Thread: General Question and Answer Database Idea

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