Sticky Use in Device Forums by Members

[Frisco]

SURoot has been actively recruiting members in the Desire ATR sub-forum to participate in the sticky guide in there.

In this thread:

http://androidforums.com/desire-all...ing-no-one-reads-desire-root-via-browser.html

a discussion ensued about lack of use by members, especially newer members. That lack of use seems to be related to the old "nobody reads stickies" conclusion that some draw when seeing device queries posted which are covered straight away in a sticky which was ignored by the posting member.

How to get more members to see and use the stickies is the challenge being talked about.

I think it's an exaggeration for us to say "nobody reads them," because the "views" column for device stickies often has several times the number of posts (but I'm wondering how many of those "views" are from non-members landing there via a search engine). At any rate, there is a high percentage of posts, sometimes in the very stick thread if open, asking for this or that fact that is right in the OP of the sticky.

Any thoughts?

 

[Unforgiven]

My experience is that I am more likely to read a sticky with fewer replies or ones that are locked. On locked threads where the the OP is updated and a new post is added explaining (or just pointing out) the change I see it as being new useful information and will pop in. I am also more likely to link folks to the sticky knowing that it is up to date and not filled with bunk.

It seems that ones with dozens or hundreds of replies get confusing. Someone may ask about something not covered in the OP. The OP is then updated based on new information. Then the user's question looks dumb because it is now answered in the OP and someone will almost alway say "didn't you read the op". Also, this is a frequent problem in the Root Guides when OTAs go out as the sticky is not updated for rooting the new version. The threads get filled with "I tried this on version x.y.z and it doesn't work" posts that really just become noise. Also, I see too many "will this work with my [insert device name here]". This may cause folks coming in from google search to use a root guide not intended for their phone.

I hope this helps, I can see how this can be a challenge.

 

[SUroot]

I agree stickies like the root one should stay locked. Don't want it coming off topic or for members to think they have to trawl the entire thread instead of post 1.

I would like stickies to be locked but with post 2 perhaps as a change log.


I really like rastas idea of emboldened titles for sticky threads and I really hope that can be implemented.... anything that differentiates from the other thread more than what's there already

 

[Unforgiven]

I would like stickies to be locked but with post 2 perhaps as a change log.

I would prefer a new post for the change log (as opposed to editing, leave edits in the OP) as this would mark the thread as being unread when I come across it again as well as make it show up in my subscribed threads (provided I am subscribed) as this is the first thing I check when I log in.

 

[agentc13]

I would prefer a new post for the change log (as opposed to editing, leave edits in the OP) as this would mark the thread as being unread when I come across it again as well as make it show up in my subscribed threads (provided I am subscribed) as this is the first thing I check when I log in.

I think I like this idea.
And a bold font for sticky posts as well.

 

[Frisco]

I would prefer a new post for the change log (as opposed to editing, leave edits in the OP) as this would mark the thread as being unread when I come across it again as well as make it show up in my subscribed threads (provided I am subscribed) as this is the first thing I check when I log in.

That works especially well when subsequent posts are first copy/paste of the OP then with the changes inserted, as opposed to having members scroll back up to the OP to see the whole enchilada.

Over time new change log posts can be numerous.

 

[Yeahha]

I've always been a fan of locked stickys compared to free for all ones. It seems that discussion posts in a free for all sticky cause it to grow and it can be daunting to have a new member try to search thru a 200+ post thread to find out one thing.

Many new users are from other forums where you may get flamed for posting in an established thead for asking a question that has already been answered. This may come from not knowing the rules here or being callioused by other forums and even with the no search needed rule we have knowing other forums have similar rules that are not enforced by the mods.

 

[9to5cynic]

Hmm... I don't know. I remember when the second evo root method showed up, it was a free for all. The how to was being updated, and posts were still being answered. I don't really have a solution, but I think being able to ask people in the thread can definitely have merit.

my $0.02

 

[EarlyMon]

Hmm... I don't know. I remember when the second evo root method showed up, it was a free for all. The how to was being updated, and posts were still being answered. I don't really have a solution, but I think being able to ask people in the thread can definitely have merit.

my $0.02

Matlock's thread? TheBiles' thread? Those were incredibly helpful.

Others could help newbs just by referencing similar in the thread, and the OPs did make it all work well.

 

[SUroot]

But now the ops are all guides and I dare say that they create several each. Then what if someone only part experienced submits a not so good solution to be added? The guide can't possibly be able to "approve" it as an appropriate link for every devIce. Then its down to the senior members for each device to report it.

This is the case anyway but with a locked thread.and change log only, this would be an easier spot for us.

I don't think there should be a question about whether its locked or not. Frisco kindly raised this thread on the back of a discussion about what's best for the desire sticky. Being unlocked is definitely not what we want there.