Like the site FAQ, can we also have a troubleshooting FAQ ...

e.g.
resolv.conf gets reset --- this question has been asked several times and we have answered it several times too.
OR
NIC not working/not detected ... the most common troubleshooting tips can be listed here.

perhaps we can list the questions and offer solutions distro-wise

Another sub-question - is this exercise really worth the effort it requires?

Perhaps we can make the "Has this been asked" button more attention grabbing - Red-lettered, blinking, surrounding the entire subject line if possible, etc,,,

Yeah, ppuru, I guess the Has this been asked before should be made more attractive.

Plus, a slightly modified search which gives more to the point results would further decrease the same/popular questions being asked again and again.

I really think a user created knowlege base would be a great idea. We should have a faq that all members can contribute to, like a database. I've seen some forum modifications that turn Phpbb into a very nice looking knowlege base and FAQ engine, I'de really like to see one at LinuxQuestions.

We have a "user created knowledge base" here: http://wiki.linuxquestions.org/

I can't think of a way to make the "has this been asked" button more obvious, without making it obtrusive - but I am open to ideas.

--jeremy

I am aware of wiki ... but will the posts be organised .... something like a one point access .. will give it a go.. thanks for the lead.

About "Has this been asked" ("HTBA"), another 2c idea ...

When a user wants to post a new thread, under the current situation, (s)he types the Subject line, a good soul may hit the "HTBA" button, then if not satisfied with the solutions, scrolls down and fills in the query/problem.

Suggest:

When user wants to post a new thread, (s)he type the Subject line (hopefully it contains the context of h(er)is problem). Instead of the "HTBA" button , we have a "Continue" button but the user cannot scroll down to add his query .... When the user hits the "Continue" button, the continue button should behave like a "HTBA" - bringing up a list of likely solutions. The user will be presented with button saying " Yes, my problem is resolved" OR " No, my problem is different" ... Then (s)he can go ahead and post h(er)is query.

While typing the above, I had a thought that users may find it irritating ... not sure how you guys will find this suggestion.. after all, opinions! ... everybody has one!

I think forcing the user to do this would much too intrusive. We want to make posting as easy as possible. Brainstorming ideas never hurt though, so if you come up with any other ideas, please do post them.

--jeremy

Maybe a simple hack would be, for people under 30 days or 30 post (or any other "basic" requirements) after they hit the post button, if they didn't hit the "has this been asked" button, a popup window would come up asking them if they've seen if this question has been asked. If they say no, send them to where it would've if they had clicked the button. Only for newbie visitors, because they are the worst offenders.

Nice idea KneeLess - far less violent that my idea:

If somebody posts a question that's already been asked, it automatically generates a Yes/No poll - if enough LQ members vote, the next time the offender logs on, the keyboard puts 10 000 volts through his fingers (a la Dilbert?)

But seriously though, example in a thread this morning, the person may have missed a few useful threads in his search, he's clearly not a newbie but I've given him some suggestions on what to put in the search box and a thread title that contains the answer - this sort of active / passive response (I've only just woken up, oxymorons make sense!) should help people to search more for their answers.