Shall we begin?
1. Introduction & Locating
Well firstly you need to locate the forum. This shouldn't be too hard, it's right underneath the announcement forum.
Image 1.0: Announcement & Q&A forum page screenshot.
First thing to note in image 1.0 is the forum description. That's the paragraph of text beneath the forum name. Never take the forum description literally! That's a general summary of the forum, however more specific information inside can be different.
For example - The Q&A description mentions "... and give each other help here". Now that implies that you can make a thread to just be able to help another person, and that is actually wrong. Help threads, where you make a thread to give answers to others, aren't allowed in the Q&A at all.
Instead you should enter the forum and read the rules stickies first.
2. Forum Rules Stickies
Every forum on Gaia has what we call a Rules and Guidelines sticky (R&G). The R&G outlines what does and doesn't belong in that forum, as well as how to report things and some other information.
Some R&G stickies are posted by moderators & ex-moderators, odds are they're being worked on as all the new stickies are posted by The Admin and have a set format which makes them easier to read. Unfortunately the Q&A doesn't have that, yet.
I'm not going to list all of the rules in the sticky, you can read it for yourself. Instead I'm going to skip on to how to ask a question.
3. Asking a Question
- Is your question relevant to Gaia?
The Q&A is for asking questions about how to do something on Gaia. They're not technical support, they don't answer questions on how to fix your firewall, they don't answer questions about TV shows. Gaia related questions only.
Scan the front page of the Q&A
Have a look at the Q&A. Are there any threads that appear remotely related to your question? If there are then you should try reading them first. You may be surprised to find your question answered already, and then you don't need to post.
Think about your question
You need to take a few moments and think about your question. Try and word it as clearly as possible, and make it detailed. Questions like "HELP! I CAN'T LOAD TOWNS" don't get answered because nobody can. Without any detail it's extremely hard to answer it.
Remember, you know what you're talking about, but that doesn't mean everybody else does.
Make a meaningful title
Posting HEEEELLPPP!!! as the title isn't helpful. We know you want help, you posted in the Q&A. Instead put your basic question in the thread title.
Don't rely on thread title alone
Just don't put "topic" or "thread title" in the post, with the thread title having the question. Don't be lazy, type the question out in the post as well, and give more detail if it can be used.
Don't post & bugger off
Posting "PM me with the answer" is annoying in the Q&A. It's actually really rude. People are taking time to help you, the least you can do is actually check back instead of making everyone come to you. It's also selfish, as the answer to your problem could help others.
Just don't ask people to PM you the answer. You should check your threads instead.
Get rid of post styles
If you want help, don't use your post style in the Q&A to ask a question. Generally they're distraction and many are hard to read. Why put obstacles? Just turn it off while you're in there and make it easier on everyone.
Be polite
There's no need to be rude to anyone, they're trying to help you. Posting "don't flame" is also not needed, as flaming is a site-wide rule and anyone doing that should be reported. But that extends to you too, don't be rude to people trying to help you as it just puts them off.
Be patient
A big issue in the Q&A is patience. You may not get an answer immediately, so just wait. Don't treat the people of that forum as servants who come running to your call, because people like that get ignored.
The Q&A is answered by normal users, very rarely staff members, and so they may not know the answer. There's a "don't post if you don't know" rule in the Q&A and so it isn't a snub, they really can't post.
Don't bump
You are allowed to revive your thread (bump) if it has been unanswered as well as fallen off page 1. It takes hours to do this in the Q&A (slow forum) so bumping too soon can get you in trouble.
It also hurts you, as people see a thread has many replies and so they skip it thinking someone's helping.
4. At the end
If you've received a satisfactory answer or been helped, it's always nice to thank them. It's nothing much, just a simple "thank you". It does make people happy, and it's good manners.
If you've anything to add to this, as it was written very late at night and so I've probably left a lot out or have a lot of errors, please just comment.
Coming soon, how to answer questions in the Q&A.
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