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howto:support [2010/02/23 20:05] digitalmanhowto:support [2022/04/28 17:01] (current) – Add link to gitlab issues digital man
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 ====== Get Technical Support ====== ====== Get Technical Support ======
  
-===== Overview =====+===== TL;DR =====
  
-Support is on a Voluntary Basis+{{:howto:nofacebook2.png}} 
 + 
 +If you're trying to get Synchronet technical support via //e-mail//, //YouTube//, //Facebook//, //Reddit//, //Discord//, or any other social media/discussion group not specifically listed here, **you're doing it wrong**. Please go [[https://web.synchro.net/?page=001-forum.ssjs&sub=sync|here]] instead or read on
 + 
 +If you're trying to file bug report or request a new feature in Synchronet, go [[https://gitlab.synchro.net/main/sbbs/-/issues|here]]. 
 + 
 +===== Overview =====
  
 Just as Synchronet is developed by volunteers, it is supported by volunteers. Just as Synchronet is developed by volunteers, it is supported by volunteers.
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 No one is obligated to help anyone else with Synchronet. However, Synchronet sysops, users, and (especially) its developers, are usually very interested (and often feel compelled) in helping other sysops, users, and developers understand and overcome technical issues, of all kinds, related to Synchronet. These "support-givers" are strictly volunteers, spontaneously giving of their free time, to help others enjoy Synchronet as much as possible. No one is obligated to help anyone else with Synchronet. However, Synchronet sysops, users, and (especially) its developers, are usually very interested (and often feel compelled) in helping other sysops, users, and developers understand and overcome technical issues, of all kinds, related to Synchronet. These "support-givers" are strictly volunteers, spontaneously giving of their free time, to help others enjoy Synchronet as much as possible.
  
-The primary Synchronet support-giver is also the primary developer and author of this document, [[person:digital man|Rob Swindell]] (AKA digital man). Generally speaking, the information provided by me can be trusted to be the most accurate and researched. I do my best to provide complete and accurate answers to questions, and no one is more intimate with the inner-workings of Synchronet than I. However, I discourage direct e-mail support as we want others to be able to learn from the questions and experiences of others, as well as give an opportunity for other Synchronet support-givers to field questions as much as possible.+The primary Synchronet support-giver is also the primary developer and author of this document, [[person:digital man|Rob Swindell]] (AKA digital man). Generally speaking, the information provided by me can be trusted to be the most accurate and researched. I do my best to provide complete and accurate answers to questions, and no one is more intimate with the inner-workings of Synchronet than I. However, I **discourage direct e-mail support** as we want others to be able to learn from the questions and experiences of others, as well as give an opportunity for other Synchronet support-givers to field questions as much as possible.
  
 ===== Where to Find Support ===== ===== Where to Find Support =====
 +
 +If you're emailing questions to [[person:digital man]], you're probably doing it wrong.
  
 ==== Documentation (RTFM) ==== ==== Documentation (RTFM) ====
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 If you haven't already, read the HTML Sysop Documentation. It is somewhat out-dated at this time (updated as of v3.00c-Win32), but still contains most of the relevant information needed to configure and run a Synchronet v3 BBS.  If you haven't already, read the HTML Sysop Documentation. It is somewhat out-dated at this time (updated as of v3.00c-Win32), but still contains most of the relevant information needed to configure and run a Synchronet v3 BBS. 
  
-Read the answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs).+Read the [[:faq:index|answers to frequently asked questions]] (FAQs).
  
-Many Synchronet documents were written by different people at different times during the 10-year history of Synchronet and are of a different style and quality.+Many Synchronet documents were written by different people at different times during the now 20-year history of Synchronet and are of a different style and quality.
  
 If you have trouble understanding a portion of a document, try reading the rest of the document to put it in context, or re-read the portion out-loud to yourself, a friend, or family member (which forces you to slow down your reading, hopefully). If you have trouble understanding a portion of a document, try reading the rest of the document to put it in context, or re-read the portion out-loud to yourself, a friend, or family member (which forces you to slow down your reading, hopefully).
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 There are a number of Synchronet-related discussion groups that are very active and you can anticipate a response quickly. There are a number of Synchronet-related discussion groups that are very active and you can anticipate a response quickly.
-They include:+They include (in order of preference/popularity):
  
-^USENET       ^alt.bbs.synchronet^ +|[[network:DOVE-Net]]     |[[http://vert.synchro.net/msgs/msgs.ssjs?msg_sub=sync|Synchronet Discussion]], Synchronet Sysops, and [[http://vert.synchro.net/msgs/msgs.ssjs?msg_sub=syncprog|Synchronet Programming]]
-|DOVE-Net     |Synchronet Discussion, Synchronet Sysops, and Synchronet Programming| +|[[network:USENET]]       |''[[http://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/alt.bbs.synchronet|alt.bbs.synchronet]]''
-|FidoNet      |SYNCHRONET, SYNC_SYSOPS, and SYNC_PROGRAMMING+|[[network:FidoNet ]]     |SYNCHRONET, SYNC_SYSOPS, and SYNC_PROGRAMMING|
-|Yahoo! Group |Synchronet BBS Discussion Group|+
  
 Before posting a message on one of these discussion groups, it is expected that you will first search through the previously posted messages for messages related to the issue you have questions about. Your question may have already been answered recently. Several times even. Before posting a message on one of these discussion groups, it is expected that you will first search through the previously posted messages for messages related to the issue you have questions about. Your question may have already been answered recently. Several times even.
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 If you post a message, it is expected that you will read any replies to your message and post a reply with answers to any follow-up questions from support-givers or the results of any suggested actions by support-givers. More details about the recommended content of your message will follow later in this document. If you post a message, it is expected that you will read any replies to your message and post a reply with answers to any follow-up questions from support-givers or the results of any suggested actions by support-givers. More details about the recommended content of your message will follow later in this document.
  
-You can access the main Synchronet support discussion groups, that are gated between DOVE-Net, USENET, and FidoNet, on Vertrauen via HTTP, NNTP, Telnet, or Gopher. You will need to create and login with a valid user account (e.g. not Guest/Anonymous) in order to post messages.+You can access the main Synchronet support discussion groups, that are gated between [[network:DOVE-Net]][[network:USENET]], and [[network:FidoNet]], on [[bbs:Vertrauen]] via HTTP, NNTP, Telnet, or Gopher. You will need to create and login with a valid user account (e.g. not Guest/Anonymous) in order to post messages.
  
 ==== Real-time Chat / Instant Messaging ==== ==== Real-time Chat / Instant Messaging ====
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 Synchronet Inter-BBS Instant Messaging technology is in its infancy at this time and requires direct real-time one-on-one communication between you and a support-giver of your choosing using a fairly cumbersome user interface. It's best to not use Synchronet's IM technology for technical support at this time. Synchronet support-givers are generally not reachable using other Instant Message technologies. Synchronet Inter-BBS Instant Messaging technology is in its infancy at this time and requires direct real-time one-on-one communication between you and a support-giver of your choosing using a fairly cumbersome user interface. It's best to not use Synchronet's IM technology for technical support at this time. Synchronet support-givers are generally not reachable using other Instant Message technologies.
  
-The best place to find instant answers to questions is in the #bbs or #synchronet channels on [[network:irc.synchro.net|Synchronet IRC network]] at [[irc://irc.synchro.net:6667]].+The best place to find instant answers to questions is in the ''#bbs'' or ''#synchronet'' channels on the [[network:irc.synchro.net|Synchronet IRC network]].
  
 ===== How to Ask Questions ===== ===== How to Ask Questions =====
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 This isn't to say we require excessive use of "please and thank you", just don't abuse us. This isn't to say we require excessive use of "please and thank you", just don't abuse us.
    
 +==== Use proper Copy and Paste ====
 +If you're providing textual information (e.g. error messages, log entries, configuration file contents), paste a copy of the relevant **text**, not a //photograph// of the text.
 +
 ==== Use proper spelling and grammar ==== ==== Use proper spelling and grammar ====
  
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 There is no point to starting off a question by explaining how frustrated or pissed-off you are, or explaining how helpless you feel. The issue is (or had better be) a technical one, not an emotional one, so it's best to just leave emotions out of it completely. There is no point to starting off a question by explaining how frustrated or pissed-off you are, or explaining how helpless you feel. The issue is (or had better be) a technical one, not an emotional one, so it's best to just leave emotions out of it completely.
-If you feel the necessity to express emotion, use common emoticons. :-)+If you feel the necessity to express emotion, use common emoticons.
    
 ==== No threats ==== ==== No threats ====
  
-Threatening to shut-down your BBS or delete the software ("rm -rf sbbs") if you don't receive immediate help with some problem is less likely to motivate Synchronet support-givers than simply describing the problem in detail.+Threatening to shut-down your BBS or delete the software (''rm -rf sbbs'') if you don't receive immediate help with some problem is less likely to motivate Synchronet support-givers than simply describing the problem in detail.
  
 Synchronet support-givers are generally much more interested in solving a real technical problem than they are worried about making sure Synchronet continues to consume disk space and CPU cycles for some whiny system operator.  Synchronet support-givers are generally much more interested in solving a real technical problem than they are worried about making sure Synchronet continues to consume disk space and CPU cycles for some whiny system operator. 
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 Include the frequency of the problem (e.g. only once, every time, intermittently). Include the frequency of the problem (e.g. only once, every time, intermittently).
 +
 +Increase your log level to "Debug" (e.g. in your ''[[dir:ctrl]]/[[config:sbbs.ini]]'' file) to include the maximum about of verbosity in copy and pasted log messages.
  
 The exact steps required to reproduce a problem can be extremely helpful in finding the root cause/solution to a problem. The exact steps required to reproduce a problem can be extremely helpful in finding the root cause/solution to a problem.
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 Quote the pertinent parts of previous messages when replying. (i.e. when posting an answer to a question, be sure to quote the original question as well). Quote the pertinent parts of previous messages when replying. (i.e. when posting an answer to a question, be sure to quote the original question as well).
- + 
 +==== Don't ask if you can ask for help ==== 
 + 
 +This is especially true if requesting help on IRC. There are many talented people who are in the #synchronet channel who may be able to answer your question but they're not always at the computer. Ask your question and wait patiently, you may be asked follow up questions but it may take a few hours for the person who can solve your problem to come online. If you don't get an answer, try again later or post your question in one of the Synchronet discussion boards. 
 ==== Share the final results for others to learn from ==== ==== Share the final results for others to learn from ====
  
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   * "hey man my bbs took a crap again."   * "hey man my bbs took a crap again."
  
- +
 ===== Thank You ===== ===== Thank You =====
  
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 ===== See Also ===== ===== See Also =====
 +  * [[:faq:|Answers to Frequently Asked Questions]]
 +  * [[:network:irc.synchro.net]]
 +  * [[:network:DOVE-Net]]
 +  * [[https://gitlab.synchro.net/main/sbbs/-/issues|Synchronet Issue (e.g. bug, feature request) reporting system]]
   * [[:howto:|HowTo index]]   * [[:howto:|HowTo index]]
  
howto/support.1266984304.txt · Last modified: 2010/02/23 20:05 by digitalman
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