[Guide] How to Help the Developers Help You! : FFXI General Discussions

Over the years I've spent on these forums, I have noticed one very big problem.

People keep complaining that programs don't work correctly.

Well here's a good question for you: how the heck are the developers supposed to know that the program you're using doesn't work any longer if you don't tell them?! If no one in the community reports a broken or nerfed program, then there's no way for the developers to know that they're broken and actually fix them (considering they don't have psychic powers like admin).

So here's a little guide on how to actually help the programmers help you.

When you're playing your game, in this case FFXI, and the program you're using for whatever stops working right, what do you do? It's simple! You come here to this site, find the thread of the program you're trying to use, and report that it is broken or nerfed.

Good:
"____ is broken/nerfed and I have checked around for updates. Are there any or do I need to wait for a fix?"

Bad:
"Zomg it doesn't !@#$%^&* work! !@#$%^&* help me! You all suck! Your support is terrible because my program that you made doesn't work 30 !@#$%^&* seconds after the updates! You're all stupid for not seeing the future!"

Do you see the different between the two replies? One would encourage other users, including developers, to try and help you. The second, however, will make people want to rip your !@#$%^&* head off and feed it to the animals. When people ask nicely for things, and actually report when things are broken in a nice way, then support will usually be given.

Good methods:
1. Always use the search engine before you request help
2. Always ask nicely for help, after you have already searched, but found nothing
3. Don't tell other people how to do their job
4. Be thankful for help

Bad methods:
1. Being rude
2. Begging
3. Demanding help
4. Posting without searching first

You should always search before you post for help. Odds are, if you're having a problem, someone else is having or has had that problem too. And if they have, then there's a good chance they have already posted your question. You should always try and figure things out before asking other people to do it for you.

Summary:
You need to actually let developers know that things are broken or nerfed in order to actually get them fixed. You should always search before asking for help. You should always be polite when asking for help, and follow the guidelines posted above.