Make your thread easier to find and follow
Update: although I hope this thread is useful, it was written long before the DDF got started. Reading threads more efficiently deals with the actual issues we've encountered.
When the new forums are set up, Frontier will look at posting best practices for different sections so subjects don't sway off-topic. For example, they might encourage us to use thread-tagging and thread prefixes (although they haven't made any decisions yet).
But communication is a two-way street - especially in the DDF, which might end up lobbying Frontier on complex issues. We'll need to find ways of boiling a discussion down enough that a busy Frontier developer can glance at a thread over their Monday morning coffee and immediately know whether it's relevant to them. Given the number of threads they'll have to wade through, we need to start developing some really good habits. This is a place to discuss and experiment with those habits.
Remember the forums are an advisory body. This is Frontier's day job and David's baby - we're here to provide oversight on behalf of players, not to determine requirements.
Tag threads appropriately, so people can find their specific interests. You can add up to 5 tags (preferably of two words or less) from the "Edit Tags" link above the Quick Reply box - please edit the tags for this thread to get used to it. Standard tags will most likely be suggested by Frontier or emerge naturally over the coming months.
Summarise the ongoing discussion in the OP, so people can see where the discussion is without reading all the way through. Think of the first post in a thread like the wiki page for a topic, and the later posts as the "talk" page - the chat is useful and helps drive discussion forward, but at the end of the day it's only the main page that really counts.
Offer text to go in the OP, to save the thread creator some time. Writing good text is time-consuming, and can make maintaining the first post a bit of a chore. Even if the thread creator rewrites your text to match their style, it's the best way to ensure your intent is accurately represented.
Configure your PM notifications, so you can respond quickly to people that contact you. It's easy to miss private messages that contain important feedback from people who don't want to talk publicly, and a pop-up or an e-mail can save you a lot of hassle.
And finally, always remember the Bill and Ted Rule. Be excellent to each other
Note: this post is regularly updated to summarise the discussion below - thanks to everyone for your wonderful contributions!
Update: although I hope this thread is useful, it was written long before the DDF got started. Reading threads more efficiently deals with the actual issues we've encountered.
When the new forums are set up, Frontier will look at posting best practices for different sections so subjects don't sway off-topic. For example, they might encourage us to use thread-tagging and thread prefixes (although they haven't made any decisions yet).
But communication is a two-way street - especially in the DDF, which might end up lobbying Frontier on complex issues. We'll need to find ways of boiling a discussion down enough that a busy Frontier developer can glance at a thread over their Monday morning coffee and immediately know whether it's relevant to them. Given the number of threads they'll have to wade through, we need to start developing some really good habits. This is a place to discuss and experiment with those habits.
Remember the forums are an advisory body. This is Frontier's day job and David's baby - we're here to provide oversight on behalf of players, not to determine requirements.
Tag threads appropriately, so people can find their specific interests. You can add up to 5 tags (preferably of two words or less) from the "Edit Tags" link above the Quick Reply box - please edit the tags for this thread to get used to it. Standard tags will most likely be suggested by Frontier or emerge naturally over the coming months.
Summarise the ongoing discussion in the OP, so people can see where the discussion is without reading all the way through. Think of the first post in a thread like the wiki page for a topic, and the later posts as the "talk" page - the chat is useful and helps drive discussion forward, but at the end of the day it's only the main page that really counts.
Offer text to go in the OP, to save the thread creator some time. Writing good text is time-consuming, and can make maintaining the first post a bit of a chore. Even if the thread creator rewrites your text to match their style, it's the best way to ensure your intent is accurately represented.
Configure your PM notifications, so you can respond quickly to people that contact you. It's easy to miss private messages that contain important feedback from people who don't want to talk publicly, and a pop-up or an e-mail can save you a lot of hassle.
And finally, always remember the Bill and Ted Rule. Be excellent to each other
Note: this post is regularly updated to summarise the discussion below - thanks to everyone for your wonderful contributions!
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