How To area needed

[ossodiseppia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tubut So, guys, if you want Howto's: Get off your lazy bums and write one. Play an active role in building the resource your longing for. Compile the information you care about -- then post it as summary, redux, or commentary about other web pages or threads. It's easier than you think -- just follow Richard Bach's paradigm "You teach best what you need to learn most."

[sono veL.O.ce]

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatle_bayly But where do you put it ? Do these HOW-TOs go into the respective model's forum, into the restoration forum, or do we start another forum ? A lot of HOW-TO procedures form parts of other threads, they are often not presented as a thread starter.

[elite38868]

And all of these articles or tech bulletins you could call them, are already written, one way or another. We just need to edit them into a 1, 2, 3 step format and repost. If its not your original article, you should ask the person who started it if they mind if you edit and repost their information.

[elite38868]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paradiso This would definitely be useful. I'd suggest that the threads be grouped by model series (101, 105/115, 116, etc) There is a ton of this kind of info on the BB that could be moved into a "How To" area. I agree that the threads should be locked. This brings up a related issue that probably belongs in a separate thread; however, I think that we have grown to the point where the AlfaBB could benefit from more active moderation. Moving, pruning and closing threads, etc. With that maybe we need more mods to share the workload?

[tubut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatle_bayly I suggest that the instructions are not posted as normal threads. Otherwise there will be all sorts of responses and argument as to the accuracy of the process and the HOW-TO will simply become another jumbled thread and we'll be back where we started.

[Slackjaw]

I have a suggestion as to how we can identify the threads we all think should go into a How-To section. Simon, maybe you can tell whether this is of value or not...

As we collectively browse through the BB threads and find ones that are good candidates, click on the balance scale icon at the top right corner (next to the post #) which is used for "reputation points" and add a note that this thread would be a good How-To listing. Also, this way everyone gets to participate.

I'm assuming that these reputation feedback comments get logged somewhere, yes?

Simon, will this work to help collate a list of threads?

[jazig.k]

in the electrical forum it has the top little box called sub-fourm why not add a link in that box to go to the how-to area in each respecting model catagory? just another list exacly the same as the wiring diagrams.

and before they become sticky they should be read over and approved because it aint ganna be real great if someone writes one up and gets something horrobily wrong...like thier own car type[hehehe]

[pathung]

Locking a How-to thread has its merits, but what if someone else has a better way to do things? What if there's a new technology becoming available? I'm sure that many of you are aware of Wikipedia.com, which allows anyone to edit any topic with updated information; this seems to be a good model to follow as it allows for flexibility and low maintenance; new information can be easily added, and erroneous ones quickly qualified (or deleted) by others. The problem, however, rests in whether the BB software allows edits from any user.

[elite38868]

Have any of you brought this to Simon's attention? I don't think he's seen this.

If we could basically duplicate this forum, except in a smaller format where it would take lots of less space and then add tech articles to each area.

I know how much work it takes to build/maintain the site and Simon is a busy enough guy as it is, so lets just let him know what were saying and see what he has to say.

Cheers

[twoliterlover]

No sense writing up all this in advance and then expecting it will be of that great a service to someone else. You don't know exactly what his problem might be. And if you do have a problem it is far simpler just to address the problem with a thread, and ask others for advice. You will find advice comes about as fast as you can use it, and it is specific to your problem. Why burden the bulletin board with research when it can be provided fresh when you need it. You will find there is always someone who has fixed the exact problem you have. But why not meet another Alfa lover who wants to share that with you specially while you are at it. We do NOT need a "How to" section. There far far too many potential problems to cover in every specific car. Go buy a repair book on your own specific car, and then if you want immediate and specific answers to a specific problem, ask. You will get more advice than you can absorb.

[AlfaEric]

I like the idea... I would like to see it done as a separate section from the forum somewhat like was done here:
http://www.alfabb.com/bb/tech/Alfa-Romeo-MC-1969.htm

At the very least, it could be done as a single thread stickied to the top of each of the technical forums. This would integrate it nicely into the forum but keep it from interfering/cluttering the rest of the posts. I would recommend having that thread locked with a moderator handling requests to add new content links. Make it easy for people to request adding new content that they run across. There will be an initial flood of info but it will slow down considerably once the page is established.

It should probably be broken down by model like the tech forums anyway. If a tech article is only related to a specific year then simply state that in the title of the article. Don't break it up into smaller sections. That will just make it difficult to navigate.

There is a BMW site that popped up recently that does something very similar to what I think a lot of people are looking for. Take a look at http://www.bimmerdiy.com . You start by selecting you car type then it lists a series of DIYs loosely organized. If something relates to multiple models then it is simply linked across all of them. Although that site doesn't really host any DIYs (it links to others), alfabb could do both. If someone is willing to re-write a tech article, then great! Alfabb could host it and link directly to that. If a thread already exists that covers a topic then a link can go directly to that (if that is the case, I would probably lock that thread to keep it from getting cluttered). If someone feels like re-writing the thread then that can get hosted and used in it's place.

Don't only use threads/local content. I'm sure we all have bookmarks of info on other sites that would be extremely useful. I used to keep a whole bunch for my BMW sites then I started submitting them to the bimmerdiy site and let them handle it. I no longer get stuck at work replying to people saying things like 'I'll send you that link when I get home, I don't have it with me.'

---Eric

[elite38868]

Well, clearly enough people want this, should we make a live poll for the rest of the bb, sayyyyy put it in the Everything about AR section?

[elite38868]

Did anyone ever make a poll on this? If not I can...I have several how to's i'd like to add with very detailed pictures.

[ossodiseppia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by elite38868 Did anyone ever make a poll on this? If not I can...I have several how to's i'd like to add with very detailed pictures.

[John M]

That looks great Osso. I would love to see a section with tech articles like the one you wrote. Outstanding!

Best Regards,
John M