FAQ it?
 

I've noticed something since joining this group.

Frequently, questions are asked about conditions that, while answered with
what it probably is, are also left with encouragement to take the animal
to the vet. Generally, a good thing, unless the cat is, say, coughing
(possibly dust inhalation, possibly cardiac trouble, VET NOW EITHER WAY!),
and also noting that it could take some time before you get a response.
Not everyone keeps a constant eye on the NNTP feeds.

Also, and seemingly like clockwork, somebody will ask if Hartz products
are at all good, only to be met with a resounding "$#|+ NO!".

So I got this hoopy idea here to start on a FAQ after finding out there
wasn't one on the rtfm.mit.edu FAQ repository. I mean, it wouldn't be a
comprehensive FAQ list by any means, but something to give people a few
good answers for the archive. Besides, there are a seemingly endless
number of items that one could tag as things that could be a problem, let
alone an urgent problem.

So... thoughts? Anybody?

....Bueller?

--
Dennis Carr - | I may be out of my mind,
http://www.dennis.furtopia.org | But I have more fun that way.
------------------------------------+-------------------------------

In , Laura R.
wrote:

| People who can't even be bothered to scroll through a few days' worth
| of subject lines to see if their question has been asked recently
| also are unlikely to bother reading FAQs, in my experience.

True enough. The interesting thing about rpch+b is that in all the time
I've been following the group, I don't recall ever seeing a post asking
for the FAQ (or, if there is one.)

In another group I used to follow, which had a seriously high CPQ[*],
there was some improvement when one regular started posting a "FAQ
pointer" twice a week (no more frequently so as not to run afoul of the
BI). It basically consisted of the boilerplate stuff you find at the
top of FAQs: where to get the FAQ, related links, etc.

Of course, this approach presumes that there is a FAQ to point to. The
old rec.pets.cats FAQ set (at either rtfm.mit.edu or www.faqs.org) is
quite dated.
[*] CPQ: Clueless Poster Quotient

In , Laura R.
wrote:

| People who can't even be bothered to scroll through a few days' worth
| of subject lines to see if their question has been asked recently
| also are unlikely to bother reading FAQs, in my experience.

True enough. The interesting thing about rpch+b is that in all the time
I've been following the group, I don't recall ever seeing a post asking
for the FAQ (or, if there is one.)

In another group I used to follow, which had a seriously high CPQ[*],
there was some improvement when one regular started posting a "FAQ
pointer" twice a week (no more frequently so as not to run afoul of the
BI). It basically consisted of the boilerplate stuff you find at the
top of FAQs: where to get the FAQ, related links, etc.

Of course, this approach presumes that there is a FAQ to point to. The
old rec.pets.cats FAQ set (at either rtfm.mit.edu or www.faqs.org) is
quite dated.
[*] CPQ: Clueless Poster Quotient

"Dennis Carr" wrote in message
...
snip

...this hoopy idea here to start on a FAQ after finding out there
wasn't one on the rtfm.mit.edu FAQ repository. I mean, it wouldn't be a
comprehensive FAQ list by any means, but something to give people a few
good answers for the archive. Besides, there are a seemingly endless
number of items that one could tag as things that could be a problem, let
alone an urgent problem.

So... thoughts? Anybody?



Generally speaking, I think FAQs should be required when forming ngs.
However, I don't consider a FAQ to be a list of answers to questions most
frequently asked *in* a newsgroup. It should be included, of course, but
there should also be links to related websites--for example a website with
the dmb for various foods. There should also be some kind of netiquette
reminder--what is or is not acceptable posting behaviour on the group--no
html, no advertisements, etc. I've noticed, however, that rpch+b is one of
the most easy-going groups when it comes to things like that. No one here
seems to mind if people post binaries or html so all that may be moot.

I say, if you're willing to do the work (knowing that many or most new
posters probably won't even read it) then go for it. I know I always
appreciate FAQs and perhaps "old-timers" can use it as a reference. I often
remember that someone said something about a certain topic but can't
remember specifics. I end up doing a google groups search and wading
through many many posts. It would be nice to go to a FAQ first to see if
it's there. I would be thankful to you if you did it, for sure!

rona

--
"Do not meddle in the affairs of cats, for they are subtle and they will
**** upon your computer."
--Bruce Graham

"Dennis Carr" wrote in message
...
snip

...this hoopy idea here to start on a FAQ after finding out there
wasn't one on the rtfm.mit.edu FAQ repository. I mean, it wouldn't be a
comprehensive FAQ list by any means, but something to give people a few
good answers for the archive. Besides, there are a seemingly endless
number of items that one could tag as things that could be a problem, let
alone an urgent problem.

So... thoughts? Anybody?



Generally speaking, I think FAQs should be required when forming ngs.
However, I don't consider a FAQ to be a list of answers to questions most
frequently asked *in* a newsgroup. It should be included, of course, but
there should also be links to related websites--for example a website with
the dmb for various foods. There should also be some kind of netiquette
reminder--what is or is not acceptable posting behaviour on the group--no
html, no advertisements, etc. I've noticed, however, that rpch+b is one of
the most easy-going groups when it comes to things like that. No one here
seems to mind if people post binaries or html so all that may be moot.

I say, if you're willing to do the work (knowing that many or most new
posters probably won't even read it) then go for it. I know I always
appreciate FAQs and perhaps "old-timers" can use it as a reference. I often
remember that someone said something about a certain topic but can't
remember specifics. I end up doing a google groups search and wading
through many many posts. It would be nice to go to a FAQ first to see if
it's there. I would be thankful to you if you did it, for sure!

rona

--
"Do not meddle in the affairs of cats, for they are subtle and they will
**** upon your computer."
--Bruce Graham

"Laura R." wrote in
message .. .
circa Thu, 08 Apr 2004 22:07:21 -0700, in
rec.pets.cats.health+behav,
Dennis Carr ) said,
So I got this hoopy idea here to start on a FAQ
[...] So... thoughts? Anybody?

People who can't even be bothered to scroll through a few days'
worth
of subject lines to see if their question has been asked recently
also are unlikely to bother reading FAQs, in my experience.


Then there is the fact that a FAQ gives icky people the
power to say "read the FAQ."

"Laura R." wrote in
message .. .
circa Thu, 08 Apr 2004 22:07:21 -0700, in
rec.pets.cats.health+behav,
Dennis Carr ) said,
So I got this hoopy idea here to start on a FAQ
[...] So... thoughts? Anybody?

People who can't even be bothered to scroll through a few days'
worth
of subject lines to see if their question has been asked recently
also are unlikely to bother reading FAQs, in my experience.


Then there is the fact that a FAQ gives icky people the
power to say "read the FAQ."

"Laura R." wrote

Good thoughts, Rona. I don't want Dennis to think that posting a FAQ
would be worthless or unappreciated; I just think, like you, that it
would end up being more useful for the folks who already tend to
search archives before posting than for those for whom Dennis
intends
it. :-)

Yessir, in additon to the other problems.

I also think you're right about the relatively easygoing nature of
this group when it comes to netiquette. People rarely, if ever,
respond to repetitive posts with, "you know, this was just posted
two
days ago. Why didn't you bother reading the newsgroup before you
asked the question again,"

I noticed this right away and really appreciate it. Sometimes
people don't have time, or just want to cut to the chase. It
is easy enough not to answer the questions you don't want to.

"Laura R." wrote

Good thoughts, Rona. I don't want Dennis to think that posting a FAQ
would be worthless or unappreciated; I just think, like you, that it
would end up being more useful for the folks who already tend to
search archives before posting than for those for whom Dennis
intends
it. :-)

Yessir, in additon to the other problems.

I also think you're right about the relatively easygoing nature of
this group when it comes to netiquette. People rarely, if ever,
respond to repetitive posts with, "you know, this was just posted
two
days ago. Why didn't you bother reading the newsgroup before you
asked the question again,"

I noticed this right away and really appreciate it. Sometimes
people don't have time, or just want to cut to the chase. It
is easy enough not to answer the questions you don't want to.

Dennis Carr wrote in message . ..
I've noticed something since joining this group.

Frequently, questions are asked about conditions that, while answered with
what it probably is, are also left with encouragement to take the animal
to the vet. Generally, a good thing, unless the cat is, say, coughing
(possibly dust inhalation, possibly cardiac trouble, VET NOW EITHER WAY!),
and also noting that it could take some time before you get a response.
Not everyone keeps a constant eye on the NNTP feeds.

Also, and seemingly like clockwork, somebody will ask if Hartz products
are at all good, only to be met with a resounding "$#|+ NO!".

So I got this hoopy idea here to start on a FAQ after finding out there
wasn't one on the rtfm.mit.edu FAQ repository. I mean, it wouldn't be a
comprehensive FAQ list by any means, but something to give people a few
good answers for the archive. Besides, there are a seemingly endless
number of items that one could tag as things that could be a problem, let
alone an urgent problem.

So... thoughts? Anybody?

...Bueller?

I suggested the same thing for alt.cats a couple of years ago, but I
never got it finished - or even really started.

Some things that could be covered a

inappropriate elimination
declawing
ear mites
flea and tick control
how to choose a vet
basic feline care (with links)
constipation
lack of appetite

And probably 1000 other ones I am too tired to think of!

-L.