Wiki wiki!

[JDowns]

Wiki based faq.

One thing I think is sorely missing is a good in depth basic faq. A wiki based faq would allow registered users (or an approved user list) to compile the faq.

This could be a great intro for newcomers to the hobby to help get their feet wet without having to drudge through all the myths and opinion based facts that are common in this hobby, especially forum based.

I think we all see common questions asked over and over, and all to often answered differently. This can be due to ego's, misinformation being passed on as fact, or new evidence dictates a different answer.

This can also be used as a database for things like common acronyms, plant database, algae database, nutrient facts, etc.

[Roy Deki]

Good idea John...But one thing I have learned over the past 5 years is that every tank is totally unique, even if set up identical to each other. Why?, I don't really know but, This will tend to cause differing opinions on specific problems/techniques. There is more than one way to skin a cat, so to speak.

[Jur4ik]

as i started here in this forum, after only a few days a got all the information i needed. and if we would collect all possible information and even Like Roy said about every type of scapes or tanks - we can write a book or a huge PDF file and close the forum.

Sorry by the way, thats my opinion and the thing i like on this forum - that i can ask questions - and somebody human will answer it, and explain it to me if stil didnt understand.
ofcourse somebody might be too lazy to read a short introduction and find the right topic - so he post a question - but as long as there are enough friendly people, pleasure to answer all of this questions - than why dont ask?
Every Forum is a growing community and if we would collect all the information and put into a FAQ - so what follows? do we link everybody asking a simple question to the faq?

what would be great if we could make some sticky threads in every part of the forum with tutorials or links to usefull articles. so every new user - opening the forum: equipment - find as the first thread maybe a short tutorial about filters, heaters, lightning and so on .. we didnt need to write all those tutorials - because we allready have them, we have our discussions ( for example about using heater cables or about the ADA PS .. ) and the only thing we have to do is to link them.

i hope you got the idea and the point why i´m against a faq.

peace


edit: ofcourse if someone is clever enough to use the search engine we didnt need any faq and any sticky threads ..

[chillaquaplants]

I have to agree also with the above opinions. I have posted questions on different forums and get multiple answers. I still end up experimenting, but with a little extra knowledge. Although a faq that specifically address myths might be helpful.

I have seen multiple inquiries where someone wants some specific information (me included) and the first couple responses are "Do a search". One thing I have always wanted was a simple description of how to effectively use the search function. For example, if I wanted to search for "red hygros", I would get results that included both "red" and "hygros" and a very lengthy list of posts to dig through. It takes more time to sift through all the results rather than just submit a new question.

Just my two cents.