Finding the FAQ and other useful links

[sylas]

I sometimes have trouble finding helpful reference information for using physicsforums.

I think it would be a good idea to upgrade the menu that appears along the top of the physicsforum screen. I propose that the menu items marked "Staff" and "Library" be replaced with a pull down list of information sources, including the following:

• staff list
• PF library
• https://www.physicsforums.com/faq.php
• https://www.physicsforums.com/misc.php?do=bbcode
• Equation typesetting
• https://www.physicsforums.com/misc.php?do=showsmilies

The menu could be headed "PF info", or some other similar general indicator.

There may be other useful entries to put in the list. As matters stand at present, I can't find any convenient pointer to the FAQ, and the BB code list is rather hard to find; it's a small point at the bottom of the screen when editing a new post. The equation type setting entry above is linked to a thread. At present, the https://www.physicsforums.com/faq.php , which brings up a one line entry pointing to the thread, but with a bare URL rather than a clickable link.

Some of the entries appear to be within some kind of hierarchical file arrangement. For example, the BB code list, at the top of the page, has simple account of where it appears in the hierarchy, and that is actually how I discovered you guys have a FAQ!

There's some good stuff here, apparently, and I think it would be great to have it more accessible with a menu list as proposed.

Cheers -- sylas

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

thanks sylas, anyone else?

 

[sylas]

thanks sylas, anyone else?

Noone? Ah well. I still think it is a good idea. Another possible info resource might be a list of icons. I don't think the page is in existence at present; it would require a new page altogether. The kinds of icons I am thinking of are [PLAIN]https://www.physicsforums.com/images/icons/icon3.gif https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/misc/poll_posticon.gif https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/misc/paperclip.gif https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/misc/tag.png https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/rating/rating_4.gif https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread_moved.gif https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread_hot.gif https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread_hot_lock.gif https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread_hot_new.gif https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread.gif https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread_new.gif https://www.physicsforums.com/Nexus/statusicon/thread_dot.gif

In most cases the information required is available as a "mouse-over" comment, so actually a page isn't worth the trouble; except that I have no idea what [PLAIN]https://www.physicsforums.com/images/icons/icon3.gif next to a thread/post is meant to indicate. The mouse-over says "lighbulb", which doesn't help. I'm using this as an excuse to ask; and bump the thread.

Cheers -- sylas

 

[tiny-tim]

lightbulb

… I have no idea what [PLAIN]https://www.physicsforums.com/images/icons/icon3.gif next to a thread/post is meant to indicate. The mouse-over says "lighbulb", which doesn't help. I'm using this as an excuse to ask; and bump the thread.

Cheers -- sylas

hi sylas!

i'm the only person I've ever seen using [PLAIN]https://www.physicsforums.com/images/icons/icon3.gif , to introduce a post in the title bar, so perhaps I'm qualified to say that it means I'm indicating that the post introduces a new idea

(also, it's pretty! :tongue2:)

 

[sylas]

hi sylas!

i'm the only person I've ever seen using https://www.physicsforums.com/images/icons/icon3.gif ,[/URL] to introduce a post in the title bar, so perhaps I'm qualified to say that it means I'm indicating that the post introduces a new idea

(also, it's pretty! :tongue2:)

Is it an option to add to a post by any editor? I don't see it. How is it done and what are the conventions for using it?

Cheers -- sylas

 

[tiny-tim]

finding the lightbulb

Is it an option to add to a post by any editor?

oh noooo , you can only do it to your own posts

I don't see it. How is it done

ah, you can't expect me to just give you the answer …

you have to show some attempt to solve it yourself! ​

hint: you can't do it straight away

… and what are the conventions for using it?

it's unconventional!

 

[Redbelly98]

thanks sylas, anyone else?

In the interest of reducing homework posts that appear in the wrong places (usually by brand new members), I have two suggestions.

1. In the Row Of Links at the top of the page (My PF, Upgrade, etc...), make a visible Homework Help link. Preferably near the left side of the row, where it is easier to spot.

2. Also in the Row Of Links, remove Blogs and Library as visible links, and put them in some drop-down list there instead. It could go in the "Quick Links" list, perhaps under a new section called "Features" or something like that.