[cobalt-users] Cobalt Archives

["Craig N." <spikeone@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Greetings Everyone,

This message is mostly directed to the list owners -but contains good
points/information for all users of this list.

P.S. I fear CC'ing a copy of this message to
"cobalt-users-admin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx" as I'm afraid it would only end up back
here posted to the list twice.

STATEMENT:
> Those of us who really enjoy helping out on this list (and we're for the
> most part users just like you, doing this on our own time) do get
> tired of answering the same questions over and over again.
>
> I could be wrong but I believe this question has been asked and
> answered at least three times this week.
>
> Do you know how to search and read archives?

I'm curious -I've only been a member/monitoring this user group for about 2
months now.. and I've asked my share of "McFly" questions as well.. (and
still do, and will if need be, -as I'm certainly not ashamed or afraid to
ask for help)..

But I do notice (and agree) that a good number of posts are repeated (almost
daily) to the list, simply because (to new users anyway) the info needed
isn't clearly presented.

Now not EVERYTHING can be answered by telling a user to "go search the
archives" of this list..  And when one does.. typically there's tons of
conflicting information (which solution to choose..?) so additional
clarification may be necessary..

Also, a good number of these posts seem to be based on general Linux
questions, which is certainly understandable as Linux is what's running the
box -you can't do everything by the Cobalt GUI... Case and point - Just 36
hours ago, I questioned the proper place to install cgi scripts for a
systems wide counter that would be accessed by 200 IP shared VH..  Should I
use "/usr/cgi-bin" or create another cgi-bin in some other location.....?  I
don't know.. I also lack GOD level expertise with Linux..  It's certainly
not the most user friend OS (as has always been the argument for Linux/Unix
based OS).

I'm also amazed when someone is told to check the archives (first) only to
return moments later and claim they can't find it - (READ McFly READ!!) -
Towards the top of this page
(http://list.cobalt.com/mailman/listinfo/cobalt-users), accessible by any
link contained in EVERY post to this list, is a LINK (and verbiage) that
says:

"To see the collection of prior postings to the list, visit the cobalt-users
Archives". <<there's a link here>>   -this link allows a user to review
posts from past archives -from the present going back to May '99.  The link
allows readers to search the archives by "date", "thread", "subject" or
"author" - pretty much covers it all..

Right under this link, there's a section (box) that allows users to type in
a question to "SEARCH" the archives using keywords/phrases - I've found most
of my answers using this little number...

My question (mostly to the people running this list) - Why can't some info
be placed in the header file that spells this out.. as the *ONLY*
information that's imprinted in the headers of each thread/digest is the
following:

>>To subscribe or unsubscribe via the web, visit
>>	http://list.cobalt.com/mailman/listinfo/cobalt-users
>>or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
>>	cobalt-users-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>You can reach the person managing the list at
>>	cobalt-users-admin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

MOST people (esp. NEW USERS) would NEVER KNOW that they can access these
facilities by the above link and usually don't even look/attempt to do so
first because the info in the header leads one to believe the link pertains
to "subscribing" or "unsubscribe" from the list..

What's worse - Even if a user follows that link to "unsubscribe" there's NO
information what so ever telling users that actually to "unsubscribe" they
have to go to a separate URL to "unsubscribe" via a web interface...
(http://list.cobalt.com/mailman/options/cobalt-users/youremail@xxxxxxxxxxx).
Of course, if someone is versed enough in mailing lists, this isn't a
problem as they simply "unsubscribe" via a plain text email message.. But
for many uses (esp. new ones) it is.. esp. when they follow the link as
instructed and find no additional information..  Remember the 40 threads
just a week ago by someone just trying to find the web page so they could
"unsubscribe" to get off this list...???

So how about the list owners take a moment (or let one of us do it) -to
create a header that specifically points users to the:

1- list (search) box -via-
http://list.cobalt.com/mailman/listinfo/cobalt-users

2- list (archives) -via- http://list.cobalt.com/pipermail/cobalt-users/

3- list (unsubscribe) / (change settings) by the web page interface -via-
http://list.cobalt.com/mailman/options/cobalt-users/youremail@xxxxxxxxxxx

I mean, this (basic) info is so VALUABLE to a working list, it's hard to
reason why it's not already there..(?) - now there's a REAL "McFly"
question..

I personally do believe this would cut down on repeat questions to this list
considerably..

Just my two cents..