Require users to indicate product or .NET Framework version

Most users do not indicate which version of a product or .NET Framework they are using. This leads to responses such as "If you're using .NET Framework 1.X, do such and such, but if you're using 2.0, then use this more optimal solution." Adding a selection or checkboxes to each forum and requiring users to indicate the version that their question applies to would allow for better answers.

[394 byte] By [JamesKovacs] at [2007-12-17]

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# 1

I agree...and if they check 'Express' it should auto take them to the express forum...which brings up another idea...maybe a generic form that is filled out...product/version/question...and the form post to the correct forum...just another idea...

DMan1 at 2007-9-9 >

top of Msdn Tech,Feedback for forums and MSDN websites,Suggestions for Forums website...

# 2

Interesting idea, DMan1. What about something like the Product Feedback Center? Select products/versions and type your question. Provide search results asking if any satisfy the user's question. If not, type in a full description and auto-post to the correct forum based on the products/versions that they typed in during the first step.

JamesKovacs at 2007-9-9 >

# 3

Boy would that cut down on the double(triple, quadruple...) posted questions...I like that also...

Best case senerio sounds like:

1. Go to MTF
2. Click ask question or make comment
3. Fill in form selecting product/version/question/comment
4. Return relevent answers
5. Click on 'This post answers my question' or 'answer not found'
6. auto post to correct forum when answer not found.
7. inform user of forum post

Sounds great...wonder if its just a pipe dream Big Smile

DMan1 at 2007-9-9 >

# 4

I really like the idea of clicking "Ask a question" or "Make a comment". I've seen quite a few comments mistakenly posted as questions. Hopefully something becomes of this conversation. :)

JamesKovacs at 2007-9-9 >

# 5

I agree that the users need to indicate their product and version.

But I'm not too sure about the Feedback Center-like design. Sure, it might help to reduce the duplicate questions. But it would take away the feeling of a forum.

The biggest difference between this forum and the Product Feedback Center is that all the answers in the PFC come from Microsoft. Because they need to get their work done (developing software), they can't allow a lot of duplicates to come in - every post is a possible bug that needs to be directed to the correct team, looked at and answered. That's a lot of work, so instead they created this mandatory search, which redirects you to the original bug report. There you can cast your vote, which again helps MS to focus on the important stuff.

A forum is supposed to be a peer network, where people help each other out. Anybody can answer questions, and gets to choose when to take some time off to do so. There's no need to setup this huge "filter" mechanism, instead we should encourage users to ask questions and to participate.

DanielRieck at 2007-9-9 >

# 6

I can understand the desire to differentiate the sites. However, one complaint that I've seen is that the number of unanswered questions is growing. As the number of posts grow, it becomes increasingly difficult for moderators to handle the load. Users are encouraged to search for solutions before posting, but I suspect that many do not or their searches aren't effective. How can we incorporate some of the ideas that make the Feedback Center effective while still building the sense of community in the Forums? What about making the interface more intelligent like Josh is suggesting here?

http://blogs.msdn.com/jledgard/archive/2005/08/03/447449.aspx

JamesKovacs at 2007-9-9 >

# 7

You can also still have the sense of community through the answer process...they would be generated by the public...I like the idea of helping the posters post to the correct forum, which would in return help them in getting quick answers.

DMan1 at 2007-9-9 >

# 8

I think a posting wizard like the Feedback Center uses wouldn't work here. Having a simplified posting system that would assist users in selecting the correct forum would be a benefit. Given the plethora of forums, I suspect that some users find it confusing where they should be posting their question. As well, something like the automated search suggested above would be useful to users. If I'm looking for an answer, what matters to me is that I find the answer, not that a real person pointed me to previous post that already answered the question. So I don't think we'd lose community feeling if we offered users a better and faster way to find solutions to their problems.

JamesKovacs at 2007-9-9 >

# 9

Very nice for a first draft! http://www.leeholmes.com/projects/answer_suggest/answer_suggest_hifi.html

Something like that would certainly help people to find answers, and it doesn't get in the way of asking new quesions.

DanielRieck at 2007-9-9 >

# 10

Hi,

Take a look at this thread:
http://forums.microsoft.com/msdn/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=12028

Regards,
Vikram

Vikram at 2007-9-9 >