Re: [cobalt-users] Cobalt Knowledge Base (was META FAQ Suggestion)

[Alfredo <alfredo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I myself have experienced difficulty
> finding answers in the database as I find many comments are less than
> constructive.  Typically searching for a solutions to the many cobalt bugs
> results in wading through countless posts that say its been answered.  Those
> alone make it more difficult for someone to find the answer on the board.  I
> believe people should focus on helping each other and avoid leaving a
> comment that is not constructive as comments that are not constructive also
> do not increase the value of the list.

Are we talking about the same thing, though, Michael? What people 
seem to be complaining about is Cobalt's Knowledge Base (which really 
helps very little and, in some case, includes info that is out of 
date, inaccurate and, as a result, potentially harmful.

But you seem to be talking about the list archives and I'm not 
entirely sure I agree with you although I second the idea of people 
being civil on any list when the question is honestly put.

NOW, I don't want to get into a huge "defense" of the list or 
anything. But it may be worth saying that my experience is that, 
while there ARE many posts that say "check the archives", very few 
just stop at that. Most of the time, the person says "check the 
archives" and then offers a possible solution. That is, unless the 
issue is a very very basic one or one that has been covered for 
months almost every day.

In that case, "check the archives" is really NOT a "go away" comment, 
it's a constructive comment. It lets a new list member know that 
there ARE archives (which are spectacularly helpful) AND it allows 
the person to see the original material which may be long and which, 
if repeated here, might even lead to typos or inaccuracies. Also it 
lets you look through the thread as list members work on a problem -- 
offering corrections or alternatives or caveats. That sort of stuff 
from experience professionals is invaluable.

For instance, if someone wants to install PHP4 on a Raq, the absolute 
BEST advice is to see the archives (there are several sets of 
instructions there on how to do that and they are as good as gold). 
Now, I've done that installation a few times but if I tried to 
replicate the instructions off the top of my head, I'd be afraid to 
miss a line or something and, if I'm gonna go back and get the 
original from the archives to reprint here...well, isn't it better if 
the poster does that? LOL

So I agree about being constructive but I think "see the archives" is 
usually just that. Just my opinion.

Alfredo

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