Does, or will, the Community have a user guide?
Answers
-
Hi Douglas,
Thank you for your questions about a user guide for Community.
When guest first goes into Community, the introductory page has a post of New to the Community with a link to Community Overview. To learn more about how the community works, check out "How To Use The Community": https://familysearch.vanillacommunities.com/en/categories/how-to-use-familysearch-community
The "Welcome to the Community" link below may be what your are looking for.
https://community.familysearch.org/en/discussion/77285/welcome-to-familysearch-community#latest
We also found the Community Code of Conduct article.
We hope this information will help answer your question.
0 -
Hi Sanra,
The first link points a collection of roughly 1000 posts. The organization is a flat file with text search. I cannot see this as a user guide.
The second link is at most an introductory page of a user manual.
0 -
Lets see what some of the FS Community Leaders respond on this question.
BUT do realize - so much of FamilySearch Community is either relatively new and or in flux - much of what we did have in the past - is now out dated.
Lets see what they have that is up to date and currently accurate.
I agree with you - - "Where is the user guide" . . . . ????????
0 -
FamilySearch stopped publishing user guide in new FamilySearch years ago. I do not believe they will start again with communities. They have taken a defacto position to not publish user guides so don't expect a change
0 -
I tend to think gasmodels is right on his point of view
but in my mind - "the Communtiy" is totally different than other areas of FamilySearch - and really would do well with a very BASIC guide - that wouldnt work so well with FS as a whole - but I think would have a much better application in "the community".
But I tend to agree - I doubt we will ever get it.
0 -
Douglas
As you can 'see' ...
Short Answer: NO.
Brett
ps:
▬ It has all been, 'hands-on'
▬ learn, as you go
▬ the WHOLE "Community.FamilySearch' Forum is a 'Work in Progress'
.... [ ESPECIALLY, this NEW ("Vanilla") Platform of the Forum, launched/introduced a ONLY a FEW Months ago ]
▬ Those, in the "Administration" of the Forum, are in the process of developing various, 'Materials'
.
0 -
FamilySearch is moving on with a new support model. In that model it may be necessary for users/patrons to use something other than the community as the first level support. This could reduce the enormous traffic on the Community. Rethinking their position on user guides would be an investment in the Community.
0 -
we are very much in flux - and many things are possible as you allude to.
but my sense is - the Community VERY MUCH and INTENTIONALLY was to be the first level support
I don't see that changing - - though exactly how the community works surely can/will be adjusted - - but I cannot speak for FS.
0 -
I believe FamilySearch would like the first level support to be the local Family History consultants with the community being the second level. Whether this can really work depends on how well the local consultants are trained.
0 -
well yes - - but there are millions of people on the earth who will never be visiting a FHC (in person or remote)
they will log on to FamilySearch - and as soon as they need help - will click on "feedback".
yes for active LDS - the FHC is one resource - but there are MILLIONS of FS users who are not even LDS - and want to access FS and get support - 24/7 - not just when a FHC is open. ( a few hours each week)
0 -
and I realize - FHC are totally open to members of any faith . . .
BUT still they are no where even close to being able to be the front line for millions of users across the planet who access the system any time - 24/7 and may not have any FHC in their area.
Ive emailed FHC's and sometimes gotten a response - a month later - if at all
(especially since COVID shut most of them down and many of them ended up in limbo)
whereas the community (and missionary support of) - has been growing all through the COVID experience.
0 -
Douglas
'Yes' ...
In fact ...
The 'FamilySearch' "Support" Case (Management) System, was FORCED to make such a "Move" ...
The Company, who 'Developed'; and, 'Owns', the Software, Platform, (eg. SalesForce), of the particular Case (Management) System, that 'FamilySearch' WAS using, may have, 'pulled the pin'; or, made a "Change" in policy, that forced 'FamilySearch' OUT.
The (now, OLD, 'Defunct') 'FamilySearch' "Support" Case (Management) System, existed; BEFORE, the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.
The 'FamilySearch' "Support" Case (Management) System WAS the MAIN "Support" mechanism in 'FamilySearch'.
Whereas ...
The "Community.FamilySearch" Forum, was ORIGINALLY established; as, a place for ...
User/Patrons, HELPING / ASSISTING, Users/Patrons ...
And, the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum, was originally, TOTALLY, separate to; and, distinct from, the 'FamilySearch' "Support" Case (Management) System.
Unfortunately, it appears, that the 'demise', of the Software, Platform, (eg. SalesForce), for the Case (Management) System, that 'FamilySearch' was using, must have been rather SUDDEN - without, a recourse.
Hence, WHY, the 'FamilySearch' "Support" (Personnel), 'ALL of a SUDDEN', appeared (ie. FORCED, included, into) this "Community.FamilySearch" Forum, which was NOT originally established for that purpose.
And, also, WHY, everything, in this "Community.FamilySearch" Forum, is NOW, in an even GREATER, 'state of flux'.
Just some background.
Brett
0
