Support Forums

Hey guys, Aura here

As everyone knows (I guess), Omni decided to revive SF, which is a great idea and in order to do that, he asked us where he should start with that big task. For my part, I would like to give you Omni a few recommendations for the Computing area, to make it more "appealing" if I could say :

• PC Hardware and Desktop Support : I guess that you can remove the "Dell Support" and "HP Support" subsections (after moving all the threads to the general section, of course). The reason is that, for most computer/laptop now a day, the brand doesn't really matter, it's all a question of hardware, driver, software, etc. and that can be found really easily on Google or the same solution/concept/etc. can applies to many computer/laptop of many brands. So in my opinion, these sections are useless for now. Also, the threads in there are from 2012 and prior, not even 2013 or even 2014, so these sections were really dead. Or if you are to leave them, maybe you'll add more sections in the feature for other manufacturer ? ASUS, Acer, Toshiba, etc., but I guess that for now, it would only divide that main section in many subsections for ... nothing.
  
• Microsoft Support : Nothing to say about this, except that maybe adding a Windows 10 section in the future is to be considered (obviously).
  
• Linux, FreeBSD and Unix : Nothing to say about it except for the Ubuntu support. I know a lot of people that use Ubuntu, but also Mint or Debian. Because these distros are Debians-based, shouldn't we create a section for these "main" *nix distros (like a section for Debian, one for Fedora, one for Gentoo, etc). Distros that uses the same packet-manager and core features/utilities. Maybe it's too soon for that and we should wait for more activities, but that's my thoughts on it.
  
• Apple Support : If the Microsoft Support section is divided in subsections, why wouldn't the Apple Support section be like that too for more organization ? Add a subsectiom for iPhones/iPads and leave the main section for OS X (Mac products).
  
• Networking, Wifi, and Internet Connection Help : Nothing to say about this section, maybe just add in the description that modems/routers threads would fit in that section as I can see a lot of people posting these issues in the Window sections already.
  
• Laptop and Netbook Help : Personally, I would delete that section. "For all general laptop and netbook support you can post here. Threads would include hardware, drivers, and software support.", all these can be found in the various Windows sections (as drivers are mostly OS related, same as software", while the "hardware" part could fit in the "PC Hardware Help and Desktop Support". In fact, a General Hardware section would be a good idea. When you have a computer, no matter if it's a desktop or a laptop, most of the questions would fit in either the hardware section or the Windows sections.
  
• Computer Security, Firewalls and Antivirus : I guess this is the "White Hat Help" section of SF. Nothing to say about it, I'll be active in this one. I guess that we should close threads with outdated information to notice the users to not relies on these threads anymore but that's your choice Omni.
  
• Virus Removal, Hijack This Logs, and Support : Do we still have HJT Members on SF ? Of course, we could ask RDCA, Para, TH, ven0m., to come on SF and create a "MRT" for it, but they're already busy on HF (so is Para), so I doubt they'll have time to handle SF as well. I guess this section should be closed until you find a new team of experienced members to handle it ? And by experienced members, I mean members that graduated a malware removal school, to follow the standards of the typical "HJT" teams (HJT isn't really used anymore).
  
• HJT Squad Forum : This section should be closed/hidden until further notice. Reason being is that the HJT Squad isn't active anymore (does it still exist ?), plus the canned speeches posted in that section are outdated (from 2010) and should only be used by HJT members, and there's none at the moment.
  

So the main point here is a bit of subsections management and the HJT Team. These were my suggestions for the Computing area, let me know what you think. If you need help with the threads (see which ones should be closed, moved, etc.), let me know, I'll be glad to help.

Edit :
Also thinking about it, is there no section for Android users ? The iOS (iPhone, iPad, etc.) users can use the Apple section, but what about the Android users ? And even the Windows Phone users (a subsection could be created under Microsoft Windows but it's for you).

You know what, I think a Smartphone area should be added and divided into Android, iOS and Windows Phone. This way, you could remove "Cell Phones" from the Cell Phones, MP3 and PDA Help section. But the cellphone threads are mostly 80% of the threads posted there.

Add a Virtual Machines for everything that touches virtualization, installing an OS in VirtualBox, VMWare, etc.

To add to this:

• PC Hardware and Desktop Support: I feel like these two should be separated since they're subjects that can hold their own. Merge 'Desktop Support' with 'Laptop and Netbook' Help like you said and call it 'PC/General Support' and give Hardware its own section.
  
  
• Microsoft Support: Include a Microsoft Servers and Microsoft Office subsections.
  
  
• Game Support: Include a section for video-game related support.
  
  
• Smartphones and Tablets: With a subsection for smart watches. All Android and iOS stuff can go in here.
  
  I'll update this as I think of more. Right now the biggest thing needed is a visual upgrade and pruning. We should do this for each tab.

Honestly, I would transform the PC Hardware and Desktop Support section in : Hardware, Peripherals and Devices section. This way it would cover everything that is "physical" on a computer, and leave the software part to the sections dedicated to the OS.
I doubt we will have a lot of questions for now related to Microsoft Servers, but adding a section with prefixes for the various versions : [2003], [2005], [2008], [2012] would be a good idea indeed. Same for Office. A single section with prefixes : [2003], [2007], [2010], [2013].
Not sure about the game support section as most of the issues caused by games are software related and could be handled in the various OS sections, but it's my opinion.
For the Smartphones and Tablets section, all good since I had the same idea.

1. The Dell and HP support are relevant for keywords and SEO.

2. I added the Win8 section and will address the Win 10 soon enough.

3. Ubuntu is largest home used distro. The other distros go under the regular forum for linux support. Probably nice to add thread tags instead.

4. I suppose the Apple support can be done better. I'll review.

5. Laptop and Netbook section I'm not 100% sure on what to change but it's definitely in need of an adjustment. I'll review.

6. I don't think at this time we have anyone active from WHH, MRT, or the old HJT team here. Has to be redone entirely imho.

7. I'll add stuff that's more up to date like Android sections and such.

8. Smartphone section is a must as well.

Overall some good points and ideas for changes and adjustments.

That's good to know, thanks Omni I have no idea how SEO works, hence why I thought that it wouldn't be a big deal to delete the HP and Dell support sections.
I undertand your point of view for Ubuntu too, and for the tag threads, I guess 3-4 for the major distros that will be posted in this section would be nice.
I can handle the White Hat Help (well, the Computer Security, Firewalls and Antivirus) section, it's no big deal. However, as a GeekU (I guess you know what GTG is), I'm forbidden to give malware removal assistance for now. If you can find approved helpers, then this section can be redone and reopened but for now, they would be useless.

Can't wait to see these changes Also, I'll start posting my tech tutorials soon like I asked you yesterday. I tried earlier today but because I use URL links in most of them, I couldn't post them since I needed at least 10 posts to post more than 1 URL link, is there any other restrictions like that ?

Quote:Virus Removal, Hijack This Logs, and Support : Do we still have HJT Members on SF ? Of course, we could ask RDCA, Para, TH, ven0m., to come on SF and create a "MRT" for it, but they're already busy on HF (so is Para), so I doubt they'll have time to handle SF as well. I guess this section should be closed until you find a new team of experienced members to handle it ? And by experienced members, I mean members that graduated a malware removal school, to follow the standards of the typical "HJT" teams (HJT isn't really used anymore).

Members are already here but maintaining two schools are unnecessary unless there are activities.

Quote:HJT Squad Forum : This section should be closed/hidden until further notice. Reason being is that the HJT Squad isn't active anymore (does it still exist ?), plus the canned speeches posted in that section are outdated (from 2010) and should only be used by HJT members, and there's none at the moment.

Paradoxum already took care of those. It is still the moderator of the said section. The private tutorials are private to begin with.

(10-11-2014, 04:59 AM)ven0m Wrote: [ -> ]

Quote:Virus Removal, Hijack This Logs, and Support : Do we still have HJT Members on SF ? Of course, we could ask RDCA, Para, TH, ven0m., to come on SF and create a "MRT" for it, but they're already busy on HF (so is Para), so I doubt they'll have time to handle SF as well. I guess this section should be closed until you find a new team of experienced members to handle it ? And by experienced members, I mean members that graduated a malware removal school, to follow the standards of the typical "HJT" teams (HJT isn't really used anymore).

Members are already here but maintaining two schools are unnecessary unless there are activities.

Quote:HJT Squad Forum : This section should be closed/hidden until further notice. Reason being is that the HJT Squad isn't active anymore (does it still exist ?), plus the canned speeches posted in that section are outdated (from 2010) and should only be used by HJT members, and there's none at the moment.

Paradoxum already took care of those. It is still the moderator of the said section. The private tutorials are private to begin with.

ven0m
So if SF starts to get more active, will you re-open the HJT Squad forums and start taking logs or ?

• System Administration - Computer server administration is something a lot of people don't have very good habits in doing, and there's always people out there that could use help working through issues they have in managing a server.
  

Get us a section like that and I'll be contributing a good deal.

(10-11-2014, 06:56 AM)Aura Wrote: [ -> ]ven0m
So if SF starts to get more active, will you re-open the HJT Squad forums and start taking logs or ?

Not sure. Not every computer forum needs their own malware removal training program imho. There is also an if regarding this forum's activity.

Past experience shows this.

(10-11-2014, 09:00 AM)ven0m Wrote: [ -> ]

(10-11-2014, 06:56 AM)Aura Wrote: [ -> ]ven0m
So if SF starts to get more active, will you re-open the HJT Squad forums and start taking logs or ?

Not sure. Not every computer forum needs their own malware removal training program imho. There is also an if regarding this forum's activity.

Past experience shows this.

We can expect a real "clusterfuck" if everyone starts assisting with malware removal, without having any kind of training. I won't be able to assist with that until I graduate the malware removal school I'm enrolled in at the moment. And I also found it weird that the HJT forum was visible to everyone. I know the point of view malware removal helpers have towards their tutorials, canned speeches, etc. It shouldn't be a public place where everyone (and anyone) could freely have access to that information. If the HJT Squad (I guess the name will be changed) was to be revived, it is imperative that their forum gets hidden from the public view on SF, that's for sure.