I agree. But, the influx of new users is a boon, as well. There should be a way to usher in new users gracefully.
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Posting Etiquette - Don't Anger a Developer
- Thread starter jangst123
- Start date
What's funny is when I am searching, it seems a good majority of my results are threads where people have already asked my question. But when I get to the thread, it's people saying "this has already been asked, learn to use Google." Gives me a chuckle every time. The little voice in my head says jokingly, "but I just DID".
I do realize this is a product of thread pollution, it's just at this point, it's reality. The more search engines gather information, the more search results are going to point to threads where there is a perfect question, but absolutely no answer, only people being given a dress-down on using the search.
This is why I think it's helpful, as some others have said, to provide a link to an instance where the question has been asked and answered, or a sticky, instead of taking the prideful route of belittling the person. It has nothing to do with worrying about the posters feelings, but everything to do with keeping search engine results useful. If they all point back to good information, more searches are successful to begin with. If you don't wish to use your time linking people to answers that are already out there, simply say nothing at all. In other words, help it to be a potentially useful thread, or help it die with your silence.
I wish it wasn't this way, but that's the reality of it, and it's only getting worse.
In regards to the topic in the OP, it makes me sick when I see people continually stoking the fires against a developer in the developer's own thread. A very recent example locked the thread, ruining it for everyone, and I don't blame the developer or mods one bit. It's just sad that a ROM I love so much, and a thread that I faithfully read multiple times a day, every day, ceased to exist because a small handful of people felt the need to complain endlessly about amazing services provided to them for free.
I can't even put into words how amazing it is that developers build, test, and distribute this stuff without any promise of financial return. It blows my mind. And to think how many people's tech lives are improved because of them simply making our devices better and more enjoyable to use.
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That's why I usually try to give them at least 5 links of what they are asking. If I'm at my computer I definitely try to give them a link, but if I'm at work and can only use my phone I try to give them something to search... If you search something it will give you about 2 pages generally. Look for items in general and q&a and go from there. I guarantee it will only take 10 minutes to find the answer. If people have the time to flash a rom and download all these files, then they have the time to search and read for 10 extra minutes.
I completely agree with the last 2 posts!
But we also need to remember many of the members are posting from the xda app and we all know how good the search is on it!
If they really need an answer they need to hop on a browser and search. Not the app.
I still feel the best thing to do is to show them our skills and either quote the answer or link to the answer and smack them in the face with it for all the world to see.
In DJs case, one reply showing the great battery stats, and suggesting bettery stats, should have shut him up.
He needed the Ban Hammer, he was just determined to be a disruptive, disrespectful jerk.
If the users could vote him out, he would have been gone in 5 min.
Some people are just that way and their only intention is to piss someone off.
We need to learn to help once then ignore!
Not start a flame war and get the offender going even more.
I know it's hard to ignore them sometimes but it must be done in the interest of not bringing more attention to the jerk and to not bloat the thread.
Answer and move on.
Plus add them to your ignore list
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But we also need to remember many of the members are posting from the xda app and we all know how good the search is on it!
If they really need an answer they need to hop on a browser and search. Not the app.
I still feel the best thing to do is to show them our skills and either quote the answer or link to the answer and smack them in the face with it for all the world to see.
In DJs case, one reply showing the great battery stats, and suggesting bettery stats, should have shut him up.
He needed the Ban Hammer, he was just determined to be a disruptive, disrespectful jerk.
If the users could vote him out, he would have been gone in 5 min.
Some people are just that way and their only intention is to piss someone off.
We need to learn to help once then ignore!
Not start a flame war and get the offender going even more.
I know it's hard to ignore them sometimes but it must be done in the interest of not bringing more attention to the jerk and to not bloat the thread.
Answer and move on.
Plus add them to your ignore list
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Zero troll tolerance, 3 day suspension then ban.
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Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Now that is one massive, well thought out post all from his mobile. Did anyone else notice that?
One thing that I would like to add here, is the use of Thread Tags. If everyone, when you are on a PC of course, could go to the bottom of a thread, you'll see a link that says Edit Tags. Here you can put in something along the lines that has to do with the ROM, kernel, mod,... That way when someone uses the Search, it will help to narrow and define the results shown.
If everyone in this thread alone did that on the threads they frequent in a day, then the better search results it would render in the long run. Now getting them to use the search is something else entirely.
Again another well thought out post from the mobile.
The app is a convenience, yes. But it is also sometimes a hindrance when wanting some things out there too. But, there is always the ability to hit the menu and use the Show Link in Browser or whatever it is called. That will take you out of the app, then into the browser and you can use the normal daily functions. XDA is working on a better app solution, but that is still a ways off.
You know Aero mentioned that we need more Mods and that rules are not enforced. Im not going to go further into this, as that is not what this thread is supposed to be, but as I've said before, we cannot read every post on every thread. It just isn't possible. We rely on you to help us with that by using the report button. Once we know the problem, then we can action it accordingly.
But yet, not a single person reported him. I went back and looked. You know who reported him? DJ, when he asked that his thread be closed. See what I am saying here?
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I can say personally, that as I kept reading on, I felt like it wasn't my place to report him. I can't tell you why, and maybe that's simply the wrong attitude. We all need to take responsibility for things we see we feel are out of place. I think a lot of people, like me, take the "better to not get in the middle of the drama" approach. But I often forget that simply reporting a post isn't fueling the drama. If it turns out the report was unfounded, no big deal, but if the mods can take notice of something before it gets out of hand, perhaps they can take action to nip it in the bud.
Very good point. I'm going to make it a point in the future to take more responsibility when a thread takes a turn that I feel is counterproductive. Maybe if I and a few other people had actually reported the nonsense in that recent thread I was referring too, we would still be having a nice friendly conversation about a great ROM.
:silly:
Thanks
Great point! I will try that
Thanks! Another great point! JUMP to the browser!
And yet another great point!
I'm also guilty of being reluctant to use the report feature, but I will start.
I'll try to be nice 1st, then I'm reporting them.
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I am now reporting anything I see as a possible fire starter in lot of threads. I reported 2 last night. One that the persons post was completely ignored. Second was, well I haven't made my way to that section yet this morning... But woody is right there is a report button and instead of telling the person off or bashing them for them trolling and trying to start drama, just push the report button. It'll save the drama and make the mods life's easier also.
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Agreed, ANY off topic posts, even if they are well intentioned, distract from the thread. And they always lead to more and more off topic argumentative posts. Forget trying to sort people out yourself, just click the report button and be done with it.
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Well, let's not go crazy here. jk Use your best judgment. We don't need gestapo type reporting, but you get the idea of what is needed.
It would behoove (yes I said behoove) people to maybe look at how a report is done. My buddy TonyStark had put a thread together a while ago on how to use the Report function. {Guide} Getting a Moderators help. I also have it linked in my signature, as well. It can be intimidating a bit when you hit that button. Hopefully this will help.
One thing that I might add regarding the reluctance to report you posted above. All reports are anonymous. Only people who know the names are us (Mods) and the User who reported it. Not the person who is being reported (unless you, yourself post in the thread "Reported")
*********
Now at this point, I think that we have strayed from what this thread is trying to accomplish. Posting with Proper Etiquette. Let's turn it back to that, so that when people who are linked back here will understand why. You can always shoot me a PM if you have a question or anything like that.
It would behoove (yes I said behoove) people to maybe look at how a report is done. My buddy TonyStark had put a thread together a while ago on how to use the Report function. {Guide} Getting a Moderators help. I also have it linked in my signature, as well. It can be intimidating a bit when you hit that button. Hopefully this will help.
One thing that I might add regarding the reluctance to report you posted above. All reports are anonymous. Only people who know the names are us (Mods) and the User who reported it. Not the person who is being reported (unless you, yourself post in the thread "Reported")
*********
Now at this point, I think that we have strayed from what this thread is trying to accomplish. Posting with Proper Etiquette. Let's turn it back to that, so that when people who are linked back here will understand why. You can always shoot me a PM if you have a question or anything like that.
Thank you all for all the input and suggests!
The OP has been updated with your input.
If you think of anything else that should be included in the OP, post it and I will add it!
Hopefully people will be directed to read the OP and it brings us 1 step closer to a happier, friendlier XDA were Developers and Noobs can all post without much drama.
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The OP has been updated with your input.
If you think of anything else that should be included in the OP, post it and I will add it!
Hopefully people will be directed to read the OP and it brings us 1 step closer to a happier, friendlier XDA were Developers and Noobs can all post without much drama.
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This reminds me of the trouble back on the t989 forums while I was there...some great developers left.
The internet is a serious false sense of anonymity. Just because you haven't heard or seen the person posting doesn't mean there isn't a real person there.
I'm no where near smart enough to be a developer, but I have written a few articles and howtos about my jeep on JeepForum. Guys are a lot more appreciative and we can have a good, constructive discussion. For us, we are all in it together with our jeeps.
Show some respect, contribute where you can.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
The internet is a serious false sense of anonymity. Just because you haven't heard or seen the person posting doesn't mean there isn't a real person there.
I'm no where near smart enough to be a developer, but I have written a few articles and howtos about my jeep on JeepForum. Guys are a lot more appreciative and we can have a good, constructive discussion. For us, we are all in it together with our jeeps.
Show some respect, contribute where you can.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Thanks zander21510 that's what we need a little more of!
Respect and people thet give a little back!
Respect and people thet give a little back!
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There was a timing issue where Jangst was pointing out a post that I was deleting at the same time. He isn't talking about Zander at all, but rather someone else.
jangst123 
Well done my friend. This kind of thread should be created as a "in general" for all sections:good:
Well done my friend. This kind of thread should be created as a "in general" for all sections:good:
As you can see, while I have been a member for little bit, I don’t really post much. I just mainly peruse a few of the main ROM threads and do some occasional flashing. With that said, I don’t know all the rules and what an OP can or can’t do with their own thread, maybe this has already been posted, but would it be possible for the OP to have full control over the thread they created? For example, A dev is kind enough to share his/her work with others and starts a ROM thread, things are positive then “user B” comes in and starts causing trouble or offending the dev, the dev then decides there is no place for that in their thread and blocks that user from their thread. So then, user B PM’s the dev, “Hey dev, why did you block me, I apologize if my comments came off as offensive and will be more constructive in the future”, dev says “ok, it’s all good” and allows them back. Human nature, if you know it is that easy to lose access to something you want, you will think twice before making rude comments.
Now I know we don’t need any more egos or power trips but what is better, closing a thread for everyone or just blocking a few from the thread that have been causing trouble.
I also know a Mod can essentially do this but it is a little different I think. Again, just a random thought while working and apologize if this has already been posted or is not even realistic. If that is the case, I am another user guilty of clutter and useless posts!
Now I know we don’t need any more egos or power trips but what is better, closing a thread for everyone or just blocking a few from the thread that have been causing trouble.
I also know a Mod can essentially do this but it is a little different I think. Again, just a random thought while working and apologize if this has already been posted or is not even realistic. If that is the case, I am another user guilty of clutter and useless posts!
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41IF YOU WERE GIVEN A LINK TO THIS THREAD BY ANOTHER MEMBER OF XDA IT'S PROBABLY FOR A GOOD REASON!
PLEASE HEED THE WARNING, TAKE A LITTLE LESSON IN POSTING ETIQUETTE, BEFORE YOU ARE REPORTED TO A MOD, IF THAT HAS NOT ALREADY HAPPENED.
Far too often people post in threads without thinking of the developers feelings and it's becoming a big problem!
Think of it this way!
You just spent countless hours working building your new custom car.
Now your such a nice guy you let people take it for a drive and check it out for FREE!
How would feel if they come back and most LOVE IT and appreciate the work you've done but,,
some say..
"It uses too much gas"
"It's way too slow"
"It hesitates when I tow a tractor trailer"
"I Hate the colors"
If you were the developer sharing your hard work for free and reading comments like that, you would think, Dam What a ^%*&%^*& *&^*&^, why am letting people trash my hard work!?! Heck with this, I don't need this!
THINK A LITTLE BEFORE POSTING!!
In stead of saying
"This ROM sucks the life out of my battery"
Try
"How is everyone's battery life on this? I'm getting 10 hours with 2 hours screen on time. This is my 3rd battery cycle, I'm on WIFI 90% of the time. I installed BetterBattery Stats and it shows xxx. Any recommendations / ideas? Also did A Clean with a full wipe, did not flash and mods / kernels" Even better add a Logcat, you may find in the logcat that X app is checking your location every 2 seconds and shows up 1000 times in the log.
In stead of saying
"This sucks! Every time I open the camera it crashes"
Try
"Is anyone else having this problem? For some reason every time I open the camera app it crashes. I tried redownloading the ROM, double checked the MD5, did a clean install, full wipe, and let it sit for 10 min after 1st boot then rebooted. Attached is the Logcat I grabbed using CatLog from the play store"
Look at that! That way your not assuming that the developer messed up! And you may actually be being helpful by providing a Logcat so he can actually look into the problem.
Making statements without providing information is,, well rude and not helpful to anyone!
And worst of all, it can discourage or drive the Developers away!
If you were smart enough to be able to make your own ROM - Kernel you would not need the Developers help, and could fix it yourself!
Most of us do not have the time and or brains to be a developer!
So PLEASE show some respect to the Developers that are kind enough to share their work with us for FREE!
Hit their Thanks Button often, and consider buying them a Coke or Redbull aka Donate :highfive:
Same basic principal goes for when you reply to someone!
IMO if the question has already been asked and answered, quote the last answer. Or the part of the OP with the answer.
Better yet quote a few of the last times the question was answered and show that you can use the search feature.
To me, if you can show me the question has been answered 3 times already, I feel like a fool with egg on my face and will STFU.
Smart comments and rude answers, even just saying, use search, usually just leads to more useless comments and bickering for all of us to read through!
If you ain't got nothing nice to say, don't say anything! Just move on
Next time you see someone posting like a jerk, try to provide a nice helpful answer and direct them to this post for a little lesson and consider reporting the post!! See next post for more info!
Please get with the program or expect to be reported and possibly banned for a period!
This includes asking or hinting at an ETA! Don't do it!
On that note here are a few words form Woody about reporting trouble makers
And for crying out loud please learn to Logcat! There are apps for that that can make it easy.
Plus in my never to be humble opinion, if you can't logcat, you should not be flashing anything!
Also read this!
And I recommend reading the following from Recognized Contributor TonyStark
So you are tired of being called a noob - I want to shake the noob status
First and most important, read this New User Guides6Maybe a sticky is needed here.
Not likely BUT this does give me an idea about something a little more (un)official that we could post and stick. I'm going to write something up and pitch it to the team and see what they think and refer them back to this thread.
I like the idea, but it has to be as general and vanilla as possible and cannot be black and white, otherwise it won't work.
You have no idea my man. No idea. You should see some of the stuff we deal with.
I like everything about this post. Some people need to be handheld just a bit longer so they can take their first steps. It is Pete and Re-Pete that are the problems.
In the old days, it was Logcat or GTFO. Then the stone got ground down a bit, then a bit more and now we are here. We are trying to make things more Developer oriented and to make it so that Devs are more cherished than they are now, but it all stems from how to get Users to realize this. Hopefully some guidelines and better n-etiquette will help to usher us back to those days.
I've known jangst123 for a long time, so I know that he is very passionate about this and wants the threads to be filled with awesome ROMs but also the community at-large to be a great place to get help, cool mods or bleeding edge development. I think that we all really want that, right? So let's make it happen.5Let me just throw in my one cent worth (Uncle Sam took the other penny for taxes).
I have been taking pictures for over 35 years now, and I love it. I do weddings, graduations, some modeling and just about all of it. But I don't charge for doing so because photography is a thing I love too much to adulterate it by taking money. It is not my job, but my hobby. I do it when I want, how I want, because I want.
I get compliments left & right about my work, but there are times when there are those who don't like what they see let me know. And you know what.....It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter because I am doing it for me, and no one else. I appreciate the compliments, but I simply don't let the negatives dictate how I do what I love doing. If I did that, that mean that others are making the choices for me, through me. But most importantly, no one can see the pride I put into my pictures but me. Others may appreciate it, but it's only me who can know what it was like to get that shot, to see what I saw at that moment to make me press the release at the right time. I did that., and no one can take it away from me.
So to all the developers, I say this........don't let those who whine, complain, bicker, chide and gripe about the work you do out here cause you to feel anything more thatn a sense of accomplishment at what you've done. Because in the end, 99% of us out here couldn't do it if we tried. But also, once you've completed what you set out to do, take a minute to just let it sit there on the screen and look at it. Remember all the work you put into it, and admire the outcome. Don't let others make you say, "they don't appreciate it....I'm done". If you do that, you have not only allowed them to control your art, but you've allowed them to control YOU. They have in essence driven YOU away from doing what YOU have a talent, dedication & compassion to do. But I promise you that also for every petty response you read in the threads, you will find 10 who have whole-heartedly said "Thanks". Know that what you have put together is now on hundreds of phones all across the planet. That means that a little bit of you is out there as well, and guarenteed that at any given moment, someone you'll probably never meet is saying to the phones owner "Man, that phone looks sweet. How can I get mine like that?". That will be because of you.
I will say it too, to all the devs who make roms, kernels, themes and apps..........Thank You.4Q: How do I contact a forum Moderator for -fill in the blank- on a problem with -fill in the blank-
I have been on XDA for years and have always found these steps to be the best. Not only for you but for the process as well. Please remember to be patient. If you do not receive a message (shown in 4) within 5 days, please re-post.
1) In the upper right hand corner OF EVERY POST you will find this.Click on the caution sign.
and now in 2013 format
2) Please fill the pertinent information into this screen. PLEASE do not make it personal or use colorful language. Just be brief and to the point
3) You need to make a selection in the drop down. PLEASE do not be overzealous in choosing a topic. In 95% of cases you will only need to choose Other - Non-urgent
4) You will receive a message
In most cases this will be followed by a resolution.
Hope this helps4Some of the blame also falls back on the users who do know what they are doing, because instead of helping educate the less-than-friendly user they actually post responses than incite even more anger leading to that user feeling like they are being "jumped" per se.
Really this falls back on the xda community as a whole, I know I've posted things before that could have been worded in a way that would have better served the user and the community, instead of my own cynicism or ego.. none of us are perfect, that includes the Devs.
