# Is Factual Questions still the right forum for seeking advice about operating my computer?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-factual-questions-still-the-right-forum-for-seeking-advice-about-operating-my-computer/954985>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [November 26, 2021, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-factual-questions-still-the-right-forum-for-seeking-advice-about-operating-my-computer/954985 "2021-11-26T19:06:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2021, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-factual-questions-still-the-right-forum-for-seeking-advice-about-operating-my-computer/954985/1 "2021-11-26T19:06:02Z")

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I hope the question is self-explanatory. Since GQ has morphed into FQ, it’s no longer clear to me whether I should be asking in that forum.

TIA.

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**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2021, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-factual-questions-still-the-right-forum-for-seeking-advice-about-operating-my-computer/954985/2 "2021-11-26T19:13:54Z")

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If I understand correctly, the only thing that has changed is the name (to make the purpose of the forum clearer). If it used to be the right forum, it still is.

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**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2021, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-factual-questions-still-the-right-forum-for-seeking-advice-about-operating-my-computer/954985/3 "2021-11-26T19:31:01Z")

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**FQ** is **GQ** , it is suppose to be questions with factual answers and not opinions.

But if it is Arts related, it should still be in the **Café**.

If it is pandemic related in **QZ**. But can be tagged “factual” if you’re seeking hard facts and not opinion/debate.

* * *

Hopefully that helps.

Breaking news should be MPSIMS.

ETA: **Medical and Legal questions should go in IMHO and not FQ.**

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**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2021, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-factual-questions-still-the-right-forum-for-seeking-advice-about-operating-my-computer/954985/4 "2021-11-26T19:33:19Z")

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> [@What\_Exit](#):
>
> Hopefully that helps.

It does. Thanks.

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**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2021, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-factual-questions-still-the-right-forum-for-seeking-advice-about-operating-my-computer/954985/5 "2021-11-26T19:42:49Z")

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IME, threads seeking advice (on any topic) are asking for opinions. “Advice” is subjective, not factual.

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**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\
**Post date:** [November 27, 2021, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-factual-questions-still-the-right-forum-for-seeking-advice-about-operating-my-computer/954985/6 "2021-11-27T05:03:27Z")

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When it’s guidance with optimization (or even improvement in the operation) of technology, it’s valid to characterize factual information as advice.

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**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\
**Post date:** [November 28, 2021, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-factual-questions-still-the-right-forum-for-seeking-advice-about-operating-my-computer/954985/7 "2021-11-28T01:14:38Z")

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When discussing the behavior of many modern computer operating systems, I always suggest The Pit.