Basic guidelines on posting bugs

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henk
Posts: 517
Joined: 14 Dec 2015 22:16
Location: Netherlands
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Basic guidelines on posting bugs

Post by henk »

I'd like to discuss the need for some basic guidelines on posting bugs.

1. Before all: search this forum on your topic. -Most likely someone had the same issue and it's already solved-
or use google: site:forum.efa-project.org <<SEARCH TOPIC>>>
2. Check diskspace/memory/swap/logs/DNS.
3. Report bugs in the bug section.
4. Report the EFA version used and in case of upgrade issues: the start version before the upgrade and the upgrade log.
5. Provide some meaningfull and useable details on your problem.
6. On issues with mysql, post mysqltuner output.
7. Provide feedback and report success or failure.

The above points will prevent duplicate bugs and all kind off assumptions regarding the reported issue.
If you have a windows background, like me, consider installing mc.

Code: Select all

yum install mc
mc will give you a 'windows like' gui to access to your system.

And always remember: “Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.” ― Benjamin Franklin
“We are stuck with technology when what we really want is just stuff that works.” -Douglas Adams
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pdwalker
Posts: 1553
Joined: 18 Mar 2015 09:16

Re: Basic guidelines on posting bugs

Post by pdwalker »

pin that post.
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pdwalker
Posts: 1553
Joined: 18 Mar 2015 09:16

Basic guidelines on etiquette and civility

Post by pdwalker »

We know, you have a problem and you need an answer RIGHT NOW! and either no one answers you, or they ask you a bunch of stupid questions just to piss you off.

Now is the time to stop, take a moment and think.

The participants in this forum are scattered all over the world. Some may not check in every day. Some may, but may not know how to solve your particular problem so they don't answer. Getting an answer may take some time.

When someone does, remember that they are volunteering their time and energy to help you solve your problem. They are giving up their precious time to help you. Why do they do it? Because next time, maybe they are the one who needs help. The person they help today may be the person who helps them tomorrow.

Be polite, be courteous and be understanding. Many people here do not speak English as their native language, but we (mostly) have to communicate in English as that is the common language between us. Keep this in mind.

When you are describing your problem, you may think you understand your problem correctly and you may think you are giving the right information necessary to solve your problem. If that were true, then you wouldn't be having a problem.

The people who will help you may not have all the necessary information they need as you may not have provided it, or you may think that certain information is not necessary, but you'd be wrong. After all, they are not familiar with your system, your configuration, your settings. They may not know what changes you've made, or remember what changes they've made to their own systems that makes it behave differently from yours.

The people helping you will ask questions. Some of those questions may not seem relevant. But here is the thing: if you knew what information was really relevant, then you could probably solve your own problem and you wouldn't be here asking.

Please, if you want help, then be helpful. Keep in mind that no one here needs to spend their valuable time helping you with your problem. So try to have a little gratitude if they do. It costs you nothing and pays everyone back tremendously.
Last edited by pdwalker on 08 Mar 2018 16:36, edited 1 time in total.
henk
Posts: 517
Joined: 14 Dec 2015 22:16
Location: Netherlands
Contact:

Re: Basic guidelines on posting bugs

Post by henk »

This should be a banner page before you enter anything on a forum. No harm is done to print this and put it on a wall at the office and maybe a translated version at home.
“We are stuck with technology when what we really want is just stuff that works.” -Douglas Adams
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