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How To Build And Maintain A Good FAQ
comforteagle writes "FAQs have been around since the beginning of the web & most of them still suck. Most of us who build FAQs rely on handcrafting them, but this really isn't necessary anymore. Sean Kerner has written The FAQs on FAQs as an introduction to getting up to speed fast with a FAQ, letting opensource software do the majority of the work, and allowing the author to concentrate on providing good answers. He shortly reviews a few apps, but settles on phpMyFAQ."
Oh, FAQ off.
All we need now is The FAQs on FAQs on FAQs.
An Indian-American Hindu committed to non-violent thought/speech/action alarmed by the global explosion of radical Islam
a FAQ on FAQs... this PA strip comes to mind.
They'd have to go into a FUQ
Even worse:
Q: The main window doesn't load. What do I do?
A: Call our toll-free 1-800 support number!
Noooooo! I'm reading this so I *don't* have to directly communicate with other humans!
"I only speak the truth"
Karma: null(Mostly affected by an unassigned variable)
Even worse:
t -ay-see-em-eeh-dot-com-slash-eff-ay-queue: may I suggest you try to see if this page contains an answer to your question, and then if it doesn't, call me back? Thank you Sir and have a great day *CLICK*
Q: The main window doesn't load. What do I do?
A: Call our toll-free 1-800 support number!
Noooooo! I'm reading this so I *don't* have to directly communicate with other humans!
No, no. The real bitch is when you call up the 1-800 number and the dialog goes like this:
FLOOZY: Hello, my name is Sue-Ann at ACME help desk, how may I annoy the living shit out of you today?
YOU: Well hmm, I have this problem with your product: see, it slices but it doesn't dice.
FLOOZY: Ah yes Sir. Do you have the Inter-Net?
YOU: Er, yeah...
FLOOZY: Sir, may I direct you to aych-tee-tee-pee-colon-slash-slash-wee-wee-wee-do
"A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
We inform you that those reponsible for the sacking those who where responsible for sacking those responible of the FAQ on the FAQs on the FAQs have been sacked.
(Python rocks! no, not the language...)
I prefer this, which I found on a service provider I was looking at...
Q: I can't send email. What are the servers and settings I need to use?
A: Please email support@someisp.com for the setup information. We do not post this information on our public website.
A method of searching the database and presenting a list for the end user based upon the end user's selections.
Thanks for the idea, I'll be off to the patent office now! Anyone using one of these FAQ things will owe me royalties based on percentage of sales. Wow, this post has about 3 ideas phrased in the form of a patent application.
ever want to slap someone for saying it Eff Ay Queue, rather than fack?
hmm... nope. Because if I did, I would have to start slapping myself, and I'm not really into the whole self-inflicted pain thing.
AUTO FAQ SOFTWARE OUTPUT. (Please fill in the answers as relevant to your software.)
1a Does it run on Linux?
1b Can you imagine a bewulf cluster of these?
I'm sorry, but to the best of my knowledge, the web predates time itself.
SPAM
WWJD for a Klondike Bar?
aych-tee-tee-pee-colon-slash-slash-wee-wee-wee-dot -ay-see-em-eeh-dot-com-slash-eff-ay-queue:
That link has a funny 404...
That's why I like this FAQ. It's simple, to the point, leaves no room for ambiguity and answers a really frequently asked question.
-- How many sigs are as useless as this one?
Under capitalism man exploits man. Under communism it's the other way around.
The second rule of FAQ Club is you do not talk about FAQ CLUB!
Reviews with a twist! http://www.sardonicbastard.com
OFFICIAL LINUX FAQ - Updated September 2004
1.0 WHAT IS LINUX?
Linux is a fine DOS-like operating system with many uses, the number one of which is compiling the Linux kernel itself.
Compiling the kernel is an activity that must be accomplished time and time over again, sometimes several times per day. It is recommended that the Linux kernel be recompiled at least once per day on the most critical systems. Doing otherwise would likely result in system instability.
Since compiling the kernel is such an important activity, Linux users often benchmark and compare machines solely based on kernel compile times. Most distributions provide the source code of the kernel to the users in an effort to ease the learning curve of the unfriendly environment.
There are many reasons to compile the Linux kernel. Here are a few:
-Installation of new hardware such as a USB mouse
-Application of daily security patches
-Training towards RedHat Certified Systems Engineer certification
-Impressing friends, mates and family
-Avoiding SCO lawsuits
-Etc
Please be careful when compiling your Linux kernel. You could hose your system.
2.0 IS LINUX MORE RELIABLE THAN WINDOWS?
One of the major goals of the Linux operating system is to reach the level of reliability enjoyed by Windows, which is also known to be a fortress of stability and security.
However, one of the current problems with Linux is the requirement to reboot every 49.7 days. This issue has yet to be addressed properly (present still in release 2.6) since it is caused by a deep design issue and is not a simple bug. It is expected that proper for-profit commercial contributions from SUN Microsystems to the kernel development will increase the competence and professionalism of the developer base.
In general, the lack of proper testing and general QA procedures is an impediment to Linux reaching high levels of reliability.
Additionally, since most distributions install a large number of insecure services that are started automatically when the computer boots, it is quite normal to see Linux computers compromised daily.
3.0 IS LINUX A FAMILY ORIENTED OPERATING SYSTEM?
Simply put, no. As a hobbyist operating system, Linux requires much administration and configuration. A large amount of time must be invested in reading nearly useless documentation for every task (installing printer, configuring network, etc). For example, it is not uncommon that Gentoo installations take several weeks to complete, although in a way, it's never really finished.
Since Linux is so time consuming, spouses are often left to their own devices. Fortunately, since Linux users tend to be sexually self-relying, their social impact stays rather low. Unlike the situation of AIDS percentage in the US population, which tends to fluctuate with Apple's market share.
4.0 I GET A STRANGE MESSAGE WHEN I USE MY MOUSE
Congratulations for having successfully installed a mouse on the Lunix operating system. But, if you see the following message, please consult 1.0:
"Your mouse has moved. Linux kernel must be recompiled for the change to take effect. [OK]"
5.0 SINCE LINUX IS OPEN SOURCE, HOW CAN DEVELOPERS AFFORD NO REVENUE?
"Farmers by day, programmers by night," is the GNU way of life. Please note that most open source software is never really good.
DOCUMENT VERSION
linux.faq@@/main/release/3 ***
*** Note: Moved to Clearcase from CVS when branching support became a requirement.
anyone know where to find some are ay emm?
I wish that I was a catfish.
> Can you think of a better alternative?
If there's no better alternative to alerting config files after 20 years and gazillion of dollars invested in software development, isn't it time to pause and contemplate what went wrong?
How about this - I don't want to know about any *.conf at all - I just want to get on the Internet, securely.
I think that's how it should be - self-maintaining and self-tuning systems. Alas, we're still in the 80's, but this time with a cuter GUI.