Pissed off...

[nicksimc at plu.edu]

I have saved some of my more detailed
>posts in my own FAQ folder and fire one off every now and then in
response

This, in my mind is more useful than referring them to an unwieldy
archive, is there any way to peruse these FAQs without asking a question
first?  (The archive is not organized like your FAQ folder)

 I do find that I am now ignoring the "My rack is
>leaking", "My door handle is broken" type posts, though.

This is completely understandable, perhaps a new generation should take
charge of the 'easy/old' questions until a comprehensive FAQ is built.
Correct us when the need arises.  I can explain how to clean a switch on a
power window, I could do that before I even had a driver's license. (A
long time ago before you ask...)

>Fred Munro
>'94 S4

snip

>> But that "continual discussion" involves those who know the answers
>> typing them over and over and over and over and over.

"Continual discussion" did not simply refer to the rehashing of 'easy/old'
questions.  I'm sure EFI discussions, turbo conversions etc, are
interesting to many listers even though they may not necessarily apply to
their daily driver.

>> I know this isn't what you want to hear.  But 95% of what I know about
>> my cars I either learned on this list (85%)

Hmmm... on the list you say?

>> Those are what you miss out on when you ignore the archives.

I don't ignore the archives, I've had plenty of problems with my car that
I _haven't_ shared with the list, because I was able to correct them
without bothering anyone.  I'm sure others are the same way. It is as hard
to see the successes of the archive as it is the faults.

>> Huw Powell
>>
>> http://www.humanspeakers.com/
>> http://www.humanthoughts.org/

FAQs are great.  I agree.  The list has been up for ten years right?  Why
doesn't a FAQ exist?  Is it easier to refer people to the archive?  Yes.
Is it easier for them to extract that information?  No.  How often do I
see people preface a question with, "Sorry, but I couldn't find this in
the archive..."  This was why the 'knowledge base' was attempted to begin
with, but using it is harder than referring someone to the archive...

The bottom line is: the archive is not a FAQ, not a reference library, a
digital Bentley, an Audi Bible, or anything else but the record of what
was posted. Many of the threads are disputes about the validity of a
particular piece information, and there is plenty of extraneous stuff as
well. (Audis in movies...interesting, but it doesn't help with dirty
switches/leaky racks.)

I don't mean to pick a fight, but I don't think listers should be getting
"pissed off" because they feel they _have_ to answer "the same questions
all the time."  They don't.  But I can't write an Audi FAQ, and those that
could are tired of typing that info.  Aye, there's the rub.

Matt Nicksic

84 4ksq
82 4ks