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:: How to ask for help ::

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Yoshiboy:
This can be a very busy section of the forum at some points, with lots of people requesting help and very few experienced modders hanging around to give it out. Due to this, lots of threads will simply get ignored or pushed right down to the bottom of the forum if things aren't asked in the right way. Here are a few tips you can follow to give you a better chance of being heard.

1. Use search and indicate you have -

First of all using search might even find you the answer to your problem without starting a new thread. Also make sure you check out the unofficial tutorials section of the forum because someone might have already explained what you wanted.

Secondly it shows anyone replying that you managed to put in a bit of the effort yourself and you might be willing to do so again in the future. It basically shows you aren't just lazy.

2. Try first, ask later -

This sort of links to the first point, if it becomes apparent that you haven't even tried to do what you want no one is going to want to help you - why should they put the effort in when you haven't. Even more importantly - if you try first, then you have a much better chance of understanding their explanation and solving your problem. Most modders don't have the time to write you a full tutorial from scratch and any advice they give will likely be with the thought it mind that you at least understand the problem and what the issues are.

3. Be clear

Make sure you write a proper thread title explaining how you need help. Write your message in clear English detailing what you want to do. Making a thread with the title "Help!" or "How do I make a mod?" is going to get your thread ignored and possibly deleted. If your question is too general there might not be an answer or it might be too complicated to explain. After all, how can someone help if they don't know what you want in the first place.

4. Be polite and humble -

Being polite is a no-brainer. Some part of my subconscious seems to always make me want to help people who are excessively polite the most - it's probably because of the flattery received. Remember to check your spelling and always say please and thank you! Being humble is also pretty important. If any modder trying to help sniffs arrogance likelihood is he wont contiue, after all, it doesn't make sense to imply you are better than the person you are asking for help from! (yet this still happens all the time.) A bit of brow-nosing doesn't hurt either. Everyone likes appreciation for what they do.

5. Stay calm -

Modding, and some parts of coding in particular, can be exceedingly aggravating. If you've been working on some problem for several hours and it's driving you insane it would be very tempting to write a rant in your thread, blaming people left right and center - please don't. Don't write your thread title all in capitals and don't shout and scream - it's just going to get you ignored.



Follow these tips and hopefully you should get the help you need without any drama and without a load of threads clogging the forum and making it impossible to use. If anyone else has any tips they think should be included please post.

Happy modding!

Ewan:
Good Rules :D  :mrgreen:

Teutonic Archer Knight:
Life Lesson right here :D

Adorno:

--- Quote from: Yoshiboy on April 30, 2010, 12:00:10 PM ---Don't write your thread title all in capitals and don't shout and scream - it's just going to get you ignored.!

--- End quote ---
and make a proper thread title, not just "Help!". It makes it easier when using search.

Yoshiboy:
Good point - added.

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