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| inbox:support [2018/01/16 18:55] – created tmomas | inbox:support [2019/04/06 04:51] – header style unified vgaetera | ||
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| - | ====== Getting | + | ====== Getting |
| - | ~~NOTOC~~ | + | ===== Introduction ===== |
| - | + | OpenWrt is free software, support for it is provided on a voluntary basis by the developers and fellow users. | |
| - | <WRAP center round important 70%> | + | We will try to answer all questions but please understand that it is not our duty to support you. |
| - | + | If that seems like a strange concept then you need to read the following essay: [[http:// | |
| - | OpenWrt is free software, support for it is provided on a voluntary basis by the developers and fellow users. We will try to answer all questions but please understand that it is not our duty to support you; if that seems like a strange concept then you need to read the following essay: | + | Reading |
| - | + | ||
| - | "[[http:// | + | |
| - | by Eric Raymond et al.\\ Reading | + | |
| - | </ | + | |
| + | If you feel a slightly grumpy tone in the following sections, please take it as a sign that developers and admins are serious about this. | ||
| + | Imagine being one of them, hearing the same questions over and over again. | ||
| + | However, don't be frightened, but see it as a guide on how to solve your problems quickly, efficiently, | ||
| ===== General help ===== | ===== General help ===== | ||
| - | + | | |
| - | | + | |
| * **Don' | * **Don' | ||
| - | * **RTFM** I can't stress this enough | + | * **RTFM** I can't stress this enough - don't just skim the manual looking for key words and phrases, **actually read the documentation** so you understand the terminology involved. If you get a reply that says " |
| - | * **Use the latest firmware release.** If the bug was ever [[bugs|reported]], there' | + | * **Use the latest firmware release.** If the bug was ever reported, there' |
| * **Don' | * **Don' | ||
| - | * **OpenWrt isn't for everyone.** If you're having too much trouble trying to use OpenWrt, then don't use it; we won't be insulted. | + | * **OpenWrt isn't for everyone.** If you're having too much trouble trying to use OpenWrt, then don't use it. If you can't manage to get OpenWrt running on your device and have to ask for each and every next little step, you won't be able to manage it without help in the future, which will be no fun for you and all others involved in helping you. |
| + | |||
| + | See also: [[: | ||
| ===== Getting help on the forum ===== | ===== Getting help on the forum ===== | ||
| + | * **If later you find an error in your post you may edit it.** Generally this is done by adding an " | ||
| + | * **Cross posting to multiple categories is not tolerated and may result in a negative response from the community.** Attempt to add to an existing thread before creating a new one, this will help keep information organized and make it easier to search. Make sure your question fits to the topic. | ||
| + | * **Asking for an email reply is considered rude.** If you don't frequent the forums and need an email notification then please use the " | ||
| + | * **Please use " | ||
| + | * **Be patient.** We have users from all over the world, therefore give your posting at least 24h time to reach the whole globe. Even if you do not get an answer within 24h, be more patient. If after a reasonable amount of time (3-7 days) there is still no answer, you may bump your question. Still no answer? Maybe there is nobody in the forum that can answer your question. | ||
| - | * Use the preview button, that's what it's for. | + | Follow: [[https:// |
| - | * If later you find an error in your post you may edit it; generally this is done by adding an "EDIT:" post script to explain the changes. This helps to avoid misleading other readers. | + | |
| - | * Attempt to add to an existing thread before creating a new one, this will help keep information organized and make it easier to search. **Cross posting is not tolerated and may get your account suspended.** | + | |
| - | * If you don't frequent the forums and need an email notification then please use the " | + | |
| - | -> [[https:// | + | ===== Getting |
| - | + | We really hate getting support questions on IRC. | |
| - | ===== Getting | + | Why? IRC is a way to chat with the developers and other OpenWrt users, it's not a toll free technical support hotline. |
| - | + | We have no tolerance for people who clearly haven' | |
| - | We really hate getting support questions on IRC. Why? IRC is a way to chat with the developers and other OpenWrt users, it's not a toll free technical support hotline. We have no tolerance for people who clearly haven' | + | |
| **"But I have a really serious important question that I need answered URGENTLY!" | **"But I have a really serious important question that I need answered URGENTLY!" | ||
| - | What part of " | + | What part of " |
| - | + | All too often people don't understand this concept and they think that they' | |
| - | -> IRC: **irc.freenode.net #openwrt** ([[http:// | + | |
| + | Follow: **# | ||
| ==== Asking questions ==== | ==== Asking questions ==== | ||
| - | + | | |
| - | | + | * Do not repeat the exact same question just because someone new has entered. Do not repeat the exact same question just because something has been said since you asked two minutes ago. |
| - | * Do not not repeat the exact same question just because someone new has entered. Do not repeat the exact same question just because something has been said since you asked two minutes ago. | + | |
| * **Connection problems? Stay off IRC.** We really hate seeing the spam of users constantly reconnecting and asking if they missed anything since the last time they disconnected. If we notice you constantly reconnecting we will ban you for several hours. | * **Connection problems? Stay off IRC.** We really hate seeing the spam of users constantly reconnecting and asking if they missed anything since the last time they disconnected. If we notice you constantly reconnecting we will ban you for several hours. | ||
| - | * If you're having trouble getting a response to your question it may be an indication that you're asking a bad question | + | * If you're having trouble getting a response to your question it may be an indication that you're asking a bad question - did you try looking through the manual or google first? Did you use the correct terminology? |
| - | * Remember, nobody is going to look through the logs to see if your question was answered correctly; you might get bad advice and you'll probably be gone before anyone notices. | + | * Remember, nobody is going to look through the logs to see if your question was answered |
| - | + | ==== General | |
| - | ==== General ==== | + | * **Don' |
| - | + | * **Disable any scripts which may become annoying.** Away/back messages should not be printed publicly. It's fine if you're in the middle of a conversation and need to excuse yourself for a few minutes but don't use a script to announce it to the entire | |
| - | * **Don' | + | |
| - | * **Disable any scripts which may become annoying.** Away/back messages should not be printed publicly; it's fine if you're in the middle of a conversation and need to excuse yourself for a few minutes but don't use a script to announce it to the entire | + | |
| * **Don' | * **Don' | ||
| - | * Many times there are multiple conversations that can be difficult to keep track of; when replying to an individual please prefix the message with their username, this will usually highlight the message in their IRC client. | + | * Many times there are multiple conversations that can be difficult to keep track of. When replying to an individual please |
| - | * Slow responses are often irritating to those trying to quickly answer questions. If you're a slow typist try giving short answers first and then clarify with longer answers. Careful | + | * Slow responses are often irritating to those trying to quickly answer questions. If you're a slow typist, try giving short answers first and then clarify with longer answers. Careful - we get annoyed if your answers are //excessively// terse. |
| - | + | ||
| - | ---- | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | mbm at alt dot org | + | |
| - | Source: [[https:// | ||