9 replies to this topic

[Jito463]

Well, I've noticed that there are a lot of people who come to these forums seeking information that's readily available in the FAQ section. But sometimes, it can get confusing for people searching through it, or they're just too lazy. I'd suggest using help topics within Alcohol that's on by default, but can be configured in the options page to disabled or can be selected from the pop-up box to not show again. Example:

A lot of people are confused over the numerous read errors in Alcohol using Safedisc protection. So when someone selects the Safedisc profile, a help topic pops up with information about the read errors, alerting them to the fact that they're there and that it can take a while to read. At the same time, it could mention the fastdump method, and hyperlink to another popup box with information on performing the fastdump process. Perhaps have an option to print the information from the popup.

I think this would greatly reduce the number of redundant posts on the forums. Not eliminate them, mind you - there's always those who won't bother to read - but it should trim them down. You could do the same for the known disc read error on SecureROM protection. Or mention the need for slower DPM on some titles, etc. The list goes on, and couldn't all be implemented at once. But if you added a little bit at a time, eventually you'd cover most of the major topics.

[zamiel]

Ditto.

But how many will really read the help file when they know about the existence of these forums? We can only hope.

[Jito463]

I'm referring to topics that popup in the program automatically. One example, as I stated above, was when they select the Safedisc profile, this help topic could come up automatically.

[zamiel]

Ooops, I'd still put money on people asking it here on the forums though. Pretty sure its a safe bet

[shawn_nee]

I agree it would be a nice update, but might prove futile.

[Phoenix]

We discussed this at one stage and decieded to keep the help file in the program as small as possible as the more we add the larger the download becomes, there is also in some countrys a legal aspect as to how much and what if anything you can have in the software that describes how to back up a certain protection so we need to be carfull what information is actualy placed in the help files.

As we add more options to the software naturaly the larger the download will grow, large downloads still put some peole off who do not have dsl connections ( yes there are still quiet a few people with 56k dial up connections )

[Jito463]

Well, one option is to make it an optional download. I realize this would be a bit more work for the Alcohol Dev's, which are probably quite limited on time as it is, but it wouldn't have to be done overnight, either. It could be implented in stages over time.

Just looking out for you support guys. I understand what you go through
Not only do I do support at work sometimes when people call in with problems, I'm also the Support Co-ord for UnitedAdmins. Good docs still don't stop the stupid questions, but they sometimes do slow them down.

Edited by Jito463, 25 February 2004 - 02:57 AM.

[zamiel]

Some say there is no such thing as a stupid question, I disagree

[Jito463]

There are no stupid questions, only stupid people

Oops, did I say that out loud?

[zamiel]

Therefore I conclude... if there are stupid people then there must be stupid questions