meredith059

Q: the new "Apple Support Communities"

For the longest time I've come here to get answers to many of my Apple questions. It just seemed like a no brainer to ask a question on a easy navigated forum. But since the "point system started, I dont get any feed back that would help. I ask a question, and the answer, is a posted link from 4 years ago. I mean if I wanted to google my question, I would have. Or maybe they go to the app store and find the top rated app..  These people shouldnt be answering these question if they dont know what they are talking about. (The funny part is, they are at levels 6,7,8..)

Are yall going to be protroling this more, because they are runing the great forum you originally had.

 

Thanks

Posted on Apr 18, 2016 8:13 AM

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Q: the new "Apple Support Communities"

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  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Apr 18, 2016 8:21 AM in response to meredith059
    Level 9 (54,518 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 18, 2016 8:21 AM in response to meredith059

    Anybody can post here. You will get some good answers and some less good.

     

    As for doing web searches, I have answered many questions that way. Users simply don't know how to do it to find an answer or perhaps can't go to the trouble.  98% of the questions here have already been solved and if I can post a link, I will. If I am expected to type out a solution already answered in detail elsewhere I probably won't bother.

  • by Meg St._Clair,

    Meg St._Clair Meg St._Clair Apr 18, 2016 8:30 AM in response to meredith059
    Level 9 (59,505 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 18, 2016 8:30 AM in response to meredith059

    meredith059 wrote:

     

    For the longest time I've come here to get answers to many of my Apple questions. It just seemed like a no brainer to ask a question on a easy navigated forum. But since the "point system started, I dont get any feed back that would help.

    For what it's worth, the point system has been around for years, in various forums.

     

    The only way people get awarded points is if the original poster of a thread marks the post as helpful. So, if you don't like any of the answers people give you in this thread, as an example, you don't have to award any points. Simply posting gets us nothing.

     

    Like Limnos, I will often link to other threads, or Knowledge Base articles. I'm not interested in spoonfeeding people. I'm far more interested in helping them learn how to resolve their own issues by learning what their resources are and how to find answers on their own the next time. You know, the whole "teach a person to fish.....".

     

    Best of luck.

  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Apr 18, 2016 10:29 AM in response to meredith059
    Level 6 (8,097 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 18, 2016 10:29 AM in response to meredith059

    The built-in search function is sort of "iffy"...

     

    You may find Google Site Search, its robust operators and filtering tools handy for finding relevant and *current* results from ASC and Support articles

    ---

    search strings

    • terms site:discussions.apple.com = self explanatory = ASC posts and User Tips
    • terms site:support.apple.com = How To (HT prefix+numbers) & Troubleshooting (TS+numbers) articles by Apple
    • terms site:apple.com = removes the restrictions to the above subdomains and gets ALL Apple.com(web presence) results

     

    Your next most recent authored thread (before this one, of course) is the top result in the past year > https://www.google.com/search?q=best+Mac+OS+X+email+app+site:discussions.apple.com&num=20&newwindow=1&source=lnt&tbs=qdr:y&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjvr8Ga2pjMAhWCn4MKHcKVC 2MQpwUIFQ&biw=1366&bih=629

  • by pinkstones,

    pinkstones pinkstones Apr 18, 2016 3:16 PM in response to meredith059
    Level 5 (4,209 points)
    Safari
    Apr 18, 2016 3:16 PM in response to meredith059

    meredith059 wrote:

     

    For the longest time I've come here to get answers to many of my Apple questions. It just seemed like a no brainer to ask a question on a easy navigated forum. But since the "point system started, I dont get any feed back that would help. I ask a question, and the answer, is a posted link from 4 years ago. I mean if I wanted to google my question, I would have. Or maybe they go to the app store and find the top rated app..  These people shouldnt be answering these question if they dont know what they are talking about. (The funny part is, they are at levels 6,7,8..)

    Are yall going to be protroling this more, because they are runing the great forum you originally had.

     

    Thanks

     

    Why should I copy-paste a whole wall of text to answer someone's question when I can link them to whatever the correct answer is so they can read up, research it, and then see how to use it to solve their problem?  As Meg said, the best way to help someone become more knowledgeable about their computer is to help them learn about it on their own.  If that means giving them links they should read to find out the answer, then that's what we'll do.  Otherwise, they're not actually learning anything.  I didn't have anyone teaching me how to use my MacBook.  I came from a PC and had to teach myself how to use a Mac.  If I can do it, anyone can do it.

     

    Also, we don't get points for posting.  We get points when the person who asked the question decides we deserve them.  If they don't, we get nothing.  We're not here for the points anyway, even though they're always a nice reminder that our help is appreciated. 

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Apr 18, 2016 4:35 PM in response to meredith059
    Level 7 (32,222 points)
    iPad
    Apr 18, 2016 4:35 PM in response to meredith059

    Are yall going to be protroling this more, because they are runing the great forum you originally had.


    The only Apple employees here are the hosts and they don't just do "patrolling" - they make sure the forums run as smoothly as possible.


    As for the answers: there are some very knowledgeable people and others not so much; some just guess for whatever reason. And some try to game the system. This is an open forum on the internet - as long as one does not violate the ToU, anyone can post here. We are all volunteers and do not get paid by Apple; if you don't like the answer, simply ignore it. And, I'm with Meg: I want to help you learn to work/operate your computer - after a while, you may join the many here who answer questions.

  • by bobseufert,

    bobseufert bobseufert Apr 18, 2016 5:06 PM in response to meredith059
    Level 6 (14,065 points)
    iPad
    Apr 18, 2016 5:06 PM in response to meredith059

    What's this "bleep on ASC monday." Your's is the second thread I read from people criticizing without ever answering a question.

    Truth be told we intentionally give vague misleading advice. If we don't get points we make things up.

     

    Have a wonderful Monday. Hope this helps.

  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Apr 18, 2016 5:25 PM in response to bobseufert
    Level 6 (8,097 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 18, 2016 5:25 PM in response to bobseufert

    helped ME!

  • by bobseufert,

    bobseufert bobseufert Apr 18, 2016 5:30 PM in response to ChitlinsCC
    Level 6 (14,065 points)
    iPad
    Apr 18, 2016 5:30 PM in response to ChitlinsCC

    Congratulations. It's official, you are yourself !!  Don't slack off now, you haven't done Knots.

  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Apr 18, 2016 5:39 PM in response to bobseufert
    Level 6 (8,097 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 18, 2016 5:39 PM in response to bobseufert

    [that stinkin badge is from your profile page]

    I think I'll go for http://usscouts.org/mb/pamphlets/35897.jpg next...

    ... somebody around here might need some