Device Specifics

[nahoku]

Is there any way to "force" people to name their device and/or model number, before allowing posts to the forums? If I create a post in "Ask a Question", all I'm prompted with is...

Step 1 - Your question
Step 2 - Add some detail

How's about a...
Step 3 - Device name and Model number

This requirement would help the OP get better, more direct help, much quicker. I admittedly bypass many posts just because I'm quite tired of asking the same old question of what device the OP is using. I've read thousands of threads where no device is specified, and it's more the norm than the exception.

 

[B. Diddy]

I agree, and this is something I've asked for in the past as well. On the bright side, though, it is a way to encourage unregistered guests to register and continue the discussion, since it is often hard to give a definitive answer without knowing the device.

 

[nahoku]

No response from the "A" team?

 

[B. Diddy]

I forwarded the post to The Big Kahuna (James Falconer, our Community Manager.

 

[James Falconer]

This option is actually available already, but I'm assuming the integration is not very clear

If you scroll to the bottom of the 'ask a question' form, there should be a 'category' field. This lets you select a topic OR DEVICE that your question applies to!

 

[nahoku]

This option is actually available already, but I'm assuming the integration is not very clear

If you scroll to the bottom of the 'ask a question' form, there should be a 'category' field. This lets you select a topic OR DEVICE that your question applies to!

Being "Optional" tells people they don't have to choose to even look at the list. Beyond that, all top selections point to what appears to be the forum they want the post to be in, or what the problem is related to (which is what the OP should be entering in his post). If AC makes a "mandatory" Step 3 to choose the device (with the existing Optional list, devices only), then it would solve the problem straight away for the most part. There "could" be more info than just selecting a device from a list, though. It would help to know the "carrier and country" also (besides make and model number). Any information would be helpful for both parties involved with trying to solve the issue.

Stats: Taken from the "first pages" of Unanswered Threads search, and Ask A Question Forum
1) Out of 50 posts made to the Ask A Question Forum (in Unanswered Threads search), 9 of them specify no device. This = 18%
2) Out of those 50 posts, OP's that did specify the device posted the information in the body of the text or in the Subject line
3) In the Ask A Question Forum, 6 out of 30 posts do not specify the device. This = 20%

The data above points to a problem with posting criteria on this forum. I understand that such is the case for many forums (I've belonged to many), but if anything I owned, anything I did, any portion of my life, failed 18 - 20 percent of the time, I would consider changing something.

 

[nucleisoft]

ye me too i didnt even spot that down at the bottem, at least move it right up to the top if your not going to make it forced.