Guide: How to use the MX Linux Forum

[JayM]

The MX Linux forum is a great place to get help when you have a question about, or problem with, this wonderful Linux distribution or “distro.” However, posting questions in this or any other support forum should be your last rather than your first recourse: you should always try to help yourself before posting and be prepared to spend up to an hour or more searching, evaluating and testing possible solutions before asking others to spend their time helping you:

• Search the forum. (Hint: putting a + in front of search terms improves the accuracy of results, as does searching topic titles only in Advanced Search. See. viewtopic.php?f=23&t=59259.)
• Search the MX Manual. Most “how do I” questions are already answered there.
• Search the FAQ and MX Wiki. As with the manual many common questions are already answered there.
• Search the web. If not successful adjust your search terms and try again. (Caveat: don't just blindly follow instructions found without understanding what they're having you do, and be sure that they apply to the current Debian Stable and aren't for some other distro.)

So you’ve searched everywhere and still can’t find a solution and need to ask in the forum. But wait, there are some things that you need to do first:

• Decide whether your question or issue is within the scope of the MX Linux support forum. Questions about Windows, different Linux distros, programming, system administration, web browser add-ons, etc. should be asked in other, more appropriate forums. Questions about software that you’ve downloaded or purchased should be asked in their own support venues. or by contacting their customer service department or the developers.
• Register and create an account if you haven’t already done so.
• Read and become familiar with the forum rules, announcements, news and information listed at the top of the forum in the “Welcome” section.
• Select the best category and board for your help request, one that best fits your question or problem. If in doubt, post in MX Help. Non-English posts should go in the language-appropriate board in the Community/Other Languages section.
• Read any and all “sticky” posts at the top of your selected board.
• Follow the instructions in the guide How To Ask For Help for composing your post, entering a descriptive subject, providing detailed information including Quick System Info, and marking your topic Solved after a solution is found. Don’t just post something like “Foobar doesn’t work. Any ideas?” as the answer will be “no” due to a complete lack of additional information.
• If you don’t know what a component of MX Linux is called, describe it in detail or attach a screenshot of it. Don’t just make up a name as others may not know what you mean.

Have patience: remember that the helpers are volunteers and fellow-users who also have their own lives away from the forum and may live in different time zones or countries than you. Also remember that you are not entitled to support. If you wish for immediate help 24x7 consider purchasing the enterprise version of a Linux distro that offers such support, or a support contract with a third-party.

Conclusion: before posting in the forum do your research and try to find the answer yourself, make sure your question is within the scope of the forum, follow the rules, read the announcements and sticky posts, post in the appropriate board, provide detailed information including your Quick System Info, and be patient. If you find that your post remains unanswered for several days it may be because you failed to follow this guide. (Or it could simply be that no one knows the answer. )

Additional reading: How To Ask Questions The Smart Way by Eric S. Raymond.