Idea to solve a common problem....

[RV_Landscaping]

In my short time as a 'member' here I've noticed that every few days or so....Some new members register and ask all sorts of what most of you consider 'basic' questions (well, even I consider many of them basic:-))....Rather than posting and tell them to 'search' everytime--and then ending up answering 1/2 their questions.... Why don't we just creat a FAQ (frequently asked questions) page???? I'd be happy to do it....Could proly do it in an evening or two...I know some HTML, and I could through a web-page or something together....

Just cover all the stuff people ask about...striping...ideas/guidlines for pricing.... things not to do....things to do...basic equipment needed to start out etc. etc. We could even create some search links so they can clikc the link and search for a particular thing automatically... Would probably save everyone some time, and cut down on the redundant 'newbie' posts.... We can just post a link at the top of the page...Or maybe the Moderators can add it to some welcome page or something(?) Just an idea.... :-)

-Rob

[Esby33]

And how about a seperate forum for DOUBLE BLADES
There are new posts just about every day asking about them. It just gets annoying and cluttered. It could be cleaned up if the topic of doubles were put in a seperate forum!!!! It could be dedicated to EricElm...you know he would love that:angel:

[TGCummings]

Rob,

Did you do a search to make sure this hasn't been covered before? ;)

I think it's a great idea, though. There's a lot of information here on some widely covered topics that could be rewritten and transferred to a Green Industry FAQ page. Whaddya say, Admins?

However, I still think it's a good idea to have questions continually posted. Sometimes it brings out fresh perspective... :)

[RV_Landscaping]

Originally posted by TGCummings
Rob,

Did you do a search to make sure this hasn't been covered before? ;)

I think it's a great idea, though. There's a lot of information here on some widely covered topics that could be rewritten and transferred to a Green Industry FAQ page. Whaddya say, Admins?

However, I still think it's a good idea to have questions continually posted. Sometimes it brings out fresh perspective... :) haha...no I forgot too;)

Yeah, I agree about the new info.... And I personally don't mind the posts...But it seems to me some of the long time members get kinda annoyed with 'em....and they can always ask more questions/post comments in addition to some sort of FAQ.

[FrankenScagMachines]

Sounds like a great idea Rob! However, I have made many webpages and I think it's gonna take more time than a couple evenings. There is a ton of info on here to sort through for this sort of thing. Good luck and if you need any help, I'll be glad to pitch in. Maybe a few of us can make a page template and each of us cover a particular topic like you do doubles and I do striping and Joe Blow can do pricing? Just an idea......
It sounds like a good idea, make it a welcome/starting place page sounds good too but I know that sometimes all that info can be overwhelming to newcomers and even myself even though I now know what to sort through to find what I want. It is alot easier to post a quick question than it is to search and sort through 300 threads! Good luck and let me know if I can help any. My email is at the bottom and so is my IM handles but I'm not on them much.
Good luck!
Eric

[RV_Landscaping]

Originally posted by BushHogBoy
Sounds like a great idea Rob! However, I have made many webpages and I think it's gonna take more time than a couple evenings. There is a ton of info on here to sort through for this sort of thing. Good luck and if you need any help, I'll be glad to pitch in. Maybe a few of us can make a page template and each of us cover a particular topic like you do doubles and I do striping and Joe Blow can do pricing? Just an idea......
It sounds like a good idea, make it a welcome/starting place page sounds good too but I know that sometimes all that info can be overwhelming to newcomers and even myself even though I now know what to sort through to find what I want. It is alot easier to post a quick question than it is to search and sort through 300 threads! Good luck and let me know if I can help any. My email is at the bottom and so is my IM handles but I'm not on them much.
Good luck!
Eric

Yeah...good idea....we could split it up, if people are interested.... I don't mean *all* the info...Just get the basics...Like fro striping: explain what it is, the different types of kits (chain, roller etc.), a few different ways of doing it, different mowing heights that work, maybe even some suggestions on best settings with different mowers....And then have the search link underneath so people can search for more info.

[wxmn6]

I think that there should be a few sub forums under Commercial Lawn Care forum. For example, each sub forum for: Lawn Care Equipment, Lawn Care Equipment Parts and Maintenance, Lawn Mowing Technique, Pricing for Services, All Others Related to Commercial Lawn Care. It would be more organizing and easier for new members to search through without flooding us with tons of questions that are answered many time before.

[FrankenScagMachines]

wxmn6-
that will be too confusing and difficult to keep on top of. Sounds like a good idea but that makes a half dozen more forums to surf on... too much trouble... I would definately like to help with a striping page. I dont' have much experience with doubles, but I'm really into striping and making striping kits. I have experimented with alot of different stuff to come up with the best combos (double blades not included, i'm too cheap for that and that's twice the blades to sharpen and it works ok as is for me) I can come up with a bunch of stuff for that if that's ok?? I need a "template" page to have the background and colors and links all set up though. Then I can add to it and return the modified HTML code to you guys or whoever is doing this stuff. I can go ahead and start gathering stuff and then just copy and paste it into the template once you get it for me.
Sounds good to me!
Eric

[wxmn6]

BushHogBoy - I know what you mean by that. I thought about that before too. I would not like to go through half dozen forums too but it seems like it is one of the option to help get things organized. Good luck with your project.

[geogunn]

another idea might be to simply ignore a thread that has been beat to death.

same thing if you know all that there is to know about the subject at hand, just pass it by.

GEO

[lawnkid]

I 'm in all the way. ;)

[awm]

you may have noticed that i answer these repetitive post.everybody is at some stage of development. so if i can help and no one else has already given a good answer,ill tellum what i know.
i do like the idea of a most ask questions page. ought to be plenty of questions on it to ,if its going to have the desired results.heck then instead of telling them to search ,just refer them to that page.

[gogetter]

The only problem I see with a FAQ page is that if folks won't take the time to use the SEARCH button, why would they be any more inclined to use a FAQ page?

I'm certain that we will still see the same questions over and over.

[Toroguy]

awm does have extreme patience and courtesy.

Esby33? Wheres Esby?

I noticed 1Majortom placed a please read note for new members, this is a step in the right direction.

I think the FAQs are a great idea. Eric at one point had linked together all similar threads by categories. That was nice but I'm sure a headache and time consuming to constantly update. Some unrelated sites have this feature and it can be done good or poorly.

The fresh idea concept has merit, the T230 will eventually be replaced and my knowledge of the new, will be...well, old.

The database of FAQs could be updated occasionally during the year, maybe once a month.

Topics:

Walkbehind or Rider
Hydro or belt
Trimmers
Edgers
Blowers
Trim mowers 21"
Insurance types and requirements
Trailers
Blades
Double blades
Sharpening blades
Buying blades online
Oil
2 cycle oil
What is striping?
Striping techniques
Striping equipment
What is required legally to start a lawn service?
Prices of equipment
Income potential for a lawn service

Each topic could have sub category FAQs. For instance, "Trimmers":

What is a trimmer?
Do I need a trimmer?
Types of trimmers?
Brands of Trimmers?

And Esbys idea of memoralizing EricElm is also a honorable idea.

Any other ideas?

[Lanelle]

Another topic that has been 'overasked' is: How to figure mulch coverage. Also, basic geometry formulas for determining areas.

[GarPA]

many a time I've tried to be a good boy and do a search...sometimes I got get info, sometimes not...and yes ....PLEASE if you do a FAQ section, please have one on Doubles....that question gets posted incessantly!!!!and these aren't newbies for the most part...most newbies dont know what doubles even are..and the comment above on measurements is also a good idea. Yes it would be alot of work for some of you to sort through the data to give a good answer to a FAQ....but I think it would make this site even more valuable than it already is. Heres an idea, ask us to respond to a poll in which we list our top 6 to 10 FAQ's we'd like to see put into this site. I'll bet you'd get some consistency in making up the list...just an idea

[Esby33]

So, what do the moderators/administrator think of these ideas? Is there a possibility of improving Lawnsite with some of them?

[Rooster]

Some of the ideas have merit, like maybe a seperate "mower" section.

But, above all that will be another forum that the Moderators will have to check along with the ones that are checked now.

Another way to look at the more forums idea is, if on is done on a specific brand, the every brand made that someone uses will have to have it's own forum ( I know this will come up, it has before). That will be quite a waste on bandwidth.

The search function does work, the key is to use few keywords, yes more matches will show up, but also the person will have a better chance of getting a match that he or she is looking for.

However, Chuck will make the final determination and let everyone know.

For everyone's information Chuck is away on business right now, and will return as soon as he can. It will take him some time to catch up on email and other duties he as to do as the owner and administrator of Lawnsite, so please be patient he will get to your request, it just won't be right away.

[Charles]

I get annoyed with someone who quotes the entire post someone made:rolleyes:

[FrankenScagMachines]

I'm working on it... BTW, where are these pages and pictures going to be loaded to? Who's hosting it?
I can if neccesary but I use Geocities which is free and has a limited bandwidth transfer rate so it would be alot better on one of Lawnsite's servers...
Eric