I think it would benefit the contributors of LQ,. to have a static LQ pastebin, along with a maintained 'getinfo' script that would automatically grab details that we ask for in NEARLY EVERY SINGLE POST.

Have the user run the script. Paste results to pastebin. Make a thread, and reference the pastebin.

Similar to Dell, MS, et al.

We've actually discussed some kind of getinfo/machine inventory functionality internally in the past. After the next code update it's likely something we should revisit. I'm interested in what other members think in the mean time. Thanks for the feedback.

--jeremy

Sounds like a good idea to me.

While I completely understand trying to circumvent the game of twenty questions that often needs to be played to answer an initial question, I can see pitfalls with trying to develop a single 'getinfo' script.

1. The script would need to be a run on the machine with problems. So what happens in situations like:
My machine cannot/hangs on boot, my internet connection is not working, my display is not working...

2. Exactly what information would be collected? Simple things like 'uname -a', 'cat /etc/os-release', 'lspci' are relatively compact, but if you start to look at things like sound configuration, 'lsmod', Xorg logs then you can run to pages of output. The more information that is collected then the more material that would need to gone through to find a small crucial detail.

Rather than a single script, perhaps have a page that contains instructions on collecting output that should be posted/paste binned when seeking help on a specific topic. When a new question was posted, then the OP could be referred to such a page with a request to follow the suggestions for that topic.

Simple answer?

I dont imagine the 'script' being complicated.

a series of 10 commands can usually lead to the answer. common troubleshooting and such.

Its a tool. Not an end-all solution. It will have applications where it will be helpful,.. as with a philips screwdriver,.. but it will not work in other cases, such as fighting a bear with a philips screwdriver.