Our FAQs
Our FAQs
(OP)
If you compare our ever-growing list of FAQs to other lists here at Eng-Tips, you’ll see ours has a lot of information. As this body of work continues to grow, I think this information is going to be harder and harder to find unless we better organize our FAQs. You’ll see that we have 22 different headings. I think these could be combined into several broader (12) headings. Of course some of the old FAQs would have to be moved to more appropriate new headings.
SolidWorks Installation
Would include the existing headings: Installation, Operating Systems & SolidWorks, SolidWorks Clean Reinstall, Backups
Computer Hardware
Would include the existing heading: Hardware
Part Environment
Would include the existing headings: Modeling How-To’s, Sketch Images, SolidWorks Part Modeling
Assembly Environment
Would include the existing heading: Assemblies
Drawing Environment
Would include the existing headings: Drawing Appearance, Large Drawings
The Transition from 2D to 3D
Would include the existing heading: Getting Started in 3D Design
SolidWorks Advanced
Would include the existing headings: Configurations, Design Tables, Equations
SolidWorks Customization
Would include the existing headings: BOM Modification, Hole Callouts
SolidWorks Maintenance
Would include the existing heading: Computer Maintenance
API and Macros
Would include the existing heading: SolidWorks Macros
SolidWorks Explorer
Would include the existing heading: SolidWorks Explorer
SolidWorks Add-ins
Would include the existing heading: SolidWorks Toolbox
All the FAQs under Websites should be moved over the Links tab that is next to the FAQ tab at teh top of teh page.
I'd like some feedback from all the regulars that visit this Forum (you know who you are). Do you think we need to reorganize the FAQs? Do you agree with what is presented above? What changes would you make?
SolidWorks Installation
Would include the existing headings: Installation, Operating Systems & SolidWorks, SolidWorks Clean Reinstall, Backups
Computer Hardware
Would include the existing heading: Hardware
Part Environment
Would include the existing headings: Modeling How-To’s, Sketch Images, SolidWorks Part Modeling
Assembly Environment
Would include the existing heading: Assemblies
Drawing Environment
Would include the existing headings: Drawing Appearance, Large Drawings
The Transition from 2D to 3D
Would include the existing heading: Getting Started in 3D Design
SolidWorks Advanced
Would include the existing headings: Configurations, Design Tables, Equations
SolidWorks Customization
Would include the existing headings: BOM Modification, Hole Callouts
SolidWorks Maintenance
Would include the existing heading: Computer Maintenance
API and Macros
Would include the existing heading: SolidWorks Macros
SolidWorks Explorer
Would include the existing heading: SolidWorks Explorer
SolidWorks Add-ins
Would include the existing heading: SolidWorks Toolbox
All the FAQs under Websites should be moved over the Links tab that is next to the FAQ tab at teh top of teh page.
I'd like some feedback from all the regulars that visit this Forum (you know who you are). Do you think we need to reorganize the FAQs? Do you agree with what is presented above? What changes would you make?
Ray Reynolds
"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons."
Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?






RE: Our FAQs
I think the appropriate subject heading would be Part Modeling and then put those FAQ's underneath it
With the heading we should have these as well:
Assembly Modeling
Drawings
But Environment does work, I just like the above headings better.
This one I question a little because it's a little of both. One of the FAQ's also deals with basic computer maintenance and not just from a SW stand point. The TEMP clean out FAQ if you were wondering which one
I disagree. This should stay here for the simple reasons that FAQ's are easier to post in a thread, those that do check out the FAQ will see this FAQ and use it, Not a lot of people even use the Links tab (you said it yourself once), and some of the links don't have anything to do with SW directly, but is still useful when evaluating Hardware, looking for new drivers, Textures etc...
The Links Tab is already a little big. Don't you think that could cause more confusion then just keeping it all in one FAQ?
This should stay as an FAQ in our SW section. More and more sites are coming up every day and as soon as I get a chance I'm going to expand on this FAQ some more.
My .02 worth... for now.
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com
http://www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
RE: Our FAQs
PDM Environment might be another possible heading ... there have been many posts of late & is probably worthy of its own section.
Also a Making the best use of this forum section for the likes of your FAQ559-716, use of the "Keyword search" feature, etc, would be good. Come to think of it though, that sort of info would probably be better placed ... heavily highlighted ... at the head of each page.
RE: Our FAQs
Bradley
RE: Our FAQs
Jeff Mowry
Industrial Designhaus, LLC
http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com
RE: Our FAQs
The problem is, you can only create a new Catagory when submitting or editing a FAQ. This means that this reorganization is going to be a shared effort with everyone that has created an FAQ for this Forum. Fun.
For example, I created a new Catagory called "Computer Hardware", and have moved my FAQs to the new location. I then emailed the author of the 3rd FAQ under the the old "Hardware" Catagory, asking him to edit and move his FAQ to "Computer Hardware".
Ray Reynolds
"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons."
Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Our FAQs
It's worth a try.
RE: Our FAQs
The only problem I forsee with this, is when people who have not read this post, submit a new FAQ & apply a non-recommended heading. It will be up to the Eng-Tips "FAQ-approving people" to re-assign the new FAQ to a heading which complies with your recommendations, otherwise the FAQ section will quickly revert to being a jumbled state again.
Could the above list could be placed in the FAQ submittal form page to guide people to select an appropriate heading?
RE: Our FAQs
SolidWorks Installation
Would include the existing headings: Installation, Operating Systems & SolidWorks, SolidWorks Clean Reinstall, Backups
Computer Hardware
Would include the existing heading: Hardware
Part Modeling
Would include the existing headings: Modeling How-To’s, Sketch Images, SolidWorks Part Modeling
Assembly Modeling
Would include the existing heading: Assemblies
Drawing
Would include the existing headings: Drawing Appearance, Large Drawings
The Transition from 2D to 3D
Would include the existing heading: Getting Started in 3D Design
SolidWorks Advanced
Would include the existing headings: Configurations, Design Tables, Equations
SolidWorks Customization
Would include the existing headings: BOM Modification, Hole Callouts
SolidWorks Maintenance
Would include the existing heading: Computer Maintenance
API and Macros
Would include the existing heading: SolidWorks Macros
SolidWorks Explorer'
Would include the existing heading: SolidWorks Explorer
SolidWorks Add-ins
Would include the existing heading: SolidWorks Toolbox
NEW
Websites
Would include the existing heading: Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of
Important Forum Imformation
Would include the existing heading: Making the best use of this Forum
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com
http://www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
RE: Our FAQs
PDM Works
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com
http://www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
RE: Our FAQs
CorBlimeyLimey, the FAQs just don't work that way. I don't think Admin looks at the FAQs to ensure they are placed in the correct catagories, they only read them over to see if they contain useful info. But by creating the new catagories, they are available from the pull-down list when you create a new FAQ. I think someone that takes the time to write a newe FAQ will place it in the appropriate catagory.
As for placing this info in the FAQ "creation page" I don't think that will fly either. All the FAQ pages are formatted the same, across the site. I don't think they can (or would want to) change one from all the others. You know what I'm trying to say... it's a web form. Good suggestion though, and any functionality would be better than what they have now for organizing the FAQs.
Eng-Tips.com probably has about 10% of the FAQs of Tek-Tips.com, but they manage to keep fairly organized.
Ray Reynolds
"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons."
Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Our FAQs
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com
http://www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
RE: Our FAQs
As to adding the catagory PDMWorks or PDM Environment... should that go under it's own catagory, or should it be lumped under the SolidWorks Add-ins catagory?
Ray Reynolds
"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons."
Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Our FAQs
Bradley
RE: Our FAQs
Headings look fine to me ... I personally prefer the "environment" version as I think it sounds like it covers a broader scope ... but I'll go with the flow. I have already moved my FAQ to the "Drawing Environment" originally suggested, but will change it again if needed.
I understand that, but was suggesting they perhaps they (or someone) could start doing so, so that the FAQ section doesn't end needing to be restructured again in a year or twos time.
I understand what you are saying, but have to disagree. If that were true, there would not be a need to restructure the section now. Some of the FAQs you want to move to different headings had alternative headings listed that they could have been applied to when the FAQ was submitted. I liken it to an "intelligent" numbering system ... it's only good while the creator of the system controls the system ... once it's opened up to all users, the creators "logical rules" are open to (mis)interpretation by each users individual logic.
Sorry, I'm not trying to put a damper on the idea ... as I said before I think it is a good idea & fully endorse it ... but as we see here already with the "Modelling" vs "Environment" headings, different people use different terms for the same thing.
RE: Our FAQs
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com
http://www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
RE: Our FAQs
I have updated all my FAQ's to the approved list of FAQ headings. I went ahead and used the "Environment" for Part, and Assemblies. Since "Drawing Environment" was already made. All we need to do is get everyone to move their FAQ now.
Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com
http://www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
RE: Our FAQs
Ray Reynolds
"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons."
Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Our FAQs
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com
http://www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
RE: Our FAQs
RE: Our FAQs
If you are moving it to a new Catagory that doesn't exist yet, in Step 1, use the drop down menu to slect the blank Catagory, then in the field that asks you to Suggest a New Catagory, type the new Catagory name.
Ray Reynolds
"Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons."
Popular Mechanics, forecasting the relentless march of science, 1949
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Our FAQs
duh