Computer Forum Tech Guides

apj101

apj101

VIP Member
Computer Forum Tech Guides

In response to the need and underlying demand from users I am pleased to introduce the new Computer Forum Tech Guides. This will effectively replace the existing 101 system which we currently have in place.

We are throwing the challenge out to our members for there input by asking that any and all users write dedicated guides to any topic they feel able to write with authority.

These guides will run through an area of substance and will follow the existing 101 style format. They will cover the topic, discuss all major areas, provide ample structure/pictures/external links to the guides.

All guides will be THOROUGHLY reviewed by another moderator/authorised approver for the topic (aka a sponsor). If the guide passes the quality tests (we discuss below) the user will see their Guide promoted to an official Computer Forum Tech Guides.
These guides will all be kept in a separate sub sector of the forum (to be opened soon...need to get ian to do it ;) haha), announcements will be made in each relevant section.

All users who successfully get a Guide approved will be able to add the following line to their signature
Approved CF Tech Guide author: Currently XX guides approved; XX Tech Guide points
[link to each guide]

(these additional lines will not be included in the max 10 lines per signature rule)

As well as the number of approved Tech Guides published, users will receive 1-3 points for each Tech Guide based on the technical difficulty or thoroughness of the Guide:
1 = Standard Guide
2 = Excellent Guide
3 = Outstanding Guide in a technically complex area

I will include a league table of top published users in the new section/official thread :)
We will look at rewarding top contributors in time (need to chat with ian haha)
We will look at other titles for top contributors as soon as someone approaches 5 approved guides
I can say with certainty that these guides will be considered in all vip/moderator applications as well as other matters/disputes

These guides will form one of the highest level of contribution a user can make to the site and, much like the current 101's, will be linked to over and over again by other users. The current 101's are fantastic and many users join the site on the back of reading one.
Your contribution could easily be the catalyst for a new user joining! and growing the site

This is a simple little system to ensure the site remains at the cutting edge, and attracts new members. Its also allows us to reward those members who really add to the technical content of the site.

Obviously we need rules, so here they are...is a q & a form :)

What can I write about?
Any computer topic so long as it has substance. The definiation of "substance" is qualitative, meaning we will make a call on a case by case basis.
Im happy for topics like:
Guide to monitors
Guide to CPU's
Guide to Setting up a home network
Guide to choosing a PC

Those all have substance, whereas

Guide to a Q6600
Guide to a installing word
etc. these are all too small areas

How long does it need to be?
Clearly this depends on the topic, but i cant imagine one Guide being less that 2 pages of A4 with pics. But remember, if the guide is not felt to have covered all the main areas in enough detail it will not be approved!


What points to I get?
If you guide is approved you are allowed to mention it in your signature!! :D :D
You will also be given a number of points based on the technical difficulty or thoroughness of the guide:
1 = Standard Guide
2 = Excellent Guide
3 = Outstanding Guide in a technically complex area
Be aware, I envisage 80% of Guides getting 1 point, but the scale is there for the truly stellar efforts.

If you get ANOTHER guide published you can add to your count!!!!

We will track a leaderboard of contributors, rewards, new user titles, and Kudos will be given to top contributors.

How do I submit a guide?
You start by telling us what you want to write a guide on, and we'll let you know if its substantial enough (no point us wasting time)
Post your suggested titles in this thread for now! ONE at a time, dont vomit a lot a ideas out that dont get followed up on haha

You will be allocated a sponsor who will guide you through the process, that may be an admin, a moderator, or another user who we deem to be an expert in the area and empower to review the Guide. You may object to the sponsor if you wish (if you've had issues with them in the past, but if its a mod or admin I trust everyone to be professional and treat your Guide as the appreciated contribution that it is)

You submit your guide to the sponsor ( you may need to do that via a thread or pm). The sponsor may provide initial comments which you should reflect in the Guide.

Once you have made those changes the Guide will be posted in the open forum for all member to offer CONSTRUCTIVE comments, by this stage your guide should be in good shape anyway. Any users not offering constructive comments i.e. flaming, will be reprimanded.

After the week the user comments, where relevant, will be added to the Guide and it will be resubmitted to the sponsor. If the sponsor gives the final go ahead the user can post the guide and it will be added to the Computer Forum Tech Guide section and you will be awarded your points!!!

Here is a flow chart

cftechguideflow.png


Can I just copy a guide from online/plagiarise
Your sponsor will be looking for plagiarism, and if found the guide will be rejected.


I have already written a 101 in an area, can i convert it to a Tech Guide?
Yes, just enter it through the normal process and it will be considered/fast tracked



Completed Guides

http://www.computerforum.com/175224-flashing-bios-tech-guide.html - By Linkin

http://www.computerforum.com/189534-how-clone-hard-drive.html - By spynoodle

http://www.computerforum.com/186629-power-supply-psu-tech-guide.html - By linkin

http://www.computerforum.com/189015-how-install-os-off-flash-drive.html - By lucasbytegenius

http://www.computerforum.com/184833-windows-stop-error-techguide.html - By aastii
 
Last edited by a moderator:
What format will it be in? The one thing I hate about forums is I have to dig through 100s of posts to get the info needed sometimes. I strongly suggest that the new tech guides are in a blog format, that has the guide always on top and all comments and questions are always after it.
 
tlarkin said:
What format will it be in? The one thing I hate about forums is I have to dig through 100s of posts to get the info needed sometimes. I strongly suggest that the new tech guides are in a blog format, that has the guide always on top and all comments and questions are always after it.
Click to expand...

Ok to be clear. Once a guide is published there will be no comments on it, just like the current 101's
it will be arranged just like the 101's are...i.e. guide
NO scrolling through stuff for ages to find the area you want
 
I asked DCI about this a week or two ago or so and have actually started a guide after our discussion about making these (Strangely enough, a series of guides for each area was what I mentioned with a sticky in general to keep them all together). Who do I contact about it?

Also, say a guide was published as a standard guide, obviously technology advances, change happens, and also additions can just be made. Will it always be a 1, or could it be put up to higher after input from other users about the guide, or is it always at that?

Finally, say you make a guide that is meant to help those that don't have a huge knowledge base with computers. It obviously won't be an "Outstanding Guide in a technically complex area" because it isn't meant for advanced users. Would it always be sat at a 1 or 2, even if it was the most perfect guide immaginable for less experienced users?
 
Good idea. I would be happy to do a BIOS Flashing 101 guide in the near future, but for now it's back to my history assignment :o
 
Aastii said:
I asked DCI about this a week or two ago or so and have actually started a guide after our discussion about making these (Strangely enough, a series of guides for each area was what I mentioned with a sticky in general to keep them all together). Who do I contact about it?

Also, say a guide was published as a standard guide, obviously technology advances, change happens, and also additions can just be made. Will it always be a 1, or could it be put up to higher after input from other users about the guide, or is it always at that?

Finally, say you make a guide that is meant to help those that don't have a huge knowledge base with computers. It obviously won't be an "Outstanding Guide in a technically complex area" because it isn't meant for advanced users. Would it always be sat at a 1 or 2, even if it was the most perfect guide immaginable for less experienced users?
Click to expand...
You can contact me and DCI about the guide you currently have underway :) im sure DCI would be happy to sponsor it :)

For now pretty much everythying will be a 1 :) :)
 
I am thinking about writing a complete guide to Macintosh computers as there is so much wrong information on this forum on here. that way no idiot can comment on it and use tons of misinformation.
 
This is a great idea. We need up to date tech guides. I'm not offering to do it because I'm probably not good enough for it, but there should be a post in Desktop Computers with computers built to a budget. So instead of having new users coming in all the time asking for a $600 computer, they can just check that thread to see whats avaibile. And a user thats quite common here should do it to keep them up to date.

There is currently a 101 or something on computers to a budget but its quite... dated.

I can already guess who'll be writing/sponsoring the PSU Tech Guide ;)
 
tlarkin said:
I am thinking about writing a complete guide to Macintosh computers as there is so much wrong information on this forum on here. that way no idiot can comment on it and use tons of misinformation.
Click to expand...

now that is a great topic, but maybe its too much for one guide....if you want to break it down into smaller chunks then feel free
 
The Chad said:
This is a great idea. We need up to date tech guides. I'm not offering to do it because I'm probably not good enough for it, but there should be a post in Desktop Computers with computers built to a budget. So instead of having new users coming in all the time asking for a $600 computer, they can just check that thread to see whats avaibile. And a user thats quite common here should do it to keep them up to date.

There is currently a 101 or something on computers to a budget but its quite... dated.

I can already guess who'll be writing/sponsoring the PSU Tech Guide ;)
Click to expand...

im sure you can write a guide....what interests you most about PC's....
 
apj101 said:
now that is a great topic, but maybe its too much for one guide....if you want to break it down into smaller chunks then feel free
Click to expand...

What if I just send the moderator the content and they break it up? Also, could I send you a PDF?

How would I access the document to make update or changes, or maybe for Q&A?

thanks

t
 
tlarkin said:
What if I just send the moderator the content and they break it up? Also, could I send you a PDF?

How would I access the document to make update or changes, or maybe for Q&A?

thanks

t
Click to expand...

PDF is no good as I want you put it into a normal thread

hmmm well to be honest i hadnt wanted the guides to change much...i figured id just stick them all in one subsection and lock them down like the 101's that way it keeps them clean. If we let q's flow they will just end up like normal threads...what do you think
 
Matthew1990 said:
Could I do something about networking??? and Windows 7 tips :D
Click to expand...
give me a title.
Im not sure about windows 7 tips. If you broaden it out into a features/benefits/tips/optimisation then i suppose it could make a guide


I'd just like to stress to everyone....what I'd like to avoid is everyone firing out ideas but then we never follow through with them. Lets make sure we put titles we know we can do and have time for :)
Im very excited to see our first one !!! I wonder who will get the first points :)
 
apj101 said:
give me a title.
Im not sure about windows 7 tips. If you broaden it out into a features/benefits/tips/optimisation then i suppose it could make a guide


I'd just like to stress to everyone....what I'd like to avoid is everyone firing out ideas but then we never follow through with them. Lets make sure we put titles we know we can do and have time for :)
Im very excited to see our first one !!! I wonder who will get the first points :)
Click to expand...

I'd really like one for networking as well, Bob told me that tlarkin would be one of the few that would know enough to get us started with one so i'm recommending him for the job. :)
 
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