Asking A Question or Starting a Conversation by Starting a New Thread in a Forum

[Marc]

16 September 2009 Revision

NOTE: You must be Registered to Start a New Thread. Registration is FREE.

1. First, Go to the forums Home Page which lists all the forums.
2. Choose a Specific Forum - Scroll to the forum you feel is appropriate for your 'Thread' (question, comment, whatever it is). Yes - it's a long list and sometimes your topic could fit into more than one forum. Just make your 'best guess' as to which specific forum is most appropriate.
3. Click on that forum and you will arrive at the 'Forum View' listing the posts in that forum.
   
   Near the top of the page you will see a 'New Thread' button:
   
   
   
   
   Near the bottom of the page you will see the same button:
   
   
   
   
   Click on either New Thread button. IF you have less than 10 posts, you will see this 'screen':
   
   
   
   
   You should already be in the correct forum, but this helps to make sure newer people think about the different forums that are available to post in. Clicking on the 'Drop Down' menu will expand to list all the discussion forums:
   
   
   
   
   If you think your thread would fit better in a different forum, choose the correct forum for your New Discussion Thread and click the 'Continue' button:
   
   
4. Decide on a Title for your Discussion Thread. It is best to think about it a bit and make sure your Title reflects your intended Topic. PLEASE! Think about your title. It is the first thing people see. The more detail, the better. A title that just says something like "I need HELP FAST" doesn't draw much interest...

If you have problems, please post in this thread or e-mail or PM me and I'll help out.

[Marc]

NOTE: Currently you are reading a thread in a forum. Because of that, you will see a 'Post Reply' button in these locations because here you would be Replying within the thread.

In addition, when you are in a thread like this, each post, at the bottom right, has a Quote button and to the right of it what looks like a quill pen and parchment (paper, whatever) 'icon' which is the 'Quick Reply' button where you can reply to that post in the Quick Reply box near the bottom of the page. Clicking the 'Quick Reply' button in any post in a thread should take you to the 'Quick Reply' box.

[BradM]

Hello, Debate!

Welcome to the Cove!

As Harry suggested, it might be helpful for you to read some of the FAQ information prior to using the Cove. Hey, I learn things everyday!

In general:

1. Search to see if your question has been asked before using the Search function.
2. If you cannot find where the question has been asked, then it's time to post.
3. Determine the most appropriate forum for your question. REMEMBER: you are wanting information from the best sources. Make sure you pick the best forum. Just think about which subject matter experts would be best, and post in that forum.
4. As you did with this thread, pick a short (but concise) title. HINT: The more interesting title, the greater probability people will read and respond.
5. Spend some time writing good posts. Don't worry if English is your second language; everyone understands. Just do your best. Include good detail, but not-long winded.
6. Sit back, and watch the fun start!

[Scott Catron]

Originally Posted by BradM

3. Determine the most appropriate forum for your question. REMEMBER: you are wanting information from the best sources. Make sure you pick the best forum. Just think about which subject matter experts would be best, and post in that forum.
4. As you did with this thread, pick a short (but concise) title. HINT: The more interesting title, the greater probability people will read and respond.

3a: Don't worry if you're not sure which forum is most appropriate, a helpful moderator will probably come around and move it to where it will get the best attention.

4a: Don't worry about this one, either - moderators will edit and/or expand thread titles to make them more clear.

[Benjamin28]

One thing I would suggest, don't be hesitant to post a response simply because you may not be an expert in the field...oftentimes a fresh new perspective can incite further debate and clarification which only leads to better learning opportunities for us all.

[BradM]

Originally Posted by Benjamin28

One thing I would suggest, don't be hesitant to post a response simply because you may not be an expert in the field...oftentimes a fresh new perspective can incite further debate and clarification which only leads to better learning opportunities for us all.

Excellent point! Too, how do you know you are not the expert? IMO, even if you agree with what's been posted (plus maybe adding a line or two of supporting information) helps the OP know that multiple people see it that way, agree, etc.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by BradM

Excellent point! Too, how do you know you are not the expert? IMO, even if you agree with what's been posted (plus maybe adding a line or two of supporting information) helps the OP know that multiple people see it that way, agree, etc.

Absolutely!! A fresh set of eyes will typically understand as they will not be stuck in a paradigm...they will probably understand the true question and have a refreshing answer.

[Wes Bucey]

Just an FYI.

In an attempt to "help," we Moderators have created a great misunderstanding in this thread.

The original poster did NOT create a new thread - his post was moved by moderator to create a new thread, but only after several inappropriate posts were added in response to the original question and subsequently removed by a moderator. I have deleted the moderator identities to remove personalities from the equation and will take up the topic in the moderator forum.

Here is the history of changes

05:20, 20th Apr 2007 [moderator] Post Re: Add a new thread Edited
05:24, 20th Apr 2007 [moderator] Thread title (original 'Add a new thread') changed
05:24, 20th Apr 2007 [moderator] Thread edited. (visible: 1; open: 1; sticky: 0)
07:36, 20th Apr 2007 [moderator] Post Re: How do I Add a new thread? by [Cove poster] Removed N/A
07:36, 20th Apr 2007 [moderator] Post Re: How do I Add a new thread? by [Cove poster] Removed N/A
13:10, 23rd Apr 2007 [moderator] Thread split to threadid 21460.