The Future of this Forum

[BearMountainBooks]

I think some of the issues is also due to the fact that Calibre is getting more wide-spread use--which means, less computer-savvy users, are starting to delve in. A couple of the ladies in my reading group know almost NOTHING about computers (including how to move files around) and they have been taking on new software lately as more becomes available. This just means more hand-holding is needed. They usually have a grandson or niece install software for them, but if it isn't point and click (ONE item) they can get pretty discouraged.

It's just something to keep in mind on this forum and others when questions are asked.

Calibre is a FABULOUS and needed program. It is powerful and because of that, there is a learning curve.

[Archon]

Manichean,

Agreed, it seemed to me though many of the complaints are that Newbies are asking questions about the program in the forum instead of reading the manual.

Many of the responses point to idea that Newbies are confused by the manual and the forum and don't know where to ask or what to read.

Simplifying the program, manual, and forums would seem to go together to alleviate this problem.

Just my 2 cents.

Have a Day!
Archon

[Alexander Turcic]

Originally Posted by mrmikel

Would grafting the Google or other search engine give better results? That might be more effective than rearranging deck chairs on mobileread.

We'll add Google Search as an optional search functionality this week.

[Alexander Turcic]

As you may have already noticed Kovid added a proposed reorganization to the first post of this thread. We participate to implement the reorganization sometime later tomorrow.

Meanwhile we are still listening to your suggestions. Thanks so much for all the constructive feedback!

Alex

[Manichean]

Originally Posted by Archon

Manichean,

Agreed, it seemed to me though many of the complaints are that Newbies are asking questions about the program in the forum instead of reading the manual.

Many of the responses point to idea that Newbies are confused by the manual and the forum and don't know where to ask or what to read.

Simplifying the program, manual, and forums would seem to go together to alleviate this problem.

Just my 2 cents.

Have a Day!
Archon

I'll answer here, since the discussion about the forum restructuring seems to be finished.

Well, we're working on the last two points, as you can see. Simplifying the actual program, however, is a mixed bag of... stuff (what was the idiom again?). The program, as many have alreday noted, is very powerful, quite often due to the use of rather arcane devices like the oft-cited regular expressions. So the task would be to simplify the program without taking away the power. Adding another layer of "simpler" methods (say plain text s&r, just for the sake of argument, and yes, I know that would be redundant) would only add to the complexity of the GUI and the underlying code, which is not what this is about. Quite frankly, I can't see how to address that. However, I'm not a developer, so thankfully, that's not on me to do.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Alexander Turcic

We'll add Google Search as an optional search functionality this week.

[cybmole]

Originally Posted by Archon

Manichean,

Agreed, it seemed to me though many of the complaints are that Newbies are asking questions about the program in the forum instead of reading the manual.

Many of the responses point to idea that Newbies are confused by the manual and the forum and don't know where to ask or what to read.

Simplifying the program, manual, and forums would seem to go together to alleviate this problem.

Just my 2 cents.

Have a Day!
Archon

confirmed - when I began with calibre, even with an IT backgound, I was really struggling to get how the various parts interacted & how to set up things like structure detection. it's easier with the latest 7.42, or maybe that is just me getting more experienced, but I support replacing it with a WIKI

[kovidgoyal]

Alex has finished creating the sub-forums and I've written a a very brief start here sticky. I've also unstuck most of the old stickies.

@volunteers: Please feel free to write new stickies in the sub fora of your interest. Remember that a sticky should be a list of common problems/instructions and the thread should be closed after you've written it so that it doesn't become too big.

[unboggling]

The new subforum setup is great. Helps me find things a lot faster drilling down from subforum level rather than searching everything. Thanks.

[Piper_]

Looks great!

In moving threads to their best subforums, I have been noticing a few trends in threads and my selecting of their destinations that make me think it might help posters decide where to look/post if we elaborate a little more on a few of the subforum descriptions.

e.g., The subsections you listed under "Library management" in your outline here might be good to add to the description were really helpful to me:

Library management:
1. Using templates for adding/exporting books
2. You cannot control the calibre directory structure
3. Tips on advanced searching

So I wonder if we could incorporate those on the forum list itself...

Instead of
"Library management
Tips and tricks to to use calibre with your e-book collection"

maybe show something like:

"Library management
Includes adding/exporting books, using templates, the calibre directory structure, searching..."

Also, under "Recipes," should we include everything to do with feeds, including connectivity?

[kovidgoyal]

I think connectivity can remain in the main forum, Recipes should really focus on recipes

I like your suggestion on Library Management, feel free to PM Alex (Alexander Turcic) with it, as I cannot make that change myself.

[Amalthia]

I know I'm late to the discussion but I was thinking maybe there could be a section for video tutorials? Or maybe links the Calibre tutorials at youtube?

I know some people need to see the process through to figure out how things work. The manual is great for people who can read and follow the screencaps, but sometimes seeing it in action is better for more complex tasks. Kovid's tutorial showing how to create the custom columns was incredibly helpful. I'm not sure I would have understood it as quickly by reading the manual and looking at screencaps (if there were screencaps).

I'm not sure if there is a policy against linking to helpful youtube videos or not? Or if anyone would be receptive to a video tutorial subforum/sticky? But I do know if video tutorials exist mixing them may make them more difficult to find.

I'm currently working on my first screencast video tutorial to show fan fiction authors and users how to convert fan fiction into epub and mobipocket format. I had planned to share the link here once I've finished.

I've also experienced the emails from out of the blue that contain little information. I rarely get enough information from the user requesting help that actually helps me dignose the problem. I have been guilty of referring people to Mobile Read.

Having a guide on how to ask questions is a great idea as well as how to label a subject heading. The "Need help" subject title is of no use during a forum search or anyone else browsing the New Posts.

[kovidgoyal]

Here's a sticky with a list of video tutorial, if you want a tutorial added, just let me know. https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=118596

[Piper_]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

I think connectivity can remain in the main forum, Recipes should really focus on recipes

I like your suggestion on Library Management, feel free to PM Alex (Alexander Turcic) with it, as I cannot make that change myself.

Done.

And ITA about the video tutorials. I bet that sticky will get massive traffic and help a lot of users. The one I saw sure gave me s I'd missed.

[Amalthia]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

Here's a sticky with a list of video tutorial, if you want a tutorial added, just let me know. https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=118596

Thanks! When I finish my tutorial I'll post the link there.

It's much harder than it looks to make a decent video tutorial.

I never knew how hard it would be to be speak slowly and clearly and not rush through the steps.

I appreciate the effort you made to create the video tutorial all the more now that I'm creating one myself.