Hi Jim
I think the fact your asking shows the level of care and respect for users needs and I agree with a lot of what's already been said.
The key things I think that could improve support:
1. A Bug tracker
2. Better local forum search
3. Better retention of valuable posts
4. An updated wiki - though I think there are other avenues that can potentially compliment the wiki even as it is today without rewriting it or updating it - Wiki's are a 20 year old invention.
5. A youtube support channel with common questions asked videos. Video is a stronger medium than a wiki, particularly for complex software and beginners.
6. Embed an obvious link somewhere on the opening page of a new installation or, automatically launch a link to a "getting started" youtube channel or video.
7. Allow community submitted videos to the youtube channel for review and approval
8. Create a standard support request form - eg
http://custom.simplemachines.org/mods/index.php?mod=12799. Add real-time chat to Simple Machines and have a who's online -
https://www.cometchat.com/smf-chat 10. Use an AI BOT in chat that attempts to answer the question based on common questions
11. and the last one...
I'd like to think as a Beta member that I could offer more to support the community, but I dont have time to watch and subscribe to all posts in the forum. We all get busy with our own lives and sometimes I don't get back here for weeks at a time.
But I do like to help when I see something I can help with and when I have the time.
What about a volunteer system where people that want to help can offer to get notifications based on a hashtag or metadata support system?
Volunteers can opt-in to receive notifications about a particular hashtag or metadata subject.
Have a sticky post that defines the common hashtag support areas. The side benefit of this hashtag metadata is that you then also have an easy way to search for relevant previous support questions. (Afterall MC library is built on metadata fields, doesnt it make sense to define standard support hashtags in the same way for the forum?)
ie
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Hi I have a problem playing a video via DLNA to my TV. Can someone tell me where I can check these settings or what I need to check?
#DLNA #TV #Video
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Example Hashtags feature for SMF - dont know if it works the way I've described but at least some functionality is possible.
https://forum.bitchute.com/index.php?topic=42.0