[Sumaleth]

Re: the discussion in this thread about the need for a good FAQ.

I've started outlining a structure for the FAQ and at this stage I'm interested in anything else that could be included. I'll update this post as I add to the Index.

As for the "Links" part - a while back I started making a web-based link database and I'm wondering if I might resurrect that project. I think it could be a lot more useful as a searchable database than just a HTML list of links.

Anyway, here's the current contents list;

code:

---

FAQ INDEX


---------





INTRODUCTION


 SIJUN FORUMS MISSION STATEMENT





 FORUM RULES AND GUIDELINES


  WHY THERE ARE RULES AND GUIDELINES


  POSTING GUIDELINES


  FEEDBACK GUIDELINES





 HISTORY OF THE SIJUN FORUMS





 TERMINOLOGY OF THE SIJUN FORUMS


  THRENODIZING


  PAINTOVERS (both meanings)


  SPOOGE


  LENSFLARE (see: Spooge)








FAQ


 HOW TO POST IMAGES


 BROKEN IMAGES


 FREE WEB HOSTS


 EDITING/DELETING POSTS


 PHOTOSHOP vs PAINTER


 PRESSURE SENSITIVITY


 USING TWO MONITORS ON ONE COMPUTER


 SCHOOLING


 WHY DID XX GET DELETED WHEN YY DIDN'T? (link back to rules/guidelines)








THE GREAT BIG LINK ARCHIVE (from Sijun and -anything- worthwhile)


 FORUM LINKS


  THEMED THREADS


  GREAT ART


  GREAT FEEDBACK (quality feedback / paintovers)





 TUTORIALS


  PERSPECTIVE


  SHADING/VALUES


  COLOR


  PHOTOSHOP/PAINTER


  ILLUSTRATOR


  NON-DIGITAL MEDIA





 ARTISTS


  MANGA


  CONCEPTUAL


  MATTE


  ANIMALS


  LANDSCAPES/ENVIRONMENTS


  CHARACTERS/FIGURES


  GAMES


  PHOTO-MANIPULATION


  SIJUN MEMBERS





 FORUMS/COMMUNITIES


  DIGITAL ART


  CONCEPTUAL ART


  3D ART


  PHOTO-MANIPULATION


  GENERAL ART

---

[S4Sb]

you forgot all those wacom questions

[Pixel Soldier]

The Wacom questions must not be overlooked. They've gotta be the most frequently asked, and most annoying. People are unable to use Google these days, let alone actually visit the page of the manufacturer.

I think the answer to any Wacom FAQs should be: www.wacom.com :P

[Lolion]

The best part about those questions is that Dhabih has linked to wacom.com from his tutorial as well, I think.

Should probably smack a popup on the mainscreen though *Chuckles*

The FAQ contents look great though, very nice.

I can't wait to see what is written in the "Lensflare" section *Chuckles*

[oDD]

people ask for wacom even when they know wacom's site. They want some advise from customers not the company, so there should be some advise on that.

[Pixel Soldier]

Advice on a consumer product depends on that person's experience with the product. Everyone has different experiences. Some people love their little Graphire2, some people think they stink. It is all subjective.

If you want MASS opinion, search for professional hardware reviews. If you're going to base your $400 purchase on the OPINION of some stranger on an Internet forum, then you're exactly the type of consumer that corporations love - gullible.

Take some time and do your own research. You can't depend on other people to make your decisions for you.

[Sumaleth]

There are lots of Wacom/graphics tablet related questions that pop up regularly, and if we know the answer to these questions theres no reason not to put them in the FAQ. It'll be a lot easier for someone to find answers here than on the Wacom site.

I've included 'Pressure Sensitivity' so far, but if anyone can think of any other regularly-asked questions now is the time to mention them.

[Lunatique]

people tend to get their panties bunched up their asses about tracing/photo reference type issues. It's kinda sad to see some young talent post a painting he slaved over for weeks and weeks, just to have people tear him a new @sshole for having slavishly copied a photograph. Maybe something about that?

[Pixel Soldier]

"Graphire or Intuos?"

"Does anyone get jagged lines when drawing circles in Photoshop?"

"Where can I order a tablet online? Where can I find the lowest prices?"

[oDD]

and whats the diffrents betwen "graphire and graphire 2" was asked few times...

[Torstein Nordstrand]

"What size is best for ME?"

[Dr. Bang]

not enough tutorials!

[Ian Jones]

"How do I colour like you guys? Any tips or tutorials?"

That's a gem. Gotta be the most frequently asked one.

[Ian Jones]

Oh, btw Suma. This is looking great so far! I'll be happy to contribute.

[Impaler]

Geez, sumaleth. Who died and made you moderator?

[Ian Jones]

Impaler: ?

[Lunatique]

Love for the Suma!

Seriously though, without Sumaleth, sijun would be completely F@cked. He is fair, diplomatic, wise, and patient. Maybe a bit too tolerant at times, but I contribute that to kindness.

Hey, don't we have another moderator? Where's Freddio?

[Lunatique]

Ian Jones- he's joking.

[Impaler]

If you could even call it that..

Hah. I just noticed I only have two stars. Last time I checked, I had five. Wonder what happened. Meh.

Oh. Yeah. I agree whole-heartedly with that whole FAQ shtick, except for the fact that it's going to be hell to get someone to read that thing. Too bad you can't somehow make it so that the FAQ is what you get when you click on the forums link on the main page, and the rest of us sijun-savvy folk would just use the ultimateubb.cgi address.

[Danny]

I second Lunatique's comments. Has to be said... Good going Rowan!

[merlyns]

good looking thing suma I give you allot of credit for this that your doing all off this work *claps hands for suma*

you have this at the forum section:
DIGITAL ART
CONCEPTUAL ART
3D ART
PHOTO-MANIPULATION
GENERAL ART

should't their be a work in progress or something. well its jus't an Idea or maybe i overloked something

-david

[smalbrain]

when I clicked this thread I was expecting:

code:

---

Sijun FAQ


---------


Hair colour: black


Height: 4ft 


Weight: 10kg


Likes: drawing pictures

---

I mean all we got is that creepy side shot of him.

Personally I think those simple and general questions keep these forums grounded and make it so much more accessible - like instead of a sijun vet replying to some poor kids post with "check the forum" -some beginner can help out - give them a chance to contribute to the community!! - keep the forum growing y'know?

a forum would fuck up the cycle. this is healthy dudes. special.

[Blind]

Rowan...
I have a few suggestions, if you don't mind.

1) On the new version of the board , don't have Member #'s or Number of Posts viewable to the users. They're useless information that too many have placed value upon. People should get a nick, and that's it. Let their actions speak for themselves.

2) I like the Rules/FAQ and think you're doing a great job... although, I personally don't think they'll help much, they certainly can't hurt. Honestly, how many forums do you visit and the first thing you do is read the rules? mmhmm... none. The thing is that if someone's a jerk, they're going to be a jerk despite ignorance or knowledge of the rules. Luckily, the converse is also true.

3) Shitcan all ideas of monitoring users in any way to determine if they're allowed to post or dump art. As noble as those ideas are (I'm not knocking them), the fact is that this is a board with 5,000 users. Ok? 5,000... can you say maintenance nightmare? I'm afraid that if administering this board becomes more trouble than it's worth, it could mean it's downfall. Keep it as simple as possible for your own sake and the sake of all the other mods/admins.

4) phpBB is a good system. I believe the current version is quite stable. Not sure if anyone answered your question about it being free: but it is, and that's because it's released under open source development rules. You can, of course, donate some $ to the authors. Heck, if we all gave a dollar they'd be in fat city. Just a thought.

5) Deleting Posts/Banning Users - I think we already have some great people for moderators/admins. I trust their judgement and think they should do as they feel necessary. If that means just deleting posts without explanation, fine. If it means killing accounts, fine. If they abuse the power, they get removed themselves, that's all.

6) Remove the deadwood - too many unused accounts I'm betting. Decrease the overhead on the system by removing them and/or possibly placing an inactivity limit.

[ July 12, 2002: Message edited by: Blind ]

[Pixel Soldier]

Suma, I just wanna say that the link database is looking phenomenal.

I for one appreciate all the work you've been putting into making these forums better lately. It obviously isn't your obligation, and I have a feeling people lose sight of that at times.

So, T H A N K Y O U.

I have upwards of 84 million links, are you taking submissions?

[Sumaleth]

Well I've got the Links Database well underway. Here's a preview of the Artists section;
http://www.sumaleth.com/links/artists.shtml

And a not-as-advanced Tutorials section;
http://www.sumaleth.com/links/tutorials.shtml

Also in progress are similar layouts for "Great Threads" and "Forums/Communities".

This is all database driven so new entries are easily added and edited via an admin web page, and it'll eventually have text search capability and categorized listings.

[Lolion]

Totally!

Wow, this has been a long sought after feature in my eyes. Great to see it unfolding, and as always when it comes to you guys at Sijun - it exceeds my greatest expectations with ease.

[edraket]

Thank You. You are doing some phenomenal work here.

How are you going to fill these subjects in? With help of other people?
You could organize "brainstorm" threads for different subjects.

I think I'll wait with my own thread-backup project and see whats going to come out of this.

[oDD]

so far it looks excelent

[edraket]

Oh..here's one..

What digital camera should I buy??

I cannot imagine a product that has more extensive reviews online.

[spooge demon]

This looks nice, Sumaleth. If you want I could write a section for you. Maybe others could as well.

I did notice this:

SPOOGE

LENSFLARE (see: Spooge)

*sniff...* just call me "filter boy: