Zero Reply Questions

[DevynCJohnson]

We should probably find some way to manage threads with zero replies. I saw this one thread where a new forum user asked a question on September, but no one answered until November.
http://www.linux.org/threads/where-to-place-secondary-php-ini-on-centos-webserver.4539/

This user is not seen again on this forum. I have seen several other threads like the above. We may be able to gain and retain more users if we find some way to manage posts better. We should probably try to browse the forum occasionally to find such threads. Once one is found, if a user cannot answer the question, then that user may want to try tagging a user they feel may know the answer. Or, the user could click the Google+, Facebook, or Twitter share button to try to get the attention of Linux gurus outside of our forum.

Any suggestions?

By the way, to tag a user, type "@" and then the user name. For example, to tag me type this:

@DevynCJohnson

As you type, usernames are suggested. Then, when I log in, I will see an alert that I was tagged in a post. Only tag users when you really need them. I am saying that it is fine to ask questions for help, but do not tag a user as a prank or for some non-legitimate reason. Everyone (as far as I am aware) does not mind helping and answering questions.

 

[ryanvade]

Unfortunately this happens all the time. We can try to limit the number of forgotten posts....

 

[jeannie.io]

As one of those people, I appreciate your attention to the problem. What you've said is absolutely true: I wasn't coming back myself, except that I had already subscribed to the Announcements and saw the email for this post.

I can't suggest anything as I don't know this site's owner/management structure (or personalities) involved, but I do hope you're able to come up with a fix that facilitates growth of the linux community as a whole, and strengthens this site's standing in it (and potential profitability / philanthropy / whatever turns the owner/s on). Because it really is discouraging to look for community and get passive rejection instead.

 

[DevynCJohnson]

As one of those people, I appreciate your attention to the problem. What you've said is absolutely true: I wasn't coming back myself, except that I had already subscribed to the Announcements and saw the email for this post.

I can't suggest anything as I don't know this site's owner/management structure (or personalities) involved, but I do hope you're able to come up with a fix that facilitates growth of the linux community as a whole, and strengthens this site's standing in it (and potential profitability / philanthropy / whatever turns the owner/s on). Because it really is discouraging to look for community and get passive rejection instead.

Thank you for your comment and I am sorry for the great delay on your post.

 

[MikeyD]

While this is true I really don't see the active staff members here at fault. At the end of the day these are user-driven forum not a paid subscription forums or tech support forums with a large active staff of support personnel. There are also two sides to the coin I have seen plenty of users create a username to post a question and get a response either with something to try or requesting more information only to never hear from the member again.

Devyn and Ryanvade are in my opinion the best/most active staff members and truthfully the only staff I see regularly posting in multiple forums. I'm not going to pretend to know how the actual company structure behind Linux.org works and what/if compensation is involved, but I know ryanvade was just another member before being hired on and I can't imagine this is either of their full-time jobs. At this point I enjoy these forums and have been around a bit, but I am by no means a Linux guru and with real-life work and school I have very little time these days to be as active as I was. Its no doubt the same for other forum vets who volunteer to answer questions or create Linux resources. There is really no way to "force" users to answer questions or keep abreast of all the questions asked throughout the many forums here.

Jeannie.io I do see your point especially since your issue was a specific forum issue it should have been handled quicker, but I don't think the already active staff members should be expected to answer/respond to MORE threads than they already do on a daily basis. I think more staffing would help the issue, but again I don't know if that is even feasible or not from a company perspective.

 

[DevynCJohnson]

While this is true I really don't see the active staff members here at fault. At the end of the day these are user-driven forum not a paid subscription forums or tech support forums with a large active staff of support personnel. There are also two sides to the coin I have seen plenty of users create a username to post a question and get a response either with something to try or requesting more information only to never hear from the member again.

Devyn and Ryanvade are in my opinion the best/most active staff members and truthfully the only staff I see regularly posting in multiple forums. I'm not going to pretend to know how the actual company structure behind Linux.org works and what/if compensation is involved, but I know ryanvade was just another member before being hired on and I can't imagine this is either of their full-time jobs. At this point I enjoy these forums and have been around a bit, but I am by no means a Linux guru and with real-life work and school I have very little time these days to be as active as I was. Its no doubt the same for other forum vets who volunteer to answer questions or create Linux resources. There is really no way to "force" users to answer questions or keep abreast of all the questions asked throughout the many forums here.

Jeannie.io I do see your point especially since your issue was a specific forum issue it should have been handled quicker, but I don't think the already active staff members should be expected to answer/respond to MORE threads than they already do on a daily basis. I think more staffing would help the issue, but again I don't know if that is even feasible or not from a company perspective.

Thanks for the compliment. You made a lot of good points.

 

[Cyber-Berserker]

I just stumbled upon this thread. It is old, but worthy of comment. Why not add a feature that most boards have? A list of "unanswered" or "zero reply" posts? Makes it easy for people to find unanswered posts scattered across a board.

 

[DevynCJohnson]

I just stumbled upon this thread. It is old, but worthy of comment. Why not add a feature that most boards have? A list of "unanswered" or "zero reply" posts? Makes it easy for people to find unanswered posts scattered across a board.

@Rob , can Cyber-Berserker's idea be implemented?

 

[bashcommando]

And if you see the post, and don't know what the answer is just reply saying thinking