Beginner's Lockpicking Exercise - by digital_blue

[illusion]

I doubt it would get read any more that way really

but not altogether a bad idea

[digital_blue]

if i may make the suggestion of creating a tutorials forum and posting exclusivly these types of things (by and approved by db) it would cut down on alot of the "HOw do i pick my first lock" posts aswell as help everyone out alot! Even if youd ont thanks for this one and great job!

Well, we do currently have a FAQ section that is somewhat intended for that purpose, but as you can see there are so many darn stickies in there that it really doesn't end up being helpful. For the moment I've taken to putting stickies into their appropriate forums so at least there's some sorting, but I realize that something else is needed. I've been considering how to go about making it easier to find and better organized, but as yet I'm not entirely sure how to go about it.

I've considered the idea of a forum dedicated to tutorials (or perhaps just one dedicated to illusion ) but I tend to agree that it would likely not be visited. Truth is, I don't think there's anything that can be done to make a n00b read the tutorials and FAQs before posting. Some will, some wont. Not much can be done about that. As it stands, when a n00b asks nearly any common n00b question it is simply a matter of linking them to the appropriate FAQ or tutorial and they will find the answer, if they choose to read.

I still have a good deal of cleaning up to do to make things easier to use and find, but it all takes an awful lot of time as well, so I will go at it as best I can at my leisure (which happens to be a fair bit of time this time of year for me).

Any ideas would be appreciated, so long as you're not offended if we don't implement them.

db

[cha0s]

Haha, i dont mind if you dont use it at all. And i do agree the FAQ section is over stickied. But you are right, nothing can be done to stop a noobie from asking that dreaded question which im sure we all asked at one point too, but another idea to make people read them before posting would be set up groups. I know you alredy have a group type thing for the Advanced Section but maybe set up a 3-5 day thing after registering where the only access you had was to one forum dedicated to tutorials. Only after you have read and gotten some background knowledge are you able to post in the main forums. Kinda a probationary thing for new members.

This does have its Pro's and its Con's. I think that it would cut down on the incoherant questions that we have to go HUH!? to but it would increase complaining quite a bit. I dont know im just tyring to come up with ideas to maybe make it more efficient for the new and old members.

Im sure other ideas are welcome so take off that hat with the little spinning propeller and put on your thinking caps!

[illusion]

I've considered the idea of a forum dedicated to tutorials (or perhaps just one dedicated to illusion Wink )

thanks

___________

anyway onto forum layout -

I guess a page could be designed similar to the one you made for newbies db would be the best in my oppinion.

how about this:

There is one main page, which has on the first page:

"select the topic area you wish to explore"

*then under that heading*

"Locks, Manual Lock Picking etc... (like the main forum listings really), but also some other headings added like: legality etc....

*say you selected locks - This would link to another page with suitable
headings like:*

"Lever locks, Pin tumbler, tubular, dimple etc..."

*say you selected dimple locks you would be linked to a page linking all the relevant threads about it under this heading, but also it could also add at the bottom.:

"methords for picking this lock" which would then link to LittlePeaceful's guide to making matador picks, and other useful threads, so it overlaps into the manual picking section, and others -

it would all be inter-connected. The biggest factor here would be sifting through all the forums finding threads which were relevant.

A huge investment in time, but once organised would allow easy navigation.

I like that idea

[cha0s]

that does sound good. ill lend you my time if you would like some help getting it underway. i was the admin of some forums for my counter strike clan until i quit about 2 weeks ago.

[digital_blue]

Illusion, your idea is very much like what I've had in mind, and I think it's the best possible option. It still remains the case that some n00bs will still not visit it without being prompted, but I think it's a worthwhile project. Leave it with me and I'll see what I can come up with. Perhaps just some tweaking of what I already have would be appropriate. Let me think on it.

Cheers!

db

[digital_blue]

So how's this strike ya?

viewtopic.php?t=10715

db

[vector40]

o_O Locksport skills?

[illusion]

I like how it's looking db - it's simple, it's eye-catching, it's easy to navigate.

There was a nice guide by Capt.Dunc and Mick I think which explained warded locks - maybe adding this would be good?

That's pretty much what I was suggesting, and it looks good as well.

How about adding threads, which, whilst not bonafide guides have some very usefull info in them?

Well anyway - nice work

[digital_blue]

o_O Locksport skills?

I couldn't very well say Lockpicking Skills since there are guides on impressioning, and likely a guide on bumping is coming. I figured the term "Locksport" is broad enough to encompass all of those skills.

Illusion... I will go looking for capt.dunce's guide. When pulling this thing together I just looked at all the stickies on the site and linked to all the tutorial ones. I guess capt.dunce's isn't a sticky? Odd... it should be.

Anyway, as far as linking to threads that are not tutorial-based, I don't think I want to do that with this thread. I'd prefer to keep it just tutorials to keep it a little more contained and manageable.

Cheers!

db

[illusion]

viewtopic.php?t=7620&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

[digital_blue]

Yeah.. thanks... go look at the new thread.

db

[illusion]

it's coming on well -

[vector40]

I couldn't very well say Lockpicking Skills since there are guides on impressioning, and likely a guide on bumping is coming. I figured the term "Locksport" is broad enough to encompass all of those skills.

Granted, but you're organizing from your own perspective, not the reader's. Remember that a newb wandering through here most likely wouldn't have the faintest idea what locksports are. (Hell, he might even have trouble parsing that word... locks port? Lock's Port? Is that near Nantucket?)

[digital_blue]

Fair enough, but can you offer a word that encompasses Lock Picking, Bumping, Impressioning, etc? I think that if they simply read the items listed under the heading Locksport Skills it will be clear enough.

db