Centralising the FAQs (was New Idea for Newbs)

[waw]

For new people that come and constantly ask the same questions as the last new guy, I propose a new thread in the user's forum, if not a new forum at the very top, that will contain an easy to find FAQ and help people avoid either over sarcastic responses, and help prevent people from getting frustrated with those that have just joined.

New people don't realize what is around them. We've all been there at some point, at some time. It wouldn't take all that much work to put something like this up.

Here is my proposal for the thread's first post, it needs a lot of work. When someone posts the 'how do i do' this thread the link to this new thread could be posted to help them out and avoid jerk responses.

Well here goes, feel free to post your additions and ideas to it and tell me what you think. Perhaps with enough support this could actually be put up.

Another idea that Thrawn originally told me about was that if we had something like this when you are signing up, you can make sure that they read this information so they know how to ask questions. This can be done with a simple hidden answer.. i.e. (The Answer is.... RockFlop) (random thing I came up with). They click yes to the 'Have you read this' and will be asked 'What is the Answer'. They have to type in RockFlop to get in. This would only be when registering. Yes, it is easy enough to go back and search through to find the answer, BUT, I have done that and I ended up reading some of the things posted and learning a bit.

Also, if this is made into a forum, future questions can be merged under a similar topic title making it neater and cleaner for someone to navigate threw.

Well here it is:

If you are new, trying to figure out how to change things can be very difficult. Here at BfW (Battle for Wesnoth) we’ve had nearly every question asked about nearly everything. What does this mean? Well, before you post and ask “How do I…?” We ask that you look through here to try and find your question.
1. First off, how do you create [insert]?
That is a common question. Just about everything is covered in the Wiki. Find that here:
http://www.wesnoth.org/wiki/Create
Are you a little more versed with the Wiki and having trouble finding what you need? Here is a good directory I like to use.
http://www.wesnoth.org/wiki/Special:Allpages
That is a list of all pages in the Wiki and I recommend it only if you know what you are searching for.
2. All right, um, why do I need the Wiki?
Well, if you are new enough, you may not realize that you have to ‘code’ to make something in Wesnoth. This means that you have to actually type and use numbers and letters and symbols to create the code. This could detail what a terrain tile is like, or what a certain unit is like. It also makes things happen in Campaigns and Scenarios.
Do realize though that if you want your own unit to LOOK a certain way, you have to create its ‘sprite’. What is a sprite? Well, it is the characters you see. You need to create poses for them that can be put together to make animations.
3. How do I create a sprite?
You draw them. You could try it by hand and then downloading it onto the computer and then working from there, but this can get messy. If you are new to ‘spriting’ try taking an old sprite from the game and editing it. Start with color changing. Then take two different units and try to mix parts so you get the feel of how they go together. Try some funny poses and try to make new and original color schemes. Once you are comfortable, you can try to draw your own sprite.
Sprites are what you actually see when playing Wesnoth. Their poses are when they attack or defend, or cast magic. Information can also be found in the Wiki.
4. How do I do this in WML?
First, WML is Wesnoth Markup Language. It is the coding used specifically for this game. If you are playing in a campaign and see something you like, such as taking this village and a bunch of goblins pop up, try looking at that scenario’s scripting code and find what it is that does what you like. You can copy and paste, but make sure it matches your code.
5. I can’t find this [whatever you are looking for] in the wiki. Can you help me?
The Answer is yes. But first, try using the search feature on the forum. Like I said, it can be difficult finding it in the Wiki and your question most likely has been asked.

Everybody who is knew, note the forums on the main index of the forum page. You have an Idea section and WML questions, and Art Work, etc. If you post your question in the right place, there is a good chance you will get better help. Also, if you do your own research before asking, it can also help. Each section also has its own guidelines posted, which will help you when you post.
Be patient when asking something, especially if it is a common question. Quite often users get irritable if asked the same thing fifty times. This isn’t to discourage you, but if you use the search and the wiki, you can often find.
Also, TRY IT! You got an idea of changing something… Experiment! The game has improved since it first came out. This is because of creative ideas and experimenting. But if your idea or unit doesn’t get included into ‘Mainline’, don’t be discouraged. Changing something takes a lot of work and you need to realize that each faction in the game has been carefully balanced. This doesn’t mean stop brainstorming, but if you come up with a great idea… try it first. See how it works.

[Erk]

After administrating a forum with a very similar problem (and about a very similar topic) I can say with some certainty that this just leads to two things: resentment for the older users to newbs who continue to ignore answers that are right in their faces, and a clutter of FAQs all over the board.

The fact is that some people, usually young people, have no interest in research. They want their answers given to them personally. FAQs don't help that. I answered all my own questions without posting a thread about it, and had absolutely no trouble finding the place to do that.

[Turuk]

I have to agree with that. As a young person who does research, I know when my friend started to play this game, he kept peppering me with questions. At first it's ok, like ok you're new, whatever, but then it becomes irritating because if you actually look for it, almost everything you need to know is contained in, and easily accesed within, these forums. The idea is great, but it will only complicate matters.

[playtom]

that's a great idea to get rid of the newb problems around here

[waw]

@Turuk and Erk

I thank you for your criticism, it does help. But think of it this way, being rude actually violates rules about posting. So you can't do that. And this way, if a new person posts, and we do all chip in a lil bit to a single, very easy and basic faq, a user can at least post a link to the faq.

People will always ask those basic, possibly 'stupid' questions. This will make it a little bit easier to cope with. And when some one does ask for help, if they do it in their own forum, it doesn't necessarily have to be dealt with by jerks who are unaccountably rude.

And if someone does get reprimanded for asking that stupid question we all know the answer too, or at least are capable of finding it out... the moderator can say fair and square 'this faq was completely obvious and easy to find. if you can't read this then you don't need to post here'. See what I'm saying?

Again and again I have seen several new people post and the same people give them the same answers to the same questions. In only two weeks and there has been an increase in hostility from those people. Not universally of course. I rather not quote those posts because, as I have experienced, it leads to arguments or confrontations of some sort.

Anyways, if done right, this can be very helpful.

And part of the problem is, sometimes you get new users that are just young children. They find wesnoth and play it and like it and want to add their own unit. Whether it is a pokemon or it is a drawing of their own. They may have never learned about copyright laws or the fact that they have to code for this game. I was slightly confused with the Wiki... its hard if you are a complete newbie.

Something like this could at least keep those pestering newbs out of your way. And maybe get them the help they need.

[irrevenant]

After administrating a forum with a very similar problem (and about a very similar topic) I can say with some certainty that this just leads to two things: resentment for the older users to newbs who continue to ignore answers that are right in their faces, and a clutter of FAQs all over the board.
The fact is that some people, usually young people, have no interest in research. They want their answers given to them personally. FAQs don't help that. I answered all my own questions without posting a thread about it, and had absolutely no trouble finding the place to do that.

Personally, I find that my eyes just slip right over both the "Home >> Play >> Create" bar at the top of the screen, and Forum Stickies.

However, FAQs are still a handy point of reference. It gives old timers the option of bringing a frequently asked question thread to a rapid close by just saying "You can find the answer to your question here". It's an awful lot more effective and convenient than saying "we discussed that 3-4 months back, have a search of the forums - it's about somewhere".

It works quite well in this forum with the FPI list. People still fail to see it, but having a central document to refer people to has cut down on the pointless back-and-forth dramatically.

[waw]

I still stick with the Create tab at the top doesn't explain things at first. Some direction helps.

[Edward V Riley]

I think waw has a great idea. Yes, I know the answers to those questions new players ask are all in the forums but here's the problem.

They're often scattered throughout the myriad pages of the forums. It's one thing to say the answer is out there, it's quite another to have to go to page 13 of a thread that is somewhere on page 25 of a certain forum. Most feel a post that buried isn't worth responding to anyway, even if you provide them a link to it.

Most tend to be long winded and stray away from the central point. A new user is usually excited about playing and doesn't want to read a mini novella which will take time away from his playing. The problem here is relating to a new user.

The search guide thing at the top truly stinks on ice. I've put specific things on the search, things I already know where they are, and it pops up with 100's of links to mostly stuff completely unrelated. You can't rely on it for new users to find anything.

[irrevenant]

The search guide thing at the top truly stinks on ice. I've put specific things on the search, things I already know where they are, and it pops up with 100's of links to mostly stuff completely unrelated. You can't rely on it for new users to find anything.

Seconded. If the discussion took place 6 months ago, it'll usually be on at least the 3rd page of search results. It's just not a reasonable expectation.

[Weeksy]

/me uses google, with site:wesnoth.org for my searches, it helps a lot, and can come up with things on the wiki (often useful) if you choose to leave the /forum/ out of it.

[waw]

Hmm, instructions for ignorant newbs to use the google search would help. Most people don't know how to search specific sites.

I think we should add that in there.

[Turuk]

I have to agree with Riley on that, I did some work a couple months ago on the project to restore abandoned campaigns, and that's exactly what I ran into. Trying to find the original thread about a campaign can mean digging through pages of posts because of the search engine. Not that new players would be doing what I did, but I have seen a number of posts in the forums asking for information on how to beat scenarios in certain campaigns, and a lot of that information/tips is buried now. At the very least, teaching people how to properly use google for this site, or just go with the idea to make a page that is just nothing but links to guides, campaigns, whatever that is available from the home page. Adding another forum might just confuse the matter, unless the people allowed to post in said forum would be limited.

[waw]

You could also do a banner on the top of the forum index with a link to the faq... it would explain if your new etc...

It wouldn't have to be a forum, although it wouldn't be all that hard for mods to move the questions there that fall under that category. It could be a sub-forum inside Users too. Whatever the case, i think it needs to be fairly obvious and easy and straightforward on how to find it.

[Turuk]

What about a banner that pops up the first time someone logs in that says, Newbs, read the guides here(link).

And then everytime they click to close it, another one pops up.

That means you.
Oh, so you think you don't need to read the guides?
Well then don't ask any questions on the forums.
That's right, when you're stuck on how to find the Sceptre, don't come crying to us.
Oh, you don't know what I'm talking about yet, but you will.
Look, just read the stinking guide.
It's useful, I promise. It'll make you a better player.
One last warning, readddd itttt.....
No? Well guess what? These won't stop until you do...
Until you do...
Until you do...
Until you do...

It's late, I'm tired, and that's where my mind goes. However effective it might be(not), it would give me immense humor to imagine the frustration of people who just want to log on to post the same old questions that have been answered countless times.

In all seriousness, I like the idea of something simple, my two cents is add a little tab up above profile, next to the FAQ link at the top. Call it New Player Guide, Noob Guide, something that will make people click it. Or even something like, Links to Popular Questions/Problems with Campaigns and the Game.

The biggest issue I'm seeing repeated by all of us, myself included, is not so much gathering the information, or putting it all in one place, but how to get people to actually look at it. Given my knowledge of human society, and it's desire for instant gratification with minimal effort, it's hard to think of a way to get people to go to the compiled information without asking their question in the forum first.

[DDR]

We could do a short quiz... read the paragraph, answer a few simple questions, and you can register.

But seriously...
When I first came to these forums, I was not a pain in the rear with obvious questions. I read the wiki. I looked through the read this thing. I proceeded to make myself look like a fool, but I did not make myself a pain (I hope). I guess what we need is something saying the more obscure rules.

• Don't use excessive color in posts. Color is for moderators.
  No animated avatars, no graphical signatures.
  Don't post non-compatible graphic files in the art forum.
  Look in the wiki first. Spend half an hour looking for your problem before posting.
  Don't double-post. If no one answers your post, that is not because no one saw it.
  'Reputation' at wesnoth works exactly the same as in real life.
  No flame wars, ever.
  Don't post garbage or poorly spelled stuff. Not everyone has English as a first language.
  Mods don't have a 'your' sense of humor.
  Read the read this thing.
  Know your Copyright. If you bought it, we can't do it.
  Don't give up. We didn't.

Or something along those lines... that's all I can think of.

The last bit should also redirect them to the place where it says "We [developers] are making this for us, not you. Your ideas may be accepted if we like them a lot. Otherwise, we will proceed to ignore you. You can already do that with WML, too."