Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

2006-03-18 08:41:51

Firstly, I know the site already has a FAQ. Does anybody use it?

It looks to me that it was set up three years ago, and hasn't been touched since. There is obviously a wealth of information there; however, again, does anyone read it, and more importantly, does anyone point new members to it? I have only ever seen one or two references to the FAQ.

I have been a member on a handful of forums/mailing lists. It seems that it is the nature of the beast that the same questions get asked, day in and day out. I can't tell you how many times I have written about: the FLAC cuesheet metablock vs vorbis comment; why EAC creates ".flac.flac"; why foobar 0.8.3 won't read tags after MP3Gaining files; how to encode to multiple formats from EAC; etc. I am not complaining about noobs, I don't believe that you can attempt to stop the same question being asked, it is simply unrealistic. So another tact is required.

Some might say that my contribution to the forum would all but diminish if these questions weren't there for me to answer. I fill my time answering such questions, as I have no technical background to call upon. Most times I enjoy it; I like to feel that I have helped a new member just as I was helped when I first joined, and of course I like the recognition that I get.

Sometimes, it drains me like a psychic vampire feeding from my very life source.

I have been thinking of writing some articles/guides/faq responses for a while, to answer some of these questions. Then, when I spot a question I know I have the answer for, I can simply paste in the URL to the document and be on my merry little way. Think of me like the Easter Bunny if you will, dishing out little Easter Eggs of knowledge. I am no Santa Claus, I leave that accolade to the real intellects.

So, here's the rub (sorry it took so long): how should I go about this?

Firstly, I could put some guides on my site. However, I would rather they were located at Hydrogenaudio, as they relate to Hydrogenaudio issues. More importantly, others could add their own articles. Let's face it, mine are going to be quite limited in their scope.

My thinking has always been to use the wiki. The wiki is an excellent medium for creating a well-formatted document with links and images. Also, other users can add to the documents, or correct my mistakes. The wiki is more a system for explanations of terms, and guides. As far as I know (although I haven't explored a great deal) there are currently no FAQ-like answers. If the wiki was used I would propose a title like "FAQ:<brief title>", or maybe better: "FAQ:00000", so items are purely numbers. There would be a page called FAQ, which would list questions, and link to answers. As it grew it could always list categories, e.g.: "FAQ:EAC". This page would then list all EAC-related questions, with links to answers.

Then, of course, there is the existing FAQ. The site FAQ is the obvious location, but I can't help feeling that any additions are going to be lost there. I suppose this is not such an issue if it is just a location for me to link to, although currently the FAQ links to posts in threads for answers, and I would rather create definative documents, where a user gets all the information in one place, or can follow a link to a related topic.

Ooh dear, I've run out of steam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reply #1 – 2006-03-18 08:54:50

I would also like to direct your attention to this post

This sounds very promising, given the members who are behind the idea.

However, I'm not sure the type of article I am describing requires a third party site. Bear in mind I am not talking about a guide to back up your CD archive in perfect quality, only small documents with snippets of information, that answer quite specific questions, and link to other related questions and the FAQ homepage. Consider the example "Why does EAC create files called '<name>.flac.flac'?". This does not need much more than a few paragraphs of text.

However, it is a few paragraphs of text I could save writing each week.

Also, as a third alternative, I have considered maintaining a list of posts/threads that answer such questions myself. In this case I would have to simply trawl my own database, rather than use the forum search, to find responses that I think are useful to the poster. This solution does not help everyone, and may as well join the ranks in the current FAQ thread.

Edit: Having just re-read these posts I think I wrongly give the impression that I am asking for opinions as to how I should write a set of guides. I don't mean to. I mean to ask:

What is the best way that we, as a community, can created a knowledgebase, that documents frequently asked questions and their answers?

I am simply saying that I would be happy to contribute, and suggesting that this is a requirement. An FAQ written simply be me, with the knowledge that I have, would be very short document indeed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reply #2 – 2006-03-18 23:38:10

I stopped updating the FAQ long ago because I did not have the time and interest into. Formatting every entry with the exact text of the subject, in order to find the link back even if the forum database is updated, in the right category, with a direct link, and a short description is a boring work.

I think that using the info that already exist in the forum, just linking it, is a good idea, because nobody has to write articles, or wait for someone else to do it. The info is there already.

I posted here some links gathered after the FAQ was done, but not yet included in it : http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....showtopic=29483

Everything is CD and hardware oriented, because they are my center of interest. When I made the FAQ, I expected other moderators to fill in the audio compression parts, but nothing was added to the basic links about MP3 that I could find, save for some suggestions here and there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reply #3 – 2006-03-18 23:40:42

Since we are an "objectivist" audio community, links to blind listening tests would be interesting.
A french objectivist forum has already gathered some : http://chaud7.forum-gratuit.com/viewtopic.php?t=29

They are french, english, or spanish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reply #4 – 2006-03-19 10:56:25

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I think that using the info that already exist in the forum, just linking it, is a good idea, because nobody has to write articles, or wait for someone else to do it. The info is there already.

I agree in part. However, on the other hand, I find a lot of these threads confused by users asking further questions; users posting wrong information only to be corrected later on; etc. If the information could be extrapolated into a document it could be better formatted, and a user would know that the information was accurate (or at least that no-one else was knowledgeable enough to dispute it).

There's just something about the formatting of the current FAQ that completely switches me off. It may be because it is one long list of questions. Using the wiki the first post could be the first page, and subsequent posts pages in their own right. This guides the user and does not confuse them by enticing them with numerous other questions on a completely different topic. Small pages are a lot easier for users to digest.

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Everything is CD and hardware oriented, because they are my center of interest. When I made the FAQ, I expected other moderators to fill in the audio compression parts, but nothing was added to the basic links about MP3 that I could find, save for some suggestions here and there.

Yes, that's a shame. You have accumulated a fantastic set of links to CD- and hardware-related articles, and also some very useful MP3 links.

I just can't help feeling that they have been accumulated and then stuck in the back of a cupboard. Please note: this is only my gut feeling. I was hoping that this thread may bring some members out of the woodwork who would dispute this fact. I was hoping I may get a response from a variety of people, and not just mods, or members like pepoluan or HotshotGG, who have proved themselves to value the wiki system.

It seems the whole forum would benefit if we could cut the threads going over the same old thing by nipping them in the bud early, by members continuously pointing users to an FAQ.

On a semi-related note, I wonder whether the Hydrogenaudio forum knowledgebase, as the TOS attempts to make it, is being diluted more and more with threads on the subject "I want to backup my CDs using the perfect method". Maybe it's just the threads that I follow, as I consider myself one of these polutants also. I wonder whether the long term members are disappointed by the fact that the forum is used to discuss techincal subjects less and less, and more and more regarding CD archiving techniques - which is not a technical process, but administrative. You may as well be describing a process to backup the system registry. Has it always been this way?

Frequently Asked Questions

Reply #5 – 2006-03-20 02:38:55

Sorry, don't want to be a WikiZealot here but...

I think the Wiki is vastly underrated. Hey! It's official name is HydrogenAudio Knowledgebase (HAK).

One main benefit of Wiki over normal thread: It stays current.

Normal threads may get updated by original poster. But people may go directly to the last post, not noticing the original post get updated. So the original poster must post twice. Then he/she disappears for a while, and updates must be done as follow-up posting. Soon... confusion reigns! People (esp. n00bs) will start asking, "Hey! How come it's hopelessly unsynchronized? The first post against latest... which one's correct?" etc etc etc

The Wiki page... anyone (with privilege of course... see Jan S.' posting regarding how to contribute to the Wiki) can update the page, and others can check its accuracy. There is no confusion as to which one's the latest version as there's only one Wiki page for a topic.

For a case in point, check out the Recommended Ogg Vorbis wiki page. It starts innocently as an adaptation to the Recommended Encoder Versions and Settings here, then it gets its own life, and is now updated almost every week. Even the original thread mentions that the Wiki page is more frequently updated.

So, what's the best course then? I recommend answering FAQs = Frequently Annoying Questions this way:

Quote

I believe the answer to your question can be found in the HA Wiki which you can access here. Just use the search box in the left-side of the screen.

For your convenience, I think the most relevant page will be this one.

Don't forget to replace here in the message above with the link to the HA Wiki, and the this one with the link to the actual page's link.

Keep doing this... and later we will only have to update the Wiki, and really use the Forum for deep significant discussions...

The idea of making a dedicated web site as described in this post is interesting... but I think unnecessary. Why not just make a new Wiki page (after searching for current existing page, of course) and tell the whole world about it?

Back to the FAQ page... I think the best will be to integrate whatever information not yet found in the Wiki into the Wiki, and overhaul the FAQ so that it contains links into the Wiki.

@Pio2001: If you find such links, do update the relevant Wiki page please. In this case, the Wiki Page to update will be the Listening Tests page.

Edit: Wrong paste in the beginning -- fixed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reply #6 – 2006-03-20 07:10:18

Thanks for your input pepoluan.

I agree with everything you say. One point I would like to highlight is this:

Quote

Normal threads may get updated by original poster. But people may go directly to the last post, not noticing the original post get updated. So the original poster must post twice. Then he/she disappears for a while, and updates must be done as follow-up posting. Soon... confusion reigns!

I particularly like the point about a post only being editable by the OP, or a moderator. The benefit of the wiki is that every responsible soul can contribute, and there is a much better chance that the information is clear and accurate.

I would just like to see the opinions of a variety of other members. None of this will mean anything if members are not prepared to contribute to the FAQ, and more importantly, do not consistently point to the FAQ for the answer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reply #7 – 2006-03-20 18:42:52

I've been debating whether to post these comments, and since this thread is close to on-topic for what I want to say, here goes: while I've only been a member here for a short while, I've been coming here for over a year for help w/my copy of fb2k, and audio in general. There are times when finding info in this site is, shall we say, an adventure. For example, I've spent three evenings (so far) trying to find somewhere/something that can explain (in simple terms) how the masstagger works, with basically zero luck. I've looked for threads that mention the masstagger; I've looked for threads that mention anything about tagging; I've been thru the Wiki and the FAQ; the only thing I haven't done is post a new thread, and I'm reluctant to do this 'cause I don't want to seem like I want someone else to do my research for me. Doing that, however, was the only way I found how to point the discwriter at the LAME 'coder for file conversion - http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index....ST&f=29&t=41893 .

While the above is just concerning fb2k, I could say basically the same thing about the site in general. I've seen threads where someone asks for help, and is given a link to the Wiki or a thread, and possibly a couple of "this has been asked a gazillion times already - read the friggin' forum!" comments. While I can understand that answering the same questions over and over can get old (and thanks to Synthetic Soul for helping me out already!), just saying "...go look over there..." isn't always the answer. (These are comments, not complaints, BTW...)

I didn't intend for this to go this long, so I'll shut up now, but I hope this might be, I dunno, helpful or inspiring or something.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reply #8 – 2006-03-20 19:14:14

Thanks fot your input.

Quote

just saying "...go look over there..." isn't always the answer. (These are comments, not complaints, BTW...)

When a user posts a simple question it is very difficult to detirmine how far you have to explain the process, i.e.: what basic understanding the user has. The way I personally intend it to go is this:

User posts question
Member directs user to wiki article regarding the topic
User reads article
If the user has any questions they feel are still unanswered they post again

This stops the member having to respond with some text which is no doubt better written, and more comprehensive, in the wiki. It also ensures that the OP has a reasonable knowledge of the area before re-posting, so the member knows that they can skip the basics. If you try to answer a user's questions one by one, as they come, it can end up being a very drawn out process.

In essence, if the user isn't prepared to do a little reading even when directed to a relevant article, then they don't really deserve the time afforded to them by the member.

That said, I also don't agree with "This has been asked 1000 times. Read the wiki" answers. I always try to provide a direct link to an article I know is relevant, and will also often provide a summary, to hopefully entice the user and assure them that I have understood their requirements.

As I said above, I don't believe that you can stop the same questions being asked, or should berate a user for doing so. We simply need the best method to cope with the situation when it arises, to stop the forum flooding with the same damn threads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reply #9 – 2006-03-21 10:06:29

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That said, I also don't agree with "This has been asked 1000 times. Read the wiki" answers. I always try to provide a direct link to an article I know is relevant, and will also often provide a summary, to hopefully entice the user and assure them that I have understood their requirements.

As I said above, I don't believe that you can stop the same questions being asked, or should berate a user for doing so. We simply need the best method to cope with the situation when it arises, to stop the forum flooding with the same damn threads.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=373022"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

One thing I notice severely lacking in most forums (not just in HydrogenAudio), is the apparent short-fuse of forum posters. And too quick in clicking the Submit Post button.

What stops us from re-reading, double-, even triple-checking our answers to ensure a polite posting? And must we intimidate n00bs instead of warmly welcoming them in our fold?

Which is why I suggested a canned reply (see above). I agree we can't answer with just "... read the <insert expletive here> wiki." That is not right. N00bs perhaps don't know yet what keywords they must use. Instead answer it like "... read the <same expletive> wiki, perhaps this <another expletive> page: ______ " and give the <yet another expletive> n00b the actual link to the page. Let them scan the Wiki starting there. I realize that the Wiki is... um, shall we say, <popular expletive> unfriendly for n00bs. <-- will look into it *wink*

Oh just in case anyone misunderstand my post... this is intended to be a humorous post... heh heh... unfortunately I can't seem to find the right place to place smilies...

And I also agree wholeheartedly with this sentiment:

Quote

In essence, if the user isn't prepared to do a little reading even when directed to a relevant article, then they don't really deserve the time afforded to them by the member.

Right on, bro!

Frequently Asked Questions

Reply #10 – 2006-03-21 12:50:05

Quote

I wonder whether the long term members are disappointed by the fact that the forum is used to discuss techincal subjects less and less, and more and more regarding CD archiving techniques - which is not a technical process, but administrative. You may as well be describing a process to backup the system registry. Has it always been this way?
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=372471"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

No. I think that there were more technical discussions in the past. But as the topics grow administrative, I grow in the opposite direction. So maybe it's just me, and not the forum, who have changed.
In 2005 I was mostly in french forums without objectivist rules. It was very interesting to discuss with subjectivists and to have the two points of view confronted.
Now, after one year of battle, the situation is quite the same as here : very few people can or want to perform blind tests (on hardware). The difference is that here, the rules place the blind test at the beginning of the discussion, which saves one year of battle before starting the test

Frequently Asked Questions

Reply #11 – 2006-03-21 13:16:47

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I think that there were more technical discussions in the past. But as the topics grow administrative, I grow in the opposite direction. So maybe it's just me, and not the forum, who have changed.

It sounds to me that you have stayed true, but the forum has changed.

I have the dichotomy that I do not have the background to partake in a technical discussion, but I find it saddening that the forum's knowledgebase has potentially been dilluted by the sort of discussion that I can take part in. I would gladly see less posts that I can answer in favour of informative debate though.

I find it a real concern if the current situation is pushing you to partake less and less. The forum's notoriety for good advice has been built on members like yourself. It seems that this notoriety may now be detrimental to the forum.

Quote

Now, after one year of battle, the situation is quite the same as here : very few people can or want to perform blind tests (on hardware). The difference is that here, the rules place the blind test at the beginning of the discussion, which saves one year of battle before starting the test

Yes, this is true. Even though testing seems less prevalent, at least it is still given high priority.

Personally I had good intentions for both the recent multiformat 128kbps and AAC 48kbps tests, but, due to my busy home life (two young kids) I was unable to perform either. I am intending to try again with Sebastian's multiformat 48kbps test, but I don't hold out too much hope. NB: I do most of my posting (80%) while at work, for my sins. It's currently my lunchtime, and I'm supposed to be eating.

However, even these tests are a relatively new thing. I have been a member nearly two years now, and they are the first public tests I remember seeing (Roberto's tests were performed in 2003). Previous to that it only seemed (AFAIK) that Guruboolez was documenting listening tests, although I know some others have done so more recently (e.g.: bug80).

Maybe I'm looking at thing through rose-tinted spectacles, I don't know. It saddens me, yet I am part of the disease.

Thanks again for your insight.

Edit: Sorry, I just noticed you were talking about hardware. I think the same rings true for both though.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reply #12 – 2006-03-21 18:15:58

Whoa... out of curiosity I entered FAQ into the HA Wiki search box and... there's a FAQ page! Last edited by Roberto in Oct 2005

Let's see what I can do with this...

I'll keep ya posted.

Edit 1: Boy the HA FAQ is... um, so very unstructured. The very partially updated Wiki FAQ page is here. Everything above the "Quality" section is my attempts.

I keep running into trouble translating the 'headings' in the FAQ into proper section/subsection/definition titles... and even more trouble trying to find the names of the links.

help...!

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