Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

It seems there are some people who are simply unaware that their posts about a different rom software (upgrades section of your favorite device) actually matter. Most developers take the time to read what everyone says, and makes changes to please as many people as possible.

To help make it easier on our Rom Chefs, Skinners, Modders, and everyone else who contributes to our great community, I have created a guideline to help everyone from the n00b to the VIP get the absolute most out of their PPCGEEKS experience.









Table of Contents:

• • Tip 1: be specific
  • Tip 2: if you don't know how to fix the problem, don't become one.
  • Tip 3: Donating to a particular developer or project does not make you King Hippo. A donation is only a donation.
  • Tip 4: Use the search function.
  • Tip 5: Know when Thanks are appropriate.

Constructive Criticism Tip 1: be specific.

"this rom is soooo buggy. phone always locks up, never does what i want it to, this is stupid, i cant believe we waited this long for this crap, etc" does not help anyone.

The more posts a developer has to read and decipher, the longer it takes to fix the problems a rom has. If you do have a completely buggy experience with the rom, there are a few factors out of the chute that might be causing them.

1. bad download: software on the internet actually isn't stored next door to you. sometimes it can be stored thousands of miles away. sometimes while going to your computer, glitches, misplaced data, etc happens. Try to re-download and see if you get the same problem.
2. Bad flash: 1 word. Task29. this program mimics a function that "stock" roms preform and wipes out all data on a phone, just so there isnt any traces of software that could be left over from a previous build.
3. Need for Clear storage: Usually, after an update utility finishes, it removes most installer files to ensure the Maximum memory available. In most cases, some of the software is left behind, and just takes up space. A clear storage can help ensure you get the most out of a rom.

If none of these fix the problem, next step is to let the developer know their rom is acting weird on your phone. when letting them know, try to be precise. They are "troubleshooting" your phone without looking at it, so unless you draw them a picture, they are shooting blanks.

Things like:

• This rom seemed to freeze every time I entered "x" application.
• I keep getting "Application error 500" whenever I use the File Explorer
• My Touch Pro 2 keeps typing an "F" any time i slide the keyboard out after switching out to baller-status rom

These things are actually helpful in isolating problems with particular builds.

Constructive Criticism Tip 2: if you don't know how to fix the problem, don't become one.

Contrary to popular belief, there is not a perfect rom. I am sorry, but perfect rom's and Santa Clause all live together in imagination land. Unless somebody in their "infinite wisdom" builds an imaginary car that goes there, that's the way its gonna be. Developers use their free time to try to make something that pleasing for mostly everybody.

If you aren't pleased with a rom version, please be constructive about it:

• What don't you like about it?
• What problems are you having?
• What would you like to see?

Do you not like having to customize everything every time you flash? there are programs specially built in to help you make the best of your experience. All you have to do is ask!
On the other hand, if you are a developer, software programmer, or a user with skill in fixing or modding things, let us know! Its helpful to have a problem fixed before the rom developer even takes a look at it. gives them more free time to partake in human pleasures, instead of keeping their eyes glued to the screen all night long.




Examples of this are:

• "my phone wont lock whenever i flip it up side down" Ive had this problem too! i just installed this .cab file and it worked like a charm!
• "Whenever I access text messages, my phone completely resets" my version does this as well. after pouring through the registry, I see that HTC messenger is set to access a program that doesn't exist anymore. I have notified (programmer x) via PM so they can integrate it into their next release. do this (insert temp fix instructions here) and you should be good!

Constructive Criticism Tip 3: Donating to a particular developer or project does not make you King Hippo. A donation is only a donation.

I will go ahead and apologize if this post causes any people to refrain from donating. but this is something that has to be said.

A donation does not make you project manager, slave driver, or entitle you to be a jerk. it only entitles you to a sense of pride that you are supporting the hard work of someone else. other than that, you don't get special privileges, you aren't entitled to beta test things, you don't get special support, and you definitely don't get permission to gripe and complain when things don't go your way.

Constructive Criticism Tip 4: Use the Search Function.

As many have already said, the search function of this website isn't the best. i don't know if its because there are 11 billion posts on this website, or we just don't know how to use it right. Either way, search is there and its kinda helpful if you know how to work it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by veedubguru (Post 1811553) 1. Go to Google.com (That one seems obvious!) :) 2. In the search bar type "MY SEARCH site:forum.ppcgeeks.com" (without quotes) That second part will make Google look for your search term ONLY on PPCGEEKS.COM! MY SEARCH should be replaced with what text you're looking for. You can type in any search term and use the operator SITE: followed by a web address and Google will search that site only. Since all the forum posts come up with the forum.ppcgeeks.com URL format, this must be used after the SITE: operator, not just ppcgeeks.com. This can be really helpful when you're doing a search for software version numbers (since it almost never works on this site's search feature, found that out looking for Arcsoft MMS), or for any search terms that don't meet the "3 letter rule" on the PPCGeeks search.

Constructive Criticism Tip 5: Know when Thanks are appropriate.

Thanks are a wonderful thing. Thanks lets the poster know they did a good job. Thanks should be given when something constructive has taken place. Too many thanks are given on bogus posts, and not enough thanks are given when really necessary. Do your part. Thank a developer. Let us all give thanks.

To say it short, your opinion does matter. Whether you have a bug fix, request, or even a problem, how you state your opinion greatly affects your outcome.

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

Moved to the Touch Pro 2 forum.

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

I'm impressed! For being fairly new(kidd), you did well. Might try to be a little more respectful in the post, as some ppl will stop reading after being insulted. That said...

Maybe add something about SEARCHING FIRST. Almost ANY issue can be addressed with the "search" button or Google. I've had to ask a couple specific questions since I started flashing back on my TP1, and everything else was answered by searching. Most likely, you are not the only one having the problem and someone else already posted about it, or posted a fix for it. If you are the only one, then you probably messed something up yourself.

Kliptik

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

+1 to this, very well put and I think that everyone should take the time to read this.

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

Great post but dont expect too many people to follow. Since I been here alot of people like to smash and bash. The only way they learn thier lesson when they get banned.

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

Thats true, but as long as its around, it can be referred to. hey here is a thread where all your problems are solved. oh wait its about being respectful. what is this respect thing? ive never heard of it!

its kinda like drugs. if you can get them to do it once they are hooked.

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

Made things a little bit nicer. maybe i should change the title to something about naked pictures or something. kind of like using a picnic basket to draw in yogi bear....

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

LOL!

Edit looks good. Thanks given!

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

This is a great read, all valid points with thought and meaning behind the ideals of becoming a productive forum member.

Though sometimes no matter how tact and respectful you are in giving constructive criticism, some developers take insult instead of appreciating you giving an opinion on a feature or 'bug'

I recommend everyone reads this thread, it should be 'stickied' to the top

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

I agree with the entire post except I do get a little irritated with the posters who answer EVERY SINGLE POST by saying "use the search function"

First of all, this site has hands down the worst search function I have ever used period. I spent 20 minutes the other day looking for something I knew for a fact was here & never found it.

~John

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

agreed. i would much rather answer questions over and over than to subject a new user and force them to use the search to find out how to install the 1% battery and potently run off someone who could actually be of benefit to our family later on.

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

+1 to both of these. I hardly use the search function here, but Google rocks it pretty good. I think the main point of why I said to search was cuz ppl post Qs asking for stuff that's in plain sight, they just dont want to spend any effort...

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

Grats on VIP /wink.

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

Very good write up!! Thanks for taking the time to do it, here's to hoping people read it and live by it. I agree w/ the constant posting of "search is your friend", how about post the assistance if you've got it and recommend to search in the future, rather than just posting useless babble. And yes, the search feature here is lacking a bit, but as was also noted, Google does a great job at it. I don't mind helping anyone ever, just hate laziness... +1 on a sticky

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

what?!?!?!....perfect roms and santa claus are in imaginary land? can i take amtrak to get there?

good write up my friend.

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

nice. asked the mods for this a long time ago.

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

feel free to spread the word. would it be worth it to post this in most device threads? developers can reference this thread in their roms if wanted. i honestly dont care. just trying to better the forums!

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

its not beneath me to keep posting just to make sure this is on the top of the list.

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

Exactly!

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

Moved to the upgrade forum and given sticky status. Well done dude.

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

I believe the chefs and developers should post a link to this thread in the first post of their release threads.

This would help alleviate some of the stress :)

Excellent write up BTW :)

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

i agree, but most of this is what should be considered common sense. Even tho i do notice the same questions asked over and over again in some posts, and yes the search function here doesnt work that well, but googles search engine works great. I too have searched for an answer i know that i read here at ppcgeeks and had the search come up empty, but then did the same exact search on google and got more than 100 matches.and one of the top matches google came up with was from here at ppcgeeks and other times google gets my question answered from xda or another source.There are other places to look for answers.
I try to only ask questions that i cannot find the answer to myself. I also try to ask questions only if they are rom specific in anyones rom thread. No one should post a question in someones rom thread asking about someone elses rom. Rom questions should only be posted in the correct roms thread. and only ask questions once please. especially if the rom is newly released. If its just been released and u cant solve or fix the problem yourself then please ask, but dont ask if the 3 posts before yours are asking the same thing.Thats whats taking up so much space and making it harder to find the post with your answer. The posts that have the answers, cab fixes, or whatever solutions are being burried under alot of reposted questions.
I tend to try almost every rom out, but i usually always go bak to the same rom series. This rom i like has everything i want in a rom and is extremely stable,fast,and the slider has almost no lag at all. The pages open and load quickly. It virtually never needs a soft re-set, and has pretty decent memory for a rom with CHT cooked in. If u are lucky enough to find a rom chef or rom series that u really like then it also gets easier to find solutions and after using the same chefs roms for a little while then u get to know the chef a little better and can develope a better relationship with them and then they are more likely to want to answer your questions if they know u are a loyal user and someone who flashes their rom again at every update.Not to mention they take u more seriously. The rom i prefer isnt made by most well known chef, or the most popular rom either, but its the best rom ive found to date. It has awesome customizations cooked right in,matching folder icons and matching icons everywhere that are very clean looking and match the rest of the roms style. But like i said before not everyones going to prefer the same rom. So posting questions saying nothing more than i dont like ur rom because; the icons are ugly, the icons dont match, it doesnt have the right programs/apps cooked in,or any questions like these are not important. U could giv suggestions for future releases, but just bashing a rom because u dont like it is stupid and just makes the poster seem like an idiot. If u dont like it then why are u using it. Flash back to whatever rom u were on before,unless u cant find a rom u like.Which i think is almost impossible with all the roms available for our HTC devices. But if u really cant find a rom that u prefer, then learn how to cook your own and post it so everyone else can post their thoughts,questions, or bugs about your rom and see how u like it.
Everyone should read this thread and try to follow the quidlines mentioned in the first post as closely as possible. It should make for a more useful,better, and easier to use forum. Thanks for finally posting this. It was about time.

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

I am glad that I inspired this post somewhat :P. Anyhow, hopefully now, all the ROMS thread would be much more productive and less bashful.

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

Nice it made the Sticky

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

props to you on your first sticky, may you have many more in the future!!! :headbang:

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

Congrats on the sticky! I'm sure this will be a helpful resource for everyone!

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

Despite your good intentions and effort, your post fails to be helpful as the points you are trying to make are buried in your lengthy post.

Write a summary at the top so that it gives you a clear idea of what is available in your posting later on (where you cab write the explanations). For a long post like this, a table of content wouldn't be too bad. Also, be brief.

:-)

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

Made it a little bit easier on the eyes. added a Table of Contents. anything else i may have left out?

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

Great thread!! I read it a couple days ago when you posted it. Congrats the Sticky status! i think it could be very helpful to alot of people.
I agree with kliptik and jmorton and everyone else that there are alot of people that need to search that are just being lazy, and there the resposne of "just search" is wayyyyyy to common. At some point those people who say just search were n00b's themselves and someone helped them learn also!!

Thanks!!=D>

Sweet that my 303 post. being from colorado thatswas my area code. HAHA

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

welcome to the lower level!

good thread, sometimes i help, sometimes i say search...but only if a person just comes to the end of a thread and asks something that's been covered and they didn't read the thread.

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

Nicely done! Good work on taking the constructive criticism and implementing the good ideas from others! props!

Thank you! Or even worse, didnt read 2 posts above theirs...

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

10-4 lol!

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

its 10-4 good buddy, cb edict.

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

This should be moved to the TP2 General Discussion section.

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

Actually perhaps the Off Topic forum after thinking about it, but I thought I'd already done the whole non-rom forum thing... :scratch:

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

Now I hope all the new people, (and some of the old people) read post 1 and follow it! :)

Just a tip for people looking for something on this site (I apologize if someone already posted this info), and knowing how hard it is to search on this site, here's how I use Google to something on PPCGeeks.com:

1. Go to Google.com (That one seems obvious!) :)
2. In the search bar type "MY SEARCH site:forum.ppcgeeks.com"

That second part will make Google look for your search term ONLY on PPCGEEKS.COM!

Now before anyone who doesn't already know how to use this google operator, the quotes don't need to be there, and MY SEARCH should be replaced with what text you're looking for. You can type in any search term and use the operator SITE: followed by a web address and Google will search that site only. Since all the forum posts come up with the forum.ppcgeeks.com URL format, this must be used after the SITE: operator, not just ppcgeeks.com.

This can be really helpful when you're doing a search for software version numbers (since it almost never works on this site's search feature, found that out looking for Arcsoft MMS), or for any search terms that don't meet the "3 letter rule" on the PPCGeeks search.

Hope this helps at least one person find what they are looking for on PPCGeeks.com...

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

maybe say it once more i guess, now at least its a sticky. lol

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

what if we sticky this everywhere. then everybody gets it where they want it!

even people who dont want to see it!

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

i can copy your firt post to every upgrade forum easily. i will give you 72 hours to edit ti make it the way you like it and make it Universal.

I do feel your post is very well constructed and is exactly what users need to see before they post "ARRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHH! YOUR ROM SUCKS"

Have a great weekend :headbang:

Re: Etiquette of constructive criticism 101
 

Wait, there's no Santa?

There's a typo, but other than that, it's perfect.

Seriously though, I think this post is, if anything, overdue. You've done an outstanding job of summarizing a few of the worst habits of posters.

I hope to see more helpful posts from you, newkidd. :salute:

:headbang: