Yes, that’s one reason a software license costs $150.
I didn’t even have to think about it, I sent them my money and I’m a happy camper.
As the focus of Inventables has gradually moved from “hobbyist” to “start your own business” I think that @Zach_Kaplan would confirm that the level of computer knowledge of new users has probably gone down - these are not computer people buying the machines anymore. They might not know how to spell FAQ and might only know of wiki as a shuttle bus at the Honolulu airport.
So for starters you probably need to name the FAQ something like “Start Here” and the wiki “User contributed documentation” or else new users won’t even see it. But even with those changes these people don’t have the technology training to know to look before asking or awareness that the forum isn’t heavily staffed by Inventables employees and therefore paid to answer repetitive questions.
The auto-search when posting is the only thing I suspect will make any difference at all.
I think that’s where the forum comes in. Guy that doesn’t know asks “is it possible to make something bigger than your workable area?”, experienced user says “Sure, new guy! It’s called tiling, and here are a couple links from the wiki. Can’t wait to see what you make!”
It’s on the users to not get a RTFM attitude.
When the guy comes back to ask a follow up. Everyone chimes in on their personal tips and tricks.
As it is now, even if someone politely suggests to use the search, it’s a mess. You might find relevant information, but you’ll have to read about the guy asking if he can carve the tiles in his shower, the guy that hasn’t had time to put together his x-carve because he’s tiling his kitchen floor, and all the guys that misspelled ‘tilting’.
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When I worked for Honeywell they had a “librarian” hired to do one thing - searches. I have no idea how many hours she saved the engineering staff, but I can tell you one thing about it. Anytime she asked anyone to do something, it happened immediately, no questions asked.
Searching is an art, or at least an acquired skill. Honeywell recognized the value of one who was good at getting the best, most relevant information in the shortest time by hiring a professional.
The engineering staff recognized the value of that skill and provided the searcher all the assistance that she needed in appreciation for the work that she did for them.
I guess the relevance is that most searches done on the Inventables forum are not done by professionals, so much time is wasted trying to find the information that is needed.
The implication is that Inventables needs a better search engine with more capabilities if they want to provide easy access to the information stored on the forum to the forum users.
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This discussion has also been split over multiple threads now. Very confusing.
The value of the FAQs is it can be kept clean and up to date making searches much easier and successful. Asking the question, “How do I _________” and the reply, “Try Searching the FAQs for _________”, will not contaminate the pool of information. That question could be asked and answered 10,000 times in the forum and it won’t hurt when you search for the answer as you will only be searching the FAQs.
Also, a one stop location for definitions of terms used would be of great help to new users.
How many of you know what know what a Bulwark, Carling or Chine is? When I started building boats I didn’t either and referenced an online glossary on a regular basis for the info. I believe once we have been around the X-Carve for a while we tend to forget we use terms which may not be readily understood by new users.
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The glossary angle is very important, and not knowing the terminology is why newcomers need to be given the benefit of the doubt when they can’t find something.
There’s one here: Shapeoko CNC Router, Rigid, Accurate, Reliable, and Affordable (and there are translations to French and Italian — love to have more)
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This too.
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Why recreate the wheel, right?.. pretty sure those ones can be stolen…err…leveraged and just massaged as needed to give them an Inventables touch …
and
Yes.
This is my number 1 candidate for understatement of the year.
I made up a thread that consisted of links to some of my articles just so I could find them without spending all day.
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