Posting tips to get the best responses to questions
08-07-2005, 06:39 AM
#1
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Posting tips to get the best responses to questions
Here are two tips on posting questions.
SUBJECTS
Subjects like "HELP" "NEW FLYER has Question" and the like often get passed by.
Be specific. "Need help with tail alignment problem", or " what size ESC do I need on a speed 400" or the like. You will get more answers and faster answers from people who know the answer.
THE BODY OF THE POST
When you write your post, put your question in the first line of the post. Add any other information later.
If you want to know about how to fix balsa wood breakage on your plane, say that. If you start with:
"I have been flying for 3 weeks and bought a bla blah blah".... Then about 8 lines down you say, how do I fix broken balsa ailerons, no one will get to the question. They will either see that you just want to tell us you got a new plane, which is nice, or they will think they need to know about that specific model, which they don't, and just move on without answering. Happens to me all the time. I read the fist few lines and decide whether to continue or move on.
Someone posts, " I have a wattage XXX and I have a question".
OK, I have no wattage planes so I don't have specific knowledge of this plane. I move on.
What he wants to know is can he use CA glue on a foam wing. Well, I can answer, but I would have had to dig through the post to find that question.
Put your question up front.
Just a few tips for getting the most out of this forum.
Others will have more tips or may suggest other approaches but these should be helpful.
SUBJECTS
Subjects like "HELP" "NEW FLYER has Question" and the like often get passed by.
Be specific. "Need help with tail alignment problem", or " what size ESC do I need on a speed 400" or the like. You will get more answers and faster answers from people who know the answer.
THE BODY OF THE POST
When you write your post, put your question in the first line of the post. Add any other information later.
If you want to know about how to fix balsa wood breakage on your plane, say that. If you start with:
"I have been flying for 3 weeks and bought a bla blah blah".... Then about 8 lines down you say, how do I fix broken balsa ailerons, no one will get to the question. They will either see that you just want to tell us you got a new plane, which is nice, or they will think they need to know about that specific model, which they don't, and just move on without answering. Happens to me all the time. I read the fist few lines and decide whether to continue or move on.
Someone posts, " I have a wattage XXX and I have a question".
OK, I have no wattage planes so I don't have specific knowledge of this plane. I move on.
What he wants to know is can he use CA glue on a foam wing. Well, I can answer, but I would have had to dig through the post to find that question.
Put your question up front.
Just a few tips for getting the most out of this forum.
Others will have more tips or may suggest other approaches but these should be helpful.
Last edited by AEAJR; 08-07-2005 at 10:51 AM.
02-03-2007, 04:54 AM
#5
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My experience is that people want to help.
I just got an e-mail from someone asking for help.
After reading their e-mail 3 times I could not figure out what the question was or how I could help them.
Very frustrating for them and for me.
I just got an e-mail from someone asking for help.
After reading their e-mail 3 times I could not figure out what the question was or how I could help them.
Very frustrating for them and for me.
03-01-2007, 03:18 PM
#6
Super Contributor
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,071
When sending a message to another, that message should be instantly and easily understood, without ambiguity or confusion being caused to the recipient.
Okay, maybe not those words, but for most of my time in the Royal Air Force, I was a communicator charged with passing information to whoever was on the other end of a radio link. The recipient could have been from any country in NATO (and a few that weren't). Being as we were in a state of perpetual practice for WW3, it was somewhat important that information was recieved and understood the first time, every time.
The last thing you wanted to hear after telling someone they were being shot at was "Que?"
Okay, overly dramatic perhaps, but the principle still applies - you ask a question, it's only good manners to couch it in a form that leaves your source of info in no doubt of what you're asking and promotes a feeling of good will towards offering their suggestion.
The pinnacle of how not to do this is the badly titled, rambling IM style question with no capitalisation, punctuation, paragraphing or even a catchy first line.
Most possible repliers will skim straight over that. My more recent employment, though far less exciting than looking for Soviet submarines, has taught me that folk have a short attention span when it comes to reading, and you've got about two lines to get their interest enough for them to read the next few.
Okay, internet advice is worth every penny it costs you. But at least, make your questions obvious as to what you're asking and then easy and interesting enough to read.
Hope that helps
Dereck
Okay, maybe not those words, but for most of my time in the Royal Air Force, I was a communicator charged with passing information to whoever was on the other end of a radio link. The recipient could have been from any country in NATO (and a few that weren't). Being as we were in a state of perpetual practice for WW3, it was somewhat important that information was recieved and understood the first time, every time.
The last thing you wanted to hear after telling someone they were being shot at was "Que?"
Okay, overly dramatic perhaps, but the principle still applies - you ask a question, it's only good manners to couch it in a form that leaves your source of info in no doubt of what you're asking and promotes a feeling of good will towards offering their suggestion.
The pinnacle of how not to do this is the badly titled, rambling IM style question with no capitalisation, punctuation, paragraphing or even a catchy first line.
Most possible repliers will skim straight over that. My more recent employment, though far less exciting than looking for Soviet submarines, has taught me that folk have a short attention span when it comes to reading, and you've got about two lines to get their interest enough for them to read the next few.
Okay, internet advice is worth every penny it costs you. But at least, make your questions obvious as to what you're asking and then easy and interesting enough to read.
Hope that helps
Dereck
03-25-2007, 11:50 AM
#7
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Mpls Mn
Posts: 34
Hot Tip before posting:
Spell check your stuff.
Proof read the entire note, then post.
It will make 100% the difference, and cut confusion.
This may delay your intended post by a few seconds,
but speed isn't required.
This can shorten the thread by one page just trying to
get to the point.
I see this done everywhere across the internet:
Example - I really like 'you' plane.
(it's YOUR)
It's like a poke in the eye.
F words are less painful if done right.
If English is a second language, that's fine.
Comedy is automatic, and enjoyed.
I travel to Europe often, and I'm very lucky they go out
of their way to speak English.
This is a quick stop of trying to get camping supplies in Germany, and too deep into the countryside.
I pull over to a small store, say 30 miles west of Sittard.
I ask the lady for hamburger, and a few minutes go by.
I could not read one thing, that's on the store shelfs.
She returns handing me a quart of oil.
I smile and go further down the road.
The urge to laugh was restrained. I waited till I got in the car.
So one can get handicapped in odd ways.
Spell check your stuff.
Proof read the entire note, then post.
It will make 100% the difference, and cut confusion.
This may delay your intended post by a few seconds,
but speed isn't required.
This can shorten the thread by one page just trying to
get to the point.
I see this done everywhere across the internet:
Example - I really like 'you' plane.
(it's YOUR)
It's like a poke in the eye.
F words are less painful if done right.
If English is a second language, that's fine.
Comedy is automatic, and enjoyed.
I travel to Europe often, and I'm very lucky they go out
of their way to speak English.
This is a quick stop of trying to get camping supplies in Germany, and too deep into the countryside.
I pull over to a small store, say 30 miles west of Sittard.
I ask the lady for hamburger, and a few minutes go by.
I could not read one thing, that's on the store shelfs.
She returns handing me a quart of oil.
I smile and go further down the road.
The urge to laugh was restrained. I waited till I got in the car.
So one can get handicapped in odd ways.
04-03-2007, 04:38 PM
#10
Retired
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Decatur,ILL.
Posts: 73
servos where to plug ?
I have a 6 channel rx
what channel for the RUDDER ?
what channel for the elevator ?
what channel for the ailerons left and right?
or do I just do the old TRIAL and ERROR to figure it out?
Just a newbee question? Thanx.....
what channel for the RUDDER ?
what channel for the elevator ?
what channel for the ailerons left and right?
or do I just do the old TRIAL and ERROR to figure it out?
Just a newbee question? Thanx.....
04-03-2007, 06:54 PM
#11
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Originally Posted by keebler
I have a 6 channel rx
what channel for the RUDDER ?
what channel for the elevator ?
what channel for the ailerons left and right?
or do I just do the old TRIAL and ERROR to figure it out?
Just a newbee question? Thanx.....
what channel for the RUDDER ?
what channel for the elevator ?
what channel for the ailerons left and right?
or do I just do the old TRIAL and ERROR to figure it out?
Just a newbee question? Thanx.....
Hitec/Futaba follow this pattern. JR and others are different
1 - ail
2- elev
3- throttle
4- rudder
5 - gear
6- flaps or second aileron
RTFM - Read your friendly manual.
08-27-2007, 02:32 PM
#13
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Where you post can be just as important as what you post.
Almost anything can go into the General and Beginner forums and will get some attention. But if you are looking for advanced knowledge you might want to post into one of the more specific forums, like Radios.
Also, be specific about brands. If you are asking how to program your 6 channel computer radio, give the specific brand and model. If you have looked in the manual, found something but it doesn't sem to work, say that too. It might help people get to the key issue faster.
Whenever possible, post a link to the radio, plane, ESC, servo, whatever, so that people are certain of the one you are discussing. Nothing worse than getting good advice but it is for a different item that they thought you meant.
Hope these tips are helpful.
Almost anything can go into the General and Beginner forums and will get some attention. But if you are looking for advanced knowledge you might want to post into one of the more specific forums, like Radios.
Also, be specific about brands. If you are asking how to program your 6 channel computer radio, give the specific brand and model. If you have looked in the manual, found something but it doesn't sem to work, say that too. It might help people get to the key issue faster.
Whenever possible, post a link to the radio, plane, ESC, servo, whatever, so that people are certain of the one you are discussing. Nothing worse than getting good advice but it is for a different item that they thought you meant.
Hope these tips are helpful.
Last edited by AEAJR; 03-11-2008 at 02:39 PM.
10-24-2007, 01:32 AM
#14
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NY, USA
Posts: 5,872
Provide a link
Whenever possible, when you are asking about a specific plane, battery, charger, motor, esc, whatever, try to post a link to the device so people and see it, read the specs and have a good idea what you are talking about.
So often I see things liike, " I have a 30 amp ESC. how do I set the brake funciton?"
OK, now I want to help him but I have no idea what ESC he has or if it even has a brake function. So it will take about 3 posts till I get the info I need to help him.
Or, " I have a 101 brushless. How many volts can my battery pack be?" Again, I have no idea what motor he has.
So, when possible do this:
I have an Aerobird 3. Can I use a brushless motor to replace the stock set-up?
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HBZ3600
That link goes to a listing for the Aerobird 3. There you can see that it is an RTF, 27 MHz, uses a brushed motor, etc. Now you can tell me that in order to go brushelss I will need to replace all the electronics.
When possible, post a link. :-)
Whenever possible, when you are asking about a specific plane, battery, charger, motor, esc, whatever, try to post a link to the device so people and see it, read the specs and have a good idea what you are talking about.
So often I see things liike, " I have a 30 amp ESC. how do I set the brake funciton?"
OK, now I want to help him but I have no idea what ESC he has or if it even has a brake function. So it will take about 3 posts till I get the info I need to help him.
Or, " I have a 101 brushless. How many volts can my battery pack be?" Again, I have no idea what motor he has.
So, when possible do this:
I have an Aerobird 3. Can I use a brushless motor to replace the stock set-up?
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HBZ3600
That link goes to a listing for the Aerobird 3. There you can see that it is an RTF, 27 MHz, uses a brushed motor, etc. Now you can tell me that in order to go brushelss I will need to replace all the electronics.
When possible, post a link. :-)
02-29-2008, 03:34 PM
#16
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Posts: 5,872
Originally Posted by jhp4162
Good Info!!
Question? Can I use my Firebird Phantom Channel 2 Radio Transmitter with a T-Hawk?
Question? Can I use my Firebird Phantom Channel 2 Radio Transmitter with a T-Hawk?
Your question had NOTHING to do with the topic of this discussion. This is about as far off topic as you can get.
Frankly I don't know the answer and would not want it discussed in this thread. I suggest you post a new discussion in the beginner forum. Perhaps someone has tried that combination.
03-04-2008, 02:05 PM
#17
New Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 8
Originally Posted by AEAJR
A posting tip. Post your questions in dicussions about that or a similar topic.
Your question had NOTHING to do with the topic of this discussion. This is about as far off topic as you can get.
Frankly I don't know the answer and would not want it discussed in this thread. I suggest you post a new discussion in the beginner forum. Perhaps someone has tried that combination.
Your question had NOTHING to do with the topic of this discussion. This is about as far off topic as you can get.
Frankly I don't know the answer and would not want it discussed in this thread. I suggest you post a new discussion in the beginner forum. Perhaps someone has tried that combination.
I'm now looking for the beginners forum.
Thanks,
03-04-2008, 04:08 PM
#18
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Posts: 1,818
Not to further derail this, but just to clarify, a "thread" is a set of posts under the same subject. When you browse the forum, you see a list of subjects in each section. Each of those individual subjects is called a "thread." When you click to view a thread, you will then see a list of posts (one after the other, in a linear-discussion style where people generally reply to the post made immediately before their own, or quote the post they are replying to so that it is clear what their post is in reponse to). Once viewing a thread, you can then make a new post within it, which will be added to the end of the thread. If you have a question unrelated to the thread you're currently reading, it's best to start a new thread instead of posting inside an existing one (or use the Search link at the top of the forum to search and see if there's already an existing thread that is about the thing you have a question on).
Anytime you click inside a section on this forum (General Discussion, Beginners, 3D Flying, etc.) you'll notice at the top right, just above the listing of all the current threads, there is a button that says "New Thread." You can click that to start a new discussion (thread) after browsing to the forum section you feel it would be most appropriate for. For instance, if you had a question that was fairly beginner oriented, you would go to the Beginners section, then click "New Thread" and write out your post to start a new discussion about whatever you would like.
I know it can be a bit confusing if you haven't used online forums much, especially with all the new nomenclature (threads, posts, topics, etc) so if you need any assistance, just ask and someone will be happy to help walk you through it. You can send a private message to anyone here by clicking their name and then clicking the "Send a private message to so-and-so" link that will show up. If you have any questions related to how to use the forum, scroll all the way down on the main page (www.wattflyer.com/forums) and you will see a "Support & Suggestions" forum near the bottom of the list where you can start new threads asking for help, too.
Just to make things easy, here's a link you can click to start a new thread in the Beginners section if you are still having trouble: Start New Thread in Beginners Section
Hope that helps!
- Dave
Anytime you click inside a section on this forum (General Discussion, Beginners, 3D Flying, etc.) you'll notice at the top right, just above the listing of all the current threads, there is a button that says "New Thread." You can click that to start a new discussion (thread) after browsing to the forum section you feel it would be most appropriate for. For instance, if you had a question that was fairly beginner oriented, you would go to the Beginners section, then click "New Thread" and write out your post to start a new discussion about whatever you would like.
I know it can be a bit confusing if you haven't used online forums much, especially with all the new nomenclature (threads, posts, topics, etc) so if you need any assistance, just ask and someone will be happy to help walk you through it. You can send a private message to anyone here by clicking their name and then clicking the "Send a private message to so-and-so" link that will show up. If you have any questions related to how to use the forum, scroll all the way down on the main page (www.wattflyer.com/forums) and you will see a "Support & Suggestions" forum near the bottom of the list where you can start new threads asking for help, too.
Just to make things easy, here's a link you can click to start a new thread in the Beginners section if you are still having trouble: Start New Thread in Beginners Section
Hope that helps!
- Dave
03-26-2008, 01:44 PM
#19
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NY, USA
Posts: 5,872
To answer the question about "how to start a thread", here is how it is done.
Be sure you are logged in. That is, you have entered your user name and
password. Guests are not allowed to start new threads/discussions.
1) Go to the approprate forum - Electric Airplanes is usually a good place to put your
first thread. Then go to one of the sub forums within Electric airplanes, I suggest the Beginner forum.
2) Go to the top of the list of discussions and click the button that says New Thread
3) You will be at the screen with a title section and a writing section
4) Name the discussion with something that helps readers understand what it will
be about. "HELP" is not a useul title. "Need advice on second plane" would be a
good title. "Can I use CA on foam" would be another example of a good title.
5) Start your post with your question within the first line or two. Then follow
with a little background about your experience, current equipment, and your
budget. Prices of anything can range from $2 to $2000. If you only want to spend $200, say
so or you will get a LOT of useless answers. Does that budget include
electronics or just the plane. Does it include the radio? How about the battery
or battery charger? Stuff like that really helps.
6) Does it have to be RTF or can it be an ARF or a kit? Maybe you just want
plans. Any preference to foam, wood, etc?
7) If you have a particular plane in mind, post a link to a description. You may
think that saying "super cub" is clear, but there are at least 30 different
"super cubs" sold. Some are RTF, some are ARFS, some are kits, some are for glow
power and weigh 30 pounds and some may be gliders. Be specific or people will
have to guess what you mean. If you mean the HobbyZone Super Cub you can post HZ Super Cub.
8) Final tips:
DON'T WRITE IN ALL CAPS. THIS IS VERY HARD TO READ AND IT IS CONSIDERED
SHOUTING.
Please break up your post into paragraphs if it is going to be more than a few
sentances. Again, it is very hard to read 30 lines of text as one block and your
ideas do not come across well. Don't forget what you learned in English class just because you are using a computer.
After you submit your post, READ IT! You may spot typo s or other thngs you
wanttocorrect. You can edit and fix them. Or, after reading, you may decide you
left something out. So go ahead and put it in.
Just some suggestions for good posts and getting the best responses possible.
Be sure you are logged in. That is, you have entered your user name and
password. Guests are not allowed to start new threads/discussions.
1) Go to the approprate forum - Electric Airplanes is usually a good place to put your
first thread. Then go to one of the sub forums within Electric airplanes, I suggest the Beginner forum.
2) Go to the top of the list of discussions and click the button that says New Thread
3) You will be at the screen with a title section and a writing section
4) Name the discussion with something that helps readers understand what it will
be about. "HELP" is not a useul title. "Need advice on second plane" would be a
good title. "Can I use CA on foam" would be another example of a good title.
5) Start your post with your question within the first line or two. Then follow
with a little background about your experience, current equipment, and your
budget. Prices of anything can range from $2 to $2000. If you only want to spend $200, say
so or you will get a LOT of useless answers. Does that budget include
electronics or just the plane. Does it include the radio? How about the battery
or battery charger? Stuff like that really helps.
6) Does it have to be RTF or can it be an ARF or a kit? Maybe you just want
plans. Any preference to foam, wood, etc?
7) If you have a particular plane in mind, post a link to a description. You may
think that saying "super cub" is clear, but there are at least 30 different
"super cubs" sold. Some are RTF, some are ARFS, some are kits, some are for glow
power and weigh 30 pounds and some may be gliders. Be specific or people will
have to guess what you mean. If you mean the HobbyZone Super Cub you can post HZ Super Cub.
8) Final tips:
DON'T WRITE IN ALL CAPS. THIS IS VERY HARD TO READ AND IT IS CONSIDERED
SHOUTING.
Please break up your post into paragraphs if it is going to be more than a few
sentances. Again, it is very hard to read 30 lines of text as one block and your
ideas do not come across well. Don't forget what you learned in English class just because you are using a computer.
After you submit your post, READ IT! You may spot typo s or other thngs you
wanttocorrect. You can edit and fix them. Or, after reading, you may decide you
left something out. So go ahead and put it in.
Just some suggestions for good posts and getting the best responses possible.
03-27-2008, 02:16 AM
#20
New Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 8
Thanks for Posting Tip
AEAJar,
Appreciate your easy to understand directions on how to start a thread. I printed it out and went to the appropriate forum, "Electric Airplanes" and then to the "Beginner" forum and posted a thread.
Thanks,
JHP
Appreciate your easy to understand directions on how to start a thread. I printed it out and went to the appropriate forum, "Electric Airplanes" and then to the "Beginner" forum and posted a thread.
Thanks,
JHP
01-22-2009, 09:14 PM
#23
Community Moderator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NY, USA
Posts: 5,872
HOW TO START A POLL
Have you ever wanted to ask a lot of people a question and count up the votes? Well Wattflyer allows you do that through a poll.
Polls are fun. People like to see what other people think, and reading through a thread, while interesting, makes it hard to get the general feeling of the group. But a poll can summarize the groups feelings very quickly.
So, how do you start a poll?
Start in the forum where you want the poll
Click the new discussion button on the left, just above the list of discussions.
Fill in the usual space where you would normally start your discussion. Explain your poll, what you are looking for, what you hope to gather and what the choices mean.
Go down the page to the section that says Additional Options
Click the box that says "post a poll" and fill in the number of poll choices you want to have. Best to think this out ahead of time. Also consider how you want to word the options to capture what you are trying to poll. Try not to have overlapping questions and it is usually good to include "all of the above" and "none of the above" if that makes sense in your poll.
For example, "What kind of radio do you have?"
Futaba
Hitec
JR
Airtronics
Other
All of the above
None of the above
When you submit the thread it will ask you to fill in your poll questions and will offer some other options.
I believe the poll options asks if you want to allow people to select more than one choice. See if that makes sense for your poll. For example I have both Hitec and Futaba radios, so I would like to select both of those.
Someone who has a Polk, would would select None.
You get the idea.
So, if you want to run a poll, now you know how. Don't get carried away with this as too many polls can get annoying. But once in a while they can be fun for you, and for everyone else.
That should "get 'er done!"
Ed
Have you ever wanted to ask a lot of people a question and count up the votes? Well Wattflyer allows you do that through a poll.
Polls are fun. People like to see what other people think, and reading through a thread, while interesting, makes it hard to get the general feeling of the group. But a poll can summarize the groups feelings very quickly.
So, how do you start a poll?
Start in the forum where you want the poll
Click the new discussion button on the left, just above the list of discussions.
Fill in the usual space where you would normally start your discussion. Explain your poll, what you are looking for, what you hope to gather and what the choices mean.
Go down the page to the section that says Additional Options
Click the box that says "post a poll" and fill in the number of poll choices you want to have. Best to think this out ahead of time. Also consider how you want to word the options to capture what you are trying to poll. Try not to have overlapping questions and it is usually good to include "all of the above" and "none of the above" if that makes sense in your poll.
For example, "What kind of radio do you have?"
Futaba
Hitec
JR
Airtronics
Other
All of the above
None of the above
When you submit the thread it will ask you to fill in your poll questions and will offer some other options.
I believe the poll options asks if you want to allow people to select more than one choice. See if that makes sense for your poll. For example I have both Hitec and Futaba radios, so I would like to select both of those.
Someone who has a Polk, would would select None.
You get the idea.
So, if you want to run a poll, now you know how. Don't get carried away with this as too many polls can get annoying. But once in a while they can be fun for you, and for everyone else.
That should "get 'er done!"
Ed
01-22-2009, 10:43 PM
#25
Community Moderator
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NY, USA
Posts: 5,872
Rules say you can only start a thread on a topic in one forum. If you start it in two, we will close one of them. So pick the best spot and put your discussion there.
Same rule on all the forums I visit.
Same rule on all the forums I visit.
