Most people have probably figured out by now that I get a LOT of email. At the bottom of every article on our content sites (including Logical Tips) is a link so you can send feedback. Because I write so many email newsletters, have columns in the newspaper, and so forth, the contact forms on our web sites get a workout.
In addition to commenting on articles, people tend to use these forms to ask questions. Because we have sites on computers, pets, and Sandpoint, Idaho, the level of questions has become somewhat overwhelming for little ole me. Part of the reason these sites exist is to help people, so for years I’ve been answering all these questions. The problem with email is that no one else ever sees my responses. Plus, given all the filtering and today’s problems with email in general, sometimes I wonder if people ever even get the responses.
Now all that is going to change. After years of thinking about it (and one horrible attempt that we backed out immediately) we’ve finally set up a question and answer forum. I’ve even populated it with a few questions that we’ve gotten over the last week or so, so it won’t be too lonely in there.
We’ve tried to take precautions with the forum, so only real people with real questions can post. So to post a question, you do need to register. As with our ezines, registration will require an email confirmation to make sure that people are who they say they are.
At the same time, we also have set up a blog. Although we have a more robust content management system that we use for our article sites, the blog will just be a place for me to put random stuff that doesn’t rate an entire article like a Logical Tips Musing. For example, one recent entry cites an article I ran across about the history of cubicles. Apparently even the guy who invented them thought they were horrible and lamented his contribution to the “monolithic insanity.” Who knew?
Anyway, we hope that the forum (and even the blog) will be friendly places where people can learn more about those persnickety computer problems that plague all of us. Enjoy 😉