new suggestion time.

i think since this is a linux forum with the aim of helping people with linux, the "distribution" field should be mandatory when signing up. the person could also have the option of entering "none," or whatever they wanted of course (since it's a text field), but at least if they skip it and get a big fat error message that prevents them from registering (preferably with big red borders a la ipcop ), they will be more aware of adding/changing the info when they actually decide on a distro. maybe it's just a pet peeve of mine, but nothing drives me crazier than having to ask "what distro?" and wait for an answer just to be able to reply to a question.

thx

But couldn't we say the same with the members that have more than one listed in their profile. I've asked members questions only to try and find out which distro they were using cause they had 5 listed in their profie..

I've even answered those same questions being specific to one of the distro's they had listed after trying to guess which one they were using or the only one they had listed only then to find out they were using a Distribution not even in their profile..

I think the solution you provided would be nice to eliminate those that don't have anything listed but it's not a final solution to the problem..

that's true enough. hopefully most people with multiple distros know enough to mention which one when they're having a problem, or else they post in the specific distro forum -- but not always. at least we both agree that it would help in cases where nothing is listed. as for the rest of the time, maybe just encouraging people to be specific about it would help.

or maybe an optional field in the new thread screen under the "Subject" field for people to add the distro they're asking about would work? or would that be overkill?


>> edit:

or on the new thread screen in the message instructions, change it to:

Message:
You should include as much detail as possible in your message, including exact error messages (where applicable), what distro you are using (if it's not in your profile or if you have multiple distros), and what you have done so far. The more detail you include the more we can help. You should also use the boards search feature to ensure that the question has not already been asked.

(without the italics). who knows who even reads that before they post, but it might help a little.

Would it make sense, then, to have slots? Primary distro, secondary distro, etc.?

I'm not going to make distro mandatory, but I have no problem tweaking the new thread "Message" a bit. Any additional suggestions on that?

--jeremy

yeah- though the parenthesis is superflous - you just need to let them know that it is a good thing for THEM that they post what distro they are using. Even if they have it in their profile, it is always nice to let thread readers maintain flow and keep it in the main paragraph.

thanks jeremy.

titanium_geek

EDIT: aysiu: people do that anyway, don't they?