenic as wildtim's wife does. I think the newbie section is for this purpose. If a question comes up that the moderators find to be too basic or boring they should politely move it to the newbie section. The seasoned shavers should then occasionaly look there and see if they can offer any help. I value the advice of our seasoned members and am still amazed that Lynn takes the time to answer my dumb questions. And AFDavis and Randy are always holding a honeing hand. This should be fun and offer a long distance social setting for people with a common intrest.

I like the idea of a FAQ but it is all ready here in the form of "sticky" posts it just needs compiled. And a mentor as Bart brought up would help people who want the personal interaction. I my lodge a new canadate is assigned a coach to help him learn and answer questions no matter how dumb. When I take a canadate to coach I try to anticipate and answer questions before they ask. I think this makes the preson feel more comfortable in an already intimadating setting.


Don

It's human nature to make things way too complicated. Keep it simple. Keep the "Q&A database" relatively small by design.

Maybe a single page with links to the main categories. After each categories "top sticky" leave the category thread open for all opinion replies. (Yeah, I know, it's the B&B model. It seems to work, and with minimal maintenance from admins...)

However it's organized, if it's too complicated then it won't get used. As always, the forum will still be there for specific, more detailed questions/problems.

Originally Posted by Wildtim

Still the biggest problem is that few read stickies. Even if they are in bold and highlighted with flashing neon arrows everyone thinks their problem is unique and just starts their own thread.

On another board, one about German Shepherds, that my wife administers she actually has a collection of basic information articles saved that she pulls up changes the names then posts, over and over again. These answer the basic questions and she get amazing compliments for her "thoughtful, insightful" posts.

For those of us that don't like to type or provide links, we can do like Wildtim's wife and go to the "Q&A Database" and do some creative copy&pastes (another great idea, IMO). The new guys will think, "Boy, the answers from them fella's over at SRP sure are consistent!"

I AM SO CONFUSED!!!!

Am I doing the right thing in starting the thread I started? Am I going about it all wrong? Do we still even want it done that way? Should I just jack the thing in now?

Originally Posted by sidneykidney

I AM SO CONFUSED!!!!

Am I doing the right thing in starting the thread I started? Am I going about it all wrong? Do we still even want it done that way? Should I just jack the thing in now?

However you start it, the first organization method you use will be harder to change later. I'd check with 2 or 3 people who have more experience than I do regarding "How to organize it" right from the start. Maybe check into two or more existing examples? "Old admins" should be invaluable with that. JMO.


EDIT: One way is to follow Flanny's "sticky" example for linking topics/categories. While we're at it I nominate that Flanny's "sticky" be included as a link (or otherwise) in the Q&A category "new members read this".

Originally Posted by sidneykidney

I agree with this too. Having a seperate FAQ listing 'who does what services' will be less work for me as changing the one list will be easier. It will also mean the thread does not start to answer multiple questions. A more uselful way would be to link any additional questions that might be asked from this thread. ie at the bootom of the page have a questions such as 'Who can make my razor shave ready?' etc... and have that link to the list of vendors (amongst whom will be the honemeisters). Does that make sense? Do you agree?

Have one "master-FAQ thread". Use an outline form if you want. This will be nothing more than links to each general topic. i.e.

• New guys read this first
• Hones
• Strops
• Razors
• Vendors/Services
  
  • Commercial
  • Hobbyists
  • Etc...etc...
• Lather Up
  • Soaps
  • Brushes
  • Etc...etc...

Each topic can be it's own thread with the thread left open for suggestions and dissenting opinions. Incorporate the neat dissenting opinions/techniques into the "top sticky" in that particular thread when appropriate. This'll help keep the suggestions in the same thread category and might simplify the admin problem overall, too.

Open up a thread right now and ask all the older forum members to recommend at least 3 members as "good references" in each topic area. I'd contact the 3 or 4 forum members in each category that were most highly respected in each relevant topic and see if they would be interested in creating a sticky (or copying stuff they have already posted into one). As an example: Randy is a no-brainer in my opinion for the honing topic, but I haven't been here that long. Also grab those who already have a sticky in each topic; if they went to the trouble to create/assemble a sticky in the first place, I would assume they have an interest in that particular topic. (Use any existing sticky that already exists for a topic, it may need little or no updating as is). You could also just ask members to recommend posts that have been the most helpful to them, as a newb or an experienced user.

Furthermore on reflection I think we should consider re-vamping all the descriptions. That way an official FAQ which may come accross as more SRP endorsed (as I think one post alluded to) would be more impartial. I think any list should state simply the Users name in real life, their username on SRP, their URL, their location and exactly what they do. How well they do it is a matter of opinion and is therefore something best discussed in the forums with both vendors and other members. I would not send my razor to someone unless they had had positive feedback on the forum.

Any thoughts on this? Am I off the mark?

I wouldn't lump the "hobbyist" service providers alongside the "real" commercial concerns (those that are a true ongoing business concern with a business/tax license). I suspect most hobbyists won't want their full name listed in an open forum. I agree with you about leaving quality concerns to the forums as it is now. Some quality concerns can be very subjective.

YMMV