DavidinCT

Cup

I'll agree - the "Ask MS" folder, as a whole, serves only to confuse the n00bs - they post there, they expect an answer from a Microsoft employee.  Rarely does it actually happen. 
Maybe that folder could be better if graduating beyond the n00bie badge (1-50 posts) were a prerequesite for entry.  Of course, that would require removing the DQS subfolder from there....

See the funny thing about this is...Microsoft does reply to some posts in that area, only ones that they should reply to. I have this (not n00b) major problem kind of stuff you'll see some posts by MS people.

The problem is that most of thatf section is covered in n00b posts, 95% of answers to the questions can be found elseware. This needs to monitored and stuff moved to it's correct location in the other fourms. We need to have a minium of 50-100 posts to post in there, unless a MS employee sees it as a problem that should be adressed there(and they can move it in there).

In a nut shell, we need to fix the problem, or remove the Ask MS areas because what is happening now, just does not work.

Turning the whole section into a ticket-driven system would solve this. "ticket closed, refer to answer/post xxxxx"

Dave, I think you and I said the same thing, just worded differently.  ;)
If it wasn't so cluttered up with n00b posts, we'd 'see' a higher percentage of posts actually answered by MS.

Chris - Yes, I was suggesting that *another* refresh is in order. This is the second worst forum I read (in terms of forum software! ;) ) - visordown.com being the only one that is worse. Would it be cheeky of me to suggest that the reason the n00bs get their questions answered in 'Ask Microsoft' is because they're the only questions that MS is in a position to answer? At least, without actually stating they don't care about MCE any more?

I can tell you that renaming these forums is being actively considered because the title does imply that if you post a question, a Microsoft person will respond. My understanding of these particular forums is that when they were originally created (pre-Microsoft ownership of the site), each had a volunteer Microsoft representative, most of whom have since moved on to new teams or new opportunities. While we regularly encourage team members with the relevant expertise to engage on the forums, this has not happened as frequently as we would have liked.

I understand that many folks are disappointed with involvement by Microsoft team members following the acquisition. I came in a few months after the fact, and can tell you that since I began tracking, the number of Microsoft team members registered on TGB is up - and has steadily increased. The number of these account members spending time on TGB each week is up. The number of total posts from team members is also up, although it has varied in direct relation to different deliverables in the business.

I shared some of this data with MVPs on campus last month, as well as asked for their advice on the "Ask Microsoft" forums - they agreed with you all - it's time to rename these forums, but to be up front about why it's being done. If this happens, I hope it will be in conjunction with several other improvements to the site, although reading this thread suggests to me that it should be sooner rather than later.

My hope is that if the decision is made to do this, it is to better set expectations, and not "=loss of hope" as someone stated. TGB is a community site, not an official support site for Microsoft (such as MSAnswers, which has staff paid to answer questions). TGB has a secure home and future now in our data centers, and folks like me and others who will always be encouraging our colleagues to be better, more active, more engaged community members.  Rich, who started this thread, has always held our feet to the fire, and I think of him often when advocating for TGB internally. My goal, one day, is to get a PM from him that says simply "good job." I know I've got a way to go.

Others in this thread have pointed out that much of the Microsoft involvement is with "newb" questions, and I find this to be true, for the ot part, as well. They are the easiest to answer, and there is relatively little risk for someone to do so. Enthusiasts have very difficult problems, and or want to know more about the thinking behind decisions or features, and I admit it has been very, very difficult to find folks able to engage at that level. Not because they don't care, but rather because they simply can't, for whatever legal, political, business or technical reason that is in the way. When we can, I always maintain, that it's better to post up that we're aware and working on an issue, rather than saying nothing about it all...and sometimes we're able to do just that. Other times, we can't.

I would like, though, to make it much easier to connect new folks with the information they are after so they don't have to keep posting the same questions over and again. At the moment, I'm working with the top posters on the site to help address this, and am always looking for new ideas. That being said, I'm also playing the cards I've been dealt, vis-a-vis this CS platform and it's benefits, limitations and bugs.

I'm a realist. I don't think any of this will make any of you feel less frustrated. For what it's worth, I hear you and understand your frustration; it drives me to do better. What's more there continues to be growing suppport for better community engagement; there are more Microsoft folks reading threads on TGB than ever before, and TGB has a higher and more impactful profile internally than it ever has. To have such a large group of impassioned enthusiasts and power users is an amazing thing for any company or  product, and we're privileged to host this community and be a part of it. 

I'll keep you updated on any upcoming changes to the site. Thank you all for taking the time to express those opinions and for caring about TGB as you do.

Best,

Pete

 

 

Hi Pete. As one of the whingers on this thread, I'd like to say 'thank-you' for your long and detailed post. It's good to know that there is a point to TGB being a semi-official forum. I look forward to the winds of change blowing through... ;)

Thanks for the response, Pete. Very insightful.

Although the forum name is misleading, and one could make various arguments about Microsoft participation in TGB, what I think it REALLY boils down to is that many users think their voices are not being heard. It's not really about getting technical help- Media Center enthusiasts want to know that the investments they are making have a future- that there is hope for the future of Media Center and eHome.

For example, what is Microsoft doing about the "death" of the extender? Or Softsled? Or Webguide? Or interoperability between Zune and MC? What do the MS Divisional shake-ups mean for the future of Media Center? Why isn't MS actually advertising what is often considered the best and least expensive DVR in the market? Is Media center even a priority in Microsoft?

I know, I know, confidentiality, blah blah blah. But seriously, maybe throw us a little bone? I'll be happy to sign a confidentiality agreement! But right now, you won't even tell us what is in the Cumulative updates once they are released! Us enthusiasts want to know that our ideas are being heard, that Media Center is being improved, and that this platform has a future.

I've been away for a few days indulging one of my other hobbies (rollercoaster - was on the first ride of Thirteen at Alton Towers - woooo!) and I've just been having my first browse of TGB. It seems that some Microsofties (Mr Headend) have ventured outside of the 'Ask' sections and are participating. Good work! Amusingly, I've just started reading 'Microserfs' again!

makryger

Thanks for the response, Pete. Very insightful.

Although the forum name is misleading, and one could make various arguments about Microsoft participation in TGB, what I think it REALLY boils down to is that many users think their voices are not being heard. It's not really about getting technical help- Media Center enthusiasts want to know that the investments they are making have a future- that there is hope for the future of Media Center and eHome.

For example, what is Microsoft doing about the "death" of the extender? Or Softsled? Or Webguide? Or interoperability between Zune and MC? What do the MS Divisional shake-ups mean for the future of Media Center? Why isn't MS actually advertising what is often considered the best and least expensive DVR in the market? Is Media center even a priority in Microsoft?

I know, I know, confidentiality, blah blah blah. But seriously, maybe throw us a little bone? I'll be happy to sign a confidentiality agreement! But right now, you won't even tell us what is in the Cumulative updates once they are released! Us enthusiasts want to know that our ideas are being heard, that Media Center is being improved, and that this platform has a future.

I couldn't have said this any better so I am just going to quote it. My biggest one is wanting to know if my $1000 investment will be useful in the next 12-18-24 months.

Pete,

Give me a nice paying job from home...give me a trip to ehome offices/labs every 2-3 months for meetings and the things/contacts I can say, and I'll take care of TGB for you !

 

DavidinCT

Pete,

Give me a nice paying job from home...give me a trip to ehome offices/labs every 2-3 months for meetings and the things/contacts I can say, and I'll take care of TGB for you !

Bet you'd not be the only person fighting for that role!

 

*bump* It would seem that after a few weeks of improvement, normal service has been resumed re the ITV HD thread in the Ask Microsoft section. Ho hum.

Now from Ask to Tell Microsoft....

DavidinCT

Now from Ask to Tell Microsoft....

ha ha... Didn't even notice the difference. Wait for a couple years, and they'll have to change it to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Wow I hadn't noticed it even after reading David's message.

Talk about subtle change.

 

mark1234

Wow I hadn't noticed it even after reading David's message.

Talk about subtle change.

 

Without getting rid of the forum entirely, any suggestions on better naming?  I'll happily rename them if it means leaving the forum structure intact.  I'm not going to do too much else considering this isn't my forum.  The "ask" needed to be removed, and "tell" was a quick one word change that at least doesn't imply Microsoft is actively answering questions in the forum.