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How to ask for help effectively
steve00010
I've seen a lot of posts in this section where people ask for help on their server, either with plugins or errors or just other general things, but most of the posts either have very little information about the problems they're having or the wrong information.
Hopefully this guide will help people post the right thing so they can get the help they need.
Before you post do a quick google search of your problem, and search the forums too, it's likely you arn't the only person with the same error so it's good to look first before posting.
Presenting your problem
How you ask for help is important, if you just post a paragraph of caps peoples eyes tend to glaze over and they don't want to help.
Also saying things like this: "Helppp plzzzzzz" wards people away because it's not only annoying to read, it usually means you aren't going to be giving any useful information about your problem. Preferably use full words without fabrications and don't post in all caps.
Include as much helpful information as possible. Things this could include:
The more information you give, the more likely someone will be able to help you out.
Errors
If you are getting errors in the log you DON'T just post the error and say help!
This is usually no help to anyone so what you need to do it:
This is what you need to do:
Plugins not working
Explain what plugin isn't working and list the other plugins you have.
If it's an uncommon plugin possibly give a link to it's bukkit page
If it's generating an error follow the steps in the error section
Make sure all your plugins are up to date and you are using the latest version of Bukkit before posting
People can't connect
Make sure you are giving out your external ip if its hosted on your computer.
You can find this by googleing what is my ip.
Local network ip's look like this :192.168.1.4
Do not use that, it won't allow others to connect to you.
Tell us if you have port forwarded or not and check you are using the correct port when you give out the ip of the server
Permissions
Before you post asking for help or someone else to do it for you, have a go at it yourself. Theres several guides on how to do it and you can always edit the default file they give you.
If you do this and it doesn't work parse it with a YAML parser.
http://yaml-online-parser.appspot.com/
Use that, remember YAML only takes spaces not tabs, if you're seeing errors in the parser it won't work for the plugin. Look for which line in the code has the error and fix it.
If you've done this please use this template for posting permissions code:
Copy this:
To make it look like this:
If anyone feels i've missed something out please say and ill add it in.
Hopefully this guide will help people post the right thing so they can get the help they need.
Before you post do a quick google search of your problem, and search the forums too, it's likely you arn't the only person with the same error so it's good to look first before posting.
Presenting your problem
How you ask for help is important, if you just post a paragraph of caps peoples eyes tend to glaze over and they don't want to help.
Also saying things like this: "Helppp plzzzzzz" wards people away because it's not only annoying to read, it usually means you aren't going to be giving any useful information about your problem. Preferably use full words without fabrications and don't post in all caps.
Include as much helpful information as possible. Things this could include:
- How many players were on when the error occurredHow much RAM does the server haveHow many pluginsWhat set it off
The more information you give, the more likely someone will be able to help you out.
Errors
If you are getting errors in the log you DON'T just post the error and say help!
This is usually no help to anyone so what you need to do it:
This is what you need to do:
- Explain when the error occurs: e.g. upon startup, when someone talks, when someone places a blockDelete your server.log in the server rootReload your serverWait for a minute or two for it to loadReplicate the action which causes the error (e.g. place a block or whatever causes the error)Stop your server
Plugins not working
Explain what plugin isn't working and list the other plugins you have.
If it's an uncommon plugin possibly give a link to it's bukkit page
If it's generating an error follow the steps in the error section
Make sure all your plugins are up to date and you are using the latest version of Bukkit before posting
People can't connect
Make sure you are giving out your external ip if its hosted on your computer.
You can find this by googleing what is my ip.
Local network ip's look like this :192.168.1.4
Do not use that, it won't allow others to connect to you.
Tell us if you have port forwarded or not and check you are using the correct port when you give out the ip of the server
Permissions
Before you post asking for help or someone else to do it for you, have a go at it yourself. Theres several guides on how to do it and you can always edit the default file they give you.
If you do this and it doesn't work parse it with a YAML parser.
http://yaml-online-parser.appspot.com/
Use that, remember YAML only takes spaces not tabs, if you're seeing errors in the parser it won't work for the plugin. Look for which line in the code has the error and fix it.
If you've done this please use this template for posting permissions code:
Copy this:
[spoiler][code]my code need to be pasted here[/code][/spoiler]To make it look like this:
Click to reveal
my code need to be pasted hereIf anyone feels i've missed something out please say and ill add it in.
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Excellent guide!
Stickied.
Locked to avoid idiots posting on it, if you want to make a thread to offer help, go right ahead.
Stickied.
Locked to avoid idiots posting on it, if you want to make a thread to offer help, go right ahead.
