Info Center

**Jason** · 06-21-2006, 09:54 PM

We have started work on info centers. These centers will give you a quick lowdown on things like networking, windows errors, dll's and more. They will also provide links to other sites which may help with problems. You can find the info centers under the info center drop down on the navbar.

ebackhus · 06-22-2006, 02:13 PM

Awesome!

Zazula · 06-23-2006, 03:52 AM

The core idea of Info Centers is great and adds significant functionality to TSF for all users - novice or experienced.

I simply want to underline the need for the Info Centers to be treated in a different ("privileged") manner during the "search tsf" operation, so that the results that link to Info Centers come up first - or even separated. This way the user can start from the more general aspect of his topic of interest, and if all else fails then he can move on to threads describing specific issues.

I chose a simple topic that wouldn't return a lot of found threads (namely mprexe.exe, which enjoys at least two Info Center entries), and performed a simple search. I came up with 16 threads, but no indication that the searcher could be sufficiently "serviced" at the TSF Info Centers.

So, I'm flagging for a fix regarding this.

**MunkyPhil** · 06-23-2006, 07:31 AM

Good call Zazula. The PSU section the Hardware Team is working on should go in there too? That would be ideal to refer to.

Zazula · 06-23-2006, 08:11 AM

Phil, I'm 100% with you that forum sections and stickies can form a great pool for the Info Centers.

As a matter of fact, I strongly believe that TSF can (and should) distill all the technical wisdom spread all around in various threads, into a twofold feature:

a. Succinct yet comprehensive "how-to" articles: How to perform something correctly, how to set-up, how to troubleshoot, how to make educated purchase decisions, etc.

b. A Knowledge Base for common and not-so-common issues. If there's one place where a really meaningful and up-to-date KB can be, then that's TSF!

Zazula · 06-24-2006, 06:26 PM

I noticed that the Info Centers are not available before a user logs in TSF. So, I think it would make sense to underline in the "welcome text" a guest sees in the TSF homepage, that there are these Info Centers available to registered users. It would be also a good idea to have a main Info Center page for guests, just for them to get an idea of what is offered inside (it would be extra motivation for them to register). As a matter of fact, stressing the existence of Info Centers to guests in every page they visit, would also make sense (marketing-wise), since most of them land to TSF after a google search thus viewing straight away a thread and not necessarily the TSF homepage.

**Jason** · 06-26-2006, 10:22 AM

I will look into why it isn't showing for guests. As for showing up in search results, that would be some really hard coding, but may see what I can do.

06-21-2006, 09:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jason Faugh a ballagh Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pasco, FL Posts: 8,476 OS: Windows Vista My System Blog Entries: 2	Info Center We have started work on info centers. These centers will give you a quick lowdown on things like networking, windows errors, dll's and more. They will also provide links to other sites which may help with problems. You can find the info centers under the info center drop down on the navbar. __________________ Posting Tips \| Advice for New People \| Common Fixes \| Agus na damnaithe fágtha gan focal Glaoigh ormsa i measc na naomh

06-22-2006, 02:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,275 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Awesome! __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

06-23-2006, 03:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
Zazula Manager Emeritus, I'm blond, James Blond Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 7,667 OS: Win XP Pro SP2	The core idea of Info Centers is great and adds significant functionality to TSF for all users - novice or experienced. I simply want to underline the need for the Info Centers to be treated in a different ("privileged") manner during the "search tsf" operation, so that the results that link to Info Centers come up first - or even separated. This way the user can start from the more general aspect of his topic of interest, and if all else fails then he can move on to threads describing specific issues. I chose a simple topic that wouldn't return a lot of found threads (namely mprexe.exe, which enjoys at least two Info Center entries), and performed a simple search. I came up with 16 threads, but no indication that the searcher could be sufficiently "serviced" at the TSF Info Centers. So, I'm flagging for a fix regarding this. __________________ "Time is the wisest because it discovers everything" Thales of Miletus (ca.624BC-ca.546BC) "Everything flows, nothing stands still." Heraclitus of Ephesus (ca.535BC-475BC) "One thing I know, that I know nothing" Socrates of Athens (ca.470BC–399BC)

06-23-2006, 07:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
MunkyPhil TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Liverpool, England Posts: 1,140 OS: Win XP Pro SP2 My System	Good call Zazula. The PSU section the Hardware Team is working on should go in there too? That would be ideal to refer to. __________________ "Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds." - J. Robert Oppenheimer, July 16th 1945. CPU-z -- Memtest -- Speedfan -- Prime95 -- SandraLite Important Power Supply Info -- Applying Thermal Paste -- Posting System Specs

06-23-2006, 08:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
Zazula Manager Emeritus, I'm blond, James Blond Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 7,667 OS: Win XP Pro SP2	Phil, I'm 100% with you that forum sections and stickies can form a great pool for the Info Centers. As a matter of fact, I strongly believe that TSF can (and should) distill all the technical wisdom spread all around in various threads, into a twofold feature: a. Succinct yet comprehensive "how-to" articles: How to perform something correctly, how to set-up, how to troubleshoot, how to make educated purchase decisions, etc. b. A Knowledge Base for common and not-so-common issues. If there's one place where a really meaningful and up-to-date KB can be, then that's TSF! __________________ "Time is the wisest because it discovers everything" Thales of Miletus (ca.624BC-ca.546BC) "Everything flows, nothing stands still." Heraclitus of Ephesus (ca.535BC-475BC) "One thing I know, that I know nothing" Socrates of Athens (ca.470BC–399BC)

06-24-2006, 06:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
Zazula Manager Emeritus, I'm blond, James Blond Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 7,667 OS: Win XP Pro SP2	I noticed that the Info Centers are not available before a user logs in TSF. So, I think it would make sense to underline in the "welcome text" a guest sees in the TSF homepage, that there are these Info Centers available to registered users. It would be also a good idea to have a main Info Center page for guests, just for them to get an idea of what is offered inside (it would be extra motivation for them to register). As a matter of fact, stressing the existence of Info Centers to guests in every page they visit, would also make sense (marketing-wise), since most of them land to TSF after a google search thus viewing straight away a thread and not necessarily the TSF homepage. __________________ "Time is the wisest because it discovers everything" Thales of Miletus (ca.624BC-ca.546BC) "Everything flows, nothing stands still." Heraclitus of Ephesus (ca.535BC-475BC) "One thing I know, that I know nothing" Socrates of Athens (ca.470BC–399BC)

06-26-2006, 10:22 AM	#7 (permalink)
Jason Faugh a ballagh Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pasco, FL Posts: 8,476 OS: Windows Vista My System Blog Entries: 2	I will look into why it isn't showing for guests. As for showing up in search results, that would be some really hard coding, but may see what I can do. __________________ Posting Tips \| Advice for New People \| Common Fixes \| Agus na damnaithe fágtha gan focal Glaoigh ormsa i measc na naomh