Hi,

This is an interesting subject, and I think there are definately several different user groups that both use GT's products and the support forums.

• Beginners (Newbies) - They're just starting out with their sites or are new to GT's products and have little or no knowledge of perl, mysql, scripts, servers, etc. and can't really modify install things without a fair bit of help and guidance, and quite a lot of hand-holding

• Intermediate (Twiddler's) - They have some knowledge of the workings of their sites/servers and can do some basic mods and tweaks, and understand a little bit of what they're doing, but they still need help from time to time with really complex stuff

• Advanced (Boff's) - They have a wide range of experience and almost encyclopedic knowledge of GT's products, perl, mysql, linux, NT, and other related server/programming stuff and can do 10 things at once with their eyes closed and hands tied behind their backs ... lol

I think Newbies need a hand with discovering and using the forum Search tool, and could benefit from having the most common queries bundled together in some form of index such as a FAQ, especially for new installations. It may also help, as has already been suggested, to have a couple of 'newbie' forums where people can dip-their-toes and post their questions in a less 'hostile' environment (and I don't mean personally hostile, I just mean that the newbie areas would be less overwhelming, friendlier and therefore easier to get the hang of and use). This could also give people a step-up to becoming Twiddler's ...

Twiddler's should get along fine in either forum as they'll be able to explain things in-depth to the Newbie's and won't be frightened of the Boff's - they'll have a better idea of what they want to do or be able to explain a little better about their problems (with their scripts/sites, not their lives ... ).

Boff's will be able to negate the frequently repeated requests for the same information/mods/etc. and 'talk tech' with each other without being frustrated by the repeated posts from Newbie's.

Of course, anyone can read and join-in with any of the forums and that should never change IMHO, but I think it might help to section-off the types of requests into more defined groups so that people posting replies in the Newbie's forums will understand that they have to give that little bit more of an explanation and possibly more in-depth instructions. In the same token, Newbie's will feel that little bit easier about posting their 'stupid' questions (I mean feeling like their questions are 'stupid', not that the questions are stupid - there's no such thing, right!!).

I have benefitted from GT's forums in many more ways than simply learning about their products, and I've always enjoyed using the forums. I've had no-end of help from many of the Twiddler's and Boff's here, and was once a complete and total Newbie so I understand that it can all seem a little daunting and overwhelming in the beginning.

Ultimately, it's up to the individual users of the forums to set the 'tone' and if a few people are a little less patient than you'd like or post unconstructive replies, you've just got to learn to ignore them - as opposed to replying with similarly 'useless' replies!!!!

Just my personal thoughts .....

All the best
Shaun