# Idea for handling computer questions **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [November 14, 2001, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-handling-computer-questions/93384 "2001-11-14T21:11:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-handling-computer-questions/93384/1 "2001-11-14T21:11:27Z")
I don’t know if this is workable or not, but it just occurred to me, so I thought I’d share and see what the rest of you think. It seems like a lot of the threads that get posted in GQ are computer-related. (“How do I fix Outlook?” “Word is screwing up” “I can’t get WinAmp to play this type of file”, etc.) So what if we just had one big thread that was designated for computer questions, and everyone could just use it as the central clearinghouse for that type of question? It could be titled “Ask Your Computer Questions Here” or something like that. Those of us who are technically inclined could stick our heads in to see if there’s anything we can answer, and people who have questions can just add them to the thread, rather than starting a new thread for each individual problem. Like I said, this might not be workable, but on the other hand, it seems reasonable enough to me. Thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![rsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@rsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsa)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-handling-computer-questions/93384/2 "2001-11-14T21:31:19Z")
I don’t know. I don’t really think that the number of computer questions is _that_ excessive. And most of those questions get answered pretty quickly and fall off the first page before long. I have more of a problem with an individual poster creating so many new threads in a day that some interesting threads get pushed to page 2 before their time. Sometimes I think this board should be dedicated to fighting boredom rather than ignorance. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-handling-computer-questions/93384/3 "2001-11-14T22:03:33Z")
I think the idea is unworkable. We try to keep threads at a “manageable” length, partly because of the recollection that with our previous board software had a problem with very long threads. Also I think it would make finding the answers difficult. The answer would be asked on page 2 and there might be nothing relevant for that answer until page 4. Also some people might not indicate which problem they are solving, and when perusing the thread the reader might pick the wrong solution. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2001, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-handling-computer-questions/93384/4 "2001-11-15T00:10:40Z")
It’s a nice idea but who would know to use it? Keeping questions in the right forum here is already plenty of work. PS: I already suggested a tech forum. Doesn’t look like we got it. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2001, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-for-handling-computer-questions/93384/5 "2001-11-15T21:46:31Z")
Makes sense to me, Arnold. Thanks for the input!