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What happend to the FAQ?

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Svend P

Svend P

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A FAQ was suggested 1½ years ago, but since then nothing has happened.

It would be very helpful in weeding out the repetitive questions from newbies. Maybe even have a quiz before new members can post, so they know what they are getting into and what is required from them (no sighted listening impressions etc.)

amirm

'FAQ Questions on Audio/ASR'

Hello everyone. One of the items on my TODO list has been to create Frequently Asked Question both about ASR in general, and audio in the specific. I have a good idea of what I like to include but thought I might be missing some. So would you please post what questions you think should be in the FAQ in either category?

Please don't try to answer the questions or argue with each other. I am just trying to get input on the questions that are common enough to go into FAQ.

Thanks,
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Svend P said:
A FAQ was suggested 1½ years ago, but since then nothing has happened.

It would be very helpful in weeding out the repetitive questions from newbies. Maybe even have a quiz before new members can post, so they know what they are getting into and what is required from them (no sighted listening impressions etc.)

amirm

'FAQ Questions on Audio/ASR'

Hello everyone. One of the items on my TODO list has been to create Frequently Asked Question both about ASR in general, and audio in the specific. I have a good idea of what I like to include but thought I might be missing some. So would you please post what questions you think should be in the FAQ in either category?

Please don't try to answer the questions or argue with each other. I am just trying to get input on the questions that are common enough to go into FAQ.

Thanks,
  • Like
Click to expand...
The bar needs to be way higher for the first post. I like the idea of a quiz, even if it may not be tractable. Perhaps the quiz question could be the content of the first post, which often is a tell.
A FAQ or other reference would be extremely helpful, I often miss finding specific information using forum search. Most posts on ASR are not in an archivable and searchable format, I know most of mind aren't, so it's unrealistic to think a search engine is going to prioritize items of actual importance or interest. Especially since trolls are so verbose here now, and their posts are insidious.
 
MAB said:
The bar needs to be way higher for the first post. I like the idea of a quiz, even if it may not be tractable. Perhaps the quiz question could be the content of the first post, which often is a tell.
Click to expand...

I think putting restrictions on the first post would end up being counterproductive. A few might come in with an adequate base of knowledge, but most people don’t have the tools or skills to “prove” something in a strictly objective way - especially when the issue is inherently subjective. So what...they are not welcome?

If the bar is set too high at the start, we risk discouraging potentially useful questions, observations, or discussions that don’t meet a formal standard but still add value.

@Svend P, you said no sighted listening impressions - so how would one do that with headphones?

Certainly not for me to decide, just my 2 cents.

But +1 for the FAQ section!
 
I think the FAQ could really help, I have so commented many times before.

As far as requirements for the first post... what I have seen that is helpful but not too gate-keep-y on other forums is a simple checkbox / warning message that says something like:

New users must read the FAQ before posting! Many questions and common problems are addressed there. Check this box to confirm that you have already read the FAQ.
Click to expand...
I don't think we need to make people pass a test, but I think it is extremely reasonable (and probably helpful for everyone concerned) to point them at the FAQ and ask them to read it.
 
Chagall said:
@Svend P, you said no sighted listening impressions - so how would one do that with headphones?
Click to expand...
It was just an example. It is not for me to decide. But Amirm must have thought the idea of a FAQ useful at one point in time. Personally I think it could be nice if people joined the forum with some mandatory reading to begin with, instead of having to shoot them down in every single thread.
 
Svend P said:
Personally I think it could be nice if people joined the forum with some mandatory reading to begin with, instead of having to shoot them down in every single thread.
Click to expand...
Agree, this is not just a time-saver for the regular posters here, but I think it would improve the vibe and reputation of ASR somewhat.

People are of course tired of asking if new posters level-matched and blind-tested their amp or cables or whatever, for the 9000th time. This tiredness sometimes comes across in the conversation as irritation, impatience, condescension, etc. This leaves a bad taste in some people's mouths, which in turn deters them from actually learning more about audio.

The FAQ would partially reduce the flow of redundant questions and by the same token, negative interactions on the forum.

More flies with honey than vinegar, etc.
 
Chagall said:
I think putting restrictions on the first post would end up being counterproductive. A few might come in with an adequate base of knowledge, but most people don’t have the tools or skills to “prove” something in a strictly objective way - especially when the issue is inherently subjective. So what...they are not welcome?

If the bar is set too high at the start, we risk discouraging potentially useful questions, observations, or discussions that don’t meet a formal standard but still add value.

@Svend P, you said no sighted listening impressions - so how would one do that with headphones?

Certainly not for me to decide, just my 2 cents.

But +1 for the FAQ section!
Click to expand...
A quiz may not be tractable, as I said. Which is why it might be best to moderate initial posts until a member has established a track record.
If the person is a jerk, and many are, their first post hopefully won't even get posted. If the person is honestly trying to learn, a small moderation may help a few from getting piled on. Also, very hard to tell naïve posts from trolls, so weeding out the blatantly obvious trolling posts, and causing some introspection to new members that trolling is easy to do.

This was all discussed some time ago. All of these are common and useful formum moderation tools. Each has a drawback. As the forum size and popularity grows (as well as unpopularity), the drawbacks don't get any better.
 
MAB said:
Also, very hard to tell naïve posts from trolls, so weeding out the blatantly obvious trolling posts, and causing some introspection to new members that trolling is easy to do.
Click to expand...
In the audiophile world it's too hard to tell trolls from newbies, at least just from one post.

"I spent $10,000 on cables and veils I never knew existed were lifted" could be (and is) said by trolls and non-trolls alike. I mean, whole sections of the industry are almost trolls, except they're also real businesses that charge real money for real (snake oil) products.

In such a world I think the only thing to do is give real answers to everyone, and let the trolls expose themselves through their insouciance or apparent inability to read.
 
MAB said:
If the person is a jerk, and many are, their first post hopefully won't even get posted. If the person is honestly trying to learn, a small moderation may help a few from getting piled on. Also, very hard to tell naïve posts from trolls.
Click to expand...

Of course, that would be the perfect outcome. I’m just not sure there’s enough manpower to moderate first posts like that, and it would need to be absolutely clear that the goal is guidance.
 
The forum engine does throw out suggestions based on the title (and maybe the text?) of a new post, but in practice it’s often of little help for anything that takes more than a sentence or two to frame the question - especially when the words a beginner uses don’t match the "tribal" jargon of the field or of experienced members.

That same gap also limits the effectiveness of both keyword-based search and FAQs: a genuine newbie often doesn’t even know the terminology, so the very tools meant to guide them can’t really bridge it.
 
:) Checkbox agreement for first xy posts:

☑ All sighted listening comparisons were level-matched to the best of my ability.
☑ I sort of understand audible thresholds.
☑ I am not posting about audible cable differences.
☑ My partner didn’t hear a difference from the kitchen.
☑ I won't claim I have golden ears.
☑ Most important: I've read the FAQs.
 
MAB said:
I'm never sure how to answer rhetorical questions!!!
Click to expand...
It was a simple point really. Is ASR a place that aims to spread truth (based on science) and help educate those less informed to help them make better decisions and avoid bad ones?

An FAQ seems a good idea to help promote that. If I’m trying to help educate folks, making them take a test before I’ll talk to them seems counter to the cause.
 
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