tips and tricks for movable type

how to ask for help on the MT support forum
May 30, 2002

So, you're having a problem with Movable Type and you've discovered the Community Forum. Before you post that new topic, read these hints.

Note: this entry is a collaborative effort by the Movable Type Forum Moderators.

1. Have you read the installation instructions and user manual thoroughly to see if your question is answered there?

I have all of the MT documentation printed and stored in a three-ring binder. It sits on the shelf above my computer for quick reference. I'm a stickler for reading the material frequently - I go through it a couple of times before each new upgrade to check out any added features, revisions to the documentation, etc.

But that's just the way which works for me! If you don't want to print out your own copy, check out the online versions available here (or better yet, click on the HELP button while you're logged in to your MT installation, and your own copy of the documentation manual will load in a new window).

Chances are, the answer you're looking for may be nearer than you think!

2. Didn't find your answer in the manuals? Try a search.

If you know about a specific topic you are looking for, your best bet is to use the Search feature on the forum. You can separate out searches by date range and by forum, and these can be used to your benefit. Try to think of a word to search for that might not be in every post! Start with a small range to search for - the most likely category and short date range, and then if that doesn't find anything, expand from there. And if you find something that helped you, link it as a reply to your post, because you never know how it might help another person searching for the same thing.

If you received an error message, examine it carefully and search the boards for key words contained within it - this will often result in threads where similar problems were discussed and solutions were found. The search feature prefers words of three letters or more, so focus on the phrases that make your error message unique.

Example: uninitialized AND value AND found

Older posts can be just as valuable as newer ones, so keep that in mind when setting your search parameters.

3. Still need to post a question to the board after reading the manuals and using the search feature? Pick the right forum for your problem.

The support forums are pretty clearly defined, with helpful descriptions of what goes in which forum. Read them carefully and choose the most appropriate forum for your particular problem. (And please, see also #10!)

NOTE: Please do not post something in the Bug Reports forum until you are certain it is truly a bug.

All topics are subject to being moved to a more appropriate forum by the moderators, so choose wisely and Track Your Topic.

4. Choose a descriptive title for your topic.

You get two fields for identifying your topic when posting a new one: title and description. Be as specific as possible!

BAD:

GOOD:

Wise choices not only assist those who may reply to your topic, but they also benefit other users who may come searching for help after you.

5. Do you know how to use the CODE button?

When posting a new topic, you'll see a lovely little series of buttons above the text window. Of these, the CODE button is an important one to know about.

If you want to post a section of your template**, first press the CODE button once. Type (or copy and paste) your HTML, then press the CODE button again.

This surrounds your HTML in a nice little box and keeps the board from displaying the results of the HTML rather than the HTML itself.

You can use the QUOTE button in a similar fashion when you want to reference something said previously in a topic, or a portion of the user manuals, etc.

** Don't post an entire template unless specifically asked to do so. Even then, it's better to place a text file with the template code in it on your server, and provide a URL in your post to the text file.

6. Be as detailed and as clear as you can when describing your problem.

BAD:

GOOD:

7. Include a URL.

Many problems are easier to solve if other readers have a URL to view.

If you are just testing a new feature out on your site, be sure to include a URL to your test page - your main URL won't help us if you don't have the feature implemented yet.

8. State the version of MT that you're using.

There are differences between each version of MT, so knowing which version you're using helps with answering appropriately.

9. Read over your new topic after adding it, and use the EDIT button if you need to correct or clarify anything further.

As long as you're still logged in to the board, you can edit any of your posts. This is especially helpful if you forgot to use that CODE button!

10. Do NOT post the same topic multiple times, or in different forums!

This is annoying to other users of the board, and your duplicate posts will either be deleted or merged by the moderators.

11. If no one responds to your topic and it starts to move lower on the list, "bump" it up.

Especially after new releases of MT come out, posts can quickly get lost in the shuffle. Just post a reply to your topic, like this:

That moves your topic to the top of the list.

(Don't be a bump maniac, though - wait at least 24 hours before bumping up a post. And don't create a new topic for the same problem, either. See #10 above!)

12. Track your topic.

Tracking a topic means you'll get email notification when someone responds to it. This saves you from having to check the board constantly and also reminds you to follow up to any questions from those trying to help you.

To track your topic: after posting it, scroll down near the bottom of the page. You'll see a link that says "Track this topic". Click on it, and you'll receive an email whenever someone posts a reply to your topic! (Remember to specify an email address in your member profile!)

13. Tend to your topic.

Many of those posting in the MT Support Forum not only enjoy helping others, but they also like to know when their suggestions have worked out. So, tend to your topic: if you solved the problem on your own, reply with how you did it (this is useful to other users who might encounter the very same problem later). If your helpers need more information, respond to them. If their suggestions did the trick, thank them for it!

14. Have patience!

There is a lot going on at Movable Type. New versions are continually in progress, and although there are many "regulars" haunting the boards, not every question is going to result in immediate responses.

In most cases, someone who knows the answer will get around to you in due time! If not, see #11. =)

15. Be nice to your support volunteers.

Please remember that almost all of the people who are helping you out on the forum are doing so on a volunteer basis. We love Movable Type, and love helping its users, but we also have obligations outside the forum. That's why rule #14 is so important to remember.

16. Give back.

The Support Forum is currently a free service to all users. If you enjoy Movable Type and have found our assistance on the forum to be helpful, there are any number of ways you can give back to the community:

• Donate to Movable Type.
• Post your own answers to other users' questions on the support forum.
• Participate in the MT Wiki.
• If you have Perl knowledge, write a plugin.
• Spread the word about Movable Type on your personal blog (i.e., make sure you have the MT link).

By following these guidelines, you'll do your part to keep the MT Support Forum user-friendly, and make using Movable Type a better experience for everyone who discovers it.

By: Brenna (bmk), Kristine (kadyellebee), Donna (nammer), Sarah (maddy), and Shelley (girlie)