Forum suggestion: FAQ

Erk wrote on 2/12/2003, 11:03 AM
Folks,

Like most software forums, we all notice there's a good amount of recurring questions here (I've asked some myself). Something useful I've seen on other forums is creating a thread devoted to a FAQ, and then the forum administrators keep that thread near the top of the list, so its always on the front page and clearly labeled. This could save time for both Vegas and/or video newcomers and the decorated veterans who supply so much valuable information here.

For example, here's a few common questions/answers (in abbreviated form):

-slow motion/velocity envelopes: use resample in V 3, and explain forced/smart resampling in V 4.

-reduce interlace flicker for stills

-text over video: basics of chromakey

-good vs. best rendering

-pan/crop vs. track motion

Whaddya think?

G

Comments

Randy Brown wrote on 2/12/2003, 11:14 AM
Great idea G, I know I'd use it. And think about all of the server space SoFo could save just from the sentence "I know this has been discussed here before but..." not being used as often : )
Randy
Chienworks wrote on 2/12/2003, 11:15 AM
Have you looked through the existing FAQ and Knowledge Base? The FAQ is one mouse-click away from this page. Most of these topics are covered there already.
MyST wrote on 2/12/2003, 11:25 AM
That gives me an idea Kelly.
To get the same results with (probably) less work than is suggested...
SoFo could have Knowledge Base and FAQ shortcuts for each forum once you've selected a particular forum. EX: If you chose Acid forum, once you enter the Acid forum, there would be Knowledge Base and FAQ shortcuts at the top of the list that take you directly to articles dealing strictly with Acid. If you chose Vegas-Audio, the shortcuts once entered would take you to KB and FAQs about Vegas-Audio topics.
The shortcuts could be positioned below the "Forum-Search-Edit Account-Logout-FAQ" section.
The existing FAQ section could be renamed "General FAQ".

M
Randy Brown wrote on 2/12/2003, 12:16 PM
Hey Kelly,
The only FAQ link I see is at the top-right but they only relate to the forum itself, not specific topics...am I looking in the wrong place?
Thanks,
Randy
MyST wrote on 2/12/2003, 12:20 PM
Look under "Support" at the top of this page. Knowledge Base is the first selection under Support.

M
TheHappyFriar wrote on 2/12/2003, 1:14 PM
I think it would be another good idea if users could add to the faq: ie their own "How To" section. An example I'm thinking of is the Wik-FAQ here: http://www.qeradiant.com/wikifaq/
users can add their own things, like a "how to green screen" would be a great thing to have (especialy for premiere user starting out on vegas).
MyST wrote on 2/12/2003, 1:23 PM
There could be another shortcut for "Tips and Tricks" added that would take you to a forum where users could post their tips. It would take you to a page where you would have threads of tips listed. All postings would be added via a "new subject" tab. No replying to tips("read only" postings if you will).

M
Randy Brown wrote on 2/12/2003, 1:36 PM
Well I would suggest SoFo place a giant red arrow pointing to this wealth of info with text reading: "Hey dumbass, check here first!" for idiots such as myself. I'll be visiting them often. Thanks guys for putting up with "us".
Randy
TorS wrote on 2/13/2003, 2:51 AM
Wouldn't it be great if users could browse the forums or search them, and when they find something that looks useful, copy it to their computers and save it in a great big text file called Vegas tips or something, and then re-read it occasionally, and ... what? They CAN??? Oh great!

Tor