[SUGGESTION] How to make the AGS forums even MORE user friendly

[Electroshokker]

First off, let me say I like the forums and I usually can find whatever I'm looking for, but that's due to years of experience sifting through these forums. Anyone new to it all will find it somewhat confusing, I'd wager.

Now, I don't know about the rest of you, but as new versions of AGS come out (which each one losing backwards compatibility, which is not a bad thing, mind you), the way modules and plugins are all thrown in one big pile on the forums is a little complicated and confusing, especially for those new to AGS.

So, I suggest to split up the 'Beginners Technical Questions', 'Technical Forum' & 'Modules, Plugins and Technical FAQ' into branches for the different AGS versions.

Something like:

Really old AGS versions (pre 2.7)
AGS 2.7+
AGS 3.0+
AGS 3.1+
AGS 3.2+

Or at least some sort of tags to show about which version of AGS it is all about.

I'm not asking for this to be implemented straight away like this, but to open the discussion:

How do you think the forum should handle all the different AGS versions?

How many times have you dug up just the module/plugin you wanted to use, only to find it's for an older version and not compatible with the latest ags version you're using?

What about the many different modules which basically seem to do the same thing? Should they be grouped together? Is anyone indexing all this stuff, who's updating the wiki?

The point of all this? Making AGS more user-friendly from the support (aka the community) side and liven up the place a little.

So what's YOUR ideas on this subject? Let's get some ideas brewing and figure out better ways for the community to work together.

[subspark]

Having discussed this with you already, I completely agree. A strong effort to organize the forum into something version based is a really good move.

Cheers,
Sparky.

[Dualnames]

I've downloaded a 75% of the modules that own a working link, how about we make a list of each module, define version it's working on, and categorize them. Then the same thing for plugins, and templates. I think just that would really help newbies.

[Electroshokker]

I've downloaded a 75% of the modules that own a working link, how about we make a list of each module, define version it's working on, and categorize them. Then the same thing for plugins, and templates. I think just that would really help newbies.

I'm game for that. The wiki's just the place to do so, too. We should add the overview there. Some work's been done on it in the past, but it really needs a makeover and update.

EDIT: the start page for modules

http://www.americangirlscouts.org/agswiki/Category:Modules

Let's start by adding the AGS version info to it.

[Dualnames]

How should that be defined? I mean it's rather better to have this:

Works with AGS 2.72 [ x ]
Works with AGS 3.0   [ x ]

Built for version: 2.72

If it works with 3.0 it will work with the most recent versions


Or we should just try it for AGS 2.72 and the most recent versions, and have this:

Tested and works from 2.72 till 3.1.2

[Electroshokker]

How should that be defined? I mean it's rather better to have this:

Works with AGS 2.72 [ x ]
Works with AGS 3.0   [ x ]

Built for version: 2.72

If it works with 3.0 it will work with the most recent versions


Or we should just try it for AGS 2.72 and the most recent versions, and have this:

Tested and works from 2.72 till 3.1.2

I'm looking into how the wiki works, could you start on maybe something as simple as an excel sheet with this info?
I'll get a mockup wiki page ready.

I set up a mockup page:

http://www.americangirlscouts.org/agswiki/Module_Compatibility

-----------------

Any other ideas/suggestions? (to not get sidetracked to much)

[Atelier]

I like the sound of having tags to show which version they were made for. Or some system of putting the AGS version in the thread title might work.

I'll also use this opportunity to plug my idea of renaming the Hints and Tips section. Lots of people mistake it for BTQ and post for help with their games, which then have to get moved or deleted or locked. Or changing the tagline might be an option.

[RickJ]

I'm currently working on a module that extracts documentation from the source files and produces a document such as this. 

http://demo.agspace.ws/project/modules/Modox/Modox.html

The format of the document is determined by a template file.  So it ought to be possible make a template file that would produce  a document in  wiki format.   Of course documentation doesn't exist without effort; the module only extracts content that the module author has taken time to create.  The advantage is that the content resides in the same file and location in the file where the code it describes resides, making it easy for the author to create and maintain.

An alternate solution would be to have an official module repository where accepted modules would meet  minimum criteria such as documentation of required ags version and other required modules.   This could include an online HTML document similar to the above example and a means of adding supplementary information from users, sort of like the games page.    Perhaps the commentary could have a couple of categories such as Reviews, Tips and Tricks, Bug Reports, etc

Note: for those who are not module designers, the module Programming Guidelines describe a scheme for using  macros to test for correct AGS Version and module dependencies.   It is assumed that modules  built with a specific ags version will function correctly on later versions but not earlier ones.

I think having an organised module library is a good idea regradles of the form it may take.   

[Dualnames]

I'm currently working on a module that extracts documentation from the source files and produces a document such as this. 

http://demo.agspace.ws/project/modules/Modox/Modox.html

The format of the document is determined by a template file.  So it ought to be possible make a template file that would produce  a document in  wiki format.   Of course documentation doesn't exist without effort; the module only extracts content that the module author has taken time to create.  The advantage is that the content resides in the same file and location in the file where the code it describes resides, making it easy for the author to create and maintain.

An alternate solution would be to have an official module repository where accepted modules would meet  minimum criteria such as documentation of required ags version and other required modules.   This could include an online HTML document similar to the above example and a means of adding supplementary information from users, sort of like the games page.    Perhaps the commentary could have a couple of categories such as Reviews, Tips and Tricks, Bug Reports, etc

Note: for those who are not module designers, the module Programming Guidelines describe a scheme for using  macros to test for correct AGS Version and module dependencies.   It is assumed that modules  built with a specific ags version will function correctly on later versions but not earlier ones.

I think having an organised module library is a good idea regradles of the form it may take.   

Glad to know you agree! I do have to validate your points there, some people took some effort to create some modules, and they didn't really care to have proper documentation. For example all SSH's module have a standard way, and that's really helpful. I've once taken the attempt to gather all the modules (I've misse a bunch of them), so that I can have all the modules in my hard drive.

[Electroshokker]

On account of the topic title, who had this idea that a questionnaire would stop forum trolls and noobs?

Errr- that should probably have been given more thought. Anyways, hope this thread title change might ease things up a bit.

We've got a great community here with loads of people happily answering questions. The idea's to improve the community even more, not subtract in any way.

Any forum moderators having a better idea for a name?

[Dualnames]

On account of the topic title, who had this idea that a questionnaire would stop forum trolls and noobs?

Errr- that should probably have been given more thought. Anyways, hope this thread title change might ease things up a bit.

We've got a great community here with loads of people happily answering questions. The idea's to improve the community even more, not subtract in any way.

Any forum moderators having a better idea for a name?

Ah, Tom! You lost me, I'm not saying that!

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

I'm pretty sure that was CJ's idea and proves at least mildly effective at keeping out spambots and kids.  Obviously it's not 100% since you were able to register, though! 


I make joke!

[RickJ]

"I refuse to join any club forum that would have me as a member."  - Groucho Marx

[Dualnames]

I'm pretty sure that was CJ's idea and proves at least mildly effective at keeping out spambots and kids.  Obviously it's not 100% since you were able to register, though!  


I make joke!

You know what as usual, no point. No point at all. I'll just disregard this. Anyway, on topic, any other ideas to make the forums a more friendly place? I think how about gathering all resources to one place for starters? Mean, like gathering all beginners FAQ stuff on the wiki site for example. There seems to be an awful amount of stuff being spread around and all.

[Atelier]

I think Andail's excellent dictionary should be converted into a sticky thread somewhere on the forums. I'd love to do this myself and a mod could glue it later, or just do it and glue it themselves.

[Dualnames]

I think Andail's excellent dictionary should be converted into a sticky thread somewhere on the forums. I'd love to do this myself and a mod could glue it later, or just do it and glue it themselves.

http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=28213.0

[monkey0506]

How to make the forums more friendly? Tell Dualnames to settle down.

[Dualnames]

How to make the forums more friendly? Tell Dualnames to settle down.

We had this through. I'm going to be shot tomorrow morning. If you care to see the fireworks I can sneak you in or something.
I think you guys are losing the grip here , and prefer to make fun of me. Which is cool. I'm a masochist!

Your choice there.

How about changing what's there with this:

http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=21634.msg264196#msg264196

I find it more friendly or so.