Sidebar for Newbies?

November 15, 2004 9:18 AM

Would it be possible to add a little sidebar in MetaTalk listing links to the Wiki for some of the more common questions, such as "What does '.' mean?" and "Why was my post deleted?"
posted by me3dia to feature requests at 9:18 AM (22 comments total)

(Apologies to xammerboy and Bag Man -- you were just the most recent offenders.)

Also, I guess we'd need to add a wiki page about '.' if this were to be done. Considering it's asked about so often, I'm surprised it's not there already (or is it and I'm just missing it?).
posted by me3dia at 9:20 AM on November 15, 2004

Wait! It's already there: ThePeriod. However, that page doesn't seem to be linked to any other. I'll add one on the InJokes page.
posted by me3dia at 9:30 AM on November 15, 2004

hey, like a "frequently asked questions" section? every website oughta have one-a those.

seriously, this is a very good idea.
posted by whatnot at 9:32 AM on November 15, 2004

.
posted by xammerboy at 10:03 AM on November 15, 2004

Yeah.
posted by scarabic at 10:33 AM on November 15, 2004

Okay, I'll take the bait (because do we really want Matt taking time away from pony production right now?). What other questions should be on the MetaFAQer? And how would YOU answer them?
posted by wendell at 2:20 PM on November 15, 2004

"What other questions should be on the MetaFAQer?"

WHO IS WENDELL, AND WHAT IS HE DOING IN MY PANTS?
posted by mr_crash_davis at 2:29 PM on November 15, 2004

Here's tip-top priority #1 for the site FAQ:

"What is jonmc's opinion on pubic waxing?"
posted by scarabic at 2:38 PM on November 15, 2004

because do we really want Matt taking time away from pony production right now?

If we come up with a list right here, it could be pretty easily coded and sent to Matt with a pretty grey-and-chartreuse bow on top.

1. Why did my/this/that post get deleted?
2. What's with the period?
3. What does NewsFilter mean?
4. ??? Profit!

Or maybe it should just link to the wiki FAQ page, which can be more easily edited and expanded upon without Matt having to deal with it.
posted by me3dia at 2:39 PM on November 15, 2004

crasher, I just came home from clothes shopping and learning that my pants size has just exceeded my IQ... If you think I can fit in your pants, you're worse off than I am.
posted by wendell at 2:40 PM on November 15, 2004

scarabic, I read that as public waxing.

*covers eyes and cringes*
posted by deborah at 3:43 PM on November 15, 2004

I like this idea, but I can see how mathowie might be reluctant to "sanction" information on another site which he has no control over (what if someone changes the answer to "what is a ." to a link to a goatse pic, for example? yes, it would probably get changed back rather quickly, but in the meantime anyone who clicked on it would attribute some responsibilty for it to mathowie).
posted by rushmc at 4:03 PM on November 15, 2004

Good point, rushmc. Well, the answers could be locally hosted, written by members but approved by Matt. They could even be on little pop-up windows so you never leave the front MeTa page.

Another option could be to add links to previous discussions of these topics on the MeTa posting page.
posted by me3dia at 6:21 PM on November 15, 2004

Anything to see the end of repititious metatalking on stuff we've already metatalked to death and folk can't search for, but I reckon there's a MattReason why we've never had one yet.
posted by dash_slot- at 7:41 PM on November 15, 2004

The problem is not a lack of available information. The problem is that people see something they don't get, like the period, and jump straight to MetaTalk and ask the question, without either searching the archives or digging for more information. First, a search of metatalk for "period" yields an answer to this exact question on the first page of results. Second, if a search doesn't prove fruitful, the wiki is linked from the etc. page. Once there, it's easy enough to find ThePeriod page by looking at the index. Matt doesn't need to sink a bunch of time into cataloging user behavior for the curious. All the information is there for those that take two minutes to look for it.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 8:39 PM on November 15, 2004

Well, you seem to be saying there is no difference between searching All Questions Ever Asked and browsing a Frequently Asked Questions. A FAQ would be a much more friendly, readable last-stop-before-MeTa than an archive search. Archive search.... BLECHH! [shudders] I hear your point, but I don't blame anyone who doesn't try that.

Besides, a FAQ would double as a nice "Here's what you need to know" doc for new lurkers, the odd new member that gets added, and, someday... all those new members we're going to get. or, put another way, it would remove one excuse for not opening up membership: "I need to develop some materials to help new people learn what's what" etc
posted by scarabic at 9:11 PM on November 15, 2004

...okay, I blame them, but I forgive them
posted by scarabic at 9:12 PM on November 15, 2004

Questions, questions, questions...I have so many. To name a few:

What kind of fish is in Quonsar's pants? Blowfish? Stingray? Moray eel?

Are we all just figments of Mathowie's imaginations?

How many hours a day spent at metafilter is "too much"?

If you flame-out in Metafilter but come creeping back months later under a new user name, is it proper etiquette for the other members to ignore your past?

Is the "links to" feature just a status symbol?

What about the higher number/higher status link? Is it possible to speak to a higher numbered being without first being spoken to? Is it ok to turn your back on a higher number or must you always back out of the room?

And what about the whole thorny issue of bribes/tips?
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 8:10 AM on November 16, 2004

The problem is that people see something they don't get, like the period, and jump straight to MetaTalk and ask the question, without either searching the archives or digging for more information.

You can't fight human nature; therefore, it is wise to take it into account in your design.
posted by rushmc at 10:05 AM on November 16, 2004

I haven't had a post deleted so I can't say for sure, but can't you just look at your posting history, find the missing post, left-clink on the link to said post, and read matt's reason?
posted by mcsweetie at 10:41 AM on November 16, 2004

No. Correct me if I'm wrong, anybody, but a deleted post is apparently subtracted from your total FPP count and will not show up on that list. It will, however, show up on the comment list of anyone who commented on it, including you (e.g. a "more inside" comment). However, when you make a post you usually (at least I usually) remember where it fell in the chronology of the front page, and you can figure out the thread number from there.

Not that I'VE ever been deleted, of course...
posted by soyjoy at 11:57 AM on November 16, 2004

'.' = 'you vacuous pussbag'
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 3:30 PM on November 17, 2004