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Ideas on topic headers and sectioning
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 9:02 pm
by saeb
Although a percentage of people will never see all of the forum as they never make an introductory post this applies to everyone else.
Do we need to seperate areas further. Do I need an area under electrical or Forscan with each individual module name and abbreviation so things can be found easier.
I'm not sure but some input from maybe 5% of the members would go a long way.
Searching will find what people want 99% of the time but most seem reluctant to try using it. ∆ its up the top.
Thanks.
Re: Ideas on topic headers and sectioning
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 10:45 pm
by RossPat
People are here to learn how to use Forscan but are daunted by the amount of information available.
Even after reading all the info they are still hesitant to risk buggering up a module.
You have a wealth of info available Stewart and I agree the Search function does work.
No matter what you do or how the site is laid out, until people get confident enough to do their first mod there will always be questions.
Re: Ideas on topic headers and sectioning
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 10:58 pm
by jstanovic
Have you got time and can you be arsed separating things?
As Ross said most people will ask questions regardless. Using the search function usually finds what I'm after, if not then it's time to post a question. In saying that, searching through things to find what you are after can be very hit & miss and time consuming, not sure separating things will make that any easier.
Re: Ideas on topic headers and sectioning
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 11:03 pm
by GerryP
Having been with this form from the start, I feel quite comfortable with it. I'm also comfortable using Forscan. However, I am interested in comments from newer members and as Ross has said, Forscan can be quite daunting until you get used to it, with concerns that making a mistake could have serious or unwanted consequences.
Certainly interested to hear what others suggest...
Re: Ideas on topic headers and sectioning
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 10:30 am
by paramidget
I'm happy with the way it is at the moment. Again, having used forscan with the first posts on another forum way back when, I'm not daunted by using it. As mentioned the search facility works and is your friend!
Re: Ideas on topic headers and sectioning
Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2019 8:19 pm
by Bala1
Im pretty new here and still havent put much time into understanding how the programming works but feel I have a handle on it. I have used similar programs for trucks so its not a great step for me its just its not a priority right now, but will be soon.
I dont know that more sections are needed but you have stated that you get a lot! of PMs and I would assume that you would prefer less of them hence the reference to searching.
Assuming the general idea is to keep people on this site using forscan etc I would look at more info in some of the sections.
There are four section each for hardware and software programming so a sticky post in each explaining what they do and how they go together may be of help. Eg, if I look at the MX dongle page it does not really tell me what it does so I leave this site to search about it and work out if it will work with forscan and then come back. Even an explanation of what forscan does.
So basically try to have a sticky post at the top of each section to explain what it does and how it interacts withe forscan/or not. It may help people who come here stay and not need to Pm you.
Hard to put in text what I want to say so hope it makes sense. I have seen another site send people here so they may not have even heard of forscan when they firt get here, I know I had not.
Great site and I want it to stay so dont want you to burn out.
Cheers
Re: Ideas on topic headers and sectioning
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 4:00 pm
by saeb
Bala1 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 13, 2019 8:19 pm
Assuming the general idea is to keep people on this site using forscan etc I would look at more info in some of the sections.
There are four section each for hardware and software programming so a sticky post in each explaining what they do and how they go together may be of help. Eg, if I look at the MX dongle page it does not really tell me what it does so I leave this site to search about it and work out if it will work with forscan and then come back. Even an explanation of what forscan does.
Once again we are stuck with, not many if any read the stickies nor search. I have had red boxes up, flashing boxes and I still got PMs asking how why and what, so I think it is what it is.
Part of me says "great you searched on google about the MX dongle", you searched and read and learnt. For me to start adding more text that may not be read and the amount of time to write all this information up, well I don't know. How far do you take these things when Simon says also do some outside research of your own, as after all, all of this is a steep learning curve for most and it is not a part time or full time job just for me.
99% of people arrive here because they are looking to use Forscan so they already have a small brief in their mind. I think Forscan's site more than give enough info on what the software can do without writing another story though and it's plausible that some people are just trying to do more than what they are capable of doing.
Probably the biggest thing is the search box. Idea is to think of some key words and generally more than one to refine. It works well for me anyway and I use it 99% of the time in responses to questions to point a user to that post.
I appreciate everyone's feedback, I think we did hit a .0001 feedback rate but hey its better then zero.
Will let it run how it is for now and if and when I get a chance I may look at the stickies anyway.
Any feedback is good feedback and although I may have an opinion it will always be taken on board.
Thank all.
Re: Ideas on topic headers and sectioning
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 10:02 am
by AS82XLT
People are just lazy and would rather have everything given to them on a silver platter and for you to guide them step-by-step.
I often struggle with dealing with this with my drivers, almost child like!
Re: Ideas on topic headers and sectioning
Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 5:22 pm
by allover
I stumbled onto this site and thought Forscan was similar to Forplay.
.
Read all the sites and had no idea what was what and where to find, even know that instruction videos had been or were available
Have read and been redirected by members to various sites and I did not know that you could alter settings
This is not a criticism of the site, I find your work and work load amazing SAEB and congratulate you for your efforts, but being a bunny found the initial post lay out confusing
Think the above posters had a idea what they were after and wanted to do
Now feel confident with the acronyms and the topics
Thanks Andrew
Re: Ideas on topic headers and sectioning
Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2019 6:39 pm
by scott oz
As a non IT person theses are my thoughts on behalf of non IT people
On the software side I come to the site looking to either make changes and looking for advice on how to do it. Both equipment and software. (Forescan)
Or I’m looking for a gauge (UltraGauge) that will give me extra gauges and fault code detection etc etc etc
It would be great to have a locked thread on each UltraGague/Forescan with separate sub folders on each modification locked. No conversation if someone has a question they post it say on an open topic Longrange tank calibration, a popular one.
So in the locked sub folders step by step instruction on how to make that specific change. Assume the non IT reader needs to know right down to each save.
Using UltraGague (that’s what I have) rate of page display
MENU -> GAGUE/PAGE MENU..-> Select Gauge/Page..-> Page settings.. ->Page Refresh time. Then either lower or raise the refresh time
What the instruction doesn’t say is to go up to Back hit the UP button select back hit MENU until you get back to the main screen.
If later you find more needs to be added or corrected then modify the instruction and lock again.
From then on any questions can be directed to the folder
The thread should at the start identify the model etc it works on or doesn’t
Lot of great work on ForScan and I’ve got the dongle but I’m playing with my brand new $60,000 toy thinking if I stuff this up not only will I not be going anywhere. And that will take some explaining to the one who must be obeyed. But going to Ford to fix.
I accept these are to risks you take when you play with your toy. Me I was happy to get it done and use the UltraGage approach
One thing might be a market if you setup UltraGauge or ForScan add some $ and sell them programmed up. Just a thought
Anyhow great forum lot great things you “can do” so keep it up
Re: Ideas on topic headers and sectioning
Posted: Wed Sep 04, 2019 7:30 pm
by saeb
scott oz wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2019 6:39 pm
As a non IT person theses are my thoughts on behalf of non IT people
On the software side I come to the site looking to either make changes and looking for advice on how to do it. Both equipment and software. (Forescan)
Or I’m looking for a gauge (UltraGauge) that will give me extra gauges and fault code detection etc etc etc
It would be great to have a locked thread on each UltraGague/Forescan with separate sub folders on each modification locked. No conversation if someone has a question they post it say on an open topic Longrange tank calibration, a popular one.
So in the locked sub folders step by step instruction on how to make that specific change. Assume the non IT reader needs to know right down to each save.
Using UltraGague (that’s what I have) rate of page display
MENU -> GAGUE/PAGE MENU..-> Select Gauge/Page..-> Page settings.. ->Page Refresh time. Then either lower or raise the refresh time
What the instruction doesn’t say is to go up to Back hit the UP button select back hit MENU until you get back to the main screen.
If later you find more needs to be added or corrected then modify the instruction and lock again.
From then on any questions can be directed to the folder
The thread should at the start identify the model etc it works on or doesn’t
Lot of great work on ForScan and I’ve got the dongle but I’m playing with my brand new $60,000 toy thinking if I stuff this up not only will I not be going anywhere. And that will take some explaining to the one who must be obeyed. But going to Ford to fix.
I accept these are to risks you take when you play with your toy. Me I was happy to get it done and use the UltraGage approach
One thing might be a market if you setup UltraGauge or ForScan add some $ and sell them programmed up. Just a thought
Anyhow great forum lot great things you “can do” so keep it up
Some good thoughts, thanks for the input.