Here is my favorite search engine:

http://waynesallee.com/search.php?qu...ts=50&search=1

It's more accurate than Google.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne@WayneSallee.com

I like LQ the way it is. The Android forum doesn't seem pleasing to my eye.

WikiTorial: good idea!
 

IMHO, this is a grand idea and rod should become famous for coining the word. I would take it a little further and urge the adoption of a wiki model for all this Q&A stuff; stacking an endless sequence of queries, suggestions, snarks and wisecracks makes it difficult to zero in on that nugget of useful information one is seeking. I confess to being impatient and failing to "read the instructions" before diving into these sorts of sites looking for answers; no doubt my frustration is mostly my own fault. But you may have observed that there are more lazy, impatient folks like me than knowledgeable, organized folks like you. If we could find a way to get everyone's constructive contributions in spite of human nature, that would be grand too, eh?

FWIW, we have a wiki, so this could be implemented (by members) at any time: http://wiki.linuxquestions.org/
Additionally, if you prefer a non-conversational Q&A format, we have that too: http://linuxexchange.org/

--jeremy

I don't get it. Why would you read a wiki but not the manual? Where is the difference?

Manuals (assuming man pages, or similar text) tend to be reference material, and are not tutorial in nature. They're essential once you've realized that you need them, but not sufficient for learning how/why/when to use their subject matter. To me, reading them for tutorial content is a bit like learning a sport by reading the rule book. Also, using a Wiki promotes the addition of new material, including peoples' anecdotal experiences of success or failure in specific areas, correction of errors, and easy linking to related material.

I agree that some people will never read to learn, no matter how available the material is. That problem is not solvable at LQ.

One idea that has just occurred to me is that LQ members could have a small bookmark list of links to which they frequently refer in their replies. I know I have a list of about 6 to 10 sites which I regularly post links to. If I could have those links bookmarked on my pages (like in 'My LQ'), but right up front where I can just drag the link to the reply editor, that would be a big convenience. Those bookmarks could also point to LQ wiki-torials, of course.
--- rod.

Not interested ... at the moment!
 

At this point in time I have no interest in Android although I have seen it in use. My interests lie in a different direction but I keep an open mind about emerging technologies. I will keep a watching brief and maybe I will develop some positive views in due course.

personally the only thing i'd like to see is a way for a poster to link their thread in more than one form (all pointing to the same thread of discussion but linked to from more than one forum area) if their topic relates to more than one topic, it would perhaps help reduce clutter of multiple posts, though i can understand why this may or may not work.

You mean like in the days of newsgroups where a person could post on more than one newsgroup on the same thread?

Wayne Sallee
Wayne@WayneSallee.com

exactly, that way a thread can gain more exposure without the frustration of breaking the discussion into multiple locations, which is why double posting and cross posting is almost universally forbidden on any discussion board.

A few short comments since this thread has grown:
1. I use open in new tab 99% of the time.
2. Advanced search options are always better than basic search.
3. Although ignored, my post about having a glossary of terms for newbies could well be integrated with the search results, or search "suggestions".
4. The ability to post to multiple topic areas should be an advanced privilege. Not for newbies who would abuse it in my experience.
5. Wikis rarely have images (in my experience) and that's why manuals are often easier to understand. Maybe it's a remnant of GUI-training.

A couple comments:

* The "social stuff" is fairly minimal and 100% optional. It has the potential to add a lot of value to those who use it as we implement additional features that take advantage of it. It will never be in the forefront or mandatory at a site like LQ.
* As I've mentioned many many times now, the colors will not be changing.
* The right side is slightly larger now, but notice that it is also 100% collapsible.

--jeremy

I'm a huge user of 'Open Link in New Window/Tab', but note that this is not an implementation change as you can't open a search at LQ in a new tab either. As with LQ, you can open the search page in a new tab and search from there if you'd like.

--jeremy

A couple comments:

* We actually used to have a glossary function here at LQ, but it didn't get used much. I'm happy to consider it for LQ and AQ, but it would have to be significantly different from what we had and offer members enough usefulness to make worth implementing.
* We have no plans to allow a thread to be in multiple fora at this time. This is largely the issue the tags implementation was meant to address and we have some enhancements on that front which will hopefully help.
* Most wiki's have the ability to support images, although it's possible the site administer may have disabled them.

--jeremy

Having a larger right side (I assume you mean the menus) would be a downside on small screens, but making it collapsible is the right way. Is there a possibility to connect that function to a keyboard shortcut?