LQ Zero Reply Drive

mzsade · 10-15-2009, 11:27 PM

I have to admit that i subscribed to the Zero reply e-mail more to use it as learning tool than a 'burning' desire to help, not that i wouldn't if i could...

blackhole54 · 10-16-2009, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XavierP

But the zero reply queue is purely for those threads that have no replies at all. The main queues are for threads that have replies but are still unsolved. And, if I create a thread, I should be the one to deem it solved or unsolved. If I'm happy with a resolution and mark it solved I really would not want someone else to change that because my solution wasn't their solution.

I agree that it should be up to the OP whether to mark a thread "solved" or not. But I think a little more consideration should be given to the fact that simply asking for more information bumps a thread off of zero reply. Zero reply, I would assume, is there to draw attention to threads that have not yet had any. Yet, if (frequently through the inexperience or absent mindedness of the OP) not enough information was provided, a post of "more info please" is required, the functional status off that thread still has not changed -- it still needs as much attention as when there were no replies. Indeed this situation is true through the response of the OP (hopefully providing the info). Maybe a button could be provided to allow the request for more info w/o bumping off of zero reply? If it is thought this might be confusing to some or would be abused, maybe only present the button to members with enough post to demonstrate they understand what LQ is about?

I am not saying what I have outlined above is the exact answer. There may be a much better way I haven't thought of. But I don't think the suggestion (whoever raised it, above) that simply asking for more info should not bump a thread of zero-reply should be summarily dismissed. (I appologize to English teachers everywhere for that last sentence. I simply could not figure out a way to make it less clumsy!

)

XavierP · 10-16-2009, 08:13 PM

If you create a thread with insufficient information it is unlikely to be answered. Simply ignoring the thread until the OP fills out the details will only work in a very small number of cases. Therefore, the logical next step is to ask for more information, surely? The zero reply area should not be seen as a sacred cow, where only answers are allowed - if I need more info to be able to help someone, I should ask in the thread. Otherwise, we would have to email the poster to fill out the details and would overflow their inbox quickly. Also, I don't have the time to email every poster with little to no info in their thread.

Len Tyree · 10-17-2009, 01:28 AM

jeremy:

i think having the zero drive is a good thing, and i fully support it, i will look at it and maybe help??

i am a COBOL programmer, usually on IBM or Microsoft equipment, and really am not prepared to be of much help to the many questions asked, but i will try. i have not been into linux that long, but i love it.

it would also be helpful if the questioner only asked about one problem at a time; on one thread. although there maybe several related problems, try to just ask one per question, but you may ask as many as desired at one time.

i also note that not all of the responders are addressing the main question that you have asked;
"we're considering making the LQ Zero Reply Drive a regular occurrence. Visit http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...-drive-758562/ to let us know what you think."
or am I being nit-pikky?http://e1h7.simplecdn.net/lqcdn/imag...s_lq/icon5.gif

thank you, len tyree.

wabbalee · 10-17-2009, 06:18 AM

I haven't read the whole thread, sorry, busy life at the moment. But I have read the first page and looked at the Zero reply list and with my little knowledge I can see why some of the questions are likely to end up in this list as some of these are too specialized in something only another 'insider' would know more about. So, is it possible to create a system that helps getting such questions quicker to the attention of a more likely member that may have the knowledge to answer such questions better? Existing Members will have to update their profiles and place ticks in boxes (still to be implemented by LQ site admins) boxes that will help them to see such questions first upon login to LQ website. Just a thought. Not sure how to categorize each specialism but I would say that 'medical' could be one, 'professional audio' could be another if you can see my point. Don't know if this would add any extra value to LQ.

ron

nxja · 10-28-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixellany

I have to catch a bus

sorry, I can't help you with that problem :-)

Quote:

, but I do have some quick thoughts on this.

When I have browsed the zero-reply list, there have been quite a few things that were pretty specialized and/or obscure (An elegant way of saying "above my pay grade".) What if there could be some "super-gurus" recruited who would agree to deal with some of the toughies at regular intervals---or perhaps upon getting a special notice.

yeah, i'm paygrade-challenged (pre-paygrade in my case)

Quote:

Another category is the questions that I--for one--simply get tired of answering. Could we build some canned responses for--eg--"how do I setup dual-boot", or the ever-popular "Which Linux is best".

yeah, well... translate that question to: "which point n shoot desktop livecd should i download to try various common usage?" the answers are obvious (ubuntu, often). And if the newb likes photography, add that term to a search similar to: http://www.google.com/search?tbo=1&t...+inurl%3Aforum

Quote:

I would not mind clicking the canned response while browsing around the forum with the brain set on low..........

i check the 0replies posts because I can answer those "dumb" questions (and windows questions).
I need also say that finding the url or outline of the exact pertinent terminology, is very valuable. there's much "almost" exact info (because situations vary in extensive details). So the only way a newb can differentiate "almost" from "exactly", is by spending another 54 (guesstimate) hours sifting, and trying. researching is educational only if "the newb" persists. (this is also true for macs and must be true for windows)

NightSky · 10-30-2009, 01:34 PM

Sorry i saw this post late... How about a Flashing Zero Reply Penguin as a link to zero reply que? Then i wldn't miss it when I goto Forums Tab.
Some of the remarks about newbies are poor reflection of linux spirit. Sometimes newbies need to be instructed on howto use search tools.
I will always be a newbie because i have no OS, Programing or otherwise Computer Training. My entire computer technology experience has be shaped by internet forums both Windows and Linux.
Arrogance and impatience is not a privilege of intellectual prowess but rather the antithesis of knowledge.
There is no shame in not knowing a thing or ignorance unless it is knowingly self perpetuated with conscious decision. Like being rude (hurtful)as i have experienced well its just hurtful.

I will be more than happy to give back or share what i have been taught here and else where. Thank you Jeremy for all yours other's hard work.

nxja · 10-31-2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackhole54

But I don't think the suggestion (whoever raised it, above) that simply asking for more info should not bump a thread of zero-reply should be summarily dismissed. (I appologize to English teachers everywhere for that last sentence. I simply could not figure out a way to make it less clumsy!

)

I'm not an English teacher but... "appologize" is spelled "apologize"! :-)

I'll try declumsifying your run-on sentence (though declumsifying is not a real word, lash, lash!):
Someone here (above) suggested that in a zero-reply thread, a replier's question** should not bump that thread out of the zero-replies***
I ((blackhole54)) think this suggestion is worth considering.

** (ie, requesting more info - not providing an answer)
*** the zero-reply feed or zero-reply post filter.

do you like that "deciphering"? :-)

nxja · 10-31-2009, 05:21 PM

there are a lot of buttons on these forums. it would be easy to not see the "solved" button. It's also easy to not know whether the problem is solved until much later. it takes time to try out the suggestion(s) and the possible variants of those suggestions, including whatever googling the whole internet may bring up (all outside of the thread).

I've often seen other forums apply a "timeout" or "closed due to inactivity (after 10 days)". AFAIK, usually mods manually close threads, but a timeout could be automatic.
but does the forumware provides that feature? if so, then forumware should also allow some manually applied exceptions. the "stickied" property is well-known exception.

I wonder if also perhaps certain threads are appropriately "medium term" so they shouldn't die if read often, but rarely attract new posts?

XavierP · 10-31-2009, 06:50 PM

Threads are never auto-closed here. In the thread tools at the top of the page, the thread starter has the option to mark it as [Solved] or [Unsolved]. Threads do show a message after an amount of time that they are old and it may be better to start a new thread rather than resurrect an old one.

Vale of Dallas Texas · 11-17-2009, 06:50 PM

Let's try and think of the zero's as lost penguin egg's. Help Help Help!!!

Help is on the way little penguins.

Happy Hunting, rabid demons!

dibblm · 11-23-2009, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w_r_cromwell

Hi,

I've looked at a few of the replies so far. I am not really in a good place to help with most of the questions I see here but I have helped a few people over the time I've been on LQ. I have also found a lot of help for issues of my own or on behalf of others in my local community.

The biggest problem is knowing when to not rant about people who "won't" do their own searches <never in public>. Too often a search only turns up 700 rants and no solutions. Fortunately that is rare on LQ. Why would newbies (or anybody else) ever want to do a search if thats all they are going to find? The comments about people who really don't even know "what" to search for or what question to ask are spot on.

I am reluctant to post to many of the threads so as not to add useless bulk. One search process involves looking for threads that have several replies. It's disappointing if all the replies are rants or "me too" replies. I don't have computer science degrees or (gawd!) Microsoft certs, just a lot of experience that used to be referred to as a "power user". A lot of the questions I see here are not in the same woods where I work so I would be barking up the wrong tree if I reply. That probably accounts for a lot of zero reply threads. I'm sure other people here do know when to keep quiet if they have nothing helpful to add.

Finally... I thought I had subscribed to a zero reply notification in the past. I remember seeing a list from time to time from LQ that I looked at to see if I could accidentally help somebody. I don't know how that might have been turned off. I'm going to reconnect to that.

I'm going back to my lurker status now.

Bill

I do not agree with what you stated. Im actually a 30 year veteran however new to linux and what Im finding is that there are alot of posts relevant to what Im searching for however when attempting to follow the steps provided they either do not work because of version changes or something similiar.

For instance.. I posted a thread regarding getting help installing squidGuard. I have had 0 replies and yes have been searching for days without any link that so calls hits the spot to why squidGuard isn't working for me.

So stating that users don't do their own searches is not relevant. However newer people to this technology also dont know yet what pieces to do searches on.

Instead of saying we dont search. Maybe you just give us tips on what to search for.

jeremy · 02-24-2010, 02:16 PM

We'd like to have another Zero Reply Drive and I'm currently considering March 2-4 as a target. I'd like some feedback on that though. I'm also interested in ways you think we should promote the next Zero Reply Drive and ways we could encourage participation.

--jeremy

tallship · 02-24-2010, 02:18 PM

I'm not going to say that I always have the time and inclination to jump and respond to the zero response emails. Because I don't.

I have, however, really enjoyed receiving these emails in my inbox and when there's a lull I take the time to skim the topics and post to help out where I can.

The notion here is that everyone who is subscribed to this has an opportunity to occasionally see and determine whether they have a moment to assist someone who has a predicament that can be addressed.

Not only does it feel good to 'give back', but as far as karma goes, we've all been there and needed a helping hand.

Being subscribed to the zero posts service offers us the opportunity to give back in situations that would have gone unnoticed otherwise, helping to ensure that more issues are addressed, by the collective of people that are now more likely to be aware that someone needs their expertise.

I really enjoy belonging to the service, and something that many people may not realize that discount it, is that sometimes, you see a problem in your inbox that although you may not have the answer for, it's a problem you're having that is actually being addressed, allowing you to participate and learn from.

I thin this program has been a big success - if not for just me, then the whole LQ community at large, in little pieces, spread out over the entire list of people who are subscribed to this serivice.

Jeremy, Keep up the good work dude!

jeremy · 02-24-2010, 02:21 PM

For those of you not familiar with the Zero Reply Email, you can enable it by going to MyLQ -> Edit Options (http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...do=editoptions) and checking "Receive Zero Reply Email". Once enabled you'll get a nightly digest email with links to Zero Reply threads.

--jeremy