One of the questions I am asked most is "will you write a tutorial on how to install PHPAskIt?". My answer to this is always no because people need to learn to read. Included in the PHPAskIt zip file is a file called readme.txt. Now I don't know about you, but when I'm unsure of how to install something, the first thing I do is to look at the readme file (if there is one). When a file is called "READ ME" it usually signifies that it should be read, no?
So why am I bombarded time and time again with this question when I clearly explain how to install the script in the readme file? That, I cannot tell you. But what I do know is the internet population appears to be getting stupider. People use known insecure scripts such as Wak's Ask&Answer and CuteNews because "nothing's ever happened to me" and "I like that script"; people take images they have absolutely no permission to use (and they know this) and make website layouts out of them; and as Jem regularly points out with her Pants Awards, there is no shortage of people giving out stupid advice in the form of tutorials.
I came across a site the other day which combined the aforementioned issues. The site owner had been asked "please can you write a tutorial on how to install and use PHPAskIt" and had done just that. They wrote exactly what I wrote in the readme file, just worded slightly differently. I'd link the tutorial but the site's gone on hiatus (how convenient). What was the point of that? So imagine my delight when I found yet another one of these tutorials. I kid you not, this one is even worse than the other one, and assumes the visitor can't read or something (um, redundant much?).
The tutorial basically follows this format:
- Download the script!
- Upload everything then go to install.php! Yay! Done!
- It will say delete so and so files, delete these files: import directory, upgrade.php, install.php
PLEASE LINK ME IF YOU USED THIS TUT!1!!
"So and so files"?! So basically you're assuming your visitor hasn't read what's on their screen (it tells them which files to delete) or that the message is too confusing (um, you just wrote it out again, word for word. The point?) or something and that your tutorial is the answer to all that? Get over yourself.
Oh yes, and while I'm in a rant mood... I've noticed someone is commenting around the place using my URL. This person appears to go by the name of "Nancy" and uses my site (or the link to PHPAskIt) as their URL. Thanks for the extra hits and everything, "Nancy", but this site actually belongs to me and I'd appreciate it if you could stop doing that.
If you came here from one of "Nancy"'s comments, sorry to disappoint and all, but my name's Amelie and I've never heard of anyone called Nancy.
Pssst: If you have received a comment from "Nancy" using my details, please contact me as I'd love to see who on earth is doing this. :)
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What the crap. Usually a 'readme.txt' file IS the tutorial. I wonder about some people...
Oh, and I was tempted to put my URL as yours. Your site is much prettier than mine anyway. ;)
I'm so sorry "Nancy" that so many people can't read a README file! XD
But we're not allowed to tell these people they suck because it might hurt their feeeelings.
Pfft.
I never get the point of an installation tutorial especially if it's a small script; usually all you have to do is stick some database info in and click- presto! What's so hard about that?
Just: O. M. G.
You should serve DMCAs against them if they're copying your readme. :)
And Nancy must suck, she's jealous of your site.
What stupid morons! >:(
I think people don't like being told what to do, so "readme" files are often ignored. :(
@ Jem: It hurts my feelings to see people show such a disregard for everything - so that beats telling people they're wrong.
Fair's fair, I only read two lines from the readme file, before installing it (first offline). XP
Of course, I possess the amazing ability to actually read error messages, so it was all fine ;)
Maybe it's the format in the text file, which makes it seem hard... though they have yet to read it. Plus you also add update notes in there. In my experience effective tutorials need to be short.
So just um copy the first three basic steps into the page you have for download. And maybe add a note saying "consult the readme.txt file for more".
I know it's self explanatory, but then think of these users as incredibly stupid and snotty clients, who want to have knowledge poured into their brains for the money they pay. I.e. make an application I will instantly know how to use. I'm not reading anything XP
So why am I bombarded time and time again with this question
because people f*ckin suck! :)
God, I know what you mean! I don't go near those tutorials or anything of the like. I just go straight to the readme file, everything I need to know - and if there isn't one, the only place I use is a professional site, where people actually know what they're talking about and are dedicated to it.
I also cannot believe people are...well, stupid enought to install insecure scripts where there's clear evidence posted on the net that it's clearly insecure. I know I'm being hypocritical seeing as I've been using CuteNews for a bit, but I've been forced to stick with the piece of crap because of no time to install another script in place of it-_-