Forum Specialists Suggestion

[Tim Locke]

1. I think this forum needs a list of members specialties. For example, just this week there have been two questions, one about domains and one about Enterprise Edition. I haven't been on a machine in a Domain since Windows 2000 and I bet the current Enterprise edition bears no resemblance to the way it was. But surely someone must be uptodate on these things.

2. I don't see a true WiFi specialist/networking specialist popping up to answer questions which I find surprising. Many people who use Wifi and have no trouble with it but that is not the same thing. If one has a working Wifi system it is not usually that one would want to break it on purpose to help a questioner...who probably has different hardware and ISP.
There is a specialized networking forum...can't remember the name off hand but that is too far the other way. Last time I looked the main topic was the minutiae of IPV6 and a good number of the members were on Linux.

3. Maybe it is time to purge many of the questions dating back to the pre-release builds and even the ur-Windows 10.

None of these things are fatal to the goodness of the forum

 

[Norton]

Tim I have to agree, but experts require experience, WiFi usually works well and more often or not a reboot of the modem refreshes the IP address and solves 90% of problems.

 

[clifford_cooley]

I for one don't consider myself having any specialties. That doesn't mean I can not answer any questions. Recruiting someone that could fill in a credential gap could prove difficult. So in the end, why try filling out member credentials?

 

[Bif]

In principle it's a fair proposition Tim, but I think then it takes what is in all honesty a community of Jack's of all trades collective to a customer service line...
The refreshing vibe of this forum is that everyone regardless of experience kicks the can and tries to help, the objective is the same and effective in my opinion.

 

[Wolfie]

I would say that I am an advanced user but far from expert status, I work with both Windblows and Linux and have written many guides on Linux forums over the years ( a couple on this forum too). WiFi is one thing that I have had problems with over the years, mostly related to Linux systems due to the lack of drivers.
With that said, Windows (MicroSoft) are dropping support for older computers so people will find it difficult to get an old piece of hardware working in the future; especially if the hardware manufacturers don't put out new drivers for old hardware!. The beauty of Linux is that it works well on both old and new hardware and is becoming more and more user friendly!.

Most people on this forum that help others do so out of personal interest or just like helping others, I don't have all the answers myself and have to often hunt around for an answer to a question.

Although I agree in part with Tim, I really don't see the need for specialist lists as each forum member has something to offer regardless of how much knowledge they pocess!.

 

[Regedit32]

What specialist will we need to create a Specialist Skills list?

 

[davehc]

Nothing else to add. I would agree with the common consensus in the posts. Basically not a good idea. The forum is great, just as it is.
I would suggest it is not a necessary qualification to have experience in a particular field, other than having had the same problem and researched the remedy, which can then be passed on to others.
If ever implemented, I could see it would need a host of moderators.

 

[Ian]

Thanks for the suggestion Tim - I always like to see new ideas and suggestions on here .

Some of the other comments have covered my concerns, but I'm also not sure how we could check and verify specialities and credentials. I can think of friends with network qualifications that could barely set up a WiFi network, but ones without that could happily configure enterprise level networks. Hopefully, the discursive nature of forums means that if someone posts some poor advice in a topic they aren't knowledgeable in, other members will spot it and be able to advise. Also, I imagine that a lot of us have broad experience that could fix 80% if of problems in most categories, but we'd avoid answering topics where we can't offer any reliable advice.

 

[Tim Locke]

Ian, you are completely right about the setting up of networks. But there is a difference between doing it oneself for oneself and guiding someone through troubleshooting remotely . Fortunately most posters who have trouble getting networks to work either have some knowledge or admit that they know nothing...which sometimes makes it easier.
My first point tho' was about domains and Enterprise. Surely there must be someone lurking in the darkness who does that. IF MS had not got rid of Home Server as fast as they did I am sure I'd know about it by now as I would probably have one.

My idea of a list was not for everyone but just for the members who really do have specific knowledge and skills. Example: Does anyone know as much about the registry as Regedt32? I know something about IPV6 but I haven't seen a question about it yet...so I guess either it just works invisibly for most or ( more likley) most ISPs still don't support it.

 

[Ian]

I think our first problem may be finding a network guru . Perhaps we could have custom titles if there are real experts in the field for a specific field, as we're not using that feature on the forum at the moment. I'll have a think on it once we can identify such a person .

 

[Regedit32]

I think our first problem may be finding a network guru

Just find the User with the most likes

They are clearly very good at networking

 

[Wolfie]

real experts in the field for a specific field

I am good at breaking working computers, do I get merit for that Ian?.

 

[davehc]

Should fit in somewhere, Wolfie. My wife is also good at that - keeps me busy!!!!

 

[davehc]

She doesn't know it, but I use her as my test dummy. When she is not around, I install something new and wait for any reaction - then claim "That b**y MS at work again"

 

[Tim Locke]

Resurrecting this thread a bit. Nowadays we surely could use two things.

1. Someone with some serious knowledge about security...firewalls and such.

2. A private message system as many forums have. So that someone with specific knowledge could be messaged to take a look at a thread. Example being the thread on firewalls by jhg. There have been other threads especially on networking and getting printers to work in some environments.

 

[Ian]

Someone with some serious knowledge about security...firewalls and such.

Yep, it would be great to have a security expert here - the problem is going to be finding one. If anyone knows someone that is knowledgeable in this area, please do let them know about it.

A private message system as many forums have. So that someone with specific knowledge could be messaged to take a look at a thread. Example being the thread on firewalls by jhg. There have been other threads especially on networking and getting printers to work in some environments.

We've had one since the start - but it's called "conversations" on this forum software, so it may not be as obvious as to what it does. Just click a username and you'll see a "start a conversation" button to send a private message. If you want to test it out, fire one over to me .