Frequently Asked Questions For Enhancement Forum Moderators
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Technical difficulties accessing the forums |
Sirsiynix Technical Contact |
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Scott Thomas |
clarification of issues pertaining to role of moderator |
UUGI Enhancement Forums Coordinator |
Q: I just agreed to be Forum Moderator. What do I do now?
Q: How often should I check the forums?
Q: What is the difference between a thread, a poll, a proposed enhancement, and a submitted enhancement?
Q: Who do I contact at SirsiDynix if I have a question or need information verified?
Q: What do I do if a person posts information that I know to be patently wrong? Am I responsible for correcting the error?
Q: Does SirsiDynix monitor the forums on a regular basis? If so, who?
Q: What would I do if a person submitted something that is inappropriate in terms of subject matter or content?
Q: What if it’s posted to the wrong forum?
Q: When should I focus on turning threads into polls?
Q: How do I know when to turn a thread into a poll?
Q: How, from a purely technical perspective, do I turn a thread into a poll?
Q: What is an “Enhancement Forum Review"?
Q: How should I prepare for my forum’s Enhancement Forum Review?
Q: How many proposed enhancements can I submit to SirsiDynix?
Q: I noticed that some moderators announce their proposed enhancements on the forum as they are submitted to SirsiDynix. Is this required?
Q: Who attends the Enhancement Forum Review?
Q: Is the Enhancement Forum Review a strict deadline after which all threads are removed?
Q: In case I'm asked, how will we know whether or when a submitted enhancement will become reality?
Q: Where can I find a list of the SirsiDynix Technical Product Managers?
Q: I just agreed to be Forum Moderator. What do I do now?
A: Well, you’re taking the proper first step by reading these questions and answers. You should also browse through all of the threads on your forum paying particular attention to the polls.
Q: How often should I check the forums?
A: As Moderator, you should probably set aside a little time each day to check your forum. The longer you wait to check, the more postings you’ll have to read…to the point where it can become unmanageable.
Q: What is the difference between a thread, a poll, a proposed enhancement, and a submitted enhancement?
A: A thread is self-explanatory. A poll is a feature of the forum software that allows participants to vote. Only a moderator can create a poll. Once a thread is turned into a poll, it becomes a proposed enhancement. Once a proposed enhancement is submitted to SirsiDynix, it becomes a submitted enhancement.
Q: Who do I contact at SirsiDynix if I have a question or need information verified?
A: Contact the Technical Product Manager assigned to your forum. (Click here to see a complete list.)
Q: What do I do if a person posts information that I know to be patently wrong? Am I responsible for correcting the error?
A: Sometimes a user may post incorrect information either as an original post or as a response to someone else’s post. If this happens and you know the information is incorrect, you may post a polite correction. In some cases, you may feel the need to verify your assumptions with SirsiDynix. If this is the case, contact your Technical Product Manager.
Q: Does SirsiDynix monitor the forums on a regular basis? If so, who?
A: Yes, the Technical Product Managers review the postings on a regular basis, but mostly as passive participants.
Q: What would I do if a person submitted something that is inappropriate in terms of subject matter or content?
A: If you view a post that is extremely inappropriate, damaging, or very inaccurate, contact forummaster@sirsidynix.com. Identify yourself as the Forum Moderator and list the specific post and reason for requesting its removal. Also, email the poster privately and explain why the posting was deleted.
Q: What if it’s posted to the wrong forum?
A: If a post is entered into the wrong forum, contact your Technical Product Manager. SirsiDynix will move the post. As a courtesy, you should also notify the moderator of the forum that will be receiving the post.
Q: When should I focus on turning threads into polls?
A: This should be ongoing throughout the year. We do not recommend waiting until just before the voting deadline. See below for more specific information on deadlines.
Q: How do I know when to turn a thread into a poll?
A: If a thread suggests a change that is logical within the context of the software as you understand it, has been around for at least a week, and has enough "me too's" to indicate that it will get some “yes" votes, it is probably ripe.
Q: How, from a purely technical perspective, do I turn a thread into a poll?
A: First, post a reply that describes the proposed enhancement in the following format:
Description
Goals / Benefits
Example of Look & Feel
Here is an example:
Description: This proposed enhancement pertains to the Display History and Modify History wizards. The configurable Behavior properties of the wizard should allow customization of which fields can be included in and excluded from the List of History Records. The fields to choose from should be: Title, Author, Library, Call #, Interest, Item ID, and Status
Goals / Benefits: Libraries require varying fields to display depending upon internal workflow.
Example of Look and Feel: Under Properties for both wizards, Behavior tab, a List of History Records Display button will appear. Clicking on this button will bring up a Set Properties window for List of History Records. Clicking on the gadget will bring up a "List to Choose From" and "List Selected" selector like in Print Date Due slips under the Checkout wizard.
Then, go to the first posting in the thread and click on Edit as shown in graphic below.
- Scroll down.
- Under Post Topic As, select Sticky.
- In the Poll Question field, enter one sentence that describes the enhancement; e.g. “Ability to select fields that appear in List of History Records.”
- Add Poll Options as follows:
YES-5 (Highest Priority)
YES-4
YES-3
YES-2
YES-1 (Lowest Priority)
NO
- Leave the Run Poll For field as 0.
Q: What is an “Enhancement Forum Review"?
A: Enhancement Forum Review is a meeting held at SirsiDynix during which submitted enhancements from the forums are discussed, assessed, and, if appropriate, scheduled for development. Currently, all forums are being reviewed in one general meeting that is held once a year.
Q: How should I prepare for my forum’s Enhancement Forum Review?
A. July 15, 2008 is the deadline for voting on all polls so all eligible threads should be turned into polls well in advance of that date. Between July 15, 2008 and August 15, 2008, you should compile and rank all of your proposed enhancements based on poll results. Your proposed suggestions should be submitted to Anne Arthur (anne.arthur@sirsidynix.com), Jolynn Halls (jolynn.halls@sirsidynix.com), and Berit Nelson (berit.nelson@sirsidynix.com) by August 15, 2008. You may want to post these deadlines to your forum as a reminder and to encourage participation in the voting process.
Q: How many proposed enhancements can I submit to SirsiDynix?
A: This differs each year. This information will be released prior to the voting deadline.
Q: I noticed that some moderators announce their proposed enhancements on the forum as they are submitted to SirsiDynix. Is this required?
A: No, but participants in your forum might be interested in seeing which proposed enhancements were, in your opinion, worthy to go on to the next phase.
Q: Who attends the Enhancement Forum Review?
A: Representatives from various departments at SirsiDynix including the Enhancement Forum Liaison, Software Development, and Technical Product Manager.
Q: Is the Enhancement Forum Review a strict deadline after which all threads are removed?
A: No. In fact, after an Enhancement Forum Review, you may see postings from SirsiDynix asking for further clarification on a proposed enhancement. Threads that were not turned into polls will be removed 24 months after the date of the original posting. Submitted enhancements will be kept for 24 months after being marked "COMPLETED" by SirsiDynix, or, if the SirsiDynix reply to the submitted enhancement is that it cannot be implemented, 24 months from posting of the SirsiDynix reply.
Q: In case I’m asked, how will we know whether or when a submitted enhancement will become reality?
A: The Technical Product Manager will post official responses to the submitted enhancements discussed at the review meeting. The postings will appear on the forums as part of the original thread and will indicate if SirsiDynix is willing and able to include the submitted enhancement in a future release. If it is something they cannot do or if it is something they believe will adversely affect some customers, they will explain their position. Sometimes they will ask for clarification or suggest alternatives. If the enhancement is scheduled for a future release, they will post, whenever possible, the projected version number or timeframe. When an enhancement is included in a release that has gone into production, the submitted enhancement will be marked COMPLETED and the version number will be indicated.
SirsiDynix Technical Product Managers
Forum |
SirsiDynix TPM Liaison |
SirsiDynix TPM email |
SirsiDynix TPM phone |
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Academic Reserves |
Laurie Porter |
800-325-0888 |
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Accountability |
Jane Grawemeyer |
800-917-4774 |
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Acquisitions |
Lisa Witteman |
800-917-4774 |
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API |
Margaret Pelfrey |
205-823-6955 |
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Booking |
Holly Harvey |
800-288-8020 |
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Cataloging |
Lottie Meador |
505-323-9607 |
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Circulation |
Laurie Porter |
800-325-0888 |
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Consortia |
Berit Nelson |
800-325-0888 |
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Hyperion |
Ed Riding |
800-288-8020 |
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iBistro/iLink |
Denise Hannibal |
800-325-0888 |
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K-12 |
Berit Nelson |
800-325-0888 |
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Outreach |
Lisa Witteman |
800-917-4774 |
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Reports |
Holly Harvey |
800-288-8020 |
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Serials |
Jane Grawemeyer |
800-917-4774 |
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System Administration |
Anne Arthur |
800-325-0888 |
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Web2 |
Denise Hannibal |
800-325-0888 |
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Z39.50 |
Ed Riding |
800-288-8020 |
updated 3/5/08
