Confusion, More Confusion

[Patrick Chappelle]

How many times have you seen discussions that start off "I've searched everywhere, but I couldn't find the answer, so..."? Plenty, right? Well, that's because Ning search isn't what it ought to be, but it's not the sole reason.

Too often, when network creators post here, they choose the wrong category, and more times than not have no idea what tags are for and put all manner of gibberish (whole sentences even) into the tag field. 

So here's my suggestion. When you post a discussion, have some consideration for your fellow nc's and make sure to post it in the appropriate category. Don't know what tags are for, or are unsure what to enter into the field, leave it blank. Choosing the right category also makes it easier for Ning staff or other nc's to find your post and assist. 

As much as I like to help out around here, I wasn't going to post this discussion. My change of heart came as a result of someone I was trying to assist earlier. I hadn't noticed that Andrew had resolved his issue himself, before I commented. Didn't notice until I later, and I told him like "hey, you found the answer you were looking for". So I notice his discussion was in the wrong category, and I mentioned it. You would have thought I raped his dog. Snide remark, deletes all of his comments from the discussion, closes discussion. Obviously a mature gentleman if ever there was one.

Now where was I? Oh yeah, just have some consideration folks. Let's make things here a little easier for yourselves and one another here. I don't think that's too much to ask. 

[ismail shah]

nice suggestion, M already doing that. :)

[Patrick Chappelle]

Very good, Ismail.

[John Valentine]

I know when I posted my first discussion I just didn't even think about a category, I just thought the whole thing was one category effectively called 'help and give help'. On my site when you go into the forums each category is laid out, 'business discussion', 'office chat', 'I am reading', 'networking issues' etc - so makes it easier to go straight to the right category.

[Patrick Chappelle]

Hey John.

If you're searching the Creators forums, there are different categories. When you hover your mouse over "Forum", the drop down menu offers you three options:

View by Activity

View by Category

Ning Announcements

When you're composing your discussion, you are offered a number of categories from which to choose.

Community Support

Add a Tip for Other Network Creators

Critique My Site

Design Details

Bugs and Issues

Product Ideas and Suggestions

Improvements to Creators Community

Often, members here post in the wrong category. For instance, someone looking for help from other nc's should select "Community Support". Now this person might (for whatever reason) select "Add a Tip for Other Network Creators. Someone else comes along and sees this discussion in that category, finds out it's not a tip, moves on not bothering to respond, because it's not what he/she is looking for.

In order for things to be more streamlined here, choosing the right category will save everyone a lot of headaches.

[Donna Mac]

Sometimes people just don't make sense, fly off the handle, etc.  However.......you are always considerate Patrick....others should follow in your footsteps.

[Patrick Chappelle]

Thanks Donna.

[Paul Corona]

not so much issues with the poster but with lack of a decent search tool----the NING default is not worth a hoot...

so easy to implement a Google based search like:

form target="_new" action="http://www.google.com/search" accept-charset="UNKNOWN" method="enctype="application/x-www-form-urlencoded"">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><input maxlength="255" name="q" size="30" type="text" /><br />
 <input style="width: 210px; height: 24px;" size="16" value="yoursite.com Search" type="submit" /></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="font-size: 75%;" align="center"><input checked="checked" name="sitesearch" value="yoursite.com" type="checkbox" /> only search yoursite.com</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</form>

that I totally fail to understand why Creators are punished with having to use what we have.....

[Patrick Chappelle]

Paul, I do understand that Ning search leaves much to be desired, and I've said as much in my initial post. I'm just saying that in the meanwhile, there are steps we can take to make things a little smoother. 

[Paul Corona]

understand exactly what you are saying....but classifying posts into correct areas when they overlap is not clear cut.................I know that I've cussed more at trying to search for things on Creators than finding misdirected posts and I'm guilty of not taking more time to classify my stuff.....

[ismail shah]

@patrick for Best SEO of any website we should use tags with Professional Keywords