Help and Support cleanup and SMBX FAQs thread - yay or nay?

Mivixion · Postby **Mivixion** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 8:20 pm

Imaynotbehere4long wrote:
Squishy R-exe wrote:
Mivixion wrote:It would be nice if people actually used it, but knowing how users are there days I don't know if it would help anyone.

My suggestion is almost a bait and switch, and while it seems mean it would probably actually work.
Just make the thread title something like "How to use Starman in SMBX" or "SMBX 1.4" in Help and Support as a sticky.
Actually the old "bait and switch" tactic would be simple enough to engage and would work in this case for the majority of users.
The only problem with that is that it won't work for the people who actually try to look through the stikies' titles and see if their problem has been fixed already. If someone is honestly trying to look for how to use layers or events, they'll just gloss over a thread titled "How to use Starman in SMBX," etc.

Layers and events isn't a stupid question, asking about Starman is (due to the crazy amount of answers people have already given).

Or just title it, Starman and Other Amazing Features of SMBX.

HeroLinik · Postby **HeroLinik** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 5:08 am

Mivixion wrote:Or just title it, Starman and Other Amazing Features of SMBX.

If you're referring to the sticky title, that'll only function as clickbait, because it misleads the user into thinking that there is a Starman in SMBX, and when they click it, it's just a list of FAQs about SMBX, answering them in detail. That could force them into reading these stickies.

Mivixion · Postby **Mivixion** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 12:04 pm

Linik wrote:
Mivixion wrote:Or just title it, Starman and Other Amazing Features of SMBX.
If you're referring to the sticky title, that'll only function as clickbait, because it misleads the user into thinking that there is a Starman in SMBX, and when they click it, it's just a list of FAQs about SMBX, answering them in detail. That could force them into reading these stickies.

That's the point of it.

HeroLinik · Postby **HeroLinik** » Sun Oct 18, 2015 2:35 pm

Mivixion wrote:
Linik wrote:
Mivixion wrote:Or just title it, Starman and Other Amazing Features of SMBX.
If you're referring to the sticky title, that'll only function as clickbait, because it misleads the user into thinking that there is a Starman in SMBX, and when they click it, it's just a list of FAQs about SMBX, answering them in detail. That could force them into reading these stickies.
That's the point of it.

Which is what we're trying to get at. Shall we get started on it now or wait for approval?

Mivixion · Postby **Mivixion** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 9:57 pm

I'll see what Joey thinks about it.

Postby **Shadow Yoshi** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 11:19 pm

I think we definitely need a FAQ thread and I think combining everything into that would be the best option.

I don't think we need any clickbait to get people to read the thread. If they don't read it, it's their fault and their own help thread will be locked/deleted.

Postby **Squishy Rex** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 2:39 am

Joey wrote:I think we definitely need a FAQ thread and I think combining everything into that would be the best option.

I don't think we need any clickbait to get people to read the thread. If they don't read it, it's their fault and their own help thread will be locked/deleted.

I think that sounds pretty fair to be honest. It will at the very least teach people to actually read before posting.

HeroLinik · Postby **HeroLinik** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 8:23 am

Joey wrote:I think we definitely need a FAQ thread and I think combining everything into that would be the best option.

I don't think we need any clickbait to get people to read the thread. If they don't read it, it's their fault and their own help thread will be locked/deleted.

Even then, there is still always going to be that one person who never reads the topic despite prior warnings. Being more stringent on this if they do it multiple times might force them into reading the topics for once.

Postby **Shadow Yoshi** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 10:23 am

If they continually break rules then that one person will be handled by the staff.

HeroLinik · Postby **HeroLinik** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 11:06 am

That's a good idea. Shall we get started on the cleanup now?

PixelPest · Postby **PixelPest** » Wed Oct 28, 2015 8:55 pm

Tada!
http://www.smbxgame.com/forums/v ... 35&t=12033
Let the 1st SMBX Forums Cleanup Games Begin.

In addition to the previous post...
...I also think that the cleanup of Help and Support topic stickies should go like this:

The SMBX Guide to Spriting (stays as is)

How to use SMBXs Online function to edit levels together + The Secret "Lakitus Are Throwing Lakitus" Editor Tab + SMBX Hardcoded Graphics - Tutorial = "SMBX User Help Guide #2 (Advanced Elements)"

SMBX Under Linux (and Mac!)... (stays as is)

NPCs landmarks + Moving Layer Calculations + NPC Code List +SMBX Cheat Codes = "????"

First Time Users Guide to SMBX + How to SMBX + The Official Guide to Layers and Events in SMBX = "SMBX User Help Guide #1 (Fundamental/Beginner Elements)"

FAQ Questions Thread

HeroLinik · Postby **HeroLinik** » Thu Oct 29, 2015 4:33 pm

And indeed the games have begun. That thread you made is really useful for newcomers. And with merging the NPC codes, cheat codes, moving layers and NPC landmarks topics into one but you didn't know what to call it. I would say call it "SMBX Hints and Tips"

YouTube · Postby **bossedit8** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 12:27 am

Researching... we have way too many stickied topics in the Help & Support Forum:

Spoiler: show

Mable · Postby **Mable** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 4:21 am

bossedit8 wrote:Researching... we have way too many stickied topics in the Help & Support Forum:
Spoiler: show

Not 12 if you count the other 63 pages.

HeroLinik · Postby **HeroLinik** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 4:59 am

bossedit8 wrote:Researching... we have way too many stickied topics in the Help & Support Forum:
Spoiler: show

That's the second part of the suggestion - to merge these stickied topics into help topics. PixelPest has the right idea: merging the first-time users guide, how to SMBX and layers and events guide go into one topic, and the hardcoded graphics, Lakitus throwing Lakitus tab, and SMBX online features go into another topic.

PixelPest · Postby **PixelPest** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 6:43 am

Linik wrote:And indeed the games have begun. That thread you made is really useful for newcomers. And with merging the NPC codes, cheat codes, moving layers and NPC landmarks topics into one but you didn't know what to call it. I would say call it "SMBX Hints and Tips"

Thank you Linik.
That sounds good. I think that name would work well to encompass all four topics. But how can we even get all these threads merged?

Postby **Shadow Yoshi** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 10:34 am

I could look into transforming the forum FAQ page or adding a new page to the site for the FAQ as well.

PixelPest · Postby **PixelPest** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 11:37 am

Joey wrote:I could look into transforming the forum FAQ page or adding a new page to the site for the FAQ as well.

I'd say keep the sticky thread, improve it, and where the page list is, have a FAQ link that goes to the sticky topic. I really don't think we need a whole page for it and that would have pretty much the functions if stationed in the forums. Plus it could be continually improved through user's comments in H&S.