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7 Ways to improve the macOS forums

fisherking

fisherking

macrumors G4
Original poster
Jul 16, 2010
11,528
5,923
ny somewhere
  1. Ban whining and ranting.
  2. Keep discussions on topic (am reminding myself of this)
  3. Allow people to get upset about an issue, but then (gently) remind them (where applicable) that it’s an issue they’re having, not a 'bug', nor the death knell of mac OS.
  4. Help others with these issues.
  5. Don’t let threads get combative, or personal (yes, am reminding myself of this as well)
  6. If you complain about the OS but are not running the OS of the particular forum you're posting on, reveal that information... and explain why your point-of-view might be relevant.
  7. Accept that Apple owns the OS and is allowed to make changes, and if you don’t like a change in the OS, explain your reasoning... in only one thread post.

haha just some thoughts, not a set of absolutes...
 
Please don't ban whining and ranting. It's often so very entertaining 🤣

#7 I find a LOT of people on this forum don't seem to understand (or sometimes don't want to understand, as you imply). They think they own the OS just because they've installed it on a physical device they own. Doesn't work that way! For example, they'll say they should have a right to side-load, because how dare Apple tell them what they can/can't do with their device (forgetting the important fact that side-loading has to do with the OS, not the physical device).
 
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I don't remember who pointed out to me that you can "ignore" specific users just like you can an entire topic/thread here, but I would love to thank them over and over again. I've now got dozens of people on my ignore list and it grows weekly.

I've certainly been guilty of being baited into arguments with people, and it's REALLY DIFFICULT to ignore people that do that. Thankfully, self-restraint wins more often than not for me (I wish I could say it ALWAYS works, but I am but a man in this crazy world).

The one thing that drives me nuts is when someone asks for help (and actually explains the problem clearly so you feel like you understand the problem they're having) and you offer some advice. And then a few other people chime in, and then a few more... and you're coming back daily to see all these responses, but the OP never responds to any of it, or perhaps only to one person making an off-hand comment. Dammit people, if you're going to ask for help, the least you can do is TRY the potential solutions and let people know that their idea/solution worked or didn't work. 😝
 
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Oh... and #3. That is annoying AF!

I hate it when people ask something like "Did this update fix the Finder bug?" WHAT FINDER BUG??? Could you take a few freaking seconds to briefly explain what specific problem you're having for the love of God!!!

If I had to put a number to it, I would say that 95% of the "bugs" people complain about here are not bugs, just PEBKAC (Problem Exists Between Keyboard and Chair). And just because something doesn't work the way you expect or want doesn't make it a bug.

Ok... that's enough ranting for me. I'm going to have a cup of coffee now and calm down.
 
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I agree with #1. This is an information forum, it's not an entertainment forum. If people want to be entertained by whining and ranting then go elsewhere, we are not here for the purpose of entertaining you (MR members)
 
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#7. Anyone ever read the entire EULA for Microsoft? It basically says they (MS) own the OS and you’re just “renting” it. LOL
 
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Lee_Bo said:
#7. Anyone ever read the entire EULA for Microsoft? It basically says they (MS) own the OS and you’re just “renting” it. LOL
Click to expand...
macOS license is the same. Most OS and app licenses are worded in a way that states you're using it on their terms (one machine, etc.).
 
MacGizmo said:
Oh... and #3. That is annoying AF!

I hate it when people ask something like "Did this update fix the Finder bug?" WHAT FINDER BUG??? Could you take a few freaking seconds to briefly explain what specific problem you're having for the love of God!!!

If I had to put a number to it, I would say that 95% of the "bugs" people complain about here are not bugs, just PEBKAC (Problem Exists Between Keyboard and Chair). And just because something doesn't work the way you expect or want doesn't make it a bug.

Ok... that's enough ranting for me. I'm going to have a cup of coffee now and calm down.
Click to expand...
or the one we used when I worked at a banks main CC. sorry you have a " I D ten T error " ( ID the figure 10 T
 
I think as forums go the moderation here is pretty good. The problem is you can't please all of the people all of the time. Whether a post is whining, legitimate or even trolling is so subjective. As it stands, clear wind-up threads are dealt with, spam is removed, major issues are sorted, but people are left with freedom to have their say.

Tighter moderation - stepping on more threads because, subjectively, it's judged they're "whining" is a slippery slope.

In effect we have our own tools to help moderators - use the report option if you think there's an issue. If enough members report a post I am sure the moderation team will take action.
 
i don't really expect anything to change. first, my list is just, of course, my thoughts. second, the moderation here is pretty good (i should know; i've been suspended a few times).

and last... people are people. they're going to whine, rant, misunderstand. argue. insist. confuse and be confused.

being human is grand. 🤣 and mac OS, much to my complete astonishment, is not perfect... 🤔
 
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bogdanw said:
8. Don’t post in the wrong forum. :)
This discussion has nothing to do with Ventura. Ask a moderator to move this thread to “Site and Forum Feedback” https://forums.macrumors.com/forums/site-and-forum-feedback.66/
See "Mods, I posted in the wrong spot, what is the protocol?" https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mods-i-posted-in-the-wrong-spot-what-is-the-protocol.2372846/
Click to expand...
it's all about (well, mostly about) ventura (or, fwiw, whatever the current OS is). on macrumors, this is where i live...
 
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