# Tech question? Here's a checklist of info you'll probably need.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-question-heres-a-checklist-of-info-youll-probably-need/513836>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 23, 2006, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-question-heres-a-checklist-of-info-youll-probably-need/513836 "2006-04-23T19:41:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tech-question-heres-a-checklist-of-info-youll-probably-need/513836/1 "2006-04-23T19:41:17Z")

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Courtesy of **633squadron** :

> [@](#):
>
> I see an emerging standard for tech support questions posted to forums. This standard has been motivated by the explosive growth of open-source software, which is primarily supported by a community of developers:  
> [ul]  
> [li]Use a simple statement of the problem as your thread title: “Checkboxes don’t work right in Excel”[/li][li]State your platform[/li][li]State which version of the platform (Windows XP Service Pack 2)[/li][li]Give a complete statement of the problem: “When I create a checkbox in a worksheet and then try to click it, it opens it for editing instead of setting or clearing it”[/li][li]List the steps to reproduce the problem.[/li][li]List error messages in their entirety. Be ready to post/e-mail error logs.[/li][li]List any documentation you’ve read.[/li][li]List any steps you’ve tried to fix the problem.[/li][li]If you get a reply that works for you, post a response and tell everyone.[/li][li]If the advice you get doesn’t work, post a **polite** reply saying that it didn’t work, and be specific.[/li][/ul]
> 
> Some things **not** to do:  
> [ul]  
> [li]Don’t ask for a personal e-mail. Responders may not want to do that, and you’re shutting everyone else out of reading the solution.[/li][li]Even if it is urgent, don’t say you need the fix ASAP. You’ll get it when you get it.[/li][li]Don’t be rude or argumentative, even if you get flamed. Just walk away.[/li][/ul]
> 
> Some things to remember:  
> [ul]  
> [li]Respondents are using their own time to learn about the product and help you as well. Be considerate.[/li][li]Very few programs are intuitive or easy to use. You have to do some reading and learning to get all the ins and outs. If a respondent tells you to read something, read it. They’re not blowing you off; they’re trying to be efficient with their time and with yours.[/li][li]Try the help first, and also try reading online. Microsoft software is not always easy to use, but their help is darn good and their website is first-class (IMHO). Particularly with error messages, do a search on the program’s web site. This goes double for error numbers.[/li][li]If something doesn’t work the way you think it should, first read the online help or documentation to see how it’s supposed to work.[/li][/ul]

Thanks, **633squadron**! Nice concise instructions!