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1 | user30: I have been wanting to learn about 3D printing a long time so I really want this site to succeed but I have no previous experience with the subject.
I was wondering how can I help the site at this early stage. I thought about asking about how to get started with 3D printing but SE explicitly discourages "easy" questions in the private beta.
What can newbies like me do for the site at this stage besides voting questions and answers?
user20: That's the goal of the site, learn, research and ask.
While you learn, you can always perform other tasks such as:
improve quality posts by proposing edits,
be active in meta (propose new ideas or write your opinion which are always welcomed),
review moderation queues,
housekeeping - help to keep things organised (e.g. tags),
propose descriptions for wiki tags,
vote on questions, down-vote bad or propose changes on low-quality posts,
and so on.
user43: I would suggest doing a bit of basic research on 3D printing (including reading questions and answers). From these you will learn more about it and hopefull you will have new questions about 3D printing that can be asked.
If you are looking at getting a 3D printer, you could ask about different features listed and why they make prints better.
user138: Vote!
Private Betas love, love, love votes. Without votes, it's difficult to attain privileges, get rewards, and help push us out to public beta.
Ask Questions!
I know you said this:
I thought about asking about how to get started with 3D printing but SE explicitly discourages "easy" questions in the private beta.
But here's the catch. "Easy" isn't defined. If you have an "easy" question, but it is specific, high-quality, and to the point, and you can show some effort in it, then, please, go ahead and ask it!
Participate!
You have a voice in our meta discussions as well. You also have the authority to suggest edits, to posts, tag wikis, and tag excerpts. They also get you +2 rep for each that is approved, which can help bring you more afloat. You can also give your opinion in scope, by casting close and reopen votes as well :)
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/1",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/30/"
] | 2016/01/12 | [
"30: <p>I have been wanting to learn about 3D printing a long time so I really want this site to succeed but I have no previous experience with the subject. </p>\n\n<p>I was wondering how can I help the site at this early stage. I thought about asking about how to get started with 3D printing but SE explicitly discourages \"easy\" questions in the private beta.</p>\n\n<p>What can newbies like me do for the site at this stage besides voting questions and answers?</p>\n",
"20: <p>That's the goal of the site, learn, research and ask.</p>\n\n<p>While you learn, you can always perform other tasks such as:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>improve quality posts by proposing edits,</li>\n<li>be active in meta (propose new ideas or write your opinion which are always welcomed),</li>\n<li>review <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/review\">moderation queues</a>,</li>\n<li>housekeeping - help to keep things organised (e.g. tags),</li>\n<li>propose descriptions for wiki tags,</li>\n<li>vote on questions, down-vote bad or propose changes on low-quality posts,</li>\n<li>and so on.</li>\n</ul>\n",
"43: <p>I would suggest doing a bit of basic research on 3D printing (including reading questions and answers). From these you will learn more about it and hopefull you will have new questions about 3D printing that can be asked. </p>\n\n<p>If you are looking at getting a 3D printer, you could ask about different features listed and why they make prints better.</p>\n",
"138: <h1>Vote!</h1>\n\n<p>Private Betas love, love, <em>love</em> votes. Without votes, it's difficult to attain privileges, get rewards, and help push us out to public beta.</p>\n\n<h1>Ask Questions!</h1>\n\n<p>I know you said this:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>I thought about asking about how to get started with 3D printing but SE explicitly discourages \"easy\" questions in the private beta.</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>But here's the catch. \"Easy\" isn't defined. If you have an \"easy\" question, but it is specific, high-quality, and to the point, and you can show some effort in it, then, please, go ahead and ask it!</p>\n\n<h1>Participate!</h1>\n\n<p>You have a voice in our meta discussions as well. You also have the authority to suggest edits, to posts, tag wikis, and tag excerpts. They also get you +2 rep for each that is approved, which can help bring you more afloat. You can also give your opinion in scope, by casting close and reopen votes as well :)</p>\n"
] |
2 | user10: There are many different printing technologies. While it might be clear to the asker that he's talking about his home 3D printing machine, that's not necessarily the case for those that try to answer the question.
I think it would help to specify the scope of questions with tags, to allow future visitors to identify what type of 3D printer it is about. Answers to a lot of questions related to general properties of the printing process like printing speed, resolution, additional manual work, support structures, etc. depend heavily on the technology that's being used.
This also prevents "Well, it depends..." type of answers that cover a lot of possibly unrelated things.
user16: No, there will be many questions which are more general in nature, and have little to do with the actual process used to produce the part.
We should encourage tag use for process when appropriate, but I don't think making it mandatory will work in the long term.
user1: Mandatory is a probably poor choice of words. Not every question is going to be about the use of specific equipment.
As with any Q&A site, a user should always include enough background and support information in the body of the question so it can be answered definitively. If the specific material or equipment is relevant, be sure to include that information in the post.
But if that information is missing, readers can use the 'comments' section to ask the author to go back and clarify the original post. Comments are meant to ask for clarification or to include other information that can somehow improve the original post (questions and answers). Keep at it; editing and constantly improving a post is what this is all about. These posts should serve as a model to the industry and serve as a source authority. But please do not use comment to answer questions. Comments are not well-equipped to properly vet any content. Thanks.
user9: For questions where the technology matters, absolutely.
If you look at Stack Overflow, for example, all questions must be tagged with the language the OP is asking about. I doubt there will be many questions that are asking about all technologies at once - and if they are, that's likely to be marked as too broad anyway.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/2",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/10/"
] | 2016/01/12 | [
"10: <p>There are many different printing technologies. While it might be clear to the asker that he's talking about his home 3D printing machine, that's not necessarily the case for those that try to answer the question.</p>\n\n<p>I think it would help to specify the scope of questions with tags, to allow future visitors to identify what type of 3D printer it is about. Answers to a lot of questions related to general properties of the printing process like printing speed, resolution, additional manual work, support structures, etc. depend heavily on the technology that's being used.</p>\n\n<p>This also prevents \"Well, it depends...\" type of answers that cover a lot of possibly unrelated things.</p>\n",
"16: <p>No, there will be many questions which are more general in nature, and have little to do with the actual process used to produce the part.</p>\n\n<p>We should encourage tag use for process when appropriate, but I don't think making it mandatory will work in the long term.</p>\n",
"1: <p><em>Mandatory</em> is a probably poor choice of words. Not every question is going to be about the use of specific equipment. </p>\n\n<p>As with <em>any</em> Q&A site, a user should always include enough background and support information in the body of the question so it can be answered <em>definitively.</em> If the specific material or equipment is relevant, be sure to include that information in the post.</p>\n\n<p>But if that information is missing, readers can use the 'comments' section to ask the author to go back and clarify the original post. Comments are meant to ask for clarification or to include other information that can somehow improve the original post (questions and answers). Keep at it; editing and constantly improving a post is what this is all about. These posts should serve as a model to the industry and serve as a source authority. But <strong>please do not use comment to answer questions</strong>. Comments are not well-equipped to properly vet any content. Thanks.</p>\n",
"9: <p>For questions where the technology matters, absolutely.</p>\n\n<p>If you look at Stack Overflow, for example, all questions must be tagged with the language the OP is asking about. I doubt there will be many questions that are asking about all technologies at once - and if they are, that's likely to be marked as too broad anyway.</p>\n"
] |
5 | user16: Stack exchange isn't a good platform for product recommendations in general, but a few sites allow it with a tight focus and control. Some that have allowed it in the past have decided to discontinue it for a variety of reasons.
I expect at the start we are going to get a lot of "What specific machine should I use" or "is there a 3D model of item X I can print".
Should we allow product or part recommendations?
If we do, what can we do to make sure they are limited, rather than open ended questions where dozens or hundreds of answers would be different but correct?
user156: I think that hardware recommendations are ok, but in a limited and specific scope:
Bad:
Can you recommend a cheap printer with a heated bed that's at least 8"*8"*8".
Which is better? Printer X or printer Y?
Good:
What hotend can I use to print at 300+C?
What are the advantages of borosilicate glass over picture frame glass?
user127: 3D printers are, I do believe, on-topic for Hardware Recommendations (I moderate that site, so one might hope I'd know that).
In terms of recommendations in general, I recommend not even trying to get them into your scope yet. As a site that's just been set up, and was not set up specifically for recommendation questions, getting the balance of them right without 100% focus on the subject is difficult.
Get a good, balanced, secure scope in place first, then try to include recommendation questions if you still want them.
user10: I agree with Jeff's blog post: https://blog.stackoverflow.com/2010/11/qa-is-hard-lets-go-shopping/
don't ask us what you should buy -- ask us what you need to learn to tell what you should buy.
| [
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"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/16/"
] | 2016/01/12 | [
"16: <p>Stack exchange isn't a good platform for product recommendations in general, but a few sites allow it with a tight focus and control. Some that have allowed it in the past have decided to discontinue it for a variety of reasons.</p>\n\n<p>I expect at the start we are going to get a lot of \"What specific machine should I use\" or \"is there a 3D model of item X I can print\".</p>\n\n<ol>\n<li>Should we allow product or part recommendations?</li>\n<li>If we do, what can we do to make sure they are limited, rather than open ended questions where dozens or hundreds of answers would be different but correct?</li>\n</ol>\n",
"156: <p>I think that hardware recommendations are ok, but in a <strong>limited</strong> and <strong>specific</strong> scope:</p>\n<p>Bad:</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Can you recommend a cheap printer with a heated bed that's at least 8"*8"*8".</p>\n<p>Which is better? Printer X or printer Y?</p>\n</blockquote>\n<p>Good:</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>What hotend can I use to print at 300+C?</p>\n<p>What are the advantages of borosilicate glass over picture frame glass?</p>\n</blockquote>\n",
"127: <p>3D printers are, I do believe, on-topic for <a href=\"http://hardwarerecs.stackexchange.com\">Hardware Recommendations</a> (I moderate that site, so one might hope I'd know that).</p>\n\n<p>In terms of recommendations in general, I recommend not even trying to get them into your scope yet. As a site that's just been set up, and was not set up specifically for recommendation questions, getting the balance of them right without 100% focus on the subject is difficult.</p>\n\n<p>Get a good, balanced, secure scope in place <em>first</em>, then try to include recommendation questions if you still want them.</p>\n",
"10: <p>I agree with Jeff's blog post: <a href=\"https://blog.stackoverflow.com/2010/11/qa-is-hard-lets-go-shopping/\">https://blog.stackoverflow.com/2010/11/qa-is-hard-lets-go-shopping/</a></p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>don't ask us what you should buy -- ask us <em>what you need to learn</em> to tell what you should buy.</p>\n</blockquote>\n"
] |
6 | user63: From The 7 Essential Meta Questions of Every Beta:
What should our documentation contain?
Much of the sites documentation will be the same as on every other Stack Exchange site: “be nice,” “how to create an account,” “how to ask questions” — it’s all pretty static. Even the sections about “what kind of questions should I (not) ask here?” comes primarily from the Definition phase of Area 51.
But the questions you want to discuss in meta are those issues specific to your site that need to be mentioned in the Help Center.
Take the Super User "About" page as an example:
Super User is for computer enthusiasts and power users.
Ask about...
Specific issues with computer software, hardware or networking
Real problems or questions that you’ve encountered
Don't ask about...
Anything not directly related to computer software or computer hardware
Questions that are primarily opinion-based
Questions with too many possible answers or require an extremely long answer
Videogames, consoles, or other electronic devices, unless they connect to your computer
Websites or web services like Google, Facebook, Twitter, and WordPress
Shopping, buying or product recommendations
Issues specific to corporate IT support and networks
These are then elaborated on in SU's What topics can I ask about here? page.
It took almost a year to figure out the list of “we want these sort of questions” and “we don’t want these sort of questions” on Super User. Area 51 gave you a head start but you should also be working out other FAQ-related issues specific to your topic and your community.
user63: Based on the Help Center > Asking | What topics can I ask about here? over on Robotics
$SiteShortName is for 3d printer professionals, hobbyists, researchers and students.
We ask and answer questions about 3d printers, control systems, control theory, algorithms, actuators and sensors.
We feel the best 3d printer questions have links to pertinent datasheets or code, but if your question generally covers …
a specific 3d printer design or implementation problem
the theory and simulation of 3d printers
a sensor, actuator or controller for a 3d printer
algorithms or techniques for 3d printing
… then you’re in the right place to ask your question!
Some kinds of questions aren't allowed here:
Shopping recommendations: Questions which ask "which product or library should I use" or "Where can I buy X", are considered shopping recommendations.
Electronics theory: Questions which are more general electrical engineering questions and have no real relation to 3d printers are better off at Electrical Engineering.
Programming: Generic programming questions with no relation to 3d printers should be asked on Stack Overflow.
CAD/CAM: Questions about computer aided design and manufacture should be be asked on Engineering, unless they are related to 3d printing, in which they are fine here.
Life Questions: Questions about choosing how to spend your time (what book to read, which class to take, what 3d printer project to construct, what career to pursue, etc.) may be about difficult decisions, and they are often important, but they are too specific to your own situation and are unlikely to help future visitors to the site. They would be better off asked in 3d Printing Chat.
Generally speaking, if your question is directly related to 3d printers then even if your question might also be appropriate on another site, we are likely to be happy to see it here.
Please look around to see if your question has been asked before. It’s also OK to ask and answer your own question.
If your question is not specifically on-topic for $SiteName, it may be on topic for another Stack Exchange site. If no site currently exists that will accept your question, you may commit to or propose a new site at Area51, the place where new Stack Exchange communities are democratically created.
For more help, see "What types of questions should I avoid asking?"
This is Community wiki, so please help improve this suggestion.
Also, try to maintain the pure html formatting, so that the text between the horizontal bars can be pasted straight into the What topics can I ask about here? page.
user11: Do worry about it (at least a little bit).
We need to have at least a rough idea of what is on and off topic to know what the site will be about. Without a least some discussion on this how will mods know when a question needs to be closed? Thats not to say that nothing will change or that we can't refine our thoughts on this but getting a rough draft wouldn't be the worst thing.
Taking the Super User example, we could consider at least a few things, something like this, for example,
On topic for 3D Printing
Specific issues with a 3D printer (e.g. My 3D printer keeps failing prints)
Real problems or questions you have (e.g. How do I level my 3D printer)
Off Topic
Anything not related to 3D printing
Opinion based questions (e.g. Which is the better 3D printer?)
Shopping, buying and product recommendations
Questions with too many possible answers or require an extremely long answer
Things that we need to decide on
Legal questions (e.g. Can I 3D print a gun)
Software questions (e.g. questions about Blender for making 3D models specifically to print, on topic or defer to the Blender Stack Exchange site)
This is just a sample of some things I can think of, off the top of my head.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/6",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/63/"
] | 2016/01/12 | [
"63: <p>From <a href=\"http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2010/07/the-7-essential-meta-questions-of-every-beta/\">The 7 Essential Meta Questions of Every Beta</a>:</p>\n<hr />\n<h2>What should our documentation contain?</h2>\n<p>Much of the sites documentation will be the same as on every other Stack Exchange site: “be nice,” “how to create an account,” “how to ask questions” — it’s all pretty static. Even the sections about “what kind of questions should I (not) ask here?” comes primarily from <a href=\"http://area51.stackexchange.com/faq#questions\">the Definition phase of Area 51</a>.</p>\n<p>But the questions you want to discuss in meta are those issues specific to your site that need to be mentioned in the Help Center.</p>\n<p>Take the <a href=\"https://superuser.com/faq\">Super User "About" page</a> as an example:</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Super User is for computer enthusiasts and power users.</p>\n<p>Ask about...</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Specific issues with computer software, hardware or networking</li>\n<li>Real problems or questions that you’ve encountered</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Don't ask about...</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Anything not directly related to computer software or computer hardware</li>\n<li>Questions that are primarily opinion-based</li>\n<li>Questions with too many possible answers or require an extremely long answer</li>\n<li>Videogames, consoles, or other electronic devices, unless they connect to your computer</li>\n<li>Websites or web services like Google, Facebook, Twitter, and WordPress</li>\n<li>Shopping, buying or product recommendations</li>\n<li>Issues specific to corporate IT support and networks</li>\n</ul>\n</blockquote>\n<p>These are then elaborated on in SU's <a href=\"https://superuser.com/help/on-topic\">What topics can I ask about here?</a> page.</p>\n<p>It took almost a year to figure out the list of “we want these sort of questions” and “we don’t want these sort of questions” on Super User. Area 51 gave you a head start but you should also be working out other FAQ-related issues <strong>specific to your topic and your community</strong>.</p>\n",
"63: <p>Based on the <a href=\"https://robotics.stackexchange.com/help/on-topic\">Help Center > Asking | What topics can I ask about here?</a> over on <a href=\"https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/a/22/37\">Robotics</a></p>\n\n<hr>\n\n<p><strong>$SiteShortName</strong> is for 3d printer professionals, hobbyists, researchers and students.</p>\n\n<p>We ask and answer questions about 3d printers, control systems, control theory, algorithms, actuators and sensors.</p>\n\n<p>We feel the best <em>3d printer</em> questions have links to pertinent datasheets or code, but if your question generally covers …</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>a specific 3d printer design or implementation problem</li>\n<li>the theory and simulation of 3d printers</li>\n<li>a sensor, actuator or controller for a 3d printer</li>\n<li>algorithms or techniques for 3d printing</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>… then you’re in the right place to ask your question!</p>\n\n<p>Some kinds of questions aren't allowed here:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Shopping recommendations</strong>: Questions which ask \"which product or library should I use\" or \"Where can I buy X\", are considered <a href=\"http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2010/11/qa-is-hard-lets-go-shopping/\">shopping recommendations</a>.</li>\n\n<li><strong>Electronics theory</strong>: Questions which are more general electrical engineering questions and have no real relation to 3d printers are better off at <a href=\"http://electronics.stackexchange.com\">Electrical Engineering</a>.</li>\n\n<li><strong>Programming</strong>: Generic programming questions with no relation to 3d printers should be asked on <a href=\"http://stackoverflow.com\">Stack Overflow</a>.</li>\n\n<li><strong>CAD/CAM</strong>: Questions about computer aided design and manufacture should be be asked on <a href=\"http://engineering.stackexchange.com\">Engineering</a>, unless they are related to 3d printing, in which they are fine here.</li>\n\n<li><strong>Life Questions</strong>: Questions about choosing how to spend your time (what book to read, which class to take, what 3d printer project to construct, what career to pursue, etc.) may be about difficult decisions, and they are often important, but they are too specific to your own situation and are unlikely to help future visitors to the site. They would be better off asked in <a href=\"http://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/34216\">3d Printing Chat</a>.</li>\n\n</ul>\n\n<p>Generally speaking, if your question is directly related to <em>3d printers</em> then even if your question might <em>also</em> be appropriate on another site, we are likely to be happy to see it here.</p>\n\n<p>Please <a href=\"/search\">look around</a> to see if your question has been asked before. It’s also OK to <a href=\"/helpcenter/self-answer\">ask and answer your own question</a>.</p>\n\n<p>If your question is not specifically on-topic for $SiteName, it may be on topic for <a href=\"http://stackexchange.com/sites\">another Stack Exchange site</a>. If no site currently exists that will accept your question, you may <a href=\"http://area51.stackexchange.com/faq\">commit to</a> or <a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/76974/how-can-i-propose-a-new-site\">propose</a> a new site at <a href=\"http://area51.stackexchange.com/\">Area51</a>, the place where new Stack Exchange communities are democratically created.</p>\n\n<p>For more help, see <a href=\"/help/dont-ask\">\"What types of questions should I avoid asking?\"</a></p>\n\n<hr>\n\n<p>This is Community wiki, so please help improve this suggestion.</p>\n\n<p>Also, try to maintain the pure html formatting, so that the text between the horizontal bars can be pasted straight into the <a href=\"https://robotics.stackexchange.com/help/on-topic\">What topics can I ask about here?</a> page.</p>\n",
"11: <h1>Do worry about it (at least a little bit).</h1>\n\n<p>We need to have at least a rough idea of what is on and off topic to know what the site will be about. Without a least some discussion on this how will mods know when a question needs to be closed? Thats not to say that nothing will change or that we can't refine our thoughts on this but getting a rough draft wouldn't be the worst thing.</p>\n\n<p>Taking the Super User example, we could consider at least a few things, something like this, for example,</p>\n\n<h2>On topic for 3D Printing</h2>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Specific issues with a 3D printer (e.g. My 3D printer keeps failing prints)</li>\n<li>Real problems or questions you have (e.g. How do I level my 3D printer)</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h2>Off Topic</h2>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Anything not related to 3D printing</li>\n<li>Opinion based questions (e.g. Which is the better 3D printer?)</li>\n<li>Shopping, buying and product recommendations </li>\n<li>Questions with too many possible answers or require an extremely long answer</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h2>Things that we need to decide on</h2>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Legal questions (e.g. Can I 3D print a gun)</li>\n<li>Software questions (e.g. questions about Blender for making 3D models specifically to print, on topic or defer to the Blender Stack Exchange site)</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>This is just a sample of some things I can think of, off the top of my head. </p>\n"
] |
7 | user23: When attempting to access the review cue for close votes,the cue hangs and errors out.
The error states - An error occurred when loading the review item, please try again.
I am able to open review cues on other sites.
user119: This should be fixed. Let me know if you have any additional issues!
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/7",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/23/"
] | 2016/01/12 | [
"23: <p>When attempting to access the review cue for close votes,the cue hangs and errors out. </p>\n\n<p>The error states - An error occurred when loading the review item, please try again.</p>\n\n<p>I am able to open review cues on other sites.</p>\n",
"119: <p>This should be fixed. Let me know if you have any additional issues!</p>\n"
] |
8 | user62: Looking at the highly upvoted area 51 questions, we seem to have a lot of questions focusing on 3D printing from the viewpoint of someone producing items, but a dearth of those discussing actual printer construction, modification, and firmware configuration/creation/programming. Are such questions on-topic for this site's scope?
user26: Yes, I think such questions should be on-topic.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/8",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/62/"
] | 2016/01/12 | [
"62: <p>Looking at the highly upvoted <a href=\"http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/82438/3d-printing?page=1&tab=votes&phase=definition#tab-top\">area 51 questions</a>, we seem to have a lot of questions focusing on 3D printing from the viewpoint of someone producing items, but a dearth of those discussing actual printer construction, modification, and firmware configuration/creation/programming. Are such questions on-topic for this site's scope?</p>\n",
"26: <p>Yes, I think such questions should be on-topic.</p>\n"
] |
11 | user63: Given our successful private beta, soon after we go public it will be time for us to get our first crop of moderators, as explained in the “Moderator Pro Tempore” blog post:
About a week into the public beta, we will seek out members who are deeply engaged in the community’s development; members who:
Have a reasonably high reputation score to indicate active, consistent participation.
Show an interest in their meta’s community-building activities.
Lead by example, showing patience and respect for their fellow community members in everything they write.
Exhibit those intangible traits discussed in A Theory of Moderation.
Bonus points for:
Members with participation in both meta and the parent site (i.e. interest in both community building and expertise in the field).
Area 51 participation, social network referrals, or blogging about the site.
Members who have already shown an interest or ability to promote their community.
Candidates will be contacted and three of them will be selected to act as provisional Moderators until the community holds formal elections after the Beta period. Besides the normal abilities of a Moderator, they will:
Have access to a special chat room where we will collectively work through the challenges of moderation and community self-policing.
Organize the process of selecting the site's attributes (domain names, design issues, the FAQ, etc.).
Rally community support and drive the mission of getting publicity for the site.
Essentially, they will have the ear of the Stack Exchange team for anything we can do to help their sites succeed!
Although the moderators pro tempore will ultimately be selected by Stack Exchange, the purpose of this post is to seek out and propose candidates:
Each nomination should be posted as an answer and it should include (at minimum) a link to the user's main and meta profile so we can check out their activity.
Self nominations are encouraged, step up if you feel you can help.
If you are nominated by someone else you should edit the answer and let us know if you accept or decline (explanation optional). If a nominee declines we will not delete the answer, as to not have someone else nominate them again.
If you are nominating someone else, please mark the post as Community Wiki before saving. Meta doesn't allow suggested edits, so your nominee may be blocked from accepting the nomination.
The nominations are not binding to Stack Exchange or the nominees. If you are being considered by Stack Exchange, you will get an official confirmation email at one point.
Before nominating someone or accept / decline a nomination, you should read A Theory of Moderation thoroughly to find out what's generally expected from moderators.
If you would like to learn more about the role, please drop into chat room where you can ask about the role from other moderators (they appear with a blue name in the chat room). Another chatroom called The Assembly was created specifically for users and moderators to discuss moderation activities, moderators from all over the network are there to answer your questions.
Once again, please don't hesitate to step up and self-nominate!.
Thanks to F'x for the original version of this post over on chemistry.
user63: Since we still need more candidates, I would like to offer myself in a reserve position. If we don't have enough potential moderators by the time the community team need to make a decision, I would be happy to offer my time.
profile for Mark Booth on Stack Exchange, a network of free, community-driven Q&A sites http://stackexchange.com/users/flair/18514.png
Although my contribution to 3d Printing so far has mostly been here on meta, I would be happy to help out as a human exception handler for our community. Plus, when I finally get around to putting my Mendel together, I'm sure I'll have a lot of questions to ask. *8')
As an active Moderator Pro Tempore over on Robotics, I have a solid grasp of A Theory of Moderation and 3 years of experience, so know what the job entails. My average flag handling time over the last month has been around 12 hours, I have built up useful tools to help swiftly deal with problems and I try to involve the community any time I'm not sure about how we want to handle things.
I supported the original Personal Manufacturing site and felt passionate enough about it to create Digital Fabrication and take it all the way to private beta. I have also supported people asking 3d printing questions over on Robotics while getting this proposal up and running.
user98: I would also like to nominate Ryan Carlyle for moderation.
Ryan has proven to be a valuable resource in the community by providing many well written answers and maintained a respectful record in all responses. For these reasons, I believe Ryan would be a great candidate for moderation.
user98: I'll go ahead and nominate myself as well, Trais McAllister.
So far, my highest reputation is held in this 3D Printing community. I've relied on the Stack Exchange network since about 2011, didn't become a member of Stack Overflow until last year. In my time on this community, I've maintained a reputation position within the top 10%, tried keeping up with the few reviews we've had thus far, and tried updating the tag definitions.
I've had my eyes in 3D printing since about 2008 when I first heard of the MakerBot Cupkake CNC and delved into the 3D printing realm in 2011 when I bought my first printer (Replicator Dual). I've learned a great deal through trial and error and am excited to help others who may be just starting in 3D printing.
As this site continues to attract more members, I've enjoyed seeing new posts and trying to help direct proper questions/answers based on the general consensus I've seen here on Meta. Although I'm not extremely involved in Meta, I do try to keep up on what's being said.
user115: I would like to nominate myself, Tormod Haugene.
profile for Tormod Haugene on Stack Exchange, a network of free, community-driven Q&A sites http://stackexchange.com/users/flair/1574864.png
I have been an active user of several Stack Exchange sites since 2012, but have finally now found a site that I really can contribute to.
As a robotics engineer by education, I early got interested in the art of 3D printing, and decided to join the community for myself in 2014 when I graduated from university. Over the past two years I have experimented with my trustworthy Kossel Mini printer to the point where I now need to set new challenges to still have something to do. Taking part in the Stack Exchange 3D Printer community has provided me further challenges and learning potential, which I truly appreciate.
I already spend a lot of time on this site, and try to help new users uphold the quality standard found on SE sites, answer questions and finish the review queues whenever possible. Overall, I am very proud of how this site has turned out so far, and would very much like to help it progress further.
To me, taking on further tasks of moderation seems like a natural step, and I hope you will allow me the opportunity to contribute as a moderator in the future.
user47: I would like to nominate myself, Matt Clark.
While I might not have the wildest credentials or reputation, I have been around the StackExchange network for a while (11/2012) and generally know my way around the sites.
Mostly active on StackOverflow, I answer when I can, and try and do my part to clean up the review queue: ~5000 review tasks; I plan on giving this site as much attention as I can.
I started this 3D Printing proposal just under a year ago on Area 51, and am either way, glad to see the day we made it to beta.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/11",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/63/"
] | 2016/01/12 | [
"63: <p>Given our successful private beta, soon after we go public it will be time for us to get our first crop of moderators, as explained in the <a href=\"http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2010/07/moderator-pro-tempore/\">“Moderator Pro Tempore” blog post</a>:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>About a week into the public beta, we will seek out members who are deeply engaged in the community’s development; members who:</p>\n \n <ul>\n <li>Have a reasonably high reputation score to indicate active, consistent participation.</li>\n <li>Show an interest in their meta’s community-building activities.</li>\n <li>Lead by example, showing patience and respect for their fellow community members in everything they write.</li>\n <li>Exhibit those intangible traits discussed in <a href=\"http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2009/05/a-theory-of-moderation/\"><em>A Theory of Moderation</em></a>.</li>\n </ul>\n \n <p>Bonus points for:</p>\n \n <ul>\n <li>Members with participation in both meta and the parent site (i.e. interest in both community building and expertise in the field).</li>\n <li>Area 51 participation, social network referrals, or blogging about the site.</li>\n <li>Members who have already shown an interest or ability to promote their community.</li>\n </ul>\n \n <p>Candidates will be contacted and three of them will be selected to act as provisional Moderators until the community holds formal elections after the Beta period. Besides the normal abilities of a Moderator, they will:</p>\n \n <ul>\n <li>Have access to a special chat room where we will collectively work through the challenges of moderation and community self-policing.</li>\n <li>Organize the process of selecting the site's attributes (domain names, design issues, the FAQ, etc.).</li>\n <li>Rally community support and drive the mission of getting publicity for the site.</li>\n </ul>\n \n <p>Essentially, <strong>they will have the ear of the Stack Exchange team for anything we can do to help their sites succeed!</strong></p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>Although the moderators pro tempore will ultimately be selected by Stack Exchange, the purpose of this post is to seek out and propose candidates:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Each nomination should be posted as an answer and it should include (at minimum) a link to the user's main and meta profile so we can check out their activity.</li>\n<li>Self nominations are encouraged, step up if you feel you can help.</li>\n<li>If you are nominated by someone else you should edit the answer and let us know if you accept or decline (explanation optional). If a nominee declines we will not delete the answer, as to not have someone else nominate them again.</li>\n<li>If you are nominating someone else, please mark the post as Community Wiki before saving. Meta doesn't allow suggested edits, so your nominee may be blocked from accepting the nomination.</li>\n<li>The nominations are not binding to Stack Exchange or the nominees. If you are being considered by Stack Exchange, you will get an official confirmation email at one point. </li>\n<li>Before nominating someone or accept / decline a nomination, you should read <a href=\"http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2009/05/a-theory-of-moderation/\"><em>A Theory of Moderation</em></a> thoroughly to find out what's generally expected from moderators.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>If you would like to learn more about the role, please drop into <a href=\"http://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/34216/3d-printing\">chat room</a> where you can ask about the role from other moderators (they appear with a blue name in the chat room). Another chatroom called <a href=\"http://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/2691/the-assembly\">The Assembly</a> was created specifically for users and moderators to discuss moderation activities, moderators from all over the network are there to answer your questions.</p>\n\n<p>Once again, <strong>please don't hesitate to step up and self-nominate!</strong>. </p>\n\n<p><sub>Thanks to <a href=\"https://chemistry.meta.stackexchange.com/users/30/fx\">F'x</a> for the original version of this post <a href=\"https://chemistry.meta.stackexchange.com/q/113/17315\">over on chemistry</a>.</sub></p>\n",
"63: <p>Since we still need more candidates, I would like to offer myself in a reserve position. If we don't have enough potential moderators by the time the community team need to make a decision, I would be happy to offer my time.</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://stackexchange.com/users/18514/mark-booth\">profile for Mark Booth on Stack Exchange, a network of free, community-driven Q&A sites http://stackexchange.com/users/flair/18514.png</a></p>\n\n<p>Although my contribution to 3d Printing so far has mostly been here on meta, I would be happy to help out as a human exception handler for our community. Plus, when I finally get around to putting my Mendel together, I'm sure I'll have a lot of questions to ask. *8')</p>\n\n<p>As an active <a href=\"http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2010/07/moderator-pro-tempore/\">Moderator Pro Tempore</a> over on <a href=\"https://robotics.stackexchange.com/\">Robotics</a>, I have a solid grasp of <a href=\"http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2009/05/a-theory-of-moderation/\">A Theory of Moderation</a> and 3 years of experience, so know what the job entails. My average flag handling time over the last month has been around 12 hours, I have built up <a href=\"https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/q/176/37\">useful</a> <a href=\"https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/q/1302/37\">tools</a> to <a href=\"https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/a/131/37\">help</a> swiftly deal with problems and I try to <a href=\"https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/q/1300/37\">involve</a> the <a href=\"https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/q/149/37\">community</a> any <a href=\"https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/q/106/37\">time</a> I'm not sure about how we want to <a href=\"https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/q/92/37\">handle</a> things.</p>\n\n<p>I supported the original <a href=\"http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/22246\">Personal Manufacturing</a> site and felt passionate enough about it to create <a href=\"http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/41850\">Digital Fabrication</a> and take it all the way to private beta. I have also <a href=\"https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/a/1273/37\">supported</a> people asking <a href=\"https://robotics.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/3d-printing\">3d printing questions over on Robotics</a> while getting <a href=\"http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/82438\">this proposal</a> up and running.</p>\n",
"98: <p>I would also like to nominate <a href=\"http://stackexchange.com/users/7675951/ryan-carlyle\">Ryan Carlyle</a> for moderation.</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://stackexchange.com/users/7675951/ryan-carlyle\"><img src=\"http://stackexchange.com/users/flair/7675951.png\" width=\"208\" height=\"58\" alt=\"profile for Ryan Carlyle on Stack Exchange, a network of free, community-driven Q&A sites\" title=\"profile for Ryan Carlyle on Stack Exchange, a network of free, community-driven Q&A sites\" /></a></p>\n\n<p>Ryan has proven to be a valuable resource in the community by providing many well written answers and maintained a respectful record in all responses. For these reasons, I believe Ryan would be a great candidate for moderation.</p>\n",
"98: <p>I'll go ahead and nominate myself as well, Trais McAllister.</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://stackexchange.com/users/5815241/tbm0115\"><img src=\"http://stackexchange.com/users/flair/5815241.png\" width=\"208\" height=\"58\" alt=\"profile for tbm0115 on Stack Exchange, a network of free, community-driven Q&A sites\" title=\"profile for tbm0115 on Stack Exchange, a network of free, community-driven Q&A sites\" /></a></p>\n\n<p>So far, my highest reputation is held in this 3D Printing community. I've relied on the Stack Exchange network since about 2011, didn't become a member of Stack Overflow until last year. In my time on this community, I've maintained a reputation position within the top 10%, tried keeping up with the few reviews we've had thus far, and tried updating the tag definitions.</p>\n\n<p>I've had my eyes in 3D printing since about 2008 when I first heard of the MakerBot Cupkake CNC and delved into the 3D printing realm in 2011 when I bought my first printer (Replicator Dual). I've learned a great deal through trial and error and am excited to help others who may be just starting in 3D printing.</p>\n\n<p>As this site continues to attract more members, I've enjoyed seeing new posts and trying to help direct proper questions/answers based on the general consensus I've seen here on Meta. Although I'm not extremely involved in Meta, I do try to keep up on what's being said.</p>\n",
"115: <p>I would like to nominate myself, <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/115/tormod-haugene?tab=profile\">Tormod Haugene</a>.</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://stackexchange.com/users/1574864\">\nprofile for Tormod Haugene on Stack Exchange, a network of free, community-driven Q&A sites http://stackexchange.com/users/flair/1574864.png\n</a></p>\n\n<p>I have been an active user of several Stack Exchange sites since 2012, but have finally now found a site that I really can contribute to. </p>\n\n<p>As a robotics engineer by education, I early got interested in the art of 3D printing, and decided to join the community for myself in 2014 when I graduated from university. Over the past two years I have experimented with my trustworthy Kossel Mini printer to the point where I now need to set new challenges to still have something to do. Taking part in the Stack Exchange 3D Printer community has provided me further challenges and learning potential, which I truly appreciate.</p>\n\n<p>I already spend a lot of time on this site, and try to help new users uphold the quality standard found on SE sites, answer questions and finish the review queues whenever possible. Overall, I am very proud of how this site has turned out so far, and would very much like to help it progress further. </p>\n\n<p>To me, taking on further tasks of moderation seems like a natural step, and I hope you will allow me the opportunity to contribute as a moderator in the future.</p>\n",
"47: <p>I would like to nominate myself, <a href=\"https://stackexchange.com/users/526476/matt-clark\">Matt Clark</a>.</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"http://stackexchange.com/users/526476/matt-clark\"><img src=\"http://stackexchange.com/users/flair/526476.png\" width=\"208\" height=\"58\" alt=\"profile for Matt Clark on Stack Exchange, a network of free, community-driven Q&A sites\" title=\"profile for Matt Clark on Stack Exchange, a network of free, community-driven Q&A sites\" /></a></p>\n\n<p>While I might not have the wildest credentials or reputation, I have been around the StackExchange network for a while (11/2012) and generally know my way around the sites.</p>\n\n<p>Mostly active on StackOverflow, I answer when I can, and try and do my part to clean up the review queue: ~5000 review tasks; I plan on giving this site as much attention as I can.</p>\n\n<p>I started <a href=\"https://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/82438/3d-printing\">this 3D Printing proposal</a> just under a year ago on Area 51, and am either way, glad to see the day we made it to beta.</p>\n"
] |
18 | user107: Are there plans or ideas floating around for a logo contest, or is that a Public-Beta stage thing?
user1: Sites get a customized design when they near graduation and that is a long way off. The task at hand is to gather up a collection of high quality questions so this site can get out of Private Beta. Focus on that now.
When the site is nearing graduation, the designers will contact you for feedback on a potential design. Typically the design is created by the designers first and it is posted for feedback and suggestions. The process of when and how this happens has been in flux more recently, but typically a logo contest is not really part of that process. But who knows… I've been floating various suggestions about how to get the community looped back in that process.
user1211: no matter if we are close to graduation or not, i'd like to submit this one as my proposition
it is:
easy to recognize
simple
contains stylised '3' and 'D' characters
refers to 'layers'
aligned to SE logo
can be color/gray/BW and still well recognized
can be simplified (pixelate) to create favico (min size 8x8 pixels ;)
first presented in this topic
https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/a/247/1211
user127: Getting a logo is part of getting a design, which is something that happens when a site graduates out of public beta.
In short, not for a long time yet.
While the site is in beta it will keep this theme that it currently has.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/18",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/107/"
] | 2016/01/12 | [
"107: <p>Are there plans or ideas floating around for a logo contest, or is that a Public-Beta stage thing?</p>\n",
"1: <p>Sites get a customized design when they near graduation and <a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/257614/graduation-site-closure-and-a-clearer-outlook-on-the-health-of-se-sites\">that is a long way off</a>. The task at hand is to gather up a collection of high quality questions so this site can get out of Private Beta. Focus on <em>that</em> now.</p>\n\n<p>When the site is nearing graduation, the designers will contact you for feedback on a potential design. Typically the design is created by the designers first and it is posted for feedback and suggestions. The process of when and how this happens <em>has</em> been in flux more recently, but typically a logo contest is not really part of that process. But who knows… I've been floating various suggestions about how to get the community looped back in that process. </p>\n",
"1211: <p>no matter if we are close to graduation or not, i'd like to submit this one as my proposition</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/CPKTm.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/CPKTm.png\" alt=\"enter image description here\"></a></p>\n\n<p>it is:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>easy to recognize</li>\n<li>simple</li>\n<li>contains stylised '3' and 'D' characters</li>\n<li>refers to 'layers'</li>\n<li>aligned to SE logo</li>\n<li>can be color/gray/BW and still well recognized</li>\n<li>can be simplified (pixelate) to create favico (min size 8x8 pixels ;)</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>first presented in this topic\n<a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/a/247/1211\">https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/a/247/1211</a></p>\n",
"127: <p>Getting a logo is part of getting a design, which is something that happens when a site <em>graduates</em> out of public beta.</p>\n\n<p>In short, not for a long time yet.</p>\n\n<p>While the site is in beta it will keep this theme that it currently has.</p>\n"
] |
19 | user107: Is it realistic or thought neccesary to develop a plugin/feature for this site, to automatically add a small info-box about a thingiverse link? An example of this is Apple's 3D touch technology. In theory, the plugin could recogize thingiverse links in questions and answers, replace the link with an image and the author/name of the project.
I'm also volunteering myself to help with this if there's interest. (Experience with Thingiverse API)
user16: Technological issues
Stack Exchange works hard for its communities, but there is a limit. If thingiverse changes its API (which it can, and does, do at any time without notice) then anything we build on it has to be modified, and users will be very whiny until it's fixed.
If we choose to integrate model viewing or any sort of API integration with an outside service, we will have to make sure the service provides some sort of legacy guarantee minimal API that won't change, and then we will only be able to use that.
Political issues
I would be very uncomfortable endorsing a closed source, commercial service on this site. There are many communities within the world of 3D printing that are very unhappy with makerbot, thingiverse, and their parent company, and encouraging users to use this service may result in pushing away some very valuable experts within the reprap world.
Looking to the future
If we integrate any sort of model library or model viewer, I strongly suggest we choose an open source project the community can heartily endorse. We may link to outside models, but the core API should be servable by stack exchange without license or much maintenance so 1) we don't have to deal with API changes messing us up, 2) we don't rely on outside services that may change their terms of use or API, 3) we don't have to form complicated contract bound relationships with 3rd parties just to get the guarantees we'd need to convince Stack Exchange to invest in a new feature, and 4) we don't become too politically involved such that we disenfranchise users who may have very strong feelings about this subject.
Wait and see
This is the early beta. Let's find out what people link to in questions before dedicating resources to improving the links/plug-ins/oneboxes. It may be that thingiverse objects are linked to frequently, and that it would add value to the site to improve that experience, but it's also just as likely that thingiverse turns out to be infrequently linked and the effort spent now would essentially have been wasted. Let's wait until we have tens of thousands of questions so we can properly evaluate what the community actually uses and needs.
user127: Typically, it's a better idea to wait before you try to get this kind of thing integrated.
Enthusiasm is great in a private beta, but for the early stages, direct that enthusiasm towards the Q&A. That's what'll get this site on its feet and into a successful public beta.
When the site's more stable and running nicely, then if there's a need (or want) for a plugin like this then the discussion about it can be had.
(On a tangent - if such a plugin is going to happen, it may well be down to SE's developers to get it done, which might make getting assistance from the people on this site difficult.)
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/19",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/107/"
] | 2016/01/12 | [
"107: <p>Is it realistic or thought neccesary to develop a plugin/feature for this site, to automatically add a small info-box about a thingiverse link? An example of this is Apple's 3D touch technology. In theory, the plugin could recogize thingiverse links in questions and answers, replace the link with an image and the author/name of the project.</p>\n\n<p>I'm also volunteering myself to help with this if there's interest. (Experience with Thingiverse API)</p>\n",
"16: <h3>Technological issues</h3>\n\n<p>Stack Exchange works hard for its communities, but there is a limit. If thingiverse changes its API (which it can, and does, do at any time without notice) then anything we build on it has to be modified, and users will be very whiny until it's fixed.</p>\n\n<p>If we choose to integrate model viewing or any sort of API integration with an outside service, we will have to make sure the service provides some sort of legacy guarantee minimal API that won't change, and then we will only be able to use that. </p>\n\n<h3>Political issues</h3>\n\n<p>I would be very uncomfortable endorsing a closed source, commercial service on this site. There are many communities within the world of 3D printing that are very unhappy with makerbot, thingiverse, and their parent company, and encouraging users to use this service may result in pushing away some very valuable experts within the reprap world.</p>\n\n<h3>Looking to the future</h3>\n\n<p>If we integrate any sort of model library or model viewer, I strongly suggest we choose an open source project the community can heartily endorse. We may link to outside models, but the core API should be servable by stack exchange without license or much maintenance so 1) we don't have to deal with API changes messing us up, 2) we don't rely on outside services that may change their terms of use or API, 3) we don't have to form complicated contract bound relationships with 3rd parties just to get the guarantees we'd need to convince Stack Exchange to invest in a new feature, and 4) we don't become too politically involved such that we disenfranchise users who may have very strong feelings about this subject.</p>\n\n<h3>Wait and see</h3>\n\n<p>This is the early beta. Let's find out what people link to in questions before dedicating resources to improving the links/plug-ins/oneboxes. It may be that thingiverse objects are linked to frequently, and that it would add value to the site to improve that experience, but it's also just as likely that thingiverse turns out to be infrequently linked and the effort spent now would essentially have been wasted. Let's wait until we have tens of thousands of questions so we can properly evaluate what the community actually uses and needs.</p>\n",
"127: <p>Typically, it's a better idea to wait before you try to get this kind of thing integrated.</p>\n\n<p>Enthusiasm is great in a private beta, but for the early stages, direct that enthusiasm towards the Q&A. That's what'll get this site on its feet and into a successful public beta.</p>\n\n<p>When the site's more stable and running nicely, then if there's a need (or want) for a plugin like this then the discussion about it can be had.</p>\n\n<p>(On a tangent - if such a plugin is going to happen, it may well be down to SE's developers to get it done, which might make getting assistance from the people on this site difficult.)</p>\n"
] |
21 | user26: It is very easy to ask questions that only tangentially involve 3D printing, such as:
How do I drill a hole in a 3D printed part?
How do I paint 3D printed parts?
How do I sand, smooth, etc...?
How do I take a picture with a 3D printed camera?
My last example is clearly not on topic, and the other examples aren't
difficult, specific questions — the kind of questions pros and experts ask each other, not the kind of questions novices ask pros.
However, the point is that it's very easy to involve 3D printing in a question that isn't about 3D printing. Drilling a hole in a 3D printed part is, for the most part, just like drilling one in wood. Such questions may be more suited for a general DIY/makers-type site.
On the other hand, there do exist 3D printing specific issues (for instance, low infill or delamination can be a problem when drilling in a (FDM) 3D printed part).
At what point does a question involving 3D printing become on-topic for our site? Should questions identify a specific issue ("I've tried drilling a hole, now my part has delaminated, what now?")?. Queries for general advice and best practice don't seem to fit the bill of being difficult and specific.
user265: The problem with the questions you raised are (except for the camera one) that they are all about dealing with the materials that are used with 3D-printing and not about the mechanics of printing. But when I started 3D-printing, that's certainly where a large part of my questions lay. It's because the materials are DIFFERENT than ones we're used to dealing with, and if it weren't for 3D-printing, I wouldn't have been working with them then. It's BECAUSE I was 3D-printing that the questions arose. There are certainly similarities between the materials used for 3D-printing and other materials we might run into, but there are also vast differences. For example, ABS is the same plastic that we know from Legos. But how does working with the plastic that's been 3D-printed differ from working with a Lego? I would consider any question about that area to be valid. You mention drilling plastic, but then got the answer wrong. It is NOT like drilling wood; the way you drill plastic should be different from how you deal with wood, such as the speeds used and the use of hand drills. There are even special plastic bits that you can buy that make it easier to drill plastic. Good questions might be: for PLA, ABS and other 3dpg plastics, when is it appropriate to use such bits and when can you get away with using high speed drill bits like you would use for wood? Are higher drill speeds better than lower speeds for some 3D-printed plastics and not others, or vice versa?
In summary, I feel that questions about a technique or material that is being used in the 3D-printing process, or dealing with the materials afterward, should be valid because 3D-printing changes how the techniques are done or the materials are dealt with.
user1: The dividing line of "tangentially off topic" is typically when the actual subject of the question being asked is only coincidentally adjacent to 3D printing.
Here is a clear example illustrating the "tangential issue:"
I printed a crane mechanism in 3D. How much voltage must I apply to the motor to lift 150 grams?
I see this type of thing all the time. Users will go to the mat arguing that they are printing in 3D, so their question is on topic. It is not. The actual expertise needed to answer this question is in electronics. With a question like this, the premise that the user happens to be printing in 3D is entirely coincidental to the actual issue.
The examples you cited above are a bit more iffy. I might argue some of them could (potentially) be on topic… if the issue of the material being printed in 3D is somehow germane to the problem. I actually don't know enough about the subject to say, so I'm only considering the possibility that it is relevant to this subject space.
Let's not be too quick to start barring questions that aren't explicitly about the physical process of 3D printing literally. There are a lot of industry issues that could be interesting to include here. It's probably better to wait for actual examples before trying to create a general rule around this issue.
As a general rule for building this site, it is often better to wait for a preponderance of problems that occur in actual practice before we start seeking to create a lot of rules around hypothetical situations. Words to live by.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/21",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/26/"
] | 2016/01/12 | [
"26: <p>It is very easy to ask questions that only tangentially involve 3D printing, such as:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><p>How do I drill a hole in a 3D printed part?</p></li>\n<li><p>How do I paint 3D printed parts?</p></li>\n<li><p>How do I sand, smooth, etc...?</p></li>\n<li><p>How do I take a picture with a 3D printed camera?</p></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>My last example is clearly not on topic, and the other examples aren't </p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>difficult, specific questions — the kind of questions pros and experts ask each other, not the kind of questions novices ask pros.</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>However, the point is that it's very easy to involve 3D printing in a question that isn't about 3D printing. Drilling a hole in a 3D printed part is, for the most part, just like drilling one in wood. Such questions may be more suited for a general DIY/makers-type site.</p>\n\n<p>On the other hand, there do exist 3D printing specific issues (for instance, low infill or delamination can be a problem when drilling in a (FDM) 3D printed part).</p>\n\n<p>At what point does a question involving 3D printing become on-topic for our site? Should questions identify a specific issue (\"I've tried drilling a hole, now my part has delaminated, what now?\")?. Queries for general advice and best practice don't seem to fit the bill of being difficult and specific.</p>\n",
"265: <p>The problem with the questions you raised are (except for the camera one) that they are all about dealing with the materials that are used with 3D-printing and not about the mechanics of printing. But when I started 3D-printing, that's certainly where a large part of my questions lay. It's because the materials are DIFFERENT than ones we're used to dealing with, and if it weren't for 3D-printing, I wouldn't have been working with them then. It's BECAUSE I was 3D-printing that the questions arose. There are certainly similarities between the materials used for 3D-printing and other materials we might run into, but there are also vast differences. For example, ABS is the same plastic that we know from Legos. But how does working with the plastic that's been 3D-printed differ from working with a Lego? I would consider any question about that area to be valid. You mention drilling plastic, but then got the answer wrong. It is NOT like drilling wood; the way you drill plastic should be different from how you deal with wood, such as the speeds used and the use of hand drills. There are even special plastic bits that you can buy that make it easier to drill plastic. Good questions might be: for PLA, ABS and other 3dpg plastics, when is it appropriate to use such bits and when can you get away with using high speed drill bits like you would use for wood? Are higher drill speeds better than lower speeds for some 3D-printed plastics and not others, or vice versa?</p>\n\n<p>In summary, I feel that questions about a technique or material that is being used in the 3D-printing process, or dealing with the materials afterward, should be valid because 3D-printing changes how the techniques are done or the materials are dealt with.</p>\n",
"1: <p>The dividing line of \"tangentially off topic\" is typically when the <em>actual</em> subject of the question being asked is only <strong><em>coincidentally</em></strong> adjacent to 3D printing. </p>\n\n<p>Here is a <em>clear</em> example illustrating the \"tangential issue:\"</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>I printed a crane mechanism in 3D. How much voltage must I apply to the motor to lift 150 grams?</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>I see this type of thing all the time. Users will go to the mat arguing that they are printing in 3D, so their question is on topic. It is not. The actual <em>expertise</em> needed to answer this question is in electronics. With a question like this, the premise that the user <em>happens</em> to be printing in 3D is entirely coincidental to the actual issue. </p>\n\n<p>The examples you cited above are a bit more iffy. I might argue some of them could (potentially) be on topic… if the issue of the material being printed in 3D is somehow germane to the problem. I actually don't know enough about the subject to say, so I'm only considering the possibility that it <em>is</em> relevant to this subject space.</p>\n\n<p>Let's not be too quick to start barring questions that aren't explicitly about the physical process of 3D printing literally. There are a lot of <em>industry issues</em> that could be interesting to include here. It's probably better to <strong><em>wait for actual examples before trying to create a general rule around this issue.</em></strong></p>\n\n<p>As a general rule for building this site, it is often better to wait for a preponderance of problems that occur <em>in actual practice</em> before we start seeking to create a lot of rules around hypothetical situations. Words to live by.</p>\n"
] |
28 | user60: This has inspired some discussion and I may be just splitting hairs, but I've always been confused by this strategy. The specific example I'm referring to is here: https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/a/29/60
In many cases on SE, I see people post "Answers" that basically say "Don't do what you're doing. Instead you can get to your goal by doing this." While it is often helpful, this form of answer is the bane of my existence as a user of SE sites.
There are often cases when I am googling a difficult problem because I cannot do "alternative a" as suggested by the answerer. Then, I get to an SE question that asked about exactly the situation I am having. An answer of "Don't do that, do this instead" is upvoted, accepted, and the only answer. Thus, I am unable to solve my problem using SE. In other words, the Answer didn't apply to the question, and so SE led me down the wrong path.
Am I doing something wrong here? Is this an expected/accepted pattern? Or is this something I should go the route of downvoting? Or like the poster of the above answer suggests, flagging?
user138: If it tries to answer the question, it's still an answer...
But it doesn't mean it's always a good one.
Generally, in these cases, you would be able to flag such an answer as Very Low Quality, especially if they would fit better in the comment space. The reason why you can't here however, is because the answer has a positive score.
So what can we do?
You can't really stop people from writing answers. If you want them to improve, leave a comment, and ask them to elaborate. Otherwise, downvote and move on.
user2: The ultimate goal of any answer should be to solve the problem that the asker is facing. Sometimes that involves not going to what they directly wrote, because sometimes that's not the most effective way to go about it. For much the same as there are people who can't use alternatives, there are people who didn't think about the alternative options in the first place. It's very easy when some askers run into a problem, to tunnel-vision that "I must solve it this way" and then someone provides a very enlightening view by working outside the box the asker had situated inside.
That said, this is also part of the very nature as to why these sites permit more than one answer to a question. It is to allow different routes to solve the same problem. Some will be the direct route that is asked, others will take shortcuts as they see fit.
It remains though that naturally, sometimes an alternative, be it a particular one or just in general, is not permissible. When this is the case, that kind of a restriction is part of the problem. As such if the asker can't work with a given alternative, and if the only answers they're getting is that alternative, it's to them to modify their question to exclude that alternative as an option. Or if it is a known quantity to begin with, a pre-emptitive exclusion present in the question when asked is very appropriate. On the other side, if a reader happens upon a question and cannot utilize the alternatives that exist there, then they are welcome to recreate the question in a fashion which excludes the alternatives since their situation cannot cater to it.
Sans such an explicit exclusion, if the asker can work with the alternative, or if they still receive other answers that do not employ that alternative, there's no foul going on as a result. It's fine to dislike something being provided as an alternative, but it's by no means something we're going to discourage on a level to the point of flagging. Downvotes, those are yours to give as you see fit to things that you believe are not helpful - I could say something like "It's probably more appropriate to downvote if a particular alternative is actively unhelpful to you, as opposed to a post which you stumble across in random browsing which just happens to be an alternative", but at the same vein, you could still deem it unhelpful and the vote is yours to cast. Just be open to the fact that if the alternative does work for other people, it's going to remain acceptable on the site.
user26: Sometimes, "don't try to do what you're trying to do" is the only valid answer, see e.g. XY problem.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/28",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/60/"
] | 2016/01/13 | [
"60: <p>This has inspired some discussion and I may be just splitting hairs, but I've always been confused by this strategy. The specific example I'm referring to is here: <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/a/29/60\">https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/a/29/60</a></p>\n\n<p>In many cases on SE, I see people post \"Answers\" that basically say \"Don't do what you're doing. Instead you can get to your goal by doing this.\" While it is often helpful, this form of answer is the bane of my existence as a user of SE sites.</p>\n\n<p>There are often cases when I am googling a difficult problem because I cannot do \"alternative a\" as suggested by the answerer. Then, I get to an SE question that asked about exactly the situation I am having. An answer of \"Don't do that, do this instead\" is upvoted, accepted, and the only answer. Thus, I am unable to solve my problem using SE. In other words, the Answer didn't apply to the question, and so SE led me down the wrong path.</p>\n\n<p>Am I doing something wrong here? Is this an expected/accepted pattern? Or is this something I should go the route of downvoting? Or like the poster of the above answer suggests, flagging?</p>\n",
"138: <p>If it tries to answer the question, it's still an answer... </p>\n\n<p>But it doesn't mean it's always a good one.</p>\n\n<p>Generally, in these cases, you would be able to flag such an answer as Very Low Quality, especially if they would fit better in the comment space. The reason why you can't here however, is because the answer has a positive score.</p>\n\n<p>So what can we do?</p>\n\n<p>You can't really stop people from writing answers. If you want them to improve, leave a comment, and ask them to elaborate. Otherwise, downvote and move on.</p>\n",
"2: <p>The ultimate goal of any answer should be to <strong>solve the problem that the asker is facing</strong>. Sometimes that involves not going to what they directly wrote, because sometimes that's not the most effective way to go about it. For much the same as there are people who can't use alternatives, there are people who didn't <em>think</em> about the alternative options in the first place. It's very easy when some askers run into a problem, to tunnel-vision that \"I must solve it this way\" and then someone provides a very enlightening view by working outside the box the asker had situated inside. </p>\n\n<p>That said, this is also part of the very nature as to why these sites permit more than one answer to a question. It is to allow different routes to solve the same problem. Some will be the direct route that is asked, others will take shortcuts as they see fit.</p>\n\n<p>It remains though that naturally, sometimes an alternative, be it a particular one or just in general, is not permissible. When this is the case, that kind of a restriction is <em>part of the problem</em>. As such if the asker can't work with a given alternative, and if the only answers they're getting is that alternative, it's to them to modify their question to exclude that alternative as an option. Or if it is a known quantity to begin with, a pre-emptitive exclusion present in the question when asked is very appropriate. On the other side, if a reader happens upon a question and cannot utilize the alternatives that exist there, then they are welcome to recreate the question in a fashion which excludes the alternatives since their situation cannot cater to it.</p>\n\n<p>Sans such an explicit exclusion, if the asker can work with the alternative, or if they still receive other answers that do not employ that alternative, there's no foul going on as a result. It's fine to dislike something being provided as an alternative, but it's by no means something we're going to discourage on a level to the point of flagging. Downvotes, those are yours to give as you see fit to things that you believe are not helpful - I could say something like \"It's probably more appropriate to downvote if a particular alternative is actively unhelpful to you, as opposed to a post which you stumble across in random browsing which just <em>happens</em> to be an alternative\", but at the same vein, you could still deem it unhelpful and the vote is yours to cast. Just be open to the fact that if the alternative <em>does</em> work for other people, it's going to remain acceptable on the site.</p>\n",
"26: <p>Sometimes, \"don't try to do what you're trying to do\" is the only valid answer, see e.g. <a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/66377/what-is-the-xy-problem\">XY problem</a>.</p>\n"
] |
30 | user163: A big shout out to all of us for a successful graduation into private beta.
Let's make it a success now, and make sure we graduate into a full-fledged site.
So, this is one post which every user of a private beta site should read and act accordingly.
This is a reproduction of a moderator's (Richard) post on meta.hermeneutics.SE; I believe it is very much applicable to this community as well. Richard wrote a post encouraging voting. I think this is a big issue because rep is the basis of our "economy", encourages (good) user activity, sorts out our content and makes the site look active. In particular Question Votes make the site look more active.
I cannot state this strongly enough. Voting is absolutely critical to the formation of a healthy SE site. And this is never more true than in Private and early Public beta.
Vote on Questions
Voting allows the community to determine what topics are allowed and what are not. Voting shows what constitutes a well-formed question and what is unacceptable for this community.
If you need help formulating better questions, the blog post Asking Better Questions might help you out. (Admittedly, it's geared towards the Stackoverflow crowd, but the philosophies there will help). Also, How to Ask directly from StackOverflow is an excellent resource.
Finally, I want to reiterate that Voting on questions is free! It doesn't cost you any reputation to to vote a question down. (Compared to answers:)
Vote on Answers
Voting on answers allows a dramatic increase in reputation. Like questions, it shows that you believe and support the answer provided. Also, vote answers up that you think are well worded and support the answer given.
You don't have to agree with an answer to vote it up!
To show that this is true, they've even created a badge for voting up competing answers (called "Sportsmanship").
If you think an answer is useful, vote it up. If you think an answer is not useful, vote it down. Either way, vote!
If you need help on writing answers, the meta post How do I write a good answer to a question? will help you out.
Final thoughts
If people do not vote, there won't be enough reputation on this site for it to be promoted. Reputation is very important to a StackExchange site as it creates the groups of people capable of maintaining the site.
To show how critical it is, Jeff Atwood posted a blog article regarding this topic: Vote Early, Vote Often
Encourage others to vote!
Quoting RobertCartaino from chat:
Vote, vote, vote. Encourage others to vote, vote, vote. On good content, leave signposts ("If you like this, please vote it up. It's important for the community!")-- in both meta and the main site. Maybe a few meta posts informing the users of the important of that type of participation. You are empowered a lot more than you know.
Don't upvote bad content (edit/suggest how to fix it instead) but make sure you remember to vote, especially for questions; if you learned something from an answer on a question, the question's probably worth an upvote too so others can find the good information.
[]
user4762: There are other considerations, as have already been noted on What does it take to get out of Beta stage?
On fully graduated sites, we need:
users with > 10k who can access the moderation tools and;
users > 3k who can vote fully (close votes for example).
For a full list of reputation against privileges on a fully graduated site, take a look at the Raspberry Pi privileges page:
As can be seen, the reputation differs greatly from the reputation required when the site is in beta, see our privileges.
See this answer to the question “Graduation” of this Community for SE.Robotics.Meta, in particular this very poignant paragraph:
Also, consider this, we don't have a single 10k user right now. If we were to graduate today, the only people who would have access to moderator tools would be ♦ moderators. The problems are even worse further down the reputation scale, we only have 6 users with 3k or more reputation, who aren't already ♦ moderators, so only these 6 people would be able to cast ordinary close votes.
Our case is very similar. We have (click here):
One user who is near 10k, and that is, without wishing to name and shame (;-D) Tom
6 users over 3k
user5740: For graduation, voting is the key to get a growing community that wants to come back to post questions and answers!
According to SE.3D Printing user stats at Area 51 we need more questions and a solid group of users to assist in moderating the site.
The amount of questions are hard to control, but could be increased by the avid users by posting questions and answer those themselves (e.g. about problems you encountered while gaining experience in 3D printing, this is perfectly legal and documents the gained experience to be shared with others). Another aspect is the solid group of users. According to the stats page:
We recommend:
150 users with 200+ rep (currently 130 users with 200+ rep)
10 users with 2,000+ rep (currently 10 users with 2,000+ rep)
5 users with 3,000+ rep (currently 7 users with 3,000+ rep)
Quote taken at July 31, 2018
This implies we are short on 200+ rep users (20 people). This can be influenced by voting! There are so many questions unaccepted and a few do not have an answer, so there is a lot of reputation points to be awarded.
Please vote, not only answers, but also on questions. Please do also downvote to keep the quality high, but leave a comment why you downvote, when this answer/question is then modified to address your concerns please revisit to review your vote again.
user61: Yes!
Absolutely. We need to reward good answers, and raise rep levels so suers can get moderation privileges when they rise to the normal public beta levels.
However, I think we should also downvote poor questions and answers. I haven't yet done so, partly because I've focused on rewarding the good posts. But downvoting is important, too.
What happened to me yesterday:
I posted an answer (my first) to a question.
It was downvoted.
A user who may/may not have been the downvoter pointed out something I was wrong about.
There was a discussion in comments.
I deleted my answer.
I edited it.
There was continued dialogue with the user and another. I improved my answer even further.
Downvote was removed.
I'm grateful to the downvoter, and to the comments. We need to establish what posts are good and bad in the site, and my original answer was not good. It was wrong in several points - and since the question was about safety, it was even more important for it to be correct. The feedback helped me to fix my answer, but if I had not done so, the downvote would have ensured that better answers went to the top.
We should definitely upvote. But downvoting is good, too. Downvoters don't have to comment - that's never the case - but comments certainly help. They helped me.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/30",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/163/"
] | 2016/01/13 | [
"163: <p><strong>A big shout out to all of us for a successful graduation into private beta. \nLet's make it a success now, and make sure we graduate into a full-fledged site. \nSo, this is one post which every user of a private beta site should read and act accordingly.</strong></p>\n\n<p>This is a reproduction of a moderator's (Richard) <a href=\"https://hermeneutics.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/49\">post on meta.hermeneutics.SE</a>; I believe it is very much applicable to this community as well. Richard wrote a post encouraging voting. I think this is a big issue because rep is the basis of our \"economy\", encourages (good) user activity, sorts out our content and makes the site look active. In particular <strong>Question Votes</strong> make the site look more active.</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>I cannot state this strongly enough. Voting is <em>absolutely critical</em> to the formation of a healthy SE site. And this is never more true than in Private and early Public beta. </p>\n \n <h3>Vote on Questions</h3>\n \n <p>Voting allows the community to determine what topics are allowed and what are not. Voting shows what constitutes a well-formed question and what is unacceptable for this community.</p>\n \n <p>If you need help formulating better questions, the blog post <a href=\"http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2010/10/asking-better-questions/\">Asking Better Questions</a> might help you out. (Admittedly, it's geared towards the Stackoverflow crowd, but the philosophies there will help). Also, <a href=\"https://stackoverflow.com/questions/how-to-ask\">How to Ask</a> directly from StackOverflow is an excellent resource.</p>\n \n <p>Finally, I want to reiterate that <strong>Voting on questions is free!</strong> It doesn't cost you any reputation to to vote a question down. (Compared to answers:)</p>\n \n <h3>Vote on Answers</h3>\n \n <p>Voting on answers allows a dramatic increase in reputation. Like questions, it shows that you believe and support the answer provided. Also, vote answers up that you think are well worded and support the answer given. </p>\n \n <p><em>You don't have to agree with an answer to vote it up!</em></p>\n \n <p>To show that this is true, they've even created a <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/help/badges/63/sportsmanship\">badge for voting up competing answers (called \"Sportsmanship\")</a>.</p>\n \n <p>If you think an answer is <em>useful</em>, vote it up. If you think an answer is <em>not useful</em>, vote it down. Either way, <strong>vote</strong>!</p>\n \n <p>If you need help on writing answers, the meta post <a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/7656/how-do-i-write-a-good-answer-to-a-question\">How do I write a good answer to a question?</a> will help you out.</p>\n \n <h3>Final thoughts</h3>\n \n <p>If people do not vote, there won't be enough reputation on this site for it to be promoted. Reputation is very important to a StackExchange site as it creates the groups of people capable of maintaining the site.</p>\n \n <p>To show how critical it is, Jeff Atwood posted a blog article regarding this topic: <a href=\"http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2010/10/vote-early-vote-often/\">Vote Early, Vote Often</a></p>\n \n <h3>Encourage others to vote!</h3>\n \n <p>Quoting RobertCartaino from chat:</p>\n \n <blockquote>\n <p>Vote, vote, vote. Encourage others to vote, vote, vote. On good content, leave signposts (\"If you like this, please vote it up. It's important for the community!\")-- in both meta and the main site. Maybe a few meta posts informing the users of the important of that type of participation. You are empowered a lot more than you know.</p>\n </blockquote>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>Don't upvote bad content (edit/suggest how to fix it instead) but make sure you remember to vote, especially for questions; if you learned something from an answer on a question, the question's probably worth an upvote too so others can find the good information.</p>\n\n<p> [<img src=\"https://blog.stackexchange.com/images/wordpress/vote-here.jpg\" alt=\"https://blog.stackexchange.com/images/wordpress/vote-here.jpg\">]</p>\n",
"4762: <p>There are other considerations, as have already been noted on <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/264/what-does-it-take-to-get-out-of-beta-stage\">What does it take to get out of Beta stage?</a></p>\n\n<p>On fully graduated sites, we need:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong><em>users with > 10k</em></strong> who can access the moderation tools and;</li>\n<li><strong><em>users > 3k</em></strong> who can vote fully (close votes for example). </li>\n</ul>\n\n<hr>\n\n<p>For a full list of reputation against privileges on a <em>fully graduated site</em>, take a look at the <a href=\"https://raspberrypi.stackexchange.com/help/privileges\">Raspberry Pi privileges page</a>:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/HkSHk.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\" title=\"Graduated privileges\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/HkSHk.png\" alt=\"Graduated privileges\" title=\"Graduated privileges\"></a></p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>As can be seen, the reputation differs greatly from the reputation required <em>when the site is in beta</em>, see <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/help/privileges\">our privileges</a>.</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/aNWMB.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\" title=\"Beta Privileges\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/aNWMB.png\" alt=\"Beta Privileges\" title=\"Beta Privileges\"></a></p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<hr>\n\n<p>See <a href=\"https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/1354/graduation-of-this-community#answer-1355\">this answer</a> to the question <a href=\"https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/1354/graduation-of-this-community\">“Graduation” of this Community</a> for SE.Robotics.Meta, in particular this <em>very poignant</em> paragraph:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>Also, consider this, we don't have a single 10k user right now. If we were to graduate today, the only people who would have access to moderator tools would be ♦ moderators. The problems are even worse further down the reputation scale, we only have 6 users with 3k or more reputation, who aren't already ♦ moderators, so only these 6 people would be able to cast ordinary close votes.</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>Our case is very similar. We have (click <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users?tab=Reputation&filter=all\">here</a>):</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>One user who is <em>near</em> 10k, and that is, without wishing to name and shame (;-D) <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/26/tom-van-der-zanden\">Tom</a></li>\n<li>6 users over 3k</li>\n</ul>\n",
"5740: <p>For graduation, <strong><em>voting is the key</em></strong> to get a growing community that wants to come back to post questions and answers! </p>\n\n<p>According to SE.3D Printing user stats at <a href=\"https://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/82438/3d-printing\">Area 51</a> we need more questions and a solid group of users to assist in moderating the site. </p>\n\n<p>The amount of questions are hard to control, but could be increased by the avid users by posting questions and answer those themselves (e.g. about problems you encountered while gaining experience in 3D printing, this is perfectly legal and documents the gained experience to be shared with others). Another aspect is the solid group of users. According to the stats page:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>We recommend: </p>\n \n <ul>\n <li>150 users with 200+ rep (currently 130 users with 200+ rep) </li>\n <li>10 users with 2,000+ rep (currently 10 users with 2,000+ rep) </li>\n <li>5 users with 3,000+ rep (currently 7 users with 3,000+ rep)</li>\n </ul>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p><sup>Quote taken at July 31, 2018</sup></p>\n\n<p>This implies we are short on 200+ rep users (20 people). This can be influenced by voting! There are so many questions unaccepted and a few do not have an answer, so there is a lot of reputation points to be awarded.</p>\n\n<p>Please vote, not only answers, but also on questions. Please do also downvote to keep the quality high, but leave a comment why you downvote, when this answer/question is then modified to address your concerns please revisit to review your vote again.</p>\n",
"61: <p><strong>Yes!</strong></p>\n\n<p>Absolutely. We need to reward good answers, and raise rep levels so suers can get moderation privileges when they rise to the normal public beta levels.</p>\n\n<p>However, I think we should also downvote poor questions and answers. I haven't yet done so, partly because I've focused on rewarding the good posts. But downvoting is important, too.</p>\n\n<p>What happened to me yesterday:</p>\n\n<ol>\n<li>I posted an answer (my first) to a question.</li>\n<li>It was downvoted.</li>\n<li>A user who may/may not have been the downvoter pointed out something I was wrong about.</li>\n<li>There was a discussion in comments.</li>\n<li>I deleted my answer.</li>\n<li>I edited it.</li>\n<li>There was continued dialogue with the user and another. I improved my answer even further.</li>\n<li>Downvote was removed.</li>\n</ol>\n\n<p>I'm grateful to the downvoter, and to the comments. We need to establish what posts are good and bad in the site, and my original answer was not good. It was wrong in several points - and since the question was about <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/safety\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'safety'\" rel=\"tag\">safety</a>, it was even more important for it to be correct. The feedback helped me to fix my answer, but if I had not done so, the downvote would have ensured that better answers went to the top.</p>\n\n<p>We should definitely upvote. But downvoting is good, too. Downvoters don't have to comment - that's never the case - but comments certainly help. They helped me.</p>\n"
] |
32 | user26: This site may attract questions such as
Is it legal to sell 3D printed objects from a model repository?
Are 3D printed guns legal in my jurisdiction?
If my custom-built printer sets my house on fire, does the insurance cover it?
Are such questions allowed on this site, or should they be redirected to a site dealing more commonly with laws?
user26: No, such questions should not be allowed. This site deals only with the practical issues of 3D printing. Questions about legal issues should be redirected to sites dealing specifically with those, since users of this site do not have the expertise to address legal issues. A 3D printing expert does not make a legal expert.
user107: I would say that they are on topic because it seems more reasonable to look for questions about the legality of 3D printing on a 3D printing site than a law site.
user26: Yes, such questions should be on-topic. There can be partial overlap in sites' scopes, and unique legal issues involving 3D printing can be addressed here. Users of this site are more likely to have specific expertise than users on a site that deals with laws more generally.
user163: I would go with NO, as that should be dealt by law experts from the Law SE, instead of 3D printing engineers and enthusiasts in this site.
Dealing with such questions in this site, would lead to the following problems, like wrong and unreliable advice.
So, such questions should be migrated to the Law site, IMO.
user61: Yes - in some cases.
First, overlap between sites is fine. It doesn't matter if a question is on topic somewhere else; that's no reason to eliminate it from a different site's scope. There were some issues when HSM sprang up, because Mathematics, Physics, and other sites allowed history-related questions. I participated in several meta discussions on these sites. While Physics eventually decided to not allow history questions, Mathematics and other sites continued to allow them. So we should not make our decision based on Law.
I do agree that, so far, the legal questions have not been great. But in the future, they could be. I wrote in a comment
I agree with @TomvanderZanden; a good case could be made for keeping this here. Laws and regulations can be a huge influence on an industry; the allowance or ban of certain products of said industry would seem to be relevant here. Remember, questions can be on-topic on multiple sites.
Regulatory measures can be extraordinarily important in a industry. If we had a site about making socks, should questions about whether or not is is legal to make socks with material X in the United States be off topic? I would argue no; this could be an important part of sock-making.
We have the same situation here. Some legal questions can be important; I would argue that questions regarding which materials and devices are legal should be ones we aim for. The legality of Filament A could be really important to a project.
That's not to say that all legal questions are fine. As has been said, some of the ones we've had so far haven't been great, and I would advocate sending them to Law. But I strongly disagree that just because of the examples we've seen we should not allow legal questions. There are good ones out there; we haven't seen their full extent yet.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/32",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/26/"
] | 2016/01/13 | [
"26: <p>This site may attract questions such as</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><p>Is it legal to sell 3D printed objects from a model repository?</p></li>\n<li><p>Are 3D printed guns legal in my jurisdiction?</p></li>\n<li><p>If my custom-built printer sets my house on fire, does the insurance cover it?</p></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>Are such questions allowed on this site, or should they be redirected to a site dealing more commonly with laws?</p>\n",
"26: <p>No, such questions should not be allowed. This site deals only with the practical issues of 3D printing. Questions about legal issues should be redirected to sites dealing specifically with those, since users of this site do not have the expertise to address legal issues. A 3D printing expert does not make a legal expert.</p>\n",
"107: <p>I would say that <strong>they are on topic</strong> because it seems more reasonable to look for questions about the legality of 3D printing on a 3D printing site than a law site.</p>\n",
"26: <p>Yes, such questions should be on-topic. There can be partial overlap in sites' scopes, and unique legal issues involving 3D printing can be addressed here. Users of this site are more likely to have specific expertise than users on a site that deals with laws more generally.</p>\n",
"163: <p>I would go with <strong>NO,</strong> as that should be dealt by law experts from the <a href=\"https://law.stackexchange.com/\">Law SE</a>, instead of 3D printing engineers and enthusiasts in this site.</p>\n\n<p>Dealing with such questions in this site, would lead to the following problems, like wrong and unreliable advice.</p>\n\n<p>So, such questions should be migrated to the Law site, IMO.</p>\n",
"61: <p><strong>Yes - in some cases.</strong></p>\n\n<p>First, overlap between sites is fine. <em>It doesn't matter if a question is on topic somewhere else</em>; that's no reason to eliminate it from a different site's scope. There were some issues when HSM sprang up, because Mathematics, Physics, and other sites allowed history-related questions. I participated in several meta discussions on these sites. While Physics eventually decided to not allow history questions, Mathematics and other sites continued to allow them. So we should not make our decision based on Law.</p>\n\n<p>I do agree that, so far, the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/legal\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'legal'\" rel=\"tag\">legal</a> questions have not been great. But in the future, they could be. I wrote in <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/103/is-it-legal-to-make-a-weapon-with-a-3d-printer#comment123_1030\">a comment</a></p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>I agree with @TomvanderZanden; a good case could be made for keeping this here. Laws and regulations can be a huge influence on an industry; the allowance or ban of certain products of said industry would seem to be relevant here. Remember, questions can be on-topic on multiple sites.</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>Regulatory measures can be extraordinarily important in a industry. If we had a site about making socks, should questions about whether or not is is legal to make socks with material X in the United States be off topic? I would argue no; this could be an important part of sock-making.</p>\n\n<p>We have the same situation here. Some <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/legal\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'legal'\" rel=\"tag\">legal</a> questions can be important; I would argue that questions regarding which materials and devices are legal should be ones we aim for. The legality of Filament A could be really important to a project.</p>\n\n<p>That's not to say that all <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/legal\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'legal'\" rel=\"tag\">legal</a> questions are fine. As has been said, some of the ones we've had so far haven't been great, and I would advocate sending them to Law. But I strongly disagree that just because of the examples we've seen we should not allow <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/legal\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'legal'\" rel=\"tag\">legal</a> questions. There are good ones out there; we haven't seen their full extent yet.</p>\n"
] |
37 | user43: What would be a good tag to use for doing business/making profit with a 3D printer?
user138: I'd suggest two different tags:
[monetization]: For selling, or profiting from printing, or from printing machines
[financing] (or [costs]): For calculating the cost of materials and machines, including operational expenses.
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] | 2016/01/13 | [
"43: <p>What would be a good tag to use for doing business/making profit with a 3D printer?</p>\n",
"138: <p>I'd suggest two different tags:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><p>[monetization]: For selling, or profiting from printing, or from printing machines</p></li>\n<li><p>[financing] (or [costs]): For calculating the cost of materials and machines, including operational expenses.</p></li>\n</ul>\n"
] |
49 | user65: I believe this question is asked on every private Beta... what should be the name of our chatroom?
user20: The Box
Since everything happens in the box.
user10: sliced text
Slicing a 3d model is a necessary step for almost all 3D printing techniques, so that it can be printed layer by layer that eventually make up the 3D object.
In chat, people write text line by line which will eventually make up an entire conversation.
user61: The Hotbed.
Colloquially, "hotbed" generally refers to a center of activity. Here, it will have a double meaning (referencing the hot bed of a 3D printer.
| [
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"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/65/"
] | 2016/01/13 | [
"65: <p>I believe this question is asked on every private Beta... what should be the name of our chatroom?</p>\n",
"20: <h3>The Box</h3>\n\n<p>Since everything happens in the box.</p>\n",
"10: <h2>sliced text</h2>\n\n<p>Slicing a 3d model is a necessary step for almost all 3D printing techniques, so that it can be printed layer by layer that eventually make up the 3D object.</p>\n\n<p>In chat, people write text line by line which will eventually make up an entire conversation.</p>\n",
"61: <p><strong>The Hotbed.</strong></p>\n\n<p>Colloquially, \"hotbed\" generally refers to a center of activity. Here, it will have a double meaning (referencing the hot bed of a 3D printer.</p>\n"
] |
50 | user65: When asking my first question, I noticed we have a "quality" tag.
I used it to ask about the quality of the 3D printer in my question, but most other uses are about the quality of the prints.
Should we have separate tags, e.g. "printer-quality" and "print-quality"?
user26: "print-quality" is a better (more specific) tag than "quality", but I don't think we should have a "printer-quality" tag. While discussions about print quality and how to improve it can be reasonably objective, questions asking about printer quality are likely to be primarily opinion-based and off-topic for this site.
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"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
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] | 2016/01/13 | [
"65: <p>When asking my first question, I noticed we have a \"quality\" tag.</p>\n\n<p>I used it to ask about the quality of the 3D printer in my question, but most other uses are about the quality of the prints.</p>\n\n<p>Should we have separate tags, e.g. \"printer-quality\" and \"print-quality\"?</p>\n",
"26: <p>\"print-quality\" is a better (more specific) tag than \"quality\", but I don't think we should have a \"printer-quality\" tag. While discussions about print quality and how to improve it can be reasonably objective, questions asking about printer quality are likely to be primarily opinion-based and off-topic for this site.</p>\n"
] |
59 | user61: We currently have quite a few tags about filament:
filament
plastic-filament
thermoplastic-filament
etc.
I feel like we need to clean these up and make clear what we'll use each tag for.
Thoughts?
user8884: I bump this and propose the radical method:
We only need ONE filament tag and then any tags for specific material (e.g.pla abs petg pva tpu pc) groups that have specific properties (e.g. flexible-filament conductive-filament)
The difference between thermoplastic-filament and plastic-filament in use is nonexistant and both are pretty much identical to filament in the current use - it is rather random which one gets used, in many cases more than one is used.
There is no filament that can be used in 3D printing that is not a thermoplastic, as the method to re-shape the filament via heat demands a thermoplastic.
While there are clearly more plastics than thermoplastics, non thermoplastic plastics are not useable for 3D printing unless you would design a whole printer to use for example an UV-curing resin delivered to the workpiece via a needle - which makes this a non-FDM printer.
user43: I see a form of hierarchy that could be used.
Depending on the question a higher level tag could be used or a more specific one for specific problems (or both tags even).
Filament
Plastic Filament
ABS
PLA
Water Soluble
PVA
Flexible
NinjaFlex and similar
TPU
Conductive
Metalic
Resin
Powder
Full Color
Feel free to edit to add more types
user26: All filament used in 3D printing is thermoplastic filament, so plastic-filament and thermoplastic-filament are redundant.
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"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
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] | 2016/01/15 | [
"61: <p>We currently have quite a few tags about filament:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/filament\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'filament'\" rel=\"tag\">filament</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/plastic-filament\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'plastic-filament'\" rel=\"tag\">plastic-filament</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/thermoplastic-filament\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'thermoplastic-filament'\" rel=\"tag\">thermoplastic-filament</a></li>\n<li>etc.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>I feel like we need to clean these up and make clear what we'll use each tag for.</p>\n\n<p>Thoughts?</p>\n",
"8884: <p>I bump this and propose the radical method:</p>\n\n<p>We only need ONE <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/filament\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'filament'\" rel=\"tag\">filament</a> tag and then any tags for specific material (e.g.<a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/pla\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'pla'\" rel=\"tag\">pla</a> <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/abs\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'abs'\" rel=\"tag\">abs</a> <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/petg\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'petg'\" rel=\"tag\">petg</a> <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/pva\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'pva'\" rel=\"tag\">pva</a> <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/tpu\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'tpu'\" rel=\"tag\">tpu</a> <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/pc\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'pc'\" rel=\"tag\">pc</a>) groups that have specific properties (e.g. <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/flexible-filament\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'flexible-filament'\" rel=\"tag\">flexible-filament</a> <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/conductive-filament\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'conductive-filament'\" rel=\"tag\">conductive-filament</a>)</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><p>The difference between <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/thermoplastic-filament\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'thermoplastic-filament'\" rel=\"tag\">thermoplastic-filament</a> and <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/plastic-filament\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'plastic-filament'\" rel=\"tag\">plastic-filament</a> in use is nonexistant and both are pretty much identical to filament in the current use - it is rather random which one gets used, in many cases more than one is used.</p></li>\n<li><p>There is no filament that can be used in 3D printing that is not a thermoplastic, as the method to re-shape the filament via heat demands a thermoplastic.</p></li>\n<li><p>While there are clearly more plastics than thermoplastics, non thermoplastic plastics are not useable for 3D printing unless you would design a whole printer to use for example an UV-curing resin delivered to the workpiece via a needle - which makes this a non-FDM printer.</p></li>\n</ul>\n",
"43: <p>I see a form of hierarchy that could be used.</p>\n\n<p>Depending on the question a higher level tag could be used or a more specific one for specific problems (or both tags even).</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Filament\n\n<ul>\n<li>Plastic Filament\n\n<ul>\n<li>ABS</li>\n<li>PLA</li>\n</ul></li>\n<li>Water Soluble\n\n<ul>\n<li>PVA</li>\n</ul></li>\n<li>Flexible\n\n<ul>\n<li>NinjaFlex and similar</li>\n<li>TPU</li>\n</ul></li>\n<li>Conductive</li>\n<li>Metalic</li>\n</ul></li>\n<li>Resin</li>\n<li>Powder</li>\n<li>Full Color</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>Feel free to edit to add more types</p>\n",
"26: <p>All filament used in 3D printing is thermoplastic filament, so plastic-filament and thermoplastic-filament are redundant.</p>\n"
] |
67 | user40: I just got a printer with swappable heads that can do FDM 3d printing, milling, and laser engraving. Presumably questions relating to the first are in scope here; how about the others? Or how about questions about the intersection? For example, a question about how best to design a model that can be produced either by FDM or milling.
user1: Various proposals covering the 3D printing space went through many iterations including a broader site about "Personal Manufacturing" and another for "Digital Fabrication." This is another variation on that scope.
3D printers are going to become increasingly capable and integrate features we haven't even imagined. So as 3D printers start to cross over into other related areas, as long as the questions are not too far outside the target audience of this site, I would allow them.
This is one of those times where I'd say it's not the "name" that defines this site, but the intentions of the community that built it. So unless (until) there arises a field of questions incongruous with the audience of this site, I wouldn't be too quick to break out the Oxford English Dictionary to define its scope.
Essentially, I would err towards keeping these questions and let their longer track record decide if they belong.
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"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
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] | 2016/01/19 | [
"40: <p>I just got a printer with swappable heads that can do FDM 3d printing, milling, and laser engraving. Presumably questions relating to the first are in scope here; how about the others? Or how about questions about the intersection? For example, a question about how best to design a model that can be produced <em>either</em> by FDM or milling.</p>\n",
"1: <p>Various proposals covering the 3D printing space went through many iterations including a broader site about \"Personal Manufacturing\" and another for \"Digital Fabrication.\" This is another variation on that scope.</p>\n\n<p>3D printers are going to become increasingly capable and integrate features we haven't even imagined. So as 3D printers start to cross over into other related areas, as long as the questions are not too far outside the target audience of this site, <strong>I would allow them.</strong> </p>\n\n<p>This is one of those times where I'd say it's not the \"name\" that defines this site, but the intentions of the community that built it. So unless (until) there arises a field of questions incongruous with the audience of this site, I wouldn't be too quick to break out the Oxford English Dictionary to define its scope.</p>\n\n<p>Essentially, I would err towards keeping these questions and let their longer track record decide if they belong. </p>\n"
] |
69 | user298: The questions so far are pretty strongly geared towards hobbyist/consumer FFF machines. That's not necessarily bad, since that's where most legit questions will come from. (Not much reason to ask questions about a plug-and-play industrial machine.) But it's a pretty important scope distinction. So far, askers are not really providing enough technology/make/model info to tell what kind of equipment they're running. An experienced expert can tell by context what the intention is, but that's not really scalable.
Sub-questions:
Will other AM technologies like SLA/DLP be included? If so, a pretty
rigorous clarification and tagging effort will be required to
separate out these other technologies.
Are industrial machines in scope?
user1: In technology, today's big iron is tomorrows desktop toys. I don't see any purpose in creating an explicit moratorium against bigger industrial applications in this space.
"The questions so far…" are only a limited sampling from a closed private beta running about two weeks. I don't know how comprehensive this site will become, but let's be careful about starting in on a rule set anticipating problems that may never occur in actual practice.
See: Erring towards keeping these questions and let their longer track record decide if they belong.
user26: I think all additive manufacturing techniques should be in scope. Given their popularity with consumers, most questions will naturally be regarding FDM printers. I don't see why that should rule out other techniques though: SLA machines are becoming increasingly accessible, and I think there's a $5000 SLS machine on the horizon.
I don't see any reason to rule out industrial machines either. With the current user base those questions might go unanswered but there's no reason this site couldn't attract industry experts when it goes public.
I do agree that questions should specify the make/model of 3D printer the question relates to if it's not obvious from the context.
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"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/298/"
] | 2016/01/20 | [
"298: <p>The questions so far are pretty strongly geared towards hobbyist/consumer FFF machines. That's not necessarily bad, since that's where most legit questions will come from. (Not much reason to ask questions about a plug-and-play industrial machine.) But it's a pretty important scope distinction. So far, askers are not really providing enough technology/make/model info to tell what kind of equipment they're running. An experienced expert can tell by context what the intention is, but that's not really scalable.</p>\n\n<p>Sub-questions:</p>\n\n<ol>\n<li>Will other AM technologies like SLA/DLP be included? If so, a pretty\nrigorous clarification and tagging effort will be required to\nseparate out these other technologies.</li>\n<li>Are industrial machines in scope? </li>\n</ol>\n",
"1: <p>In technology, today's big iron is tomorrows desktop toys. I don't see any purpose in creating an explicit moratorium against bigger industrial applications in this space. </p>\n\n<p>\"The questions so far…\" are only a limited sampling from a <em>closed</em> private beta running about two weeks. I don't know how comprehensive this site will become, but let's be careful about starting in on a rule set anticipating problems that may never occur in actual practice. </p>\n\n<p>See: <strong><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/a/68/1\">Erring towards keeping these questions and let their longer track record decide if they belong</a>.</strong></p>\n",
"26: <p>I think all additive manufacturing techniques should be in scope. Given their popularity with consumers, most questions will naturally be regarding FDM printers. I don't see why that should rule out other techniques though: SLA machines are becoming increasingly accessible, and I think there's a $5000 SLS machine on the horizon.</p>\n\n<p>I don't see any reason to rule out industrial machines either. With the current user base those questions might go unanswered but there's no reason this site couldn't attract industry experts when it goes public.</p>\n\n<p>I do agree that questions should specify the make/model of 3D printer the question relates to if it's not obvious from the context.</p>\n"
] |
74 | user43: We have only had activity on 3 questions in the past 2 days. It is recommended that we get 10 new questions per day. This is far below these goals.
What can we do to get more questions?
user138: I wouldn't worry too much about it.
We're still currently in the private beta stage, and we'll be in this spot for another 9 days. After nearly two weeks of private beta, it's perfectly natural for activity to slow down.
So what should you do?
Don't lose out. Make sure that you keep your commitment to this strong. Keep active on meta, working through the queues and discussing site issues.
Quantity is not everything. Whatever you do, never sacrifice quality in these critical stages. Don't ask questions simply for the sake of asking: if you do, you're bailing out on the site. Continue answering questions with quality. If you start seeding the site with lower-quality questions, you'll destroy the site. I've seen this happen. You've got a reputation so far, make sure to keep it, or even improve it.
user40: Sending out additional private-beta invites could help, too (without, of course, going overboard).
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/74",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/43/"
] | 2016/01/24 | [
"43: <p>We have only had activity on 3 questions in the past 2 days. It is recommended that we get 10 new questions per day. This is far below these goals.</p>\n\n<p>What can we do to get more questions?</p>\n",
"138: <p>I wouldn't worry too much about it. </p>\n\n<p>We're still currently in the private beta stage, and we'll be in this spot for another 9 days. After nearly two weeks of private beta, it's perfectly natural for activity to slow down. </p>\n\n<h2>So what should you do?</h2>\n\n<p>Don't lose out. Make sure that you keep your commitment to this strong. Keep active on meta, working through the queues and discussing site issues. </p>\n\n<p>Quantity is not everything. Whatever you do, never sacrifice quality in these critical stages. Don't ask questions simply for the sake of asking: if you do, you're bailing out on the site. Continue answering questions with quality. If you start seeding the site with lower-quality questions, you'll destroy the site. I've seen this happen. You've got a reputation so far, make sure to keep it, or even improve it. </p>\n",
"40: <p>Sending out additional private-beta invites could help, too (without, of course, going overboard).</p>\n"
] |
76 | user138: When 3D Printing moves into public beta, you're going to want to get the word out. And fast! One of the best ways to advertise ourselves across the entire Stack Exchange network is through community ads.
So what are these "Community Ads?"
Graduated sites allow the community to advertise relevant products or services within the site, using a system where the community chooses what to advertise. You can find these posts on per-site metas. Hint: these posts have the community-ads tag!
Cool! What should the ad be like?
There's a few requirements for these ads. Most notably,
They must be 300px wide by 250px tall, or double for "retina" displays
There's a limit on file size of 150 kB.
The image must be hosted on i.stack.imgur (the Stack Exchange image hosting service).
Ads must be GIF or PNG (no animated GIFs).
What else should I know?
To facilitate easy posting to other sites, make sure that the embedded image is of the following format:
[![Tagline to show on mouseover][1]][2]
[1]: http://image-url
[2]: http://clickthrough-url
You can also include a message as a part of your answer with your own thoughts: why you chose some of the elements, and what sites the ads could potentially be posted to. Don't forget to critique each other as well!
Happy Designing!
user98: As mentioned, here's one related to the Occupy Thingiverse movement. It's simple, but it has a bit of history within the 3D printing community.
user2146:
Using this guy to post on the facebook groups. As an admin of 3d printing hobbyists I usually see posts get 2-3k views. So We might get as high as 5k+ views. But it seems to be fairly random with Facebooks meddling with what content to show first.
user1211: here is another trial of logo (kinda evolution to make it more technic and even more simple)
and favico
user1211: here is another proposition
it's as "native" as possible i think :)
it's jut a draft so all those curves will be tuned
but i wanted to show the idea
user98: I'll try my hand at it and try to get the ball rolling.
user115: How about something like:
The post-it design is optional, naturally.
user1211: I admire Tormod idea.
Here is my version of his picture.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/76",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/138/"
] | 2016/01/24 | [
"138: <p>When 3D Printing moves into public beta, you're going to want to get the word out. And fast! One of the best ways to advertise ourselves across the entire Stack Exchange network is through community ads. </p>\n\n<h3>So what are these \"Community Ads?\"</h3>\n\n<p>Graduated sites allow the community to advertise relevant products or services within the site, using a system where the community chooses what to advertise. You can find these posts on per-site metas. Hint: these posts have the <a href=\"/questions/tagged/community-ads\" class=\"post-tag moderator-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'community-ads'\" rel=\"tag\">community-ads</a> tag!</p>\n\n<h3>Cool! What should the ad be like?</h3>\n\n<p>There's a few requirements for these ads. Most notably,</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>They must be 300px wide by 250px tall, or double for \"retina\" displays</li>\n<li>There's a limit on file size of 150 kB.</li>\n<li>The image must be hosted on i.stack.imgur (the Stack Exchange image hosting service).</li>\n<li>Ads must be GIF or PNG (no animated GIFs).</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3>What else should I know?</h3>\n\n<p>To facilitate easy posting to other sites, make sure that the embedded image is of the following format:</p>\n\n<pre>[![Tagline to show on mouseover][1]][2]\n\n [1]: http://image-url\n [2]: http://clickthrough-url \n</pre>\n\n<p>You can also include a message as a part of your answer with your own thoughts: why you chose some of the elements, and what sites the ads could potentially be posted to. Don't forget to critique each other as well!</p>\n\n<p><strong>Happy Designing!</strong></p>\n",
"98: <p>As mentioned, here's one related to the <a href=\"http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:30808\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><strong>Occupy Thingiverse</strong></a> movement. It's simple, but it has a bit of history within the 3D printing community.</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/9vUg7.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/9vUg7.png\" alt=\"enter image description here\"></a></p>\n",
"2146: <p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/4uUlD.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/4uUlD.jpg\" alt=\"enter image description here\"></a></p>\n\n<p>Using this guy to post on the facebook groups. As an admin of 3d printing hobbyists I usually see posts get 2-3k views. So We might get as high as 5k+ views. But it seems to be fairly random with Facebooks meddling with what content to show first.</p>\n",
"1211: <p>here is another trial of logo (kinda evolution to make it more technic and even more simple)</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/8fI5T.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/8fI5T.png\" alt=\"enter image description here\"></a></p>\n\n<p>and favico\n<a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/ePnPJ.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/ePnPJ.png\" alt=\"enter image description here\"></a></p>\n",
"1211: <p>here is another proposition\nit's as \"native\" as possible i think :)</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/zbU4j.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/zbU4j.png\" alt=\"enter image description here\"></a></p>\n\n<p>it's jut a draft so all those curves will be tuned</p>\n\n<p>but i wanted to show the idea</p>\n",
"98: <p>I'll try my hand at it and try to get the ball rolling.</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/CBJNE.png\" alt=\"Been here?\"></a></p>\n",
"115: <p>How about something like:</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/UUGWg.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/UUGWg.jpg\" alt=\"enter image description here\"></a></p>\n\n<p>The post-it design is optional, naturally.</p>\n",
"1211: <p>I admire Tormod idea.</p>\n\n<p>Here is my version of his picture.</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/hNsZV.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/hNsZV.png\" alt=\"enter image description here\"></a>\n<a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/bRg5J.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/bRg5J.png\" alt=\"enter image description here\"></a></p>\n"
] |
77 | user126: Questions like:
x 3d printer is good?
or
if it is my first printer, which model would you recommend
or
What printer model to buy?
are on-topic?
I think if you ask
I can not do x with my 3d printer, what printer to do x?
Can be on-topic
user63: These are shopping questions, plain and simple. They are such obvious broken windows that it is important that they are closed as quickly as possible.
On Robotics I have the following canned response for shopping questions, and I would highly recommend adapting it for 3dprinting:
Welcome to *robotics* XXX, but I'm afraid that *[shopping questions](http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2010/11/qa-is-hard-lets-go-shopping/)* really aren't a good fit for a stack exchange site. We prefer *[practical, answerable questions based on actual problems that you face](https://robotics.stackexchange.com/help/dont-ask)*. Take a look at [ask] and [about] for more information on how stack exchange works, and the [*Robotics* question checklist](https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/q/1302/37) for details of how to write a good question.
This renders as:
Welcome to robotics XXX, but I'm afraid that shopping questions really aren't a good fit for a stack exchange site. We prefer practical, answerable questions based on actual problems that you face. Take a look at How to Ask, tour and the Robotics question checklist for more information on how stack exchange works.
I then close the question as "Primarily Opinion Based". These questions are almost never edited to adhere to community guidelines, but at least I have done my best to welcome people to the community and minimise the risk that they will leave and never come back.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/77",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/126/"
] | 2016/01/27 | [
"126: <p>Questions like:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p><em>x</em> 3d printer is good?</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>or</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>if it is my first printer, which model would you recommend</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>or</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>What printer model to buy?</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>are on-topic?</p>\n\n<p>I think if you ask</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p><strong>I can not do <em>x</em> with my 3d printer, what printer to do <em>x</em>?</strong></p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>Can be on-topic</p>\n",
"63: <p>These are shopping questions, plain and simple. They are such obvious <a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broken_windows_theory\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">broken windows</a> that it is important that they are closed as quickly as possible.</p>\n\n<p>On <em>Robotics</em> I have the following <a href=\"https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/a/177/37\">canned response</a> for shopping questions, and I would highly recommend adapting it for 3dprinting:</p>\n\n<p><code>Welcome to *robotics* XXX, but I'm afraid that *[shopping questions](http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2010/11/qa-is-hard-lets-go-shopping/)* really aren't a good fit for a stack exchange site. We prefer *[practical, answerable questions based on actual problems that you face](https://robotics.stackexchange.com/help/dont-ask)*. Take a look at [ask] and [about] for more information on how stack exchange works, and the [*Robotics* question checklist](https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/q/1302/37) for details of how to write a good question.</code></p>\n\n<p>This renders as:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>Welcome to <em>robotics</em> XXX, but I'm afraid that <em><a href=\"http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2010/11/qa-is-hard-lets-go-shopping/\">shopping questions</a></em> really aren't a good fit for a stack exchange site. We prefer <em><a href=\"https://robotics.stackexchange.com/help/dont-ask\">practical, answerable questions based on actual problems that you face</a></em>. Take a look at <a href=\"https://robotics.stackexchange.com/questions/how-to-ask\">How to Ask</a>, <a href=\"https://robotics.stackexchange.com/about\">tour</a> and the <a href=\"https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/q/1302/37\"><em>Robotics</em> question checklist</a> for more information on how stack exchange works.</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>I then close the question as \"Primarily Opinion Based\". These questions are almost never edited to adhere to community guidelines, but at least I have done my best to welcome people to the community and minimise the risk that they will leave and never come back.</p>\n"
] |
79 | user150: As you may or may not know, this is the third iteration of a proposal site that covers 3D Printing. The first 2 made it to the beta phase, but did not graduate from the beta successfully:
Digital Fabrication
Personal Manufacturing
Would it be acceptable to extract good/relevant questions out of these beta site question dumps and post them in the 3D Printing site?
user63: Although I was sad to see the Digital Fabrication beta close, I think there would be little to be gained by trying to import it's questions. The scope was different, and it was a very different group of comitters - only 1.8% of Digital Fabrication committers also committed to 3D Printing for instance.
user1: If someone has a question from one of those older sites, they should go ahead and ask it. But a wholesale importing of content from elsewhere is not really a desirable way to build this site.
There is a lot of ownership and careful curation that goes with vetting the content of this site. Questions imported from elsewhere would always have that air of odd, forgotten legacy content back-dated and anonymous with no owners or real-time vetting at all. If someone posts another answer or asks for some followup to one of these questions, no one will receive the notification. Essentially, we would be loading this site up with a lot of questions asked and answered a long time ago without imparting any of the benefits of reputation, ownership, or experience into the community that is supposed to take care of it.
That's why we don't do it.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/79",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/150/"
] | 2016/01/28 | [
"150: <p>As you may or may not know, this is the third iteration of a proposal site that covers 3D Printing. The first 2 made it to the beta phase, but did not graduate from the beta successfully:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/41850/digital-fabrication\">Digital Fabrication</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/22246/personal-manufacturing\">Personal Manufacturing</a></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>Would it be acceptable to extract <code>good</code>/<code>relevant</code> questions out of these beta site question dumps and post them in the 3D Printing site?</p>\n",
"63: <p>Although I was sad to see the <a href=\"http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/41850/digital-fabrication\">Digital Fabrication</a> beta close, I think there would be little to be gained by trying to import it's questions. The scope was different, and it was a very different group of comitters - only 1.8% of <a href=\"http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/41850/digital-fabrication\">Digital Fabrication</a> committers also committed to <em>3D Printing</em> for instance.</p>\n",
"1: <p>If someone has a question from one of those older sites, they should go ahead and ask it. But a wholesale importing of content from elsewhere is not really a desirable way to build this site. </p>\n\n<p>There is a lot of ownership and careful curation that goes with vetting the content of this site. Questions imported from elsewhere would always have that air of odd, forgotten legacy content back-dated and <em>anonymous</em> with no owners or real-time vetting at all. If someone posts another answer or asks for some followup to one of these questions, no one will receive the notification. Essentially, we would be loading this site up with a lot of questions asked and answered a long time ago without imparting any of the benefits of reputation, ownership, or experience into the community that is supposed to take care of it.</p>\n\n<p>That's why we don't do it.</p>\n"
] |
80 | user334: How to choose a right 3D printer filament type?
I mean, this is usefull question. Why are you guys voting for close? It's not too broad, I formated it to be direct on topic.
Thanks afterwards.
user115: I believe the question can be considered "too broad" because you basically ask for the pros, cons and similarities of every filament that can be 3D-printed.
You last paragraph is a better question, since you here ask how to find the right filament for your cause. If that is really what you want to ask, you could try putting more emphasis on that specific question.
If what you actually want to know is what filament you should use for one specific application - for instance for a part that need to withstand physical stress - try asking about that instead.
In general, it can often be better to ask a question with a specific scenario - even a constructed case - than asking general questions.
Also, remember to always try getting your title as specific as possible, since that is the first impression users will get when the read your post!
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/80",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/334/"
] | 2016/01/28 | [
"334: <p><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/410/how-to-choose-a-right-3d-printer-filament-type\">How to choose a right 3D printer filament type?</a></p>\n\n<p>I mean, this is usefull question. Why are you guys voting for close? It's not too broad, I formated it to be direct on topic.</p>\n\n<p>Thanks afterwards.</p>\n",
"115: <p>I believe the question can be considered \"too broad\" because you basically ask for the pros, cons and similarities of <em>every</em> filament that can be 3D-printed.</p>\n\n<p>You last paragraph is a better question, since you here ask <em>how</em> to find the right filament for your cause. If that is really what you want to ask, you could try putting more emphasis on that specific question.</p>\n\n<p>If what you actually want to know is what filament you should use for one <em>specific</em> application - for instance for a part that need to withstand physical stress - try asking about that instead.</p>\n\n<p>In general, it can often be better to ask a question with a specific scenario - even a constructed case - than asking general questions.</p>\n\n<p>Also, remember to always try getting your title as specific as possible, since that is the first impression users will get when the read your post!</p>\n"
] |
83 | user298: I feel like questions along the lines of, "my printer is crashing for no obvious reason, what should I do?" may be too broad and open-ended for this format. It's better handled by a forum where people can have running discussions to rule out a series of tests. What do you guys think?
user63: In addition to Robert Cartaino♦'s suggestion, I think that there is value in this class of question.
Over on Robotics we find that troubleshooting questions can often lead to interesting and often more generalised answers, and can lead to further, more specific questions. These types of questions also tend to be the kind which are difficult to answer through a google search, as not knowing what to search for is a big part of the problem.
Sadly this kind of question is often a new users first question, poorly written and difficult to answer in it's original form, so we tend to close these as Unclear what you are asking and clarify that with the following comment:
Welcome to *robotics* XXX, but I'm afraid that it is not clear what you are asking. We prefer *[practical, answerable questions based on actual problems that you face](http://robotics.stackexchange.com/help/dont-ask)*, so it is a good idea to include details of what what you would like to achieve, what you have tried, what you expected to see and what you actually saw. Take a look at [ask] and [about] for more information on how stack exchange works. If you edit your question to make it more clear, flag it for moderator attention and we can reopen it for you.
The point of leaving this unrendered is so that you can easily copy the raw text to paste into a comment.
Note that Comments render slightly differently to answers, for instance [chat] renders as 3D Printing Chat in a comment but as [chat] in a question or answer.
user1: For common problems that get asked a lot, I wouldn't just close these as too broad. A better solution is to create a canonical post like this:
How do I troubleshoot when I have no clue where to start?
These attract a lot of users.
The goal is to create a step-by-step trouble-shooting guide to explain what lights, nozzles, and sneedles to look when you're kwigger isn't going zong.
And don't just answer with a hyperlink to some other discussion group somewhere. Do everything you can to really overkill it. Write a detailed, step-by-step, ultra-clear guide, so when zillions of people with this problem go searching, you stand a good chance of the best possible answer on the web.
This is one of those opportunities to attract some great new users who will add value for years to come.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/83",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/298/"
] | 2016/01/29 | [
"298: <p>I feel like questions along the lines of, \"my printer is crashing for no obvious reason, what should I do?\" may be too broad and open-ended for this format. It's better handled by a forum where people can have running discussions to rule out a series of tests. What do you guys think?</p>\n",
"63: <p>In addition to <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/a/84/63\">Robert Cartaino♦</a>'s suggestion, I think that there is value in this class of question.</p>\n\n<p>Over on <em>Robotics</em> we find that troubleshooting questions can often lead to interesting and often more generalised answers, and can lead to further, more specific questions. These types of questions also tend to be the kind which are difficult to answer through a google search, as not knowing what to search for is a big part of the problem.</p>\n\n<p>Sadly this kind of question is often a new users first question, poorly written and difficult to answer in it's original form, so we tend to close these as <em>Unclear what you are asking</em> and clarify that with the <a href=\"https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/a/177/37\">following comment</a>:</p>\n\n<p><code>Welcome to *robotics* XXX, but I'm afraid that it is not clear what you are asking. We prefer *[practical, answerable questions based on actual problems that you face](http://robotics.stackexchange.com/help/dont-ask)*, so it is a good idea to include details of what what you would like to achieve, what you have tried, what you expected to see and what you actually saw. Take a look at [ask] and [about] for more information on how stack exchange works. If you edit your question to make it more clear, flag it for moderator attention and we can reopen it for you.</code></p>\n\n<p><sup>The point of leaving this unrendered is so that you can easily copy the raw text to paste into a comment.</sup></p>\n\n<p>Note that Comments render slightly differently to answers, for instance <code>[chat]</code> renders as <a href=\"http://chat.stackexchange.com/\">3D Printing Chat</a> in a comment but as [chat] in a question or answer.</p>\n",
"1: <p>For common problems that get asked a lot, I wouldn't just close these as <em>too broad.</em> A better solution is to create a <strong>canonical post</strong> like this:</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://superuser.com/a/260078/697\"><strong>How do I troubleshoot when I have no clue where to start?</strong></a></p>\n\n<p>These attract a <em>lot</em> of users. </p>\n\n<p>The goal is to create a step-by-step trouble-shooting guide to explain what lights, nozzles, and sneedles to look when you're kwigger isn't going <em>zong.</em></p>\n\n<p>And don't just answer with a hyperlink to some other discussion group somewhere. Do everything you can to really overkill it. Write a detailed, step-by-step, ultra-clear guide, so when zillions of people with this problem go searching, you stand a good chance of the best possible answer on the web. </p>\n\n<p>This is one of those opportunities to attract some great new users who will add value for years to come.</p>\n"
] |
91 | user334: Methods for smoothing 3D objects
So... maybe one day it becomes community wiki. I think that we need this type of questions, so we can provide more detailed answers to methods and practices.
user66: In my opinion the edits to this question made it even more broad to the point that the answers no longer reflect the current question and the current question isn't even useful or answerable.
The original question, while not very well worded, at least had a specific focus: "How do you smooth 3D prints without sanding or chemicals?" Both answers were detailed and specific to that particular question. I don't think that was too broad of a question.
In it's current form this question is basically unanswerable without writing about a dozen different techniques.
user16: "is still too broad?" is answered by your own question, "we can provide more detailed answers".
The problem essentially is that this Q&A format isn't suited to very long treatises on this type of subject. It's far better to ask a specific question such as "How do I smooth this ABS print to eliminate all signs that it was 3D printed?" and receive several good answers, than to have a one-stop-wiki question that attempts (and usually does very poorly) at holding all the answers to all the possible smoothing questions.
So I'd recommend we leave this question closed and let people start more specific questions as they run into actual problems.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/91",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/334/"
] | 2016/02/03 | [
"334: <p><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/413/methods-for-smoothing-3d-objects\">Methods for smoothing 3D objects</a></p>\n\n<p>So... maybe one day it becomes community wiki. I think that we need this type of questions, so we can provide more detailed answers to methods and practices.</p>\n",
"66: <p>In my opinion the edits to this question made it even more broad to the point that the answers no longer reflect the current question and the current question isn't even useful or answerable.</p>\n\n<p>The original question, while not very well worded, at least had a specific focus: \"How do you smooth 3D prints without sanding or chemicals?\" Both answers were detailed and specific to that particular question. I don't think that was too broad of a question.</p>\n\n<p>In it's current form this question is basically unanswerable without writing about a dozen different techniques.</p>\n",
"16: <p><em>\"is still too broad?\"</em> is answered by your own question, <em>\"we can provide more detailed answers\"</em>. </p>\n\n<p>The problem essentially is that this Q&A format isn't suited to very long treatises on this type of subject. It's far better to ask a specific question such as <em>\"How do I smooth this ABS print to eliminate all signs that it was 3D printed?\"</em> and receive several good answers, than to have a one-stop-wiki question that attempts (and usually does very poorly) at holding all the answers to all the possible smoothing questions.</p>\n\n<p>So I'd recommend we leave this question closed and let people start more specific questions as they run into actual problems.</p>\n"
] |
92 | user334: How to choose a right 3D printer filament type?
I have also made an edit to this question. I would like to know the difference. So, if it is still too broad, can someone suggest an edit for it?
user98: The question is still very broad and can be opinion based. Someone left a comment below your question stating that your question was related to a more narrow question. I would recommend editing your question to explain your situation a bit more. Here are some good points that you can provide users to make it easier to answer:
Does your print require specific mechanical properties (ie high strength, heat resistance, electrical conductivity, flexibility, etc.)
Does your print need to "look pretty"
What type of 3D printing technology are you wishing to use (FDM, FFF, SLS, etc.)
Answering some of these questions will definitely provide users with more direction as to how to answer your question. As it stands right now, your question will result in the general response: "Well, it depends on what you're trying to make...".
I'm sure that I'm not the only one here that has a few different types of material available at any given point as result of various projects (ABS, PLA, PVA, TPE, etc.).
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/92",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/334/"
] | 2016/02/03 | [
"334: <p><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/410/how-to-choose-a-right-3d-printer-filament-type\">How to choose a right 3D printer filament type?</a></p>\n\n<p>I have also made an edit to this question. I would like to know the difference. So, if it is still too broad, can someone suggest an edit for it?</p>\n",
"98: <p>The question is still very broad and can be opinion based. Someone left a comment below your question stating that your question was related to a <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/5/how-is-pla-different-from-abs-material?rq=1\">more narrow question</a>. I would recommend editing your question to explain your situation a bit more. Here are some good points that you can provide users to make it easier to answer:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Does your print require specific mechanical properties (ie high strength, heat resistance, electrical conductivity, flexibility, etc.)</li>\n<li>Does your print need to \"look pretty\"</li>\n<li>What type of 3D printing technology are you wishing to use (FDM, FFF, SLS, etc.)</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>Answering some of these questions will definitely provide users with more direction as to how to answer your question. As it stands right now, your question will result in the general response: \"Well, it depends on what you're trying to make...\".</p>\n\n<p>I'm sure that I'm not the only one here that has a few different types of material available at any given point as result of various projects (ABS, PLA, PVA, TPE, etc.).</p>\n"
] |
97 | user63: MathJax support allows questions and answers to contain pretty mathematical formulae, easy subscripts & superscripts, fractions, roots and greek letters etc. all using LaTeX syntax.
I have seen at least one answer so far which included an equation, so might have benefited from having MathJax markup enabled.
It is apparently easy for the Stack Exchange team to enable, we just need to decide whether we want it or not.
See my MathJax reference post on Robotics meta for some examples of what MathJax can do.
user98: At this time, I don't think this would provide a significant enhancement to the site.
The 3D printing industry is both blessed and cursed in terms of development. While software and general usability is relatively easy compared to traditional manufacturing technologies, the general lack of digital feedback from the machine makes it difficult for the end user.
With this in mind, I find it difficult at this point in time to include 3D printing-related formulas. Most other math-based questions will most likely be Electrical Engineering related or Software related which I think is still a grey area here on the 3D printing site.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/97",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/63/"
] | 2016/02/09 | [
"63: <p><a href=\"https://www.mathjax.org/\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">MathJax</a> support allows questions and answers to contain pretty mathematical formulae, easy subscripts & superscripts, fractions, roots and greek letters etc. all using LaTeX syntax.</p>\n\n<p>I have seen at least one answer so far which included an equation, so might have benefited from having MathJax markup enabled.</p>\n\n<p>It is apparently easy for the Stack Exchange team to enable, we just need to decide whether we want it or not.</p>\n\n<p>See my <a href=\"https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/a/131/37\">MathJax reference post on Robotics meta</a> for some examples of what MathJax can do.</p>\n",
"98: <p>At this time, I don't think this would provide a significant enhancement to the site.</p>\n\n<p>The 3D printing industry is both blessed and cursed in terms of development. While software and general usability is relatively easy compared to traditional manufacturing technologies, the general lack of digital feedback from the machine makes it difficult for the end user.</p>\n\n<p>With this in mind, I find it difficult at this point in time to include 3D printing-related formulas. Most other math-based questions will most likely be <a href=\"https://electronics.stackexchange.com/\">Electrical Engineering</a> related or <a href=\"https://stackoverflow.com/\">Software</a> related which I think is still a grey area here on the 3D printing site.</p>\n"
] |
100 | user98: Looking at some of the meta questions (Should the specification of printer technology be mandatory?
,FFF/FDM vs… everything else?
) and having asked myself the questions about proper tagging, is there way that we can add/edit tags in mass quantities?
I'd be willing to go ahead and add various slicing engines, manufacturers, models, etc. if there was a way to create tags outside of creating questions. It might also be nice to have a cleaner way to edit tag information such as an editable table (instead of pagination).
Are these options available in moderator tools, if at all?
user127:
Looking at some of the meta questions (1,2) and having asked myself the questions about proper tagging, is there way that we can add/edit tags in mass quantities?
No. That's deliberate - tags are not supposed to be treated with mass operations, but individually.
I'd be willing to go ahead and add various slicing engines, manufacturers, models, etc. if there was a way to create tags outside of creating questions. It might also be nice to have a cleaner way to edit tag information such as an editable table (instead of pagination).
Click on a tag wherever it comes up. It takes you to the tag page, from which you can click "improve tag info" to get to the tag wiki edit page. This you can edit (or suggest an edit to, if you're under 4000 reputation for an SE site that has the Beta status).
Are these options available in moderator tools, if at all?
No. Community Managers (the Stack Exchange staff) have access to some tag mass operations, and diamond moderators can merge tags. Regular users have no access to batch ops.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/100",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/98/"
] | 2016/02/09 | [
"98: <p>Looking at some of the meta questions (<a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/2/should-the-specification-of-printer-technology-be-mandatory\">Should the specification of printer technology be mandatory?\n</a>,<a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/69/fff-fdm-vs-everything-else\">FFF/FDM vs… everything else?\n</a>) and having asked myself the questions about proper tagging, is there way that we can add/edit tags in mass quantities?</p>\n\n<p>I'd be willing to go ahead and add various slicing engines, manufacturers, models, etc. if there was a way to create tags outside of creating questions. It might also be nice to have a cleaner way to edit tag information such as an editable table (instead of pagination).</p>\n\n<p>Are these options available in moderator tools, if at all?</p>\n",
"127: <blockquote>\n <p>Looking at some of the meta questions (1,2) and having asked myself the questions about proper tagging, is there way that we can add/edit tags in mass quantities?</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>No. That's deliberate - tags are not supposed to be treated with mass operations, but individually.</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>I'd be willing to go ahead and add various slicing engines, manufacturers, models, etc. if there was a way to create tags outside of creating questions. It might also be nice to have a cleaner way to edit tag information such as an editable table (instead of pagination).</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>Click on a tag wherever it comes up. It takes you to the tag page, from which you can click \"improve tag info\" to get to the tag wiki edit page. This you can edit (or suggest an edit to, if you're <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/help/privileges/trusted-user\">under 4000 reputation for an SE site that has the Beta status</a>).</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>Are these options available in moderator tools, if at all?</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>No. Community Managers (the Stack Exchange staff) have access to some tag mass operations, and diamond moderators can <em>merge</em> tags. Regular users have no access to batch ops.</p>\n"
] |
101 | user98: So far, it seems like questions about slicing engine software are within scope. However, what about questions about web applications such as Thingiverse, Tinkercad, GrabCAD, etc.? This makes me think that these are viable questions within the community. While they might not be related directly to the act of 3D printing, it could possibly lead more users to the site.
Any thoughts?
user1: Absolutely! For any tool, software, or service that is an integral part of the 3D printing landscape, questions about how to use them should be on topic here. When folks go searching for answers about the products and services they use every day, I sure would like them find the answers on this site. As a matter of fact, these project teams often have communities of their own, so we should encourage them to become part of the ecosystem of this site.
It's a big growth area of growth for this type of Q&A.
Now there may be a line where service-related questions are simply too far outside the subject of 3D printing to be appropriate here. Stack Exchange works really well for technical support, as long as we're not trying outsource their entire customer service channel here. I wouldn't expect to host (for example) a question about a rate hike on another service, or a bug report or feature request. But we haven't hit that line. It is usually better to wait for actual examples of problems before trying to too many rules around this kind of thing.
So I wouldn't fret this. Until conditions dictate otherwise, the subject(s) you cited seem well-suited to this Q&A.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/98/"
] | 2016/02/11 | [
"98: <p>So far, it seems like questions about slicing engine software are within scope. However, what about questions about web applications such as Thingiverse, Tinkercad, GrabCAD, etc.? <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/554/how-to-upload-my-works-to-thingiverse-without-making-my-real-name-public\">This</a> makes me think that these are viable questions within the community. While they might not be related directly to the act of 3D printing, it could possibly lead more users to the site.</p>\n\n<p>Any thoughts?</p>\n",
"1: <p>Absolutely! For any tool, software, or service that is an integral part of the 3D printing landscape, <strong>questions about how to use them should be on topic here.</strong> When folks go searching for answers about the products and services they use every day, I sure would like them find the answers on <strong><em>this</em></strong> site. As a matter of fact, these project teams often have communities of their own, so we should <em>encourage</em> them to become part of the ecosystem of <em>this</em> site. </p>\n\n<p>It's a big growth area of growth for this type of Q&A. </p>\n\n<p>Now there <em>may</em> be a line where service-related questions are simply too far outside the <em>subject</em> of 3D printing to be appropriate here. Stack Exchange works really well for <em>technical</em> support, as long as we're not trying outsource their entire <strong><em>customer</em> service</strong> channel here. I wouldn't expect to host (for example) a question about a rate hike on another service, or a bug report or feature request. But we haven't hit that line. It is usually better to wait for actual examples of problems before trying to too many rules around this kind of thing. </p>\n\n<p>So I wouldn't fret this. Until conditions dictate otherwise, the subject(s) you cited seem well-suited to this Q&A.</p>\n"
] |
103 | user545: I was curious if the da Vinci 1.0 AiO printer could print very small objects, like insects, nuts, or any other small object without a flat surface and additionally, if it could print the entire top and bottom of the object. I would not think I would be able to print the bottom features, since the printer had a rotating dish where the lasers would not be able to be scan. (About the size of 1 -2 cubic centimeters) And if so, then if that question would be appropriate to ask in the beta forum?
The reason I ask is someone asked me if it was able to, but I have not been able to access the actual 3-D printer for use at this time, just manuals which I have looked through.
user98: I think that technical questions or specification questions are appropriate, which is what I take away from your question(s). Questions that I think most users will consider "off-topic" or "out of scope" would be questions such as "Is the daVinci 1.0 AiO a good printer?" as this would be primarily opinion based.
However, by providing more detail about your objective (ie. a focus on smaller, obscure prints) you can get closer to "on-topic". I think if you titled your question along the lines of "How small can I expect the daVinci 1.0 AiO to print?" and elaborating on your specific needs in the bulk of the question could directly answer your question while upholding the values of the community and may possibly lead to suggestions to other machines/processes.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/103",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/545/"
] | 2016/02/13 | [
"545: <p>I was curious if the da Vinci 1.0 AiO printer could print very small objects, like insects, nuts, or any other small object without a flat surface and additionally, if it could print the entire top and bottom of the object. I would not think I would be able to print the bottom features, since the printer had a rotating dish where the lasers would not be able to be scan. (About the size of 1 -2 cubic centimeters) And if so, then if that question would be appropriate to ask in the beta forum? </p>\n\n<p>The reason I ask is someone asked me if it was able to, but I have not been able to access the actual 3-D printer for use at this time, just manuals which I have looked through.</p>\n",
"98: <p>I think that technical questions or specification questions are appropriate, which is what I take away from your question(s). Questions that I think most users will consider \"off-topic\" or \"out of scope\" would be questions such as \"Is the daVinci 1.0 AiO a good printer?\" as this would be primarily opinion based.</p>\n\n<p>However, by providing more detail about your objective (ie. a focus on smaller, obscure prints) you can get closer to \"on-topic\". I think if you titled your question along the lines of \"How small can I expect the daVinci 1.0 AiO to print?\" and elaborating on your specific needs in the bulk of the question could directly answer your question while upholding the values of the community and may possibly lead to suggestions to other machines/processes.</p>\n"
] |
108 | user98: Just wondering if it's possible to add basic specifications on a users community profile page that specify some of the following characteristics:
Machine Manufacturer
Machine Model
Preferred Slicing software
Then, a flair-like control can be added to any questions that they ask?
I typed in a quick example of how it might look with our current flair:
Here's a snippet of the HTML, I just placed it under the <div class="user-details"></div> control in the flair control:
<div>
Runs a <span id="user-Manufacturer">MakerBot</span> <span id="user-Model">Replicator Dual</span> using <span id="user-Slicer">MakerWare</span>
</div>
Just a thought for a potential mod here in the community.
Side note: The same concept could be applied to other sites as well. Ie, StackOverflow could have preferred language(s) and/or IDE(s).
user138: 99.9% sure this will be status-declined.
Issue is, we try to keep the UI clean. If you are truly interested in this, then you can look at the user's profile page. If you want to see what they are knowledgeable in, look at the top tags in their profile. It just adds to much clutter to posts.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/108",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/98/"
] | 2016/02/21 | [
"98: <p>Just wondering if it's possible to add basic specifications on a users community profile page that specify some of the following characteristics:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Machine Manufacturer</li>\n<li>Machine Model</li>\n<li>Preferred Slicing software</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Then, a flair-like control can be added to any questions that they ask?</p>\n<p>I typed in a quick example of how it might look with our current flair:</p>\n<p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/pLeFQ.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/pLeFQ.png\" alt=\"enter image description here\" /></a></p>\n<p>Here's a snippet of the HTML, I just placed it under the <code><div class="user-details"></div></code> control in the flair control:</p>\n<pre><code><div>\n Runs a <span id="user-Manufacturer">MakerBot</span> <span id="user-Model">Replicator Dual</span> using <span id="user-Slicer">MakerWare</span>\n</div>\n</code></pre>\n<p>Just a thought for a potential mod here in the community.</p>\n<p><strong>Side note:</strong> The same concept could be applied to other sites as well. Ie, StackOverflow could have preferred language(s) and/or IDE(s).</p>\n",
"138: <p>99.9% sure this will be <a href=\"/questions/tagged/status-declined\" class=\"post-tag moderator-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'status-declined'\" rel=\"tag\">status-declined</a>.</p>\n\n<p>Issue is, we try to keep the UI clean. If you are truly interested in this, then you can look at the user's profile page. If you want to see what they are knowledgeable in, look at the top tags in their profile. It just adds to much clutter to posts.</p>\n"
] |
111 | user298: I've been seeing feedback from people in other 3DP communities that they think this stack exchange site is driving away new users by holding newbie questions to an excessively high standard for quality. On one hand, we all know SE works best with clear and logical questions that lead to clear and logical answers. But the majority of people seeking help with 3d printers don't seem to have enough of a technical foundation to know how to ask good questions. There's a large potential userbase (perhaps MOST potential users) that will need handholding for their first few questions.
How do you guys want to handle this?
user98: I think you highlighted one of the more important points, in that "SE works best with clear and logical questions that lead to clear and logical answers". From what I've noticed (and I just went back through my own voting history), there have been a number of "primarily opinion based" and "too broad" questions. I believe it's important to maintain quality questions/answers especially in this early stage of release. Please regard this other meta post asking what the guidelines are for proper 3D Printing community questions.
I, for one, feel that I learned the most SE etiquette by reading a large number of questions on SO as opposed to the SE documentation. It seems that a few of the questions we've gotten lately have been from completely new users to the Stack Exchange network. I don't like scaring people away from the site, so it is best to try and coach these new users.
I retract the following suggestion as I agree with Mark Booth's answer given his explanation.
I would suggest an informal guideline for closing questions:
First, notify the OP to the condition of their question. Perhaps even suggest a means to fix the errant condition(s).
If, after at least 24 hours of the comment, the OP has not either responded reasonably (within SE etiquette) nor updated the question, then begin the process of closing.
I'll leave this open to the community for amendments below:
user115: I have to agree with the both of you; the best kind of question are those that are clear and logical, and thus can be answered as such.
On a site such as SO, these are the kind of questions that ends up "staying", getting a high view counts and the great answers. There are, however, also a large amount of new questions on SO that never meet those standards, but rather face the same kind of problems that we see here.
I believe the issue for most new users - here and on SO - is that in order to ask a good question, you more or less already need to know the answer, or at least the format of the answer. And with 3D printing being such a novel technology for most users, they simply do not have the required experience to ask the "correct" question at their first attempt.
Perhaps our job should lean more towards helping users to find out what they really should be asking about, rather than simply voting down or closing the question right away because it does not uphold our desired standard. As for how to accomplish that, I think the points mentioned by @tbm0115 could be a good starting point.
user63: The important thing is to make sure that people understand that a closure is not permanent, which is why questions are given the "[on hold]" suffix rather than "[closed]".
On Robotics, one of my Copy-pastable comment text for common problems with questions? is:
Questions by new users for closed for other reasons
Welcome to *robotics* XXX, but I'm afraid that questions like this really aren't a good fit for a stack exchange site. We prefer *[practical, answerable questions based on actual problems that you face](http://robotics.stackexchange.com/help/dont-ask)*. Take a look at [ask] and [about] for more information on how stack exchange works. Also, the [*Robotics* question checklist](https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/q/1302/37) has good advice on how to write a good question. If you edit your question to fit our community guidelines we can reopen it for you.
Closure is intended to temporarily stop people answering questions which can't be easily answered in their present form, while the question is being improved. As such, I disagree with tbm0115's suggestion that we should artificially delay closing a question (at this stage in the sites life there aren't enough people closing questions as it is) and suggest that we always close a poor question as soon as possible, but give people the information they need to fix the problem.
Instead, I offer the following suggestion:
If you want to vote to close a question without writing a comment to say why, with suggestions as to how to fix the problem, think about how this looks to a new user and how they might feel about the rejection.
If people assume there is nothing they can do about their question being closed, and this drives them away, then we should do all we can to correct that misunderstanding, encourage them to learn how Stack Exchange works and ask better questions.
Finally, don't forget the importance of broken windows theory.
The quicker poor questions are closed, the higher the good:bad question ratio is, the more likely new users will see examples of good questions, and the less likely that they will base their own question on a poor example of a question. This is why good questions are the most important thing on a new site. They draw in experts to answer them and they set a good example for how new questions should be framed.
So, close early, close often, and comment with the information needed to get the question re-opened.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/111",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/298/"
] | 2016/03/17 | [
"298: <p>I've been seeing feedback from people in other 3DP communities that they think this stack exchange site is driving away new users by holding newbie questions to an excessively high standard for quality. On one hand, we all know SE works best with clear and logical questions that lead to clear and logical answers. But the majority of people seeking help with 3d printers don't seem to have enough of a technical foundation to know how to ask good questions. There's a large potential userbase (perhaps MOST potential users) that will need handholding for their first few questions. </p>\n\n<p>How do you guys want to handle this?</p>\n",
"98: <p>I think you highlighted one of the more important points, in that \"<em>SE works best with clear and logical questions that lead to clear and logical answers</em>\". From what I've noticed (and I just went back through my own voting history), there have been a number of \"primarily opinion based\" and \"too broad\" questions. I believe it's important to maintain quality questions/answers especially in this early stage of release. Please regard <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/6/what-should-our-documentation-contain?rq=1\">this other meta post</a> asking what the guidelines are for proper 3D Printing community questions.</p>\n\n<p>I, for one, feel that I learned the most SE etiquette by reading a large number of questions on SO as opposed to the SE documentation. It seems that a few of the questions we've gotten lately have been from completely new users to the Stack Exchange network. I don't like scaring people away from the site, so it is best to try and coach these new users.</p>\n\n<p>I retract the following suggestion as I agree with <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/111/closing-locking-too-many-questions/112#114\">Mark Booth's answer</a> given his explanation.</p>\n\n<p><s>I would suggest an informal guideline for closing questions:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>First, notify the OP to the condition of their question. Perhaps even suggest a means to fix the errant condition(s).</li>\n<li>If, after at least 24 hours of the comment, the OP has not either responded reasonably (within SE etiquette) nor updated the question, then begin the process of closing.</s></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>I'll leave this open to the community for amendments below:</p>\n",
"115: <p>I have to agree with the both of you; the best kind of question are those that are clear and logical, and thus can be answered as such. </p>\n\n<p>On a site such as SO, these are the kind of questions that ends up \"staying\", getting a high view counts and the great answers. There are, however, also a large amount of <em>new</em> questions on SO that never meet those standards, but rather face the same kind of problems that we see here.</p>\n\n<p>I believe the issue for most new users - here and on SO - is that <em>in order to ask a good question, you more or less already need to know the answer</em>, or at least the format of the answer. And with 3D printing being such a novel technology for most users, they simply do not have the required experience to ask the \"correct\" question at their first attempt.</p>\n\n<p>Perhaps our job should lean more towards <em>helping users to find out what they really should be asking about</em>, rather than simply voting down or closing the question right away because it does not uphold our desired standard. As for how to accomplish that, I think the points mentioned by @tbm0115 could be a good starting point.</p>\n",
"63: <p>The important thing is to make sure that people understand that a closure is <strong>not permanent</strong>, which is why questions are given the \"[on hold]\" suffix rather than \"[closed]\".</p>\n\n<p>On Robotics, one of my <a href=\"https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/a/177/37\">Copy-pastable comment text for common problems with questions?</a> is:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <h3>Questions by new users for closed for other reasons</h3>\n \n <p><code>Welcome to *robotics* XXX, but I'm afraid that questions like this really aren't a good fit for a stack exchange site. We prefer *[practical, answerable questions based on actual problems that you face](http://robotics.stackexchange.com/help/dont-ask)*. Take a look at [ask] and [about] for more information on how stack exchange works. Also, the [*Robotics* question checklist](https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/q/1302/37) has good advice on how to write a good question. If you edit your question to fit our community guidelines we can reopen it for you.</code></p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>Closure is intended to <strong>temporarily</strong> stop people answering questions which can't be easily answered in their present form, <strong>while the question is being improved</strong>. As such, I disagree with <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/a/112/63\">tbm0115's suggestion</a> that we should artificially delay closing a question (at this stage in the sites life there aren't enough people closing questions as it is) and suggest that we always close a poor question as soon as possible, but give people the information they need to fix the problem.</p>\n\n<p>Instead, I offer the following suggestion:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>If you want to vote to close a question without writing a comment to say why, with suggestions as to how to fix the problem, think about how this looks to a new user and how they might feel about the <em>rejection</em>.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>If people assume there is nothing they can do about their question being closed, and this drives them away, then we should do all we can to correct that misunderstanding, encourage them to learn how Stack Exchange works and ask better questions.</p>\n\n<p>Finally, don't forget the importance of <a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broken_windows_theory\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">broken windows theory</a>.</p>\n\n<p>The quicker poor questions are closed, the higher the good:bad question ratio is, the more likely new users will see examples of good questions, and the less likely that they will base their own question on a poor example of a question. This is why good questions are the most important thing on a new site. They draw in experts to answer them and they set a good example for how new questions should be framed.</p>\n\n<p>So, close early, close often, and comment with the information needed to get the question re-opened.</p>\n"
] |
115 | user1127: Dont hbp and heated-bed mean the same thing? Should one be synonim with the other?
Currently at the time of this post:
There are 11 questions tagged hbp
Every single one of them have also heated-bed
There are 12 questions tagged heated-bed
Only leeand00 forgot to dual-tag his question... =P
user98: A synonym has been suggested already for the hbp and heated-bed tag. hbp was added to a single post, and in order to create a synonym there needs to be at least 5 posts containing the similar tags. Now that the synonym has been suggested, most of those posts with dual tags can be reduced back to just heated-bed.
Currently, (03/28/2016), we do not have any moderators to make these tasks easier to manage.
If the synonym suggestion is not accepted, then external searches may be hindered to only display results for the term heated-bed as opposed to heated-bed or hbp. So, if you have a chance to properly address a synonym, definitely do so as it will only help bring more users to the site.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/115",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/1127/"
] | 2016/03/23 | [
"1127: <p>Dont <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/hbp\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'hbp'\" rel=\"tag\">hbp</a> and <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/heated-bed\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'heated-bed'\" rel=\"tag\">heated-bed</a> mean the same thing? Should one be synonim with the other?</p>\n\n<p>Currently at the time of this post:</p>\n\n<ol>\n<li>There are 11 questions tagged <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/hbp\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'hbp'\" rel=\"tag\">hbp</a></li>\n<li>Every single one of them have also <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/heated-bed\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'heated-bed'\" rel=\"tag\">heated-bed</a> </li>\n<li>There are 12 questions tagged <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/heated-bed\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'heated-bed'\" rel=\"tag\">heated-bed</a></li>\n<li>Only <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/797/what-kind-of-silicone-glue-should-i-use-to-attach-my-thermsistors\">leeand00</a> forgot to dual-tag his question... =P</li>\n</ol>\n",
"98: <p>A synonym has been suggested already for the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/hbp\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'hbp'\" rel=\"tag\">hbp</a> and <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/heated-bed\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'heated-bed'\" rel=\"tag\">heated-bed</a> tag. <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/hbp\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'hbp'\" rel=\"tag\">hbp</a> was added to a single post, and in order to create a synonym there needs to be at least 5 posts containing the similar tags. Now that the synonym has been suggested, most of those posts with dual tags can be reduced back to just <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/heated-bed\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'heated-bed'\" rel=\"tag\">heated-bed</a>.</p>\n\n<p>Currently, (03/28/2016), we do not have any moderators to make these tasks easier to manage.</p>\n\n<p>If the synonym suggestion is not accepted, then external searches may be hindered to only display results for the term <em>heated-bed</em> as opposed to <em>heated-bed</em> <strong>or</strong> <em>hbp</em>. So, if you have a chance to properly address a synonym, definitely do so as it will only help bring more users to the site.</p>\n"
] |
116 | user26: I just noticed that there is a large amount of tag wiki excerpts edits in the review queue, all of which are of the form:
X is for questions about X
A tag wiki excerpt should define what a term means to our community specifically and give usage advice. In particular, Stack Exchange offers the following default reason for rejecting an excerpt:
Tag excerpts amounting to, "[tag] is for questions about [tag]" are pointless and usually rejected. Excerpts should describe why and when a tag would be used.
See the help center for more details on what a tag excerpt should be.
While obviously well-intended, I believe such tag wiki excerpts should not be suggested (and/or approved). This post is to serve as a gentle reminder of that.
user138: Tag excerpts should at least try and give a concise definition as to the subject, and provided any usage guidance if necessary.
Therefore, you need to make sure to address a set of key points:
Is the tag name ambiguous? Will an amateur be able to understand the subject without having to research it? For example, what on earth is abs?
Can the word have multiple meanings? If yes, you need to be specific as to which meaning you want. For example, health vs safety
Are their cases when the tag should not be used?
Likewise, are their cases when the tag should be used?
Is the existing excerpt empty? Something is usually better than nothing.
In general, excerpts should provide at least some guidance, even if it may appear to be ridiculously basic. Therefore, interpretation of the rejection reason is critical:
Tag excerpts amounting to, "[tag] is for questions about [tag]" are pointless and usually rejected. Excerpts should describe why and when a tag would be used.
That's like saying, [abs]: For questions about [abs] filaments. That should probably be rejected.
This is better: [abs]: For questions about [abs] filaments - filaments that are used with blah blah printers, and are not toxic for use.
Or even better: [abs]: For questions about [abs] filaments - filaments that are used with blah blah printers, and are not toxic for use. Not to be confused with [pla] filaments. Do not use this tag if your question does not concern this filament specifically.
Obviously, I have no idea if abs is even a thing. Anyways, I hope this helps :)
| [
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"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/26/"
] | 2016/03/26 | [
"26: <p>I just noticed that there is a large amount of tag wiki excerpts edits in the review queue, all of which are of the form:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>X is for questions about X</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>A tag wiki excerpt should define what a term means <em>to our community</em> specifically and give <em>usage advice</em>. In particular, Stack Exchange offers the following default reason for rejecting an excerpt:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>Tag excerpts amounting to, \"[tag] is for questions about [tag]\" are pointless and usually rejected. Excerpts should describe why and when a tag would be used.</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>See the <a href=\"https://cs.stackexchange.com/help/tag-excerpts\">help center</a> for more details on what a tag excerpt should be.</p>\n\n<p>While obviously well-intended, I believe such tag wiki excerpts should not be suggested (and/or approved). This post is to serve as a gentle reminder of that.</p>\n",
"138: <p>Tag excerpts should at least try and give a concise definition as to the subject, and provided any usage guidance <em>if necessary.</em></p>\n\n<p>Therefore, you need to make sure to address a set of key points:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Is the tag name ambiguous? Will an amateur be able to understand the subject without having to research it? For example, what on earth is <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/abs\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'abs'\" rel=\"tag\">abs</a>?</li>\n<li>Can the word have multiple meanings? If yes, you need to be specific as to which meaning you want. For example, <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/health\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'health'\" rel=\"tag\">health</a> vs <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/safety\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'safety'\" rel=\"tag\">safety</a></li>\n<li>Are their cases when the tag should not be used?</li>\n<li>Likewise, are their cases when the tag should be used?</li>\n<li>Is the existing excerpt empty? Something is usually better than nothing.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>In general, excerpts should provide at least some guidance, even if it may appear to be ridiculously basic. Therefore, interpretation of the rejection reason is critical:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>Tag excerpts amounting to, \"[tag] is for questions about [tag]\" are pointless and usually rejected. Excerpts should describe why and when a tag would be used.</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>That's like saying, <em>[abs]: For questions about [abs] filaments.</em> That should probably be rejected.</p>\n\n<p>This is better: <em>[abs]: For questions about [abs] filaments - filaments that are used with blah blah printers, and are not toxic for use.</em></p>\n\n<p>Or even better: <em>[abs]: For questions about [abs] filaments - filaments that are used with blah blah printers, and are not toxic for use. Not to be confused with [pla] filaments. Do not use this tag if your question does not concern this filament specifically.</em></p>\n\n<p>Obviously, I have no idea if abs is even a thing. Anyways, I hope this helps :)</p>\n"
] |
118 | user233: I see there was already a meta question regarding this but it was back during the private beta. The site is now in the public beta and still not very healthy with only 2.1 questions per day and a very low 219 visits per day compared to the recommended 1,500...
I'm not sure what happens once the beta ends but only 14 days remain and from what I've seen the numbers have not improved much at all since I've been a member here. I've thought about going to other areas and "advertising" the site but most places where one could attract members (reprap.org, various subreddits, groups on Facebook) are areas I feel we may be in competition with and it would not put the site in good standing if we were to do so.
I don't really know what the value here is over other forums other than the site being owned by a neutral party. The forums at reprap.org would probably be the closest thing to this site seeing as how they have no real ties to any one printer/design/company and moderation is quite lax as in you can post nearly anything 3D printing related and not encounter any trouble. The problem I believe is the site is trying to compete with other forums, one of which has been "the" forum pretty much since printing began and the main domain holds the majority of the information about home 3D printing.
I guess being new here I don't really understand the value in the site over the others or if there really is any other than being just another bank of information.
Currently, there hasn't been a new question in 2 days...
user98: Firstly, the appeal to being a user on a StackExchange site is the general Q&A structure which differentiates itself from common forum-based websites. I personally find the structure of the StackExchange sites easy to navigate and appreciate the amount of moderation that goes into each site.
Search Engines
Most traffic will most likely come from search engines (ie Google, Yahoo, etc.) which can find the questions/answers easiest from the use of Tags here on StackExchange.
So, the first thing to keep in mind is ensuring the tags you use are plenty and accurate with each question you ask. This will help increase the chances of a search engine showing your question higher in its results list.
Another factor, with regard to search engines, is the title of the question. Generally people are going to be more attracted to a specific question as they feel it will answer their question better. For example:
Extruder keeps jamming as a question title will probably not attract users to view the question as it is very vague.
MakerBot Replicator extruder jams with new filament as a question title is more specific and contains more "keywords" that a search engine can find. Obviously, this can also potentially deter certain users (say Ultimaker users), but the hope is that the tag system will help offset this issue.
Etiquette
I agree with you in that I also find it difficult to "advertise" the 3D printing community on other websites. As it may be considered improper etiquette here on the StackExchange network to advertise or promote other websites, I wouldn't recommend "advertising" the community as a whole. However, if you notice, many answers on the StackExchange network include links to other forum or Q&A sites (ie MSDN, CodeProject, etc.). With this in mind, I personally feel that it is appropriate to post links to specific questions here on the 3D Printing community on another site if it can benefit the users on the other site.
If you are wanting to personally focus on bringing more traffic, you could participate on some of the forums you mentioned and try providing relevant links to this community. But, in the interest of maintaining quality on both websites, please remain respectful and courteous.
Hopefully this helps
user138: Your best bet?
Start Community Ads!
Community Ads! Let's make 2d ads for ourselves!
Community ads are served ads that you can display on any relevant site on the network! They are a great marketing tool, and makes your site known across the network, and attracts experienced users that can help your site grow.
Also, make sure to keep your community. Encourage voting, good questions will be distinguished from your peers, and may even end up in the Hot Network Questions List.
| [
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"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/233/"
] | 2016/03/29 | [
"233: <p>I see there was already a meta question regarding this but it was back during the private beta. The site is now in the public beta and still not very healthy with only 2.1 questions per day and a very low 219 visits per day compared to the recommended 1,500...</p>\n\n<p>I'm not sure what happens once the beta ends but only 14 days remain and from what I've seen the numbers have not improved much at all since I've been a member here. I've thought about going to other areas and \"advertising\" the site but most places where one could attract members (reprap.org, various subreddits, groups on Facebook) are areas I feel we may be in competition with and it would not put the site in good standing if we were to do so.</p>\n\n<p>I don't really know what the value here is over other forums other than the site being owned by a neutral party. The forums at reprap.org would probably be the closest thing to this site seeing as how they have no real ties to any one printer/design/company and moderation is quite lax as in you can post nearly anything 3D printing related and not encounter any trouble. The problem I believe is the site is trying to compete with other forums, one of which has been \"the\" forum pretty much since printing began and the main domain holds the majority of the information about home 3D printing.</p>\n\n<p>I guess being new here I don't really understand the value in the site over the others or if there really is any other than being just another bank of information.</p>\n\n<p>Currently, there hasn't been a new question in 2 days...</p>\n",
"98: <p>Firstly, the appeal to being a user on a StackExchange site is the general Q&A structure which differentiates itself from common forum-based websites. I personally find the structure of the StackExchange sites easy to navigate and appreciate the amount of moderation that goes into each site.</p>\n<h1>Search Engines</h1>\n<p>Most traffic will most likely come from search engines (ie Google, Yahoo, etc.) which can find the questions/answers easiest from the use of Tags here on StackExchange.</p>\n<p>So, the first thing to keep in mind is ensuring the tags you use are plenty and accurate with each question you ask. This will help increase the chances of a search engine showing your question higher in its results list.</p>\n<p>Another factor, with regard to search engines, is the title of the question. Generally people are going to be more attracted to a specific question as they feel it will answer their question better. For example:</p>\n<p><em><strong>Extruder keeps jamming</strong></em> as a question title will probably not attract users to view the question as it is very vague.</p>\n<p><em><strong>MakerBot Replicator extruder jams with new filament</strong></em> as a question title is more specific and contains more "keywords" that a search engine can find. Obviously, this can also potentially deter certain users (say Ultimaker users), but the hope is that the tag system will help offset this issue.</p>\n<h1>Etiquette</h1>\n<p>I agree with you in that I also find it difficult to "advertise" the 3D printing community on other websites. As it may be considered improper etiquette here on the StackExchange network to advertise or promote other websites, I wouldn't recommend "advertising" the community as a whole. However, if you notice, many answers on the StackExchange network include links to other forum or Q&A sites (ie MSDN, CodeProject, etc.). With this in mind, I personally feel that it is appropriate to post links to specific questions here on the 3D Printing community on another site if it can benefit the users on the other site.</p>\n<p>If you are wanting to personally focus on bringing more traffic, you could participate on some of the forums you mentioned and try providing relevant links to this community. But, in the interest of maintaining quality on both websites, please remain respectful and courteous.</p>\n<hr />\n<p>Hopefully this helps</p>\n",
"138: <p>Your best bet?</p>\n\n<h1>Start Community Ads!</h1>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/76/community-ads-lets-make-2d-ads-for-ourselves\">Community Ads! Let's make 2d ads for ourselves!</a></p>\n\n<p>Community ads are served ads that you can display on any relevant site on the network! They are a great marketing tool, and makes your site known across the network, and attracts <em>experienced</em> users that can help your site grow.</p>\n\n<p>Also, make sure to keep your community. Encourage voting, good questions will be distinguished from your peers, and may even end up in the <a href=\"https://stackexchange.com\">Hot Network Questions List</a>.</p>\n"
] |
123 | user98: A recent question regarding bio-printing has been put on hold and I'd like to discuss the validity of the question here in the 3D Printing community.
I personally feel that the question fits within the scope of the community as it specifically requests details on the process of 3D printing.
Valid Questions:
Also can someone explain how human cells can be printed?
Would this involve some kind of cell-plastic filament?
Borderline Question:
How would the cells survive, etc. Where would you get these cells from and how would you be able to go from using a 3D printer to layer these cells together to then forming an organ out of that?
I don't see how this can be much different than:
Also can someone explain how {stainless steel} can be printed?
Would this involve some kind of {granular steel}?
For the borderline question:
How would the {stainless steel bond}, etc. [How] would you get these {granules of stainless steel} from and how would you be able to go from using a 3D printer to layer these {granules} together to then forming {a solid part}?
user115: I think 3D bio printing - just like any kind of 3d printing - certainly should fall within the scope of this site. One could argue that such questions are hard to answer, and most likely outside the knowledge of most users, but I still think good bio questions should be encouraged.
As for the linked question specifically, I think it is way too broad, asking not one, but perhaps five completely fine questions at the same time. Individually, I believe those questions would be answerable to the right person.
user298: It seems like a great subject to incorporate, since bioprinting is 1) pretty neat and 2) an important application for 3D printing in general... but I sort of suspect none of our active users have the necessary expertise at the moment. It's a highly specialized field. We don't want the question to sit for an extended period with (at best) 1-2 mediocre answers, do we? That seems to be what happens to this sort of question at the site's current activity level.
| [
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"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
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] | 2016/04/12 | [
"98: <p><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/973/which-properties-of-real-organs-do-3d-printed-organs-have\">A recent question</a> regarding bio-printing has been put on hold and I'd like to discuss the validity of the question here in the 3D Printing community.</p>\n<p>I personally feel that the question fits within the scope of the community as it specifically requests details on the process of 3D printing.</p>\n<p><strong>Valid Questions:</strong></p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Also can someone explain how human cells can be printed?</p>\n<p>Would this involve some kind of cell-plastic filament?</p>\n</blockquote>\n<p><strong>Borderline Question:</strong></p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>How would the cells survive, etc. Where would you get these cells from and how would you be able to go from using a 3D printer to layer these cells together to then forming an organ out of that?</p>\n</blockquote>\n<p>I don't see how this can be much different than:</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Also can someone explain how <em>{stainless steel}</em> can be printed?</p>\n<p>Would this involve some kind of <em>{granular steel}</em>?</p>\n</blockquote>\n<p>For the borderline question:</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>How would the <em>{stainless steel bond}</em>, etc. [How] would you get these {granules of stainless steel} from and how would you be able to go from using a 3D printer to layer these <em>{granules}</em> together to then forming <em>{a solid part}</em>?</p>\n</blockquote>\n",
"115: <p>I think 3D bio printing - just like any kind of 3d printing - certainly should fall within the scope of this site. One could argue that such questions are hard to answer, and most likely outside the knowledge of most users, but I still think <em>good</em> bio questions should be encouraged. </p>\n\n<p>As for the linked question specifically, I think it is way too broad, asking not one, but perhaps five completely fine questions at the same time. Individually, I believe those questions would be answerable to the right person.</p>\n",
"298: <p>It seems like a great subject to incorporate, since bioprinting is 1) pretty neat and 2) an important application for 3D printing in general... but I sort of suspect none of our active users have the necessary expertise at the moment. It's a highly specialized field. We don't want the question to sit for an extended period with (at best) 1-2 mediocre answers, do we? That seems to be what happens to this sort of question at the site's current activity level. </p>\n"
] |
129 | user1570: The end switches of my 3D spider printer don't work well. I wonder whether it's on-topic asking how to repair 3D printers. In my case I'd describe what does not work, what the result is and what parts are used.
From a good answer I'd expect a proposal on how to fix it, e.g. a suggestion for an electronic piece to buy (like a photo sensor maybe) and how to apply the wiring etc.
Derived from Printer construction, I'd also say that repairing must be on-topic.
user98: I'd say that repair questions are more on-topic than construction. And if construction questions are okay, then repair questions should be too.
An example format might be:
How do I repair {X}
I've tried {a[]} to fix {X}, but {b[]} occurred. What are some other common means of fixing {X}?
Most of what is acceptable on SE is troubleshooting and I feel that repairing is a subset of troubleshooting. In other words, typically you'll result in repairing from troubleshooting, but [hopefully] not the other way around. So, a repair question is essentially requiring, upfront, what a great quality answer would provide in some troubleshooting questions.
For example:
{X} wont work
{X} isn't working, what could be the cause?
could lead to:
I've encountered {X} as a result of {Y}. I was able to fix it by performing {C}.
Where {C} is typically going above and beyond the OP's question.
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"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/1570/"
] | 2016/04/26 | [
"1570: <p>The end switches of my 3D spider printer don't work well. I wonder whether it's on-topic asking how to repair 3D printers. In my case I'd describe what does not work, what the result is and what parts are used.</p>\n\n<p>From a good answer I'd expect a proposal on how to fix it, e.g. a suggestion for an electronic piece to buy (like a photo sensor maybe) and how to apply the wiring etc.</p>\n\n<p>Derived from <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/8/are-questions-discussing-printer-construction-internals-and-firmware-on-topic\">Printer construction</a>, I'd also say that repairing must be on-topic.</p>\n",
"98: <p>I'd say that repair questions are more on-topic than construction. And if construction questions are okay, then repair questions should be too.</p>\n<p>An example format might be:</p>\n<h1>How do I repair {X}</h1>\n<blockquote>\n<p>I've tried {a[]} to fix {X}, but {b[]} occurred. What are some other common means of fixing {X}?</p>\n</blockquote>\n<p>Most of what is acceptable on SE is troubleshooting and I feel that repairing is a subset of troubleshooting. In other words, typically you'll result in repairing from troubleshooting, but [hopefully] not the other way around. So, a repair question is essentially requiring, upfront, what a great quality answer would provide in some troubleshooting questions.</p>\n<p>For example:</p>\n<h1>{X} wont work</h1>\n<blockquote>\n<p>{X} isn't working, what could be the cause?</p>\n</blockquote>\n<p>could lead to:</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>I've encountered {X} as a result of {Y}. I was able to fix it by performing {C}.</p>\n</blockquote>\n<p>Where <strong>{C}</strong> is typically going above and beyond the OP's question.</p>\n"
] |
132 | user26: We have an arduino-mega-2560 tag but we also have an incorrectly spelled arduino-meda-2560 tag (which unfortunately is used far more often than the correct tag).
Creating a synonym doesn't seem the way to go (since it's not a synonym, it's just incorrect) and there's nobody with enough score to do it. How can we get this fixed?
user98: I created the correct tag and synonym until we have someone that can fix this. I assumed that this would be an okay alternative since we do not have anyone, currently, that can fix these types of issues. If this is not a valid placeholder, please provide a comment/answer for a better alternative.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/132",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/26/"
] | 2016/04/28 | [
"26: <p>We have an <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/tags/arduino-mega-2650/info\">arduino-mega-2560</a> tag but we also have an incorrectly spelled <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/tags/arduino-meda-2650/info\">arduino-me<strong>d</strong>a-2560</a> tag (which unfortunately is used far more often than the correct tag).</p>\n\n<p>Creating a synonym doesn't seem the way to go (since it's not a synonym, it's just incorrect) and there's nobody with enough score to do it. How can we get this fixed?</p>\n",
"98: <p>I created the correct tag and synonym until we have someone that can fix this. I assumed that this would be an okay alternative since we do not have anyone, currently, that can fix these types of issues. If this is not a valid placeholder, please provide a comment/answer for a better alternative.</p>\n"
] |
134 | user233: The amount of posts being voted to closed is getting ridiculous. The last two posts have been printing related, one looking for information and the other a design question for 3D printing yet both have been voted to be closed.
Yes, I have read the other Meta post about how closing is not permanent (Closing/locking too many questions?) but this site does not have much to offer right now and I can tell you if I was new here I wouldn't stick around and edit the post time after time to get an answer when I'm sure most people here can answer the question. The site is now running at 1.2 questions per day and I don't see that going up at all if the criteria isn't changed for how people are voting. If that's how everyone wants the site run then that's fine but I'm sure you'll be alone here.
user6851: I've been active on SO since it was in beta, and have participated in numerous SE sites when they were in beta.
It's my impression that there is much more enthusiasm for close votes here than in other sites which launched out of beta. I know that seems to discourage me from participating more, and may discourage others likewise.
Whereas for programming and electronics my first goto is always stack, I'm finding that other sites are having better answers and a "nicer" approach to my n00bism in 3d printing.
Just IMHO and FWIW!
user98: We've discussed this issue before here in Meta, but I think that part of the issue (and I'm guilty of it) is that regular users expect a certain amount of effort or back story from questions. To me, it seems that most closed grey-area questions seem to be related to materials. So, questions that may be considered too broad as a general materials question may be a viable question for a newbie to the 3D printing world. A new comer may not be familiar with various material types (ie. PLA[filament], ABS[filament], Stainless Steel[powder], Bronze[powder], etc.).
Focusing on material questions may be a good start to the concern. While it may be technically too broad asking materials questions, in reality, most questions (in FDM/FFF realm) are going to be either about PLA or ABS (maybe Nylon) unless there is a specified purpose for the object. So, if a user specifies (or hints) the preferred printing method (FDM/FFF, SLA, etc.) then I think we should let people use their better judgment in answering the question.
Would it be appropriate to consider re-opening closed questions with the before mentioned criteria?
user115: I absolutely agree. I believe we all want this site to maintain high quality, but right now almost no questions fall within our desired scope and form.
I think we either need to:
Change the acceptable scope of questions to be asked
Change how we welcome new users
Right now most new users do not ask questions "the SE way", which quickly leads to down-votes and closing votes. For new users this is a direct slap in the face.
What we rather should do is to encourage new users to improve their question, and if they do, give them the highly desired up-votes to make them come back for more.
I think the reputation system on SE sites is a great motivator for writing good questions and answers. And if we want this site to grow, we need to let our fellow users grow with it.
user4762: One thing that I have noticed, especially after having been away for nearly a year, is how the mood of the site has changed, ever so slightly. It is just that recently there seem to be a bit more of the "Did you google first, before asking here" type comments (accompanied by a vote to close), in particular to newbie questions, or at least questions from those new to SE, but maybe not so new at 3D printing. I don't remember these types of comments so much prior to a year or so ago.
While I agree that people need to do research, or at least demonstrate that they have done a bit, if people are coming here and asking an honest question (which is not a lazy homework related - and let's face it, there are not many, if any, 3D printer related homework questions) and that question is from someone genuinely interested in 3D printer with a tangible problem, then try to answer it, or at least provide a helpful comment.
Seeing as we are not-quite-desperate-for-users but have an issue with user retention, then we should really not be throwing google in their face - no matter how frustrating a question may seem, or how obvious the answer appears to an old hand. Do we really want them running off to Reddit, or Quora, or Ask (Jeeves) or (god forbid) Yahoo answers, or some other place? Or is it better that we get them to stay here?
Believe me when I say that I know how irritating it can get, I have been there myself. I ended up not spending much time on SE.Arduino, for that same reason - in the end most of the questions started to seem nonsensical, repetitive and idiotic... because I had seen the same topics asked over and over again. I realised that I had to take a deep breath and step back a little - just because I knew the answer and had helped too many people before with the same issue, it didn't mean that someone new would not come along tomorrow and ask the same thing.
Yes, they should have checked google first, and yes, they should have seen the duplicate question had already been asked. However, maybe they didn't have the luxury of time to spend hours googling, or maybe they had not used the right search terms, or maybe English isn't their mother tongue, or whatever. However, it didn't mean that they needed to be made to feel daft.
After all, if someone asks a question here, it probably isn't because they want to wind us up and make us angry - why would they do that? And it can't be judged as lazy, because, let's face it, it takes longer to formulate and ask a question on SE than it does to search for something on Google.
A couple of friends of mine, independently of eachother, sent me this image which, while it made me laugh, also (rather sadly) sums up the "Why are you asking me that?" mentality that StackExchange is perceived as having by the wider techy internet community - this is not a good reputation to have..!
So, all I am trying to say is, when you see a question asked by someone with a rep of 1, be nice and try to encourage them to stay, rather than scaring them off as soon as they set foot through the door. Don't forget it is probably their first question here and are quite nervous as to how they will be perceived (as one generally is when approaching a new group of people and having to ask something).
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/134",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/233/"
] | 2016/05/03 | [
"233: <p>The amount of posts being voted to closed is getting ridiculous. The last two posts have been printing related, one looking for information and the other a design question for 3D printing yet both have been voted to be closed. </p>\n\n<p>Yes, I have read the other Meta post about how closing is not permanent (<a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/111/closing-locking-too-many-questions\">Closing/locking too many questions?</a>) but this site does not have much to offer right now and I can tell you if I was new here I wouldn't stick around and edit the post time after time to get an answer when I'm sure most people here can answer the question. The site is now running at 1.2 questions per day and I don't see that going up at all if the criteria isn't changed for how people are voting. If that's how everyone wants the site run then that's fine but I'm sure you'll be alone here.</p>\n",
"6851: <p>I've been active on SO since it was in beta, and have participated in numerous SE sites when they were in beta.</p>\n\n<p>It's my impression that there is much more enthusiasm for close votes here than in other sites which launched out of beta. I know that seems to discourage me from participating more, and may discourage others likewise.</p>\n\n<p>Whereas for programming and electronics my first goto is always stack, I'm finding that other sites are having better answers and a \"nicer\" approach to my n00bism in 3d printing.</p>\n\n<p>Just IMHO and FWIW!</p>\n",
"98: <p>We've discussed this issue before <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/111/closing-locking-too-many-questions\">here in Meta</a>, but I think that part of the issue (and I'm guilty of it) is that regular users expect a certain amount of effort or back story from questions. To me, it seems that most <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/search?q=closed%3Ayes\">closed</a> grey-area questions seem to be related to materials. So, questions that may be considered <em>too broad</em> as a general materials question may be a viable question for a newbie to the 3D printing world. A new comer may not be familiar with various material types (ie. PLA<sup>[filament]</sup>, ABS<sup>[filament]</sup>, Stainless Steel<sup>[powder]</sup>, Bronze<sup>[powder]</sup>, etc.).</p>\n\n<p>Focusing on material questions may be a good start to the concern. While it may be technically <em>too broad</em> asking materials questions, in reality, most questions (in FDM/FFF realm) are going to be either about PLA or ABS (maybe Nylon) unless there is a specified purpose for the object. So, if a user specifies (or hints) the preferred printing method (FDM/FFF, SLA, etc.) then I think we should let people use their better judgment in answering the question.</p>\n\n<p>Would it be appropriate to consider re-opening closed questions with the before mentioned criteria?</p>\n",
"115: <p>I absolutely agree. I believe we all want this site to maintain high quality, but right now almost no questions fall within our desired scope and form.</p>\n\n<p>I think we either need to:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Change the acceptable scope of questions to be asked</li>\n<li>Change how we welcome new users</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>Right now most new users do not ask questions \"the SE way\", which quickly leads to down-votes and closing votes. For new users this is a direct slap in the face.</p>\n\n<p>What we rather should do is to <em>encourage</em> new users to improve their question, and if they do, give them the highly desired up-votes to make them come back for more. </p>\n\n<p>I think the reputation system on SE sites is a great motivator for writing good questions and answers. And if we want this site to grow, we need to let our fellow users grow with it.</p>\n",
"4762: <p>One thing that I have noticed, especially after having been away for nearly a year, is how the mood of the site has changed, ever so slightly. It is just that recently there seem to be a bit more of the \"Did you google first, before asking here\" type comments (accompanied by a vote to close), in particular to newbie questions, or at least questions from those new to SE, but maybe not so new at 3D printing. I don't remember these types of comments so much prior to a year or so ago.</p>\n\n<p>While I agree that people need to do research, or at least demonstrate that they have done a bit, if people are coming here and asking an honest question (which is not a lazy homework related - and let's face it, there are not many, if any, 3D printer related homework questions) and that question is from someone genuinely interested in 3D printer with a tangible problem, then try to answer it, or at least provide a helpful comment.</p>\n\n<p>Seeing as we are not-quite-desperate-for-users but have an issue with user retention, then we should really not be throwing google in their face - no matter how frustrating a question may seem, or how obvious the answer appears to an old hand. Do we really want them running off to Reddit, or Quora, or Ask (Jeeves) or (god forbid) Yahoo answers, or some other place? Or is it better that we get them to stay here?</p>\n\n<p>Believe me when I say that I know how irritating it can get, I have been there myself. I ended up not spending much time on SE.Arduino, for that same reason - in the end most of the questions started to seem nonsensical, repetitive and idiotic... because I had seen the same topics asked over and over again. I realised that I had to take a deep breath and step back a little - just because I knew the answer and had helped too many people before with the same issue, it didn't mean that someone new would not come along tomorrow and ask the same thing. </p>\n\n<p>Yes, they should have checked google first, and yes, they should have seen the duplicate question had already been asked. However, maybe they didn't have the luxury of time to spend hours googling, or maybe they had not used the right search terms, or maybe English isn't their mother tongue, or whatever. However, it didn't mean that they needed to be made to feel daft. </p>\n\n<p>After all, if someone asks a question here, it probably isn't because they want to wind us up and make us angry - why would they do that? And it can't be judged as lazy, because, let's face it, it takes longer to formulate and ask a question on SE than it does to search for something on Google.</p>\n\n<p>A couple of friends of mine, independently of eachother, sent me this image which, while it made me laugh, also (rather sadly) sums up the \"Why are you asking me that?\" mentality that StackExchange is perceived as having by the wider techy internet community - this is <em>not</em> a good reputation to have..!</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/La323.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\" title=\"Working at SE\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/La323.png\" alt=\"Working at SE\" title=\"Working at SE\"></a></p>\n\n<p>So, all I am trying to say is, when you see a question asked by someone with a rep of 1, be nice and try to encourage them to stay, rather than scaring them off as soon as they set foot through the door. Don't forget it is probably their first question here and are quite nervous as to how they will be perceived (as one generally is when approaching a new group of people and having to ask something).</p>\n"
] |
138 | user98: There has been a lot of questions and confusion about what is acceptable here on 3D Printing SE. Let's go ahead and discuss what types of questions should be acceptable on the site.
We're going to do this based on votes. I'll leave it up to debate in the comments below, but we'll emulate Area51 question requirements. Here are the guidelines:
10 positive votes, passes.
One answer per topic. The focus is voting on topics, and votes pertain to the validity of the topic.
Similar topics that can be merged should explicitly mention the deprecated topic.
Appropriately passed topics should have closed questions re-opened (as appropriate).
user98: Bio Printing
As previously brought up in Meta, questions related to Bio Printing should be within scope.
Appropriate questions related to Bio Printing include (but aren't limited to):
Questions about the technology processes. Specified by the printing method (ie FDM).
Questions about material specifications.
Questions regarding troubleshooting of Bio Printable materials or Bio Printing machines.
user115: Mechatronics
More specifically, question relating to electronics, mechanics and control theory which is set in a 3D printing context.
Why include:
There are multiple questions about 3D printing that also could be asked in the electrical and mechanical engineering sites, as well as the robotics site. However, since most 3D printers basically are desktop robots, all of these topics will eventually be relevant.
Examples: one and two.
Why exclude:
In some cases, questions within these topics might simply receive much better answers by people at the other sites, such as this seemingly simple question.
user1: I am going to strenuously advise against using this format for resolving what should be considered on topic for this site.
I can appreciate the desire for decisive action and expediency, but it would seem untenable to tell someone their question is off topic because only the top {x}-voted subjects were deemed on topic, while {x-1} didn't make the cut. You are essentially looking to exclude large areas of interest by polling a relatively modest portion of an upstart, growing community. Polling is not a good substitute for discussion; this is not how you build a functional site.
You have a good site here. You started with a community that was very welcoming of questions about 3D printing in general. If you later discover that a particular subject poses a problem, then the community can decide if you should forgo those questions entirely. But that comes through thoughtful discussion in an open format — a conversation about why a particular subject poses a problem — not by a popularity contest where only the most-voted subjects get in.
Users can raise concerns about any topic they have here — that is what meta is for — but please resist the temptation for excluding content before it demonstrates a wide-spread problem in actual practice. It's a recipe for a very exclusionary site; one where everything is looked at through a lens of suspicion where everything is off-topic until proven otherwise. This is not the way to build a healthy, growing site.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/138",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/98/"
] | 2016/05/03 | [
"98: <p>There has been a lot of questions and confusion about what is acceptable here on 3D Printing SE. Let's go ahead and discuss what types of questions should be acceptable on the site.</p>\n\n<p>We're going to do this based on votes. I'll leave it up to debate in the comments below, but we'll emulate Area51 question requirements. Here are the guidelines:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>10 positive votes</strong>, passes.</li>\n<li><strong>One answer per topic</strong>. The focus is voting on topics, and votes pertain to the validity of the topic.</li>\n<li>Similar topics that can be merged should explicitly mention the deprecated topic.</li>\n<li>Appropriately passed topics should have closed questions re-opened (as appropriate).</li>\n</ul>\n",
"98: <h2>Bio Printing</h2>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/123/bio-printing-questions-okay\">As previously brought up in Meta</a>, questions related to Bio Printing should be within scope.</p>\n\n<p>Appropriate questions related to Bio Printing include (but aren't limited to):</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Questions about the technology processes. Specified by the printing method (ie FDM).</li>\n<li>Questions about material specifications.</li>\n<li>Questions regarding troubleshooting of Bio Printable materials or Bio Printing machines.</li>\n</ul>\n",
"115: <h1>Mechatronics</h1>\n<p>More specifically, question relating to <strong>electronics</strong>, <strong>mechanics</strong> and <strong>control theory</strong> which is <em>set in a 3D printing context</em>.</p>\n<p><strong>Why include:</strong></p>\n<p>There are multiple questions about 3D printing that also could be asked in the electrical and mechanical engineering sites, as well as the robotics site. However, since most 3D printers basically are desktop robots, all of these topics will eventually be relevant.</p>\n<p>Examples: <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/623/real-life-stepper-speed\">one</a> and <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/542/what-is-the-benefit-of-using-an-arm-based-electronics\">two</a>.</p>\n<p><strong>Why exclude:</strong></p>\n<p>In some cases, questions within these topics might simply receive much <em>better</em> answers by people at the other sites, such as <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/975/do-the-tw-thw-and-thhn-or-thwn-wire-insulation-types-matter-in-terms-of-powerin\">this seemingly simple question</a>.</p>\n",
"1: <p>I am going to strenuously advise <strong><em>against</em></strong> using this format for resolving what should be considered on topic for this site. </p>\n\n<p>I can appreciate the desire for decisive action and expediency, but it would seem untenable to tell someone their question is off topic because only the top {x}-voted subjects were deemed on topic, while {x-1} didn't make the cut. You are essentially looking to <em>exclude</em> large areas of interest by polling a relatively modest portion of an upstart, growing community. Polling is not a good substitute for discussion; this is not how you build a functional site. </p>\n\n<p>You have a good site here. You started with a community that was very welcoming of questions about 3D printing in general. If you later discover that a particular subject poses a problem, <strong><em>then</em></strong> the community can decide if you should forgo those questions entirely. But that comes through thoughtful discussion in an open format — a conversation about why a particular subject poses a problem — <em>not</em> by a popularity contest where only the most-voted subjects get in. </p>\n\n<p>Users can raise concerns about any topic they have here — that is what meta is for — but <strong>please resist the temptation for excluding content</strong> before it demonstrates a wide-spread problem in actual practice. It's a recipe for a very exclusionary site; one where everything is looked at through a lens of suspicion where everything is <em>off-topic</em> until proven otherwise. This is not the way to build a healthy, growing site. </p>\n"
] |
141 | user1656: Context: I have absolutely no knowledge of 3D printing other than you need a computer, a printer, some software, and a design. That is literally the extent of my knowledge on 3D printing.
However, I have an idea of something I'd like to have 3D printed. While the idea has a fairly reasonably defined shape in mind, it doesn't exist in any digital or paper format and has some specifics that still need to be filled out (such as accurate dimensions and a few design details).
I need to bridge the chasm of knowledge between my current design and limited knowledge to a fleshed-out design file with chosen materials and other specifics. A good chunk of my problem is that I don't even know what I should know. While I realize that this site is still fairly new and things are being nailed down, how do I ask the proper question(s) to fill in my knowledge gaps that will be on-topic for the site? Is there even a path forward for these kinds of questions on the site?
user115: I think your situation fits for many new users on this site, and saying that "easy" or "semi-defined" questions are discouraged would probably turn you - and many others - away from the site.
Rather, I believe it is the community's job to help you find a proper scope for your question. As long as you follow it up, edit and improve your questions according to feedback (as we all should), I'm pretty sure even the "easiest" question will turn out good.
In other words: ask anyway and stay open to (or even better, request) feedback to help define your question better.
user98: There is a new question on Meta that should help define what is okay on this site.
However, your question is important to address here.
Ultimately, you shouldn't be afraid to go ahead and ask the question. If the question does not meet the conditions of the present site, the general public will be sure to let you know and (hopefully) help direct you in at least asking a more direct question.
If you post a question that is closed, it would acceptable to post a question here on Meta that specifically asks how to make your question fit within the scope of the site.
I would suggest providing as much information as you have and feel free to ask the more general questions about 3D printing. Most people in the community will ask specific questions to try and help you. Some may even be able to fill in the blanks of what you're asking and provide you with very helpful answers.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/141",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/1656/"
] | 2016/05/03 | [
"1656: <p>Context: I have absolutely no knowledge of 3D printing other than you need a computer, a printer, some software, and a design. That is literally the extent of my knowledge on 3D printing.</p>\n\n<p>However, I have an idea of something I'd like to have 3D printed. While the idea has a fairly reasonably defined shape in mind, it doesn't exist in any digital or paper format and has some specifics that still need to be filled out (such as accurate dimensions and a few design details).</p>\n\n<p>I need to bridge the chasm of knowledge between my current design and limited knowledge to a fleshed-out design file with chosen materials and other specifics. A good chunk of my problem is that I don't even know <em>what</em> I should know. While I realize that this site is still fairly new and things are being nailed down, how do I ask the proper question(s) to fill in my knowledge gaps that will be on-topic for the site? Is there even a path forward for these kinds of questions on the site?</p>\n",
"115: <p>I think your situation fits for many new users on this site, and saying that \"easy\" or \"semi-defined\" questions are discouraged would probably turn you - and many others - away from the site.</p>\n\n<p>Rather, I believe it is the community's job to help you find a proper scope for your question. As long as you follow it up, edit and improve your questions according to feedback (as we all should), I'm pretty sure even the \"easiest\" question will turn out good.</p>\n\n<p>In other words: ask anyway and stay open to (or even better, request) feedback to help define your question better. </p>\n",
"98: <p><s>There is a <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/138/what-is-our-scope\">new question on Meta</a> that should help define what is okay on this site.\n</s></p>\n\n<p>However, your question is important to address here.</p>\n\n<p>Ultimately, you shouldn't be afraid to go ahead and ask the question. If the question does not meet the conditions of the present site, the general public will be sure to let you know and (hopefully) help direct you in at least asking a more direct question.</p>\n\n<p>If you post a question that is closed, it would acceptable to post a question here on Meta that specifically asks how to make your question fit within the scope of the site.</p>\n\n<p>I would suggest providing as much information as you have and feel free to ask the more general questions about 3D printing. Most people in the community will ask specific questions to try and help you. Some may even be able to fill in the blanks of what you're asking and provide you with very helpful answers.</p>\n"
] |
145 | user115: With reference to this question: should questions about sharing settings for printers and slicers etc. be considered as on topic for this site?
Or looked at it differently: how can one turn a question such as the one linked into something more than a debate of settings that someone have used successfully? And if that is what the answers will be like, is that considered okey?
What do you think?
user26: I think it depends. There are no "best" settings for printing any one material, as the optimal settings will depend on the model being printed. I think questions of the format
I have X printer, using Y settings, printing Z model in material W and I have V problem - how do I improve my settings?
would be vastly better than
What is the best profile for printing material X with printer Y?
I suggest we close question of the latter format as "Unclear what you're asking". What settings you should use depends on much more than just the printer and material. An answer to the question of the former format would also be useful to a much wider audience (since it deals with a well-defined problem and fix for that problem), while an answer to the latter format is only useful for people using that specific printer and material.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/145",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/115/"
] | 2016/05/04 | [
"115: <p>With reference to <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/1103/wanhao-duplicator-i3-abs-settings\">this</a> question: should questions about sharing settings for printers and slicers etc. be considered as on topic for this site?</p>\n\n<p>Or looked at it differently: how can one turn a question such as the one linked into something more than a debate of settings that someone have used successfully? And if that is what the answers will be like, is that considered okey?</p>\n\n<p>What do you think?</p>\n",
"26: <p>I think it depends. There are no \"best\" settings for printing any one material, as the optimal settings will depend on the model being printed. I think questions of the format</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>I have X printer, using Y settings, printing Z model in material W and I have V problem - how do I improve my settings?</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>would be <em>vastly</em> better than</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>What is the best profile for printing material X with printer Y?</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>I suggest we close question of the latter format as \"Unclear what you're asking\". What settings you should use depends on much more than just the printer and material. An answer to the question of the former format would also be useful to a much wider audience (since it deals with a well-defined problem and fix for that problem), while an answer to the latter format is only useful for people using that specific printer and material.</p>\n"
] |
147 | user98: We have a recent question that brings up the question of "Should we support general hobbyist questions?"
Currently, there doesn't appear to be a viable site within the SE network. The question at hand seems to be a mix between 3D Printing and DIY. If we allow this question, it could allow people to ask questions like the following:
CNC Mills
Routers
Lasers
etc.
user115: I believe all of these machines essentially are 3D printers with a different tool! As far as I know, you will often end up using both the same software and electronics as with 3D printers, and many questions can therefore be directly related as well. There are even several commercial "Multi 3D printers" that can do several of these functions.
Then again, I also think it depends on the specific question asked. :-)
user26: It is worth noting that the question referenced in the OP deals with a vacuum forming machine, which isn't (similar to) a 3D printer by any stretch of the imagination. It heats up a sheet of plastic so it melts, which is then formed (using a vacuum applied from below) over a model. This just allows you to make copies of an existing model.
If we want to allow these types of questions, we should get the name of this site changed (to something like "Makers SE"/"Rapid Prototyping"). I don't know if that's even an option, but as it stands, "3D printing SE" should be about 3D printing; CNC mills, vacuum formers, etc... are clearly not 3D printers and thus off-topic.
I don't find "there's no other place for this" to be a convincing argument; the scope of a site should not depend on what other sites do or do not exist.
That said, I do feel the just 3D printing scope is a bit limited and we could attract a larger audience by including other types of rapid prototyping/manufacturing. The name would be a huge misnomer if the scope included that, but I guess the only way to get a name change (if that is possible/appropriate at all) is to begin by changing the scope.
As it stands, the question referenced in the post is definitely not on-topic (since the machine involved is very un-printer-like), but questions about CNC machines (and similar machines) might be. They mostly run different softwares (GRBL/Mach3) but you could conceivably run a CNC machine on Marlin.
user12615: I understand 3D printing as a specialized topic of CNC. To extend the community other topics like mills, lathe or even punching turrets seem a good option to me because:
They all relate closely to the same techology: CNC control, axis, CAD modeling, G-Code, etc.
It would extend the possibilities of this SO page, which seem to struggle to get questions.
I would however not accept very different technologies: molding, vacum forming, welding, etc. :
Those are too different from the original 3D-Pringer topic.
I would orient the community toward hobbyist, ejecting the professional community, and this is something to avoid.
Speaking about renaming the SO, I would recommend something like:
3D Printing and CNC systems
3D Printing and Digital fabrication
This keep the identity of the community, but open the door to some other topics.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/147",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/98/"
] | 2016/05/06 | [
"98: <p>We have <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/1117/alternative-3d-molding-techniques-at-home\">a recent question</a> that brings up the question of \"<em>Should we support general hobbyist questions?</em>\"</p>\n\n<p>Currently, there doesn't appear to be a viable site within the SE network. The question at hand seems to be a mix between 3D Printing and DIY. If we allow this question, it could allow people to ask questions like the following:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>CNC Mills</li>\n<li>Routers</li>\n<li>Lasers</li>\n<li>etc.</li>\n</ul>\n",
"115: <p>I believe all of these machines essentially are 3D printers with a different tool! As far as I know, you will often end up using both the same <em>software</em> and <em>electronics</em> as with 3D printers, and many questions can therefore be directly related as well. There are even several commercial \"Multi 3D printers\" that can do several of these functions.</p>\n\n<p>Then again, I also think it depends on the specific question asked. :-)</p>\n",
"26: <p>It is worth noting that the question referenced in the OP deals with a vacuum forming machine, which isn't (similar to) a 3D printer by any stretch of the imagination. It heats up a sheet of plastic so it melts, which is then formed (using a vacuum applied from below) over a model. This just allows you to make copies of an existing model.</p>\n\n<p>If we want to allow these types of questions, we should get the name of this site changed (to something like \"Makers SE\"/\"Rapid Prototyping\"). I don't know if that's even an option, but as it stands, \"3D printing SE\" should be about 3D printing; CNC mills, vacuum formers, etc... are <em>clearly not 3D printers</em> and thus off-topic.</p>\n\n<p>I don't find \"there's no other place for this\" to be a convincing argument; the scope of a site should not depend on what other sites do or do not exist.</p>\n\n<p>That said, I do feel the just 3D printing scope is a bit limited and we could attract a larger audience by including other types of rapid prototyping/manufacturing. The name would be a huge misnomer if the scope included that, but I guess the only way to get a name change (if that is possible/appropriate at all) is to begin by changing the scope.</p>\n\n<p>As it stands, the question referenced in the post is definitely not on-topic (since the machine involved is very un-printer-like), but questions about CNC machines (and similar machines) <em>might</em> be. They mostly run different softwares (GRBL/Mach3) but you could conceivably run a CNC machine on Marlin.</p>\n",
"12615: <p>I understand 3D printing as a specialized topic of CNC. To extend the community other topics like mills, lathe or even punching turrets seem a good option to me because:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>They all relate closely to the same techology: CNC control, axis, CAD modeling, G-Code, etc.</li>\n<li>It would extend the possibilities of this SO page, which seem to struggle to get questions.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>I would however not accept very different technologies: molding, vacum forming, welding, etc. :</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Those are too different from the original 3D-Pringer topic.</li>\n<li>I would orient the community toward hobbyist, ejecting the professional community, and this is something to avoid.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>Speaking about renaming the SO, I would recommend something like:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>3D Printing and CNC systems</li>\n<li>3D Printing and Digital fabrication</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>This keep the identity of the community, but open the door to some other topics.</p>\n"
] |
151 | user115: Are there any official naming conventions for tag names on Stack Exchange? And if not, how should tags be named?
From what I understand, one typically adds a dash (-) where you normally would leave a space, but how about tags that derive from words that are CamelCased, or somehow Prefixed?
Examples (which also shows some inconsistencies):
Topic | Existing tag | Alternative tag?
----------------------------------------------------------
MatterControl | matter-control | mattercontrol
MakerBot | makerbot | maker-bot
Post-production | postproduction | post-production
Post-processing | post-processing | postprocessing
Multi-material | multi-material | multimaterial
Which of the above tag alternatives should we go for?
user1211: I would say we could use synonyms to stay with clear tag namespace.In this case we apply following pattern (especially for proper name (product name)):
Topic | Existing tag | Synonym?
---------------+-----------------+--------------
MatterControl | mattercontrol | matter-control
I think dash could be used to separate kinda branch for example:
app-cura, app-mattercontrol, app-meshmixer << these could be also synonyms
3d-printer, 3d-models, 3d-design
of course we already have tags like
feature-request, switching-power-supply
but they are descriptive and would be unreadable written as one word, one may say these describe actions
user4762: Based on the answers already posted, I am changing postproduction to post-production, I have only just seen this and it immediately looked odd.
Also, what is the difference between post-production and post-processing, or are they synonyms? post-production has no description whatsoever. See What is the difference between post-production and post-processing?
user26: Looking at other SE sites, the most common approach seems to make everything lowercase (including names and trademarks) and using hyphens whenever there would be a space or hyphen in normal usage.
As such:
MatterControl becomes mattercontrol
Makerbot becomes makerbot
Post-production becomes post-production
Post-processing becomes post-processing
Multi-material becomes multi-material
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/151",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/115/"
] | 2016/05/10 | [
"115: <p>Are there any official naming conventions for tag names on Stack Exchange? And if not, how should tags be named?</p>\n\n<p>From what I understand, one typically adds a <em>dash</em> (-) where you normally would leave a <em>space</em>, but how about tags that derive from words that are <em><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/150/tag-for-mattercontrol-app\">CamelCased</a></em>, or somehow <em><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/postproduction\">Prefixed</a></em>?</p>\n\n<p>Examples (which also shows some inconsistencies):</p>\n\n<pre><code>Topic | Existing tag | Alternative tag?\n----------------------------------------------------------\nMatterControl | matter-control | mattercontrol\nMakerBot | makerbot | maker-bot\nPost-production | postproduction | post-production\nPost-processing | post-processing | postprocessing\nMulti-material | multi-material | multimaterial\n</code></pre>\n\n<p>Which of the above tag alternatives should we go for?</p>\n",
"1211: <p>I would say we could use synonyms to stay with clear tag namespace.In this case we apply following pattern (especially for proper name (product name)):</p>\n\n<pre><code>Topic | Existing tag | Synonym?\n---------------+-----------------+--------------\nMatterControl | mattercontrol | matter-control\n</code></pre>\n\n<p>I think dash could be used to separate kinda branch for example:</p>\n\n<pre><code>app-cura, app-mattercontrol, app-meshmixer << these could be also synonyms\n3d-printer, 3d-models, 3d-design\n</code></pre>\n\n<p>of course we already have tags like</p>\n\n<pre><code>feature-request, switching-power-supply\n</code></pre>\n\n<p>but they are descriptive and would be unreadable written as one word, one may say these describe actions</p>\n",
"4762: <p>Based on the answers already posted, I am changing <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/postproduction\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'postproduction'\" rel=\"tag\">postproduction</a> to <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/post-production\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'post-production'\" rel=\"tag\">post-production</a>, I have only just seen this and it immediately looked odd.</p>\n\n<p>Also, <strike>what is the difference between <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/post-production\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'post-production'\" rel=\"tag\">post-production</a> and <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/post-processing\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'post-processing'\" rel=\"tag\">post-processing</a>, or are they synonyms? <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/post-production\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'post-production'\" rel=\"tag\">post-production</a> has no description whatsoever.</strike> See <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/270/what-is-the-difference-between-post-production-and-post-processing\">What is the difference between post-production and post-processing?</a></p>\n",
"26: <p>Looking at other SE sites, the most common approach seems to make everything lowercase (including names and trademarks) and using hyphens whenever there would be a space or hyphen in normal usage.</p>\n\n<p>As such:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><p>MatterControl becomes mattercontrol</p></li>\n<li><p>Makerbot becomes makerbot</p></li>\n<li><p>Post-production becomes post-production</p></li>\n<li><p>Post-processing becomes post-processing</p></li>\n<li><p>Multi-material becomes multi-material</p></li>\n</ul>\n"
] |
156 | user1211: I'd like to discuss the case 'How to enlarge a Sketchup Model' question and my answer of course.
I do agree with Robert Cartaino when he said:
'The folks here will work hard to curate this collection of knowledge(...)'
It's true that SE forums are so valuable also because there are hard working moderators and editors - no doubt.
I also agree with this (but with some objections):
'(...) when someone finally finds this site through search, the last thing we want to do is send them elsewhere to find that information'
Being strict, according to this part, linking is not allowed... which is not true isn't it?. I didn't link poor websites or other forums or any information from "somewhere" / "elsewhere". I did link "the sources", pages which are the real sources of the knowledg in the case of asked question. And because these sources are quite big and stable, it's high prpbablility that there were available for long time (till the question and answer will have any meaning) and they will be the most accurate and up to date as possible.
So the question is, should I rewrite such sources just because answer based on links is not allowed or maybe it's better to be not such strict.
Please consider and express what you think about such situations.
ps: I admit my answer could be comment insted of answer and if there will be such will of mods I'll rewrite it as comment as I wanted to help this user (and I think he upvoted which means he gathered the knowledge he asked for).
user115: I believe you more or less answered your own question here! In the post, Tom van der Zanden commented:
Perhaps you could edit your answer to make it self contained (by giving brief instructions on how to resize in sketchup).
You responded that this would be an very simple answer, and that you would have to explain the OP how to "press the resize icon and resize the model". If I were you, that is exactly what I would have done. In other words, explain how to resize the model and perhaps add a simple illustration.
Remember that best answers are those than can be easily understood. :-)
PS: Linking sources is great, so keep that up! Just remember to summarize the essence of it in the answer itself.
user1: You raise an interesting issue that swerves into the very purpose of having a Stack Exchange site.
Here is the actual guidance that went with the removal of that post:
Thank you for answering, unfortunately links sending users elsewhere to find that information aren't really considered an "answer" in the context of this site. The folks here will work hard to curate this collection of knowledge, so when someone finally finds this site through search, the last thing we want to do is send them elsewhere to find that information. If you don't think the question is worth answering here, you can always vote to close, but I have to remove this as "not an answer" in the context of this site.
The quality of the link you provided is not in question. The problem is that Stack Exchange isn't meant to be a search engine or a list of links. We have Google for that.
Our role in making the Internet a better place is in curating a high-quality collection of crowd-sourced knowledge. Stack Exchange rates very highly among search engines, so when someone clicks through thinking they finally found an answer from a highly-trusted source, we have a responsibility not to purport having information we do not.
sometimes it's better to accept not-perfect-answer than leave the man with no answer at all
That's a well-meaning consideration, but it ignores the purpose of curating this content as a whole. You may help that one person in the minimal possible sense… but for the hundreds (sometimes thousands) of people who come after, all we did was create yet another barrier between the user and the information they were searching for.
That does not make the Internet better.
Redirecting users elsewhere can also displace folks who may have posted a proper answer. Few people are actually privy to these meta discussions and what makes these Stack Exchange sites "work", so oftentimes users looking on will largely consider the issue resolved. Folks mostly emulate the practices and methods they see, so if cutting and pasting a link serves as an answer, then everyone can do it.
And in that vein, please do not answer questions in comments. Comments do not have the voting and the wiki-style editing features which allow us to properly vet and improve this content. And comments sit very prominently right there below the question, so they appear before even the best answers which are supposed to rise to the top.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/156",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/1211/"
] | 2016/05/13 | [
"1211: <p>I'd like to discuss the case <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/1144/how-to-enlarge-a-sketchup-model\">'How to enlarge a Sketchup Model'</a> question and my answer of course.</p>\n\n<p>I do agree with Robert Cartaino when he said:\n'<em>The folks here will work hard to curate this collection of knowledge(...)</em>'</p>\n\n<p>It's true that SE forums are so valuable also because there are hard working moderators and editors - no doubt.</p>\n\n<p>I also agree with this (but with some objections):\n'<em>(...) when someone finally finds this site through search, the last thing we want to do is send them elsewhere to find that information</em>'</p>\n\n<p>Being strict, according to this part, linking is not allowed... which is not true isn't it?. I didn't link poor websites or other forums or any information from \"somewhere\" / \"elsewhere\". I did link \"the sources\", pages which are the real sources of the knowledg in the case of asked question. And because these sources are quite big and stable, it's high prpbablility that there were available for long time (till the question and answer will have any meaning) and they will be the most accurate and up to date as possible.</p>\n\n<p>So the question is, should I rewrite such sources just because answer based on links is not allowed or maybe it's better to be not such strict.</p>\n\n<p>Please consider and express what you think about such situations.</p>\n\n<p>ps: I admit my answer could be comment insted of answer and if there will be such will of mods I'll rewrite it as comment as I wanted to help this user (and I think he upvoted which means he gathered the knowledge he asked for).</p>\n",
"115: <p>I believe you more or less answered your own question here! In the post, Tom van der Zanden commented: </p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>Perhaps you could edit your answer to make it self contained (by giving brief instructions on how to resize in sketchup).</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>You responded that this would be an very simple answer, and that you would have to explain the OP how to \"press the resize icon and resize the model\". If I were you, that is exactly what I would have done. <em>In other words, explain how to resize the model and perhaps add a simple illustration.</em></p>\n\n<p>Remember that best answers are those than can be easily understood. :-)</p>\n\n<p><em>PS: Linking sources is great, so keep that up! Just remember to summarize the essence of it in the answer itself.</em></p>\n",
"1: <p>You raise an interesting issue that swerves into the very <em>purpose</em> of having a Stack Exchange site. </p>\n\n<p>Here is the actual guidance that went with the removal of that post:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>Thank you for answering, unfortunately links sending users elsewhere to find that information aren't really considered an \"answer\" in the context of this site. The folks here will work hard to curate this collection of knowledge, so when someone finally finds this site through search, the last thing we want to do is send them <em>elsewhere</em> to find that information. If you don't think the question is worth answering here, you can always vote to close, but I have to remove this as \"not an answer\" in the context of this site.</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>The <em>quality</em> of the link you provided is not in question. The problem is that Stack Exchange isn't meant to be a search engine or a list of links. We have Google for that. </p>\n\n<p>Our role in making the Internet a better place is in curating a high-quality collection of crowd-sourced knowledge. Stack Exchange rates very highly among search engines, so when someone clicks through thinking they finally found an answer from a highly-trusted source, <strong>we have a responsibility <em>not</em> to purport having information we do not.</strong> </p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>sometimes it's better to accept not-perfect-answer than leave the man with no answer at all</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>That's a well-meaning consideration, but it ignores the purpose of curating this content as a whole. You may help that <em>one</em> person in the minimal possible sense… but for the hundreds (sometimes <em>thousands</em>) of people who come after, all we did was create yet <strong>another barrier</strong> between the user and the information they were searching for.</p>\n\n<p>That does not make the Internet better.</p>\n\n<p>Redirecting users elsewhere can also displace folks who may have posted a <em>proper</em> answer. Few people are actually privy to these meta discussions and what makes these Stack Exchange sites \"work\", so oftentimes users looking on will largely consider the issue <em>resolved.</em> Folks mostly emulate the practices and methods they see, so if cutting and pasting a link serves as an answer, then <em>everyone</em> can do it. </p>\n\n<p>And in that vein, please do not answer questions in comments. Comments do not have the voting and the wiki-style editing features which allow us to properly vet and improve this content. And comments sit very prominently right there below the question, so they appear before even the <em>best</em> answers which are supposed to rise to the top. </p>\n"
] |
159 | user298: It's pretty manageable right now due to the low question rate, but I think maybe ~3% of all questions this site will get, forever, will be "what's the best printer" or "what printer should I buy" type questions. They're mostly coming from people who don't know enough about 3DP to articulate their requirements, so they're difficult to help and very unfocused. Is there a better way to handle this than locking them as they come up?
user2146: I face this question very very frequently. On 3d printing and 3d printing hobbyists facebook group we can see this daily.
The ideas of giving people a catch all set of questions is nice.. That is exactly what I did 6 months ago. I put it in the group rules and did everything I could to get people to read it. To date 0 people, even after directly being told to, have used my list of questions.
In my opinion we need to educate the user, nicely. Also we need to remove the question with flagging. Hopefully without offending the person and thus scaring them away from the community.. Maybe just flag as duplicate, etc. Unfortunately this will one of those situations where we cannot perfectly solve.
user138: You've got a few options:
1.
Often, what we do is you have a canonical "catch-all" question.
Since the shopping questions seem to have been deemed off-topic, this is probably your best bet. What you need to do is to guide users to select a printer themselves, but by asking them a set of criteria. Therefore, you would need an answer that addresses the following questions (but in no way limited to the following):
What filament do I choose?
What's my budget?
What size do I need?
... etc.
With such a post, you guide users to what they want, and then in the end, you can recommend a few printers.
Also, this question has to be locked using what's known as a wiki-lock. This way, the community can edit the question to update it, and it prevents spam and other nonsensical answers.
2.
You close them as off-topic.
Since this seems to be a persistent problem, it would be helpful to add a custom close reason (hey mods! That's for you!). Something along the lines of this would be good:
Questions asking for the recommendation of a printer or other 3D printing-related resource are off-topic because they tend to attract opinion-based questions, low-quality answers, and spam. For more information, see [Why are recommendations off-topic and where can I ask?](link to a meta post)
You get the community to get support for the close reason, and a moderator implements it to allow questions to be closed. Bingo!
However, you're going to need a meta post explaining why they are off-topic as well as other information. That's good etiquette: you don't leave users stranded and you continue to guide them to where they can ask a question.
3.
You do 1. first.
Then, you allow such "shopping" questions to be on-topic, as long as they follow the specific criteria and answer all the questions that you have outlined in the meta post. Otherwise, you close it.
Numerous sites do this. On Open Source, we allow questions that ask for the recommendation of an open source license. We have a meta post on what you need to include, as well as a dedicated close reason in case something is not of quality. It works very well.
The only downside, is that it can take a bit of time and work to get right.
user98: I think the site tries to prevent this as best as possible, short of having a bot prevent the post.
There is the Don't Ask page and the On-Topic (which we have control over its content).
The suggested/related questions that appear when asking a question. Ideally users at least regard its existence before posting the question.
There appears to be a pop-up that does try to warn the user that their question is "subjective". I tested it really quick, see the image below
All else fails, that's what moderators are for. Moderators should utilize the tools available to them. So even if these types of questions pile up, there are means of quickly identifying. A simple feature, available to everyone, is advanced searches. I try to use searches like this to quickly identify large groups of questions that may need attention.
It might be nice to have more options over whether keywords can be contained or not, "asker" reputation, "answerer" reputation, etc.
user26: A good option would be to have several reference questions, such as "What to look for when comparing printers?" or "How to select a 3D printer?" to which we could redirect these users.
| [
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"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/298/"
] | 2016/06/02 | [
"298: <p>It's pretty manageable right now due to the low question rate, but I think maybe ~3% of all questions this site will get, forever, will be \"what's the best printer\" or \"what printer should I buy\" type questions. They're mostly coming from people who don't know enough about 3DP to articulate their requirements, so they're difficult to help and very unfocused. Is there a better way to handle this than locking them as they come up? </p>\n",
"2146: <p>I face this question very very frequently. On 3d printing and 3d printing hobbyists facebook group we can see this daily. </p>\n\n<p>The ideas of giving people a catch all set of questions is nice.. That is exactly what I did 6 months ago. I put it in the group rules and did everything I could to get people to read it. To date 0 people, even after directly being told to, have used my list of questions.</p>\n\n<p>In my opinion we need to educate the user, nicely. Also we need to remove the question with flagging. Hopefully without offending the person and thus scaring them away from the community.. Maybe just flag as duplicate, etc. Unfortunately this will one of those situations where we cannot perfectly solve. </p>\n",
"138: <p>You've got a few options:</p>\n<h1>1.</h1>\n<p>Often, what we do is you have a canonical "catch-all" question.</p>\n<p>Since the shopping questions seem to have been deemed off-topic, this is probably your best bet. What you need to do is to guide users to select a printer themselves, but by asking them a set of criteria. Therefore, you would need an answer that addresses the following questions (but in no way limited to the following):</p>\n<ul>\n<li>What filament do I choose?</li>\n<li>What's my budget?</li>\n<li>What size do I need?</li>\n</ul>\n<p>... etc.</p>\n<p>With such a post, you guide users to what they want, and then in the end, you can recommend a few printers.</p>\n<p>Also, this question has to be locked using what's known as a wiki-lock. This way, the community can edit the question to update it, and it prevents spam and other nonsensical answers.</p>\n<h1>2.</h1>\n<p>You close them as off-topic.</p>\n<p>Since this seems to be a persistent problem, it would be helpful to add a custom close reason (hey mods! That's for you!). Something along the lines of this would be good:</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Questions asking for the recommendation of a printer or other 3D printing-related resource are off-topic because they tend to attract opinion-based questions, low-quality answers, and spam. For more information, see [Why are recommendations off-topic and where can I ask?](link to a meta post)</p>\n</blockquote>\n<p>You get the community to get support for the close reason, and a moderator implements it to allow questions to be closed. Bingo!</p>\n<p>However, you're going to need a meta post explaining why they are off-topic as well as other information. That's good etiquette: you don't leave users stranded and you continue to guide them to where they can ask a question.</p>\n<h1>3.</h1>\n<p>You do 1. first.</p>\n<p>Then, you allow such "shopping" questions to be on-topic, as long as they follow the specific criteria and answer all the questions that you have outlined in the meta post. Otherwise, you close it.</p>\n<p>Numerous sites do this. On Open Source, we allow questions that ask for the recommendation of an open source license. We have a meta post on what you need to include, as well as a dedicated close reason in case something is not of quality. It works very well.</p>\n<p>The only downside, is that it can take a bit of time and work to get right.</p>\n",
"98: <p>I think the site tries to prevent this as best as possible, short of having a bot prevent the post.</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>There is the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/help/dont-ask\">Don't Ask</a> page and the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/help/on-topic\">On-Topic</a> (which we have control over its content).</li>\n<li>The suggested/related questions that appear when asking a question. Ideally users at least regard its existence before posting the question.</li>\n<li>There appears to be a pop-up that does try to warn the user that their question is \"subjective\". I tested it really quick, see the image below<a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/uRJdC.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/uRJdC.png\" alt=\"enter image description here\"></a></li>\n<li>All else fails, that's what moderators are for. Moderators should utilize the tools available to them. So even if these types of questions pile up, there are means of quickly identifying. A simple feature, available to everyone, is advanced searches. I try to use searches like <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/search?q=title%3A%223d%20printer%22%20is%3Aquestion\">this</a> to quickly identify large groups of questions that may need attention.\n\n<ul>\n<li>It might be nice to have more options over whether keywords can be contained or not, \"asker\" reputation, \"answerer\" reputation, etc.</li>\n</ul></li>\n</ul>\n",
"26: <p>A good option would be to have several reference questions, such as \"What to look for when comparing printers?\" or \"How to select a 3D printer?\" to which we could redirect these users.</p>\n"
] |
164 | user2111: Are questions about 3-D printers and their use in makerspaces allowed, for example, "What are the best practices for the maintenance of 3-D printers in makerspaces?" and "What is the best software based solution for the operation of 3-D printers in makerspaces?" Thanks in advance.
user98: Overall, you'll want to try and stay away from "What is the best..." type questions. However, I would say that services related to 3D printing should be okay. Please regard Robert Cartaino's response on potential topics. He brings up a good point:
This is one of those times where I'd say it's not the "name" that defines this site, but the intentions of the community that built it.
For the questions in mind, I think that questions related to discovering new "Makerspace"-type communities and sites would be appropriate. In the case of your software question. I would definitely highlight some key features, if you can, of what you might be looking for. For example:
Plug and Play software
Customizable G-Code
Advanced control over parameters
Dual-Extrusion capability
Compatibility with a print server
etc.
Information like this can make or break a "What is the best..." question.
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"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
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] | 2016/06/12 | [
"2111: <p>Are questions about 3-D printers and their use in makerspaces allowed, for example, \"What are the best practices for the maintenance of 3-D printers in makerspaces?\" and \"What is the best software based solution for the operation of 3-D printers in makerspaces?\" Thanks in advance.</p>\n",
"98: <p>Overall, you'll want to try and stay away from <em>\"What is the best...\"</em> type questions. However, I would say that services related to 3D printing should be okay. Please regard <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/67/fdm-printer-that-can-also-mill-and-engrave-whats-in-scope/68#68\">Robert Cartaino's</a> response on potential topics. He brings up a good point:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p><em>This is one of those times where I'd say it's not the \"name\" that defines this site, but the intentions of the community that built it.</em></p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>For the questions in mind, I think that questions related to discovering new \"Makerspace\"-type communities and sites would be appropriate. In the case of your software question. I would definitely highlight some key features, if you can, of what you might be looking for. For example:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Plug and Play software</li>\n<li>Customizable G-Code</li>\n<li>Advanced control over parameters</li>\n<li>Dual-Extrusion capability</li>\n<li>Compatibility with a print server</li>\n<li>etc.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>Information like this can make or break a <em>\"What is the best...\"</em> question.</p>\n"
] |
165 | user2111: Are questions about online 3-d printing services allowed? For example, if someone needs a prototype and is not so concerned with the actual process of 3-D printing, and the question is around the 'best' online service or recommendations of which company could create the part (based on size, type, or financial considerations) considered on topic?
user98: As with your other question, I think the same rules apply. Typically you want to stay away from asking questions about "What is the best...". Instead, try to present your question as more of a "What is the best... for me?" type question. As I mentioned in your other question, try to provide more details of what you might need. In the case of 3D printing services, I'll use the example of 3D Hubs and MakeXYZ (I'm not affiliated at all, just an example).
A "What is best..." question may be appropriate if the contents of your question contains key characteristics of what you, as an individual, needs out of the service. For example:
I need a part printed, but I also need this key feature machined and coated. I've looked at 3D Hubs and MakeXYZ, which (at this point) would be able to perform all of these operations for my part?
On the opposite perspective:
I want to start providing 3D printing services, but I have a CNC router and some other woodworking machines that I'd like to provide services for as well. Which might be better for me, 3D Hubs or MakeXYZ?
In each example, there is more of an emphasis on what you need as an individual. Another user can take the answers with a grain of salt and best apply the answers to their own situation in the end.
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] | 2016/06/12 | [
"2111: <p>Are questions about online 3-d printing services allowed? For example, if someone needs a prototype and is not so concerned with the actual process of 3-D printing, and the question is around the 'best' online service or recommendations of which company could create the part (based on size, type, or financial considerations) considered on topic?</p>\n",
"98: <p>As with your <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/164/questions-about-makerspaces-and-3-d-printers\">other question</a>, I think the same rules apply. Typically you want to stay away from asking questions about <em>\"What is the best...\"</em>. Instead, try to present your question as more of a <em>\"What is the best... for me?\"</em> type question. As I mentioned in your other question, try to provide more details of what you might need. In the case of 3D printing services, I'll use the example of 3D Hubs and MakeXYZ <sub>(I'm not affiliated at all, just an example)</sub>.</p>\n\n<p>A <em>\"What is best...\"</em> question may be appropriate if the contents of your question contains key characteristics of what you, as an individual, needs out of the service. For example:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>I need a part printed, but I also need this key feature machined and coated. I've looked at 3D Hubs and MakeXYZ, which (at this point) would be able to perform all of these operations for my part?</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>On the opposite perspective:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>I want to start providing 3D printing services, but I have a CNC router and some other woodworking machines that I'd like to provide services for as well. Which might be better for me, 3D Hubs or MakeXYZ?</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>In each example, there is more of an emphasis on what you need as an individual. Another user can take the answers with a grain of salt and best apply the answers to their own situation in the end. </p>\n"
] |
168 | user168: Should these two tags be unified? I don't think there is the need to have separate tags for support's structure and material, since the material is in most cases the same as printed. In the few cases it isn't, it would still be fine to have it in a unified support tag, imho.
user98: I have to disagree with this request because the two are technically different (and I mean technically in literal form).
Support material helps define relevance to a specific material type, ie PLA/ABS, PVA, that lime stuff that MakerBot tried selling, wax, etc.
Support structures helps define relevance to the existence of support structure being generated and/or their physical dimensions.
So, I guess you could say that Support Material is a what question (as-in what is it made of) and Support Structure is a how and why question (as-in how is it made and why is it needed).
I'd also like to point out that you said
I don't think there is the need to have separate tags for support's structure and material, since the material is in most cases the same as printed.
A large factor in maintaining the quality in a site like SE is adhering to all cases, even if that means having a large number of tags to keep track of.
| [
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"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
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] | 2016/06/23 | [
"168: <p>Should these two tags be unified? I don't think there is the need to have separate tags for support's structure and material, since the material is in most cases the same as printed. In the few cases it isn't, it would still be fine to have it in a unified support tag, imho.</p>\n",
"98: <p>I have to disagree with this request because the two are <em>technically</em> different (and I mean technically in literal form).</p>\n\n<ol>\n<li>Support material helps define relevance to a specific material type, ie PLA/ABS, PVA, that lime stuff that MakerBot tried selling, wax, etc.</li>\n<li>Support structures helps define relevance to the existence of support structure being generated and/or their physical dimensions.</li>\n</ol>\n\n<p>So, I guess you could say that <em>Support Material</em> is a <em>what</em> question <sub>(as-in <em>what</em> is it made of)</sub> and <em>Support Structure</em> is a <em>how</em> and <em>why</em> question <sub>(as-in <em>how</em> is it made and <em>why</em> is it needed)</sub>.</p>\n\n<p>I'd also like to point out that you said</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>I don't think there is the need to have separate tags for support's structure and material, since the material is <strong><em>in most cases</em></strong> the same as printed.</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>A large factor in maintaining the quality in a site like SE is adhering to all cases, even if that means having a large number of tags to keep track of.</p>\n"
] |
172 | user2338: I would like to ask how to convert photos of some object to 3D model, and eventually how to treat the object before taking the photos to increase accuracy of the result (see How to optimally make a 3D model of an object using photos?).
Is this ok here?
user115: OlafM! One could say that 3D reconstruction is a bit sidetracked from typical 3D printing (apart from the 3D part :)), but then again, 3D reconstruction and printing also go hand in hand in some cases, such as with 3D scanners.
Since 3D reconstruction can be a fairly math heavy topic, and I am unsure as to whether you will get any good answers here (but that depends on the specific question too, of course!). I suggest you simply write the question as best you can, and give it a try here. If it doesn't get any response, try heading over to some other site as well, such as:
Robotics SE
Mathematics SE
Stack Overflow
Computer Science SE
Electrical Engineering SE
| [
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"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
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] | 2016/06/30 | [
"2338: <p>I would like to ask how to convert photos of some object to 3D model, and eventually how to treat the object before taking the photos to increase accuracy of the result (see <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/1477/how-to-optimally-make-a-3d-model-of-an-object-using-photos\">How to optimally make a 3D model of an object using photos?</a>).</p>\n\n<p>Is this ok here?</p>\n",
"115: <p>OlafM! One could say that 3D reconstruction is a bit sidetracked from typical 3D printing (apart from the 3D part :)), but then again, 3D reconstruction and printing also go hand in hand in some cases, such as with 3D scanners. </p>\n\n<p>Since 3D reconstruction can be a fairly math heavy topic, and I am unsure as to whether you will get any good answers here (but that depends on the specific question too, of course!). I suggest you simply write the question as best you can, and give it a try here. If it doesn't get any response, try heading over to some other site as well, such as:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Robotics SE</li>\n<li>Mathematics SE</li>\n<li>Stack Overflow</li>\n<li>Computer Science SE</li>\n<li>Electrical Engineering SE</li>\n</ul>\n"
] |
174 | user98: Some might noticed that I've posted "blanket" questions to some older questions that have 1 or more answers, but unaccepted. This is partially a reminder to answer unaccepted questions if there is a valid answer (or update the question with more refined question(s)). But, I'd also like to brainstorm a couple of ways to appropriately ask to answer a question. I've got two that I've used so far today, but what are some that you all have used in the past?
1. Question has more than one answer, with one particularly well written answer
I noticed that your question has a few answers available and has been open for a while, just curious if any of the available answers was able to help. If not, then what questions do you still have?
2. Question has 1 or more answer, with no single answer that stands out as the "correct" answer
I noticed that your question has not had much activity lately, are you still looking for an answer to this question? How might we be able to close some gaps?
The reason I am bringing this up is to try and increase our "answer accepted" percentage. Currently (07/03/2016) there are 396 questions and using is:question hasaccepted:no closed:no there are 162 questions unaccepted, of which only 11 do not have answers. So, basic math tells us that roughly 40% of our questions are unaccpted. According to our Area51 page, we only have 43 users with reputaion higher than 200, we need 107 more users out of the 2,353 users total to reach this goal. Some, if not most of these users currently have a reputation higher than 100 (partially due to the at least 300 reputation on another SE site).
user115: I'm glad you bring this up: I have to admit I have not been using these filters very much. Reviving old unanswered questions seems like a good idea, and I think both of your replies are good examples.
In addition, I think we could shed some light onto the other beta goals as well. What do you think about more actively giving good quality questions and answers +1? I believe increasing the overall reputation will encourage users to come back, while also helping us reach our beta goals.
Furthermore, that community add we have been discussing over here, does anyone know how to actually get that going? :-)
| [
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"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
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] | 2016/07/03 | [
"98: <p>Some might noticed that I've posted \"blanket\" questions to some older questions that have 1 or more answers, but unaccepted. This is partially a reminder to answer unaccepted questions if there is a valid answer (or update the question with more refined question(s)). But, I'd also like to brainstorm a couple of ways to appropriately ask to answer a question. I've got two that I've used so far today, but what are some that you all have used in the past?</p>\n\n<p><strong>1.</strong> Question has more than one answer, with one particularly well written answer</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>I noticed that your question has a few answers available and has been open for a while, just curious if any of the available answers was able to help. If not, then what questions do you still have?</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p><strong>2.</strong> Question has 1 or more answer, with no single answer that stands out as the \"correct\" answer</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>I noticed that your question has not had much activity lately, are you still looking for an answer to this question? How might we be able to close some gaps?</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>The reason I am bringing this up is to try and increase our \"answer accepted\" percentage. Currently <sup>(07/03/2016)</sup> there are 396 questions and using <code>is:question hasaccepted:no closed:no</code> there are 162 questions unaccepted, of which only 11 do not have answers. So, basic math tells us that roughly 40% of our questions are unaccpted. According to our <a href=\"http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/82438/3d-printing\">Area51</a> page, we only have 43 users with reputaion higher than 200, we need 107 more users out of the 2,353 users total to reach this goal. Some, if not most of these users currently have a reputation higher than 100 (partially due to the at least 300 reputation on another SE site).</p>\n",
"115: <p>I'm glad you bring this up: I have to admit I have not been using these filters very much. Reviving old unanswered questions seems like a good idea, and I think both of your replies are good examples. </p>\n\n<p>In addition, I think we could shed some light onto the other beta goals as well. What do you think about more actively giving good quality questions and answers +1? I believe increasing the overall reputation will encourage users to come back, while also helping us reach our beta goals. </p>\n\n<p>Furthermore, that community add we have been discussing <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/76/community-ads-lets-make-2d-ads-for-ourselves\">over here</a>, does anyone know how to actually get that going? :-)</p>\n"
] |
176 | user168: Sparked by another question on meta, I again wanted to reflect on my voting behaviour and the generally accepted practice on 3D Printing SE (3DP:SE) in the current beta stage.
I know this post Vote early, Vote often, and I do take it to be still the general guideline on how to vote on 3DP:SE.
I personally do like to vote what I'd call slightly more liberal than conservative and I do have the feeling that this is not the way it is usually handled by other users (as can probably be seen by the fact that only two people on 3DP:SE acquired the civic duty badge).
Also, if I look at the questions from the beginning time of the beta, there were much more votes in general. (This of course might be related to many things as 'more substantial questions and answers', more regular users and time that has passed since the question exists, allowing for more views and hence votes).
If a new question already has 40 views, however, I would expect more than 2 votes on the question. It means that 38 views happened in short time, this is, mainly views by 3DP:SE regulars, not search engine referrals (I strongly asumme this point, I do not have any hard evidence), which did look at the topic but have not been touched by the topic enough to vote up, down, or comment.
In general this probably is pretty regular behavior (seeing my behavior in the reprap forum for example, where I generally only pass to read, not to interact that much). In the phase this SE is in I'd take it as highly beneficial if we could encourage more action in the users (in this thread the most simple one - voting), because missing interaction maybe won't bring users back regularly enough.
Are there any ideas how to get the 'Vote early, Vote often' policy across to new users?
(And if applies: do I take a wrong approach - are there enough votes?)
user4927: I think one way to encourage a little more up-voting would be to comment on some of the questions that are 'interesting subject, but not well written', pointing out that a better question will often get better answers, partly through receiving up-votes from other users, and more visibility.
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] | 2016/07/04 | [
"168: <p>Sparked by another question on meta, I again wanted to reflect on my voting behaviour and the generally accepted practice on 3D Printing SE (3DP:SE) in the current beta stage.</p>\n\n<p>I know this post <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/30/vote-early-vote-often\">Vote early, Vote often</a>, and I do take it to be still the general guideline on how to vote on 3DP:SE.</p>\n\n<p>I personally do like to vote what I'd call slightly more liberal than conservative and I do have the feeling that this is not the way it is usually handled by other users (as can probably be seen by the fact that only two people on 3DP:SE acquired the civic duty badge).</p>\n\n<p>Also, if I look at the questions from the beginning time of the beta, there were much more votes in general. (This of course might be related to many things as 'more substantial questions and answers', more regular users and time that has passed since the question exists, allowing for more views and hence votes).</p>\n\n<p>If a new question already has 40 views, however, I would expect more than 2 votes on the question. It means that 38 views happened in short time, this is, mainly views by 3DP:SE regulars, not search engine referrals (I strongly asumme this point, I do not have any hard evidence), which did look at the topic but have not been touched by the topic enough to vote up, down, or comment.</p>\n\n<p>In general this probably is pretty regular behavior (seeing my behavior in the reprap forum for example, where I generally only pass to read, not to interact that much). In the phase this SE is in I'd take it as highly beneficial if we could encourage more action in the users (in this thread the most simple one - voting), because missing interaction maybe won't bring users back regularly enough.</p>\n\n<p>Are there any ideas how to get the '<a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/30/vote-early-vote-often\">Vote early, Vote often</a>' policy across to new users?\n(And if applies: do I take a wrong approach - are there enough votes?)</p>\n",
"4927: <p>I think one way to encourage a little more up-voting would be to comment on some of the questions that are 'interesting subject, but not well written', pointing out that a better question will often get better answers, partly through receiving up-votes from other users, and more visibility.</p>\n"
] |
177 | user26: This question was migrated to electronics.SE. To me the migration makes no sense:
The question deals with a problem that is relevant to the users of this site
This site can provide a more specialized answer than electronics.SE can provide: you don't just need to know whether it's a 10k or 100k thermistor, but also figure out the correct thermistor table in your firmware. electronics.SE does not have knowledge of 3D printer firmware, which is the issue underlying this question.
Obviously there's some overlap between Arduino/Electronics/3D printing, but what determines whether a question should be migrated?
user4927: I don't think the question should be migrated. For EE.SE, the question is just stupidly obvious. Even a fairly inexperienced lab tech. would know how to go about answering that question. It really isn't an electronic engineering question at all.
Here, the answer (assuming the question is actually the question that the user needed to ask) would be 'buy the cheapest meter you can find', or 'buy both, you might not make much use of a cheap meter anyway'. Context makes a big difference.
user98: The question was migrated because the specific question of "How do I tell if my Thermistors are 10k or 100k?" is going to be best answered by users of Electrical Engineering SE. This also provides the SE network with more appropriate traffic based on the question at hand.
However, if the question of "How can I change the thermistors settings in Marlin firmware?" were to arise, then the question would be best suited here on 3D Printing. It might help both SE sites by providing links to each other's relevant questions for future users to reference.
If the question was something like "How can I wire a hotend?", this would be more appropriate here on 3D Printing SE as users in Electrical Engineering SE may not know as much about the topic compared to users in 3D Printing. This may be a poor example, but the idea is that there is strict correlation between hotends and 3D printing, whereas identifying thermistors is not a specific topic to just 3D printing.
Update
After reading a few posts on SE meta, this one leads me to agree with you that this particular question may not have needed to be migrated. However, it exposes an important question of how we want to proceed with questions like this in the future? How far down the rabbit hole do we want to allow this site to go in this topic? I'd recommend others pitch in recommendations in answers here on what would be the appropriate topic in this case that can be applied to our On-Topic page so that it may be amended.
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] | 2016/07/05 | [
"26: <p><a href=\"https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/244366/how-do-i-tell-if-my-thermistors-are-10k-or-100k\">This question</a> was migrated to electronics.SE. To me the migration makes no sense:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><p>The question deals with a problem that is relevant to the users of this site</p></li>\n<li><p>This site can provide a more specialized answer than electronics.SE can provide: you don't just need to know whether it's a 10k or 100k thermistor, but also figure out the correct thermistor table in your firmware. electronics.SE does not have knowledge of 3D printer firmware, which is the issue underlying this question.</p></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>Obviously there's some overlap between Arduino/Electronics/3D printing, but what determines whether a question should be migrated?</p>\n",
"4927: <p>I don't think the question should be migrated. For EE.SE, the question is just stupidly obvious. Even a fairly inexperienced lab tech. would know how to go about answering that question. It really isn't an electronic engineering question at all.</p>\n\n<p>Here, the answer (assuming the question is actually the question that the user needed to ask) would be 'buy the cheapest meter you can find', or 'buy both, you might not make much use of a cheap meter anyway'. Context makes a big difference.</p>\n",
"98: <p>The question was migrated because the specific question of \"<em>How do I tell if my Thermistors are 10k or 100k?</em>\" is going to be best answered by users of Electrical Engineering SE. This also provides the SE network with more appropriate traffic based on the question at hand.</p>\n\n<p>However, if the question of \"<em>How can I change the thermistors settings in Marlin firmware?</em>\" were to arise, then the question would be best suited here on 3D Printing. It might help both SE sites by providing links to each other's relevant questions for future users to reference.</p>\n\n<p>If the question was something like \"<em>How can I wire a hotend?</em>\", this would be more appropriate here on 3D Printing SE as users in Electrical Engineering SE may not know as much about the topic compared to users in 3D Printing. This may be a poor example, but the idea is that there is strict correlation between <em>hotends</em> and 3D printing, whereas identifying thermistors is not a specific topic to just 3D printing.</p>\n\n<p><strong>Update</strong></p>\n\n<p>After reading a few posts on SE meta, <a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/10249/what-is-migration-and-how-does-it-work\">this one</a> leads me to agree with you that this particular question may not have needed to be migrated. However, it exposes an important question of how we want to proceed with questions like this in the future? How far down the rabbit hole do we want to allow this site to go in this topic? I'd recommend others pitch in recommendations in answers here on what would be the appropriate topic in this case that can be applied to our <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/help/on-topic\">On-Topic</a> page so that it may be amended.</p>\n"
] |
179 | user98: I originally posted this on Meta StackExchange to judge whether my thoughts fit within SE and have been redirected back to our Meta.
We've received a few questions along the lines of purchasing references since we've opened in Beta. While I personally don't think direct questions about "What is the best 3D printer to buy?" are appropriate questions, I'm curious about a potential middle ground.
Should we consider including tags such as printer-review, buyer-review, or printer-reference? The idea being that certain questions would inherit one of these tags (or something similar) to help facilitate traffic to specific questions. These questions would pose ideally be (in the OP's eyes) useful in making a purchase decision.
Case in point:
This question, outlining some of the potential relative cons to UV printing compared to FDM/FFF printing, could prove useful to someone looking into purchasing a new UV printer.
This idea can be combined with those proposed here, such as @TomvanderZanden's suggestion to create a series of controlled "best" questions.
Amendment
I might also suggest that if we, as a community, decide to use such a system have moderators lock these questions to avoid any sort of spam (unnecessary answers). These questions should also be set to community wiki to ensure that any bias is dealt with as a community.
user6417: I like the idea of incorporating product reviews into the 3dprinting StackExchange
Why?
It fits the Q&A model of Stack Exchange
Product pre-purchase questions are probably the number 1 question every new user wants to ask and needs to know (as Ryan noted). We should attempt to find a way to help provide that answer.
It provides a bridge to further questions. Once they purchase a printer, they will have questions.
Since it is the number 1 question for new users, what a great way to draw them to the site. When they search, they should find this site has the answer.
It gives us a way to point people on forums here. I often see links to reviews on forums. Why can't those point here? Once they are here, hopefully we will stay and contribute.
It would provide a great source of new content. The number of new products and new users are growing at an exponential rate.
If we do it right, it will help users and help move us forward on our Beta Goals.
Challenges
We need to make sure the reviews are well done and are StackExchange style answers. What I mean by that is that where they will likely have some opinion-based content, the primary content should be based primarily on objective qualities. Maybe some sort of a "Style Guide", limitations on who can post, and peer review would help mitigate that. I am not that familiar with how to manage that on a StackExchange.
Maybe this is a repeat of #1 - UNIFORMITY.
Making sure the reviews doesn't become product advertisement / self promotions.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/179",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/98/"
] | 2016/07/07 | [
"98: <p>I originally posted this on Meta StackExchange to judge whether my thoughts fit within SE and have been redirected back to our Meta.</p>\n\n<p>We've received a few questions along the lines of purchasing references since we've opened in Beta. While I personally don't think direct questions about \"<em>What is the best 3D printer to buy?</em>\" are appropriate questions, I'm curious about a potential middle ground.</p>\n\n<p>Should we consider including tags such as <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/printer-review\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'printer-review'\" rel=\"tag\">printer-review</a>, <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/buyer-review\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'buyer-review'\" rel=\"tag\">buyer-review</a>, or <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/printer-reference\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'printer-reference'\" rel=\"tag\">printer-reference</a>? The idea being that certain questions would inherit one of these tags (or something similar) to help facilitate traffic to specific questions. These questions would pose ideally be (in the OP's eyes) useful in making a purchase decision. </p>\n\n<p>Case in point:\n<a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/801/cons-to-uv-printing\">This question</a>, outlining some of the potential relative cons to UV printing compared to FDM/FFF printing, could prove useful to someone looking into purchasing a new UV printer.</p>\n\n<p>This idea can be combined with those proposed <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/159/is-there-any-way-to-prevent-endless-best-first-printer-posts\">here</a>, such as @TomvanderZanden's suggestion to create a series of controlled \"best\" questions.</p>\n\n<p><strong>Amendment</strong></p>\n\n<p>I might also suggest that if we, as a community, decide to use such a system have moderators lock these questions to avoid any sort of spam (unnecessary answers). These questions should also be set to <strong><em>community wiki</em></strong> to ensure that any bias is dealt with as a community.</p>\n",
"6417: <h2>I like the idea of incorporating product reviews into the 3dprinting StackExchange</h2>\n\n<p><strong>Why?</strong></p>\n\n<ol>\n<li>It fits the Q&A model of Stack Exchange</li>\n<li>Product pre-purchase questions are probably the number 1 question every new user wants to ask and needs to know (<a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/159/is-there-any-way-to-prevent-endless-best-first-printer-posts\">as Ryan noted</a>). We should attempt to find a way to help provide that answer.</li>\n<li>It provides a bridge to further questions. Once they purchase a printer, they will have questions.</li>\n<li>Since it is the number 1 question for new users, what a great way to draw them to the site. When they search, they should find this site has the answer. </li>\n<li>It gives us a way to point people on forums here. I often see links to reviews on forums. Why can't those point here? Once they are here, hopefully we will stay and contribute.</li>\n<li>It would provide a great source of new content. The number of new products and new users are growing at an exponential rate. </li>\n<li>If we do it right, it will help users and help move us forward on our Beta Goals.</li>\n</ol>\n\n<p><strong>Challenges</strong> </p>\n\n<ol>\n<li>We need to make sure the reviews are well done and are StackExchange style answers. What I mean by that is that where they will likely have some opinion-based content, the primary content should be based primarily on objective qualities. Maybe some sort of a \"Style Guide\", limitations on who can post, and peer review would help mitigate that. I am not that familiar with how to manage that on a StackExchange.</li>\n<li>Maybe this is a repeat of #1 - UNIFORMITY. </li>\n<li>Making sure the reviews doesn't become product advertisement / self promotions.</li>\n</ol>\n"
] |
180 | user2497:
I have a question about my 3D Printing Stack Exchange post: Reverse engineered complex data sets produced by a 3D Solid Scanner. What would you scan for 3D printing?
user98: Unfortunately, I don't think that the Stack Exchange network is a good fit for the type of question you're asking. Your question was flagged as primarily opinion-based. Essentially, the question you're asking is a poll or survey which the design of the Stack Exchange sites don't properly support. Here are some more appropriate solutions for what you're asking for:
Bring up your poll in 3D Printing SE Chat
Create a Google Form to conduct and analyze the survey
Any other survey/form style site such as TypeForm or similar
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/180",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/2497/"
] | 2016/07/14 | [
"2497: <p>\n</p>\n\n<p>I have a question about my 3D Printing Stack Exchange post: <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/1510/reverse-engineered-complex-data-sets-produced-by-a-3d-solid-scanner-what-would\">Reverse engineered complex data sets produced by a 3D Solid Scanner. What would you scan for 3D printing?</a></p>\n\n\n",
"98: <p>Unfortunately, I don't think that the Stack Exchange network is a good fit for the type of question you're asking. Your question was flagged as <strong>primarily opinion-based</strong>. Essentially, the question you're asking is a poll or survey which the design of the Stack Exchange sites don't properly support. Here are some more appropriate solutions for what you're asking for:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Bring up your poll in <a href=\"http://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/34216/the-hotbed-3d-printing\">3D Printing SE Chat</a></li>\n<li>Create a <a href=\"https://www.google.com/forms/about/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Google Form</a> to conduct and analyze the survey</li>\n<li>Any other survey/form style site such as <a href=\"https://www.typeform.com/\" rel=\"nofollow\">TypeForm</a> or similar</li>\n</ul>\n"
] |
182 | user3813: Following this issue I would like to propose to allow general CNC related questions here as well. 3D Printers are CNC machines, they only add instead of subtract. 3D printers use G-Code, just like CNC milling machines.
3D Printing alone makes for a very narrow community if it excludes subtractive manufacturing questions. For example, there is no python.stackexchange.com or javascript.stackexchange.com, all of that goes into one network: stackoverflow.com. That's just the same level of division.
Navel-gazing has never done anyone good :)
user26: There are tens of SE sites that deal with programming in some way, shape or form. SO is obviously the most general one of these, but there are many more specialized ones (CodeReview,TeX,Programmers,Drupal/Wordpress/Joomla/Server Fault/Ubuntu/...). If this site had been "Makers StackExchange" or "Digital Fabrication" then your question might have been appropriate (this site being a more general one), but "3D printing" should be seen as a more specialized one (but if you think there is a need for a specific Makers SE or a CNC SE, then you could consider going to Area51).
This site is called "3D printing" and CNC milling is definitely not 3D printing. I think it does very much make sense to limit 3D printing to "additive fabrication". This is not a particularly narrow scope, since there are many types of 3D printer, and not all of them use G-code. Powder printers (binder jetting) and DLP printers are driven with raster images, for instance.
If the scope were extended to cover your question (which is about 2D milling, not even 3D milling, while we're at it) then I wonder if that meant that questions like "How many flutes do I need on my 8mm ball-nose left-hand bit when cutting unobtainium with my feedrate at the speed of sound?" would also be in scope. When I hear "3D printing SE" I would definitely not expect that.
I would add that your question might have been closed on a hypothetical "CNC SE" as well for a variety of reasons:
Opinion based/list question
Very little own effort
Too broad (need to be more specific)
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/182",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/3813/"
] | 2016/08/11 | [
"3813: <p>Following this <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/2617/decent-cnc-control-software-for-osx\">issue</a> I would like to propose to allow general CNC related questions here as well. 3D Printers are CNC machines, they only add instead of subtract. 3D printers use G-Code, just like CNC milling machines.</p>\n\n<p>3D Printing alone makes for a very narrow community if it excludes subtractive manufacturing questions. For example, there is no python.stackexchange.com or javascript.stackexchange.com, all of that goes into one network: stackoverflow.com. That's just the same level of division.</p>\n\n<p>Navel-gazing has never done anyone good :)</p>\n",
"26: <p>There are tens of SE sites that deal with programming in some way, shape or form. SO is obviously the most general one of these, but there are many more specialized ones (CodeReview,TeX,Programmers,Drupal/Wordpress/Joomla/Server Fault/Ubuntu/...). If this site had been \"Makers StackExchange\" or \"Digital Fabrication\" then your question might have been appropriate (this site being a more general one), but \"3D printing\" should be seen as a more specialized one (but if you think there is a need for a specific Makers SE or a CNC SE, then you could consider going to Area51).</p>\n\n<p>This site is called \"3D printing\" and CNC milling is definitely not 3D printing. I think it does very much make sense to limit 3D printing to \"additive fabrication\". This is not a particularly narrow scope, since there are many types of 3D printer, and not all of them use G-code. Powder printers (binder jetting) and DLP printers are driven with raster images, for instance.</p>\n\n<p>If the scope were extended to cover your question (which is about 2D milling, not even 3D milling, while we're at it) then I wonder if that meant that questions like \"How many flutes do I need on my 8mm ball-nose left-hand bit when cutting unobtainium with my feedrate at the speed of sound?\" would also be in scope. When I hear \"3D printing SE\" I would definitely not expect <em>that</em>.</p>\n\n<p>I would add that your question might have been closed on a hypothetical \"CNC SE\" as well for a variety of reasons:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><p>Opinion based/list question</p></li>\n<li><p>Very little own effort</p></li>\n<li><p>Too broad (need to be more specific)</p></li>\n</ul>\n"
] |
185 | user26: We've recently had a number of questions of the form "What is a good design software for X?"
What is the best 3D modeling software for a beginner on a 3D printed mini barrel project?
What is a good software for designing car parts
On almost any Stack Exchange (barring Software Recommendations) this type of question would be shot down immediately, as they are quite problematic:
Too broad: a very large range of software packages can be used to do almost anything. Without sufficient details in the question, it's impossible to narrow down an answer to a few software packages.
Primarily Opinion Based: the best software package is generally the one you're most proficient with. As such, people are likely to recommend packages based on what they're already familiar with, rather than what is truly the "best" choice.
This meta post on software recommendations lays down some guidelines on what constitutes a "good" software recommendation. Basically, a question should identify precise requirements, in order of importance, that the software should have. I think neither of the example questions achieve this, since they basically boil down to "I want to model an X" but give no indication of what features they need from the software, what operating system it should run on, what their budget is,...
Are the current questions acceptable?
Should we adopt SR's guidelines?
Should we disallow "recommendation"-questions altogether?
user115: Thank you for bringing this up.
I think that there very seldom are any good questions that ask for printer or software recommendations, and I would therefore vote for them not being allowed in general.
So far I have handled these types of questions by waiting to see if other users flag them, and then take action after a close vote has been made. If we decide they should be avoided in general, we probably want to put them on hold right away - this would also make the answers much more consistent after eventual edits.
UPDATE:
Another recommendation question was asked today. The OP wants to buy a 3D printer that can be used for printing dental implants. I believe this question has two possible types of answers:
Highly subjective: "Printers made by MkrBot are much better than PtrBot, get the first (...)"
Informational objective: "Get a resin based printer because they typically have better resolution than FDM printers (...)"
While the first is almost entirely opinion based, the second can offer some proper insight that will help the OP in search for a specific printer. In these cases, I suggest that we try to guide the OP into formulating their question such that they promote answers of the the second type, rather than the first.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/185",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/26/"
] | 2016/08/28 | [
"26: <p>We've recently had a number of questions of the form \"What is a good design software for X?\"</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><p><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/2665/what-is-the-best-3d-modeling-software-for-a-beginner-on-a-3d-printed-mini-barrel\">What is the best 3D modeling software for a beginner on a 3D printed mini barrel project?</a></p></li>\n<li><p><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/2697/what-is-a-good-software-for-designing-car-parts\">What is a good software for designing car parts</a></p></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>On almost any Stack Exchange (barring <a href=\"https://softwarerecs.stackexchange.com/\">Software Recommendations</a>) this type of question would be shot down immediately, as they are quite problematic:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><p>Too broad: a very large range of software packages can be used to do almost anything. Without sufficient details in the question, it's impossible to narrow down an answer to a few software packages.</p></li>\n<li><p>Primarily Opinion Based: the best software package is generally the one you're most proficient with. As such, people are likely to recommend packages based on what they're already familiar with, rather than what is truly the \"best\" choice.</p></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://softwarerecs.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/336/what-is-required-for-a-question-to-contain-enough-information\">This meta post</a> on software recommendations lays down some guidelines on what constitutes a \"good\" software recommendation. Basically, a question should identify precise requirements, in order of importance, that the software should have. I think neither of the example questions achieve this, since they basically boil down to \"I want to model an X\" but give no indication of what features they need from the software, what operating system it should run on, what their budget is,...</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><p>Are the current questions acceptable?</p></li>\n<li><p>Should we adopt SR's guidelines?</p></li>\n<li><p>Should we disallow \"recommendation\"-questions altogether?</p></li>\n</ul>\n",
"115: <p>Thank you for bringing this up.</p>\n\n<p>I think that there very seldom are any <em>good</em> questions that ask for printer or software recommendations, and I would therefore vote for them not being allowed in general. </p>\n\n<p>So far I have handled these types of questions by waiting to see if other users flag them, and then take action after a close vote has been made. If we decide they should be avoided in general, we probably want to put them on hold right away - this would also make the answers much more consistent after eventual edits.</p>\n\n<p>UPDATE:</p>\n\n<p>Another recommendation <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/2708/what-better-3d-printer-for-dental-applications\">question</a> was asked today. The OP wants to buy a 3D printer that can be used for printing dental implants. I believe this question has two possible types of answers:</p>\n\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Highly subjective:</strong> \"Printers made by MkrBot are much better than PtrBot, get the first (...)\"</li>\n<li><strong>Informational objective:</strong> \"Get a resin based printer because they typically have better resolution than FDM printers (...)\"</li>\n</ol>\n\n<p>While the first is almost entirely opinion based, the second can offer some proper insight that will help the OP in search for a specific printer. In these cases, I suggest that we try to guide the OP into formulating their question such that they promote answers of the the second type, rather than the first.</p>\n"
] |
187 | user233: While doing reviews I noticed this answer. Innocent enough yet an odd answer for someone so new, upon checking their history I found another (their only other answer) that is nearly identical to this one and happens to be on the Blender site...
To me it seems an awful lot like an advertisement but whoever viewed the flag marked it as not spam. At what point is it? The only contributions to the site are both links to the same website.
user26: I've added a comment to the answer asking whether or not they are affiliated with the site. If they are, it might still make a valid answer, but they should always disclose their affiliation. In principle, it can be acceptable to post about your own website or product so long as it makes a valid answer.
The community here tends to vote down overt self-promotion and flag it as spam. Post good, relevant answers, and if some (but not all) happen to be about your product or website, that’s okay. However, you must disclose your affiliation in your answers.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/187",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/233/"
] | 2016/09/20 | [
"233: <p>While doing reviews I noticed this <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/a/2793/233\">answer.</a> Innocent enough yet an odd answer for someone so new, upon checking their history I found <a href=\"https://blender.stackexchange.com/a/60940\">another</a> (their only other answer) that is nearly identical to this one and happens to be on the Blender site...</p>\n\n<p>To me it seems an awful lot like an advertisement but whoever viewed the flag marked it as not spam. At what point is it? The only contributions to the site are both links to the same website.</p>\n",
"26: <p>I've added a comment to the answer asking whether or not they are affiliated with the site. If they are, it might still make a valid answer, but they should always disclose their affiliation. In principle, it can be acceptable to <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/help/promotion\">post about your own website or product</a> so long as it makes a valid answer.</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>The community here tends to vote down overt self-promotion and flag it as spam. Post good, relevant answers, and if some (but not all) happen to be about your product or website, that’s okay. However, you must disclose your affiliation in your answers.</p>\n</blockquote>\n"
] |
189 | user26: I noticed that the most popular tag (82 questions tagged) is 3d-printer, and that we also have a 3d-printing tag (23 questions). These seem extremely redundant to me, given that they should apply to any question that is on-topic and thus serve no practical purpose. These tags are simply too broad.
The usage guidance for 3d-printer is quite board ("Questions about a specific brand, model, or type of 3D printer.") and 3d-printing does not even have one.
I would suggest to get rid of these tags. For comparison, Stack Exchange does not have a programming tag either. However, they do have various tags that end in "-programming", such as "functional-programming", "linear-programming", etc... Our equivalents would be fdm(-printing), sla(-printing),...
user4762: The fact that there is a synonym appears to be the reason that both tags are still hanging around, in the list of synonyms:
and on the tag page
I have deleted the synonym and hopefully that will clear things up once and for all.
user7: This tag has been removed from the system and made intrinsic.
Please cleanup the questions that now have no tags...
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/189",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/26/"
] | 2016/11/15 | [
"26: <p>I noticed that the most popular tag (82 questions tagged) is <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/3d-printer\">3d-printer</a>, and that we also have a <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/3d-printing\">3d-printing</a> tag (23 questions). These seem extremely redundant to me, given that they <em>should</em> apply to any question that is on-topic and thus serve no practical purpose. These tags are simply too broad.</p>\n\n<p>The usage guidance for 3d-printer is quite board (\"Questions about a specific brand, model, or type of 3D printer.\") and 3d-printing does not even have one.</p>\n\n<p>I would suggest to get rid of these tags. For comparison, <a href=\"https://stackoverflow.com/tags\">Stack Exchange</a> does not have a programming tag either. However, they do have various tags that end in \"-programming\", such as \"functional-programming\", \"linear-programming\", etc... Our equivalents would be fdm(-printing), sla(-printing),...</p>\n",
"4762: <p>The fact that there is a synonym appears to be the reason that both tags are still hanging around, in the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/tags/synonyms\">list of synonyms</a>:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/RpBnK.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\" title=\"Synonyms\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/RpBnK.png\" alt=\"Synonyms\" title=\"Synonyms\"></a></p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>and on the tag page</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/oxuXK.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\" title=\"3d-printer tag\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/oxuXK.png\" alt=\"3d-printer tag\" title=\"3d-printer tag\"></a></p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>I have deleted the synonym and hopefully that will clear things up once and for all.</p>\n",
"7: <p>This tag has been removed from the system and made intrinsic. </p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/untagged\">Please cleanup the questions that now have no tags...</a></p>\n"
] |
192 | user4762: I raised a question about heatbed/heated-bed support, Steel versus MDF/Aluminium Y axis plate?, and I noticed that there is not yet a heatbed-support tag, so I used heatbed, and also added heated-bed, just in case.
However, this raises the question why are there both? heated-bed has a short but sensible definition, whereas heatbed has no tag definition, so it is unclear the intended difference, if any, in their use.
After a quick search of Meta to see if this issue has already been raised, I, now, see that there is also the tag hbp, see merge [hbp] and [heated-bed] tags.
For completeness, the respective use of each tag, to date, is as follows:
heatbed 5
heated-bed 34
hbp 11
So these are my questions:
Should these tags be merged/deleted or left as is? It seems a little confusing, as it stands currently.
Which is the preferred term, heatbed, or heated bed?
Should I add the hbp to my question?
Should I remove the heatbed tag from my question?
With respect to my particular question, should I, also, have created a heated-bed-support, or a heatbed-support tag, or even a hbp-support tag, so that it is more appropriately tagged?
user98: I'm not sure, but I think they came about before anyone had the authority to suggest synonyms.
I went ahead and created a synonym for heatbed and heated-bed and merged the questions. I'll do the same for HBP. Thank you for bringing this up.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/192",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/4762/"
] | 2016/11/27 | [
"4762: <p>I raised a question about heatbed/heated-bed support, <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/3097/steel-versus-mdf-aluminium-y-axis-plate\">Steel versus MDF/Aluminium Y axis plate?</a>, and I noticed that there is not yet a heatbed-support tag, so I used <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/heatbed\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'heatbed'\" rel=\"tag\">heatbed</a>, and also added <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/heated-bed\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'heated-bed'\" rel=\"tag\">heated-bed</a>, just in case. </p>\n\n<p>However, this raises the question why are there both? <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/tags/heated-bed\">heated-bed</a> has a short but sensible definition, whereas <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/tags/heatbed\">heatbed</a> has no tag definition, so it is unclear the intended difference, if any, in their use. </p>\n\n<p>After a quick search of Meta to see if this issue has already been raised, I, now, see that there is also the tag <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/tags/hbp\">hbp</a>, see <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/115/merge-hbp-and-heated-bed-tags\">merge [hbp] and [heated-bed] tags</a>.</p>\n\n<p>For completeness, the respective use of each tag, to date, is as follows:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/heatbed\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'heatbed'\" rel=\"tag\">heatbed</a> 5</li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/heated-bed\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'heated-bed'\" rel=\"tag\">heated-bed</a> 34</li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/hbp\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'hbp'\" rel=\"tag\">hbp</a> 11</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>So these are my questions:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Should these tags be merged/deleted or left as is? It seems a little confusing, as it stands currently. </li>\n<li>Which is the preferred term, <em>heatbed</em>, or <em>heated bed</em>? </li>\n<li>Should I add the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/hbp\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'hbp'\" rel=\"tag\">hbp</a> to my question? </li>\n<li>Should I remove the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/heatbed\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'heatbed'\" rel=\"tag\">heatbed</a> tag from my question?</li>\n<li>With respect to my particular question, should I, also, have created a <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/heated-bed-support\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'heated-bed-support'\" rel=\"tag\">heated-bed-support</a>, or a <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/heatbed-support\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'heatbed-support'\" rel=\"tag\">heatbed-support</a> tag, or even a <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/hbp-support\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'hbp-support'\" rel=\"tag\">hbp-support</a> tag, so that it is more appropriately tagged?</li>\n</ul>\n",
"98: <p>I'm not sure, but I think they came about before anyone had the authority to suggest synonyms.</p>\n\n<p>I went ahead and created a synonym for heatbed and heated-bed and merged the questions. I'll do the same for HBP. Thank you for bringing this up.</p>\n"
] |
194 | user115: Just like last year, Winter Bash 2016 is being held by the Stack Overflow team between 19 December and 08 January 2017.
If we want to participate, the hats will find our heads too without further action. If we for whatever reason don't want to participate, we can choose to opt out.
What do you guys think? Do we want the hats of 2016 here on 3D Printing SE? :-)
Here is parts of the mail that was sent to the moderator team of 3D Printing SE:
Most of you remember previous years’ events, but here is a quick little reminder. Winter Bash is an annual event that can run on any Stack Exchange site that chooses to participate. Users have fun by earning “hats” for their gravatars by completing certain tasks (very similar to badges). We track everyone’s progress using hats in a leaderboard that looks similar to this:
As always, we’re coming up with new hat designs for this year’s fun!
The Details
The event will run from 19 December 2016 up to and including 08 January 2017. Users will be able to see all the hats they’ve earned on http://winterbash2016.stackexchange.com. That site will also have a landing page, explaining the rules and other details of the event.
Individual users who don’t want to participate, don’t want to see hats, and/or are generally anti-hat will have an “I hate hats” option available. And just like last time, at the end of the event, all hats will go back into storage.
The only visual change to the Stack Exchange sites themselves will be the presence of the hats and the “I hate hats” button in the footer.
user26: Yes, that seems like some harmless fun to me. No further action necessary.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/194",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/115/"
] | 2016/11/29 | [
"115: <p>Just <a href=\"http://stackpromos.com/promos/16/winter-bash-2015\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">like last</a> year, Winter Bash 2016 is being held by the Stack Overflow team between 19 December and 08 January 2017.</p>\n<p>If we want to participate, the hats will find our heads too without further action. If we for whatever reason <em>don't</em> want to participate, we can choose to opt out.</p>\n<p>What do you guys think? Do we want the hats of 2016 here on 3D Printing SE? :-)</p>\n<hr />\n<p>Here is parts of <strong>the mail</strong> that was sent to the moderator team of 3D Printing SE:</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Most of you remember previous years’ events, but here is a quick little reminder. Winter Bash is an annual event that can run on any Stack Exchange site that chooses to participate. Users have fun by earning “hats” for their gravatars by completing certain tasks (very similar to badges). We track everyone’s progress using hats in a leaderboard that looks similar to this:</p>\n<p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/OohHZ.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/OohHZ.jpg\" alt=\"hats\" /></a></p>\n<p>As always, we’re coming up with new hat designs for this year’s fun!</p>\n<p><strong>The Details</strong></p>\n<p>The event will run from 19 December 2016 up to and including 08 January 2017. Users will be able to see all the hats they’ve earned on <a href=\"http://winterbash2016.stackexchange.com\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">http://winterbash2016.stackexchange.com</a>. That site will also have a landing page, explaining the rules and other details of the event.</p>\n<p>Individual users who don’t want to participate, don’t want to see hats, and/or are generally anti-hat will have an “I hate hats” option available. And just like last time, at the end of the event, all hats will go back into storage.</p>\n<p>The only visual change to the Stack Exchange sites themselves will be the presence of the hats and the “I hate hats” button in the footer.</p>\n</blockquote>\n",
"26: <p>Yes, that seems like some harmless fun to me. No further action necessary.</p>\n"
] |
196 | user334: In past few months, there are a devastatingly few number of users that cast up votes, and many of users aren't coming back to site, and existing users don't have so much reputation, because no one is voting up great questions / answers.
So... let me start like this..
THIS IS REALLY DEVASTATING
We all need to vote up users and try to answer their questions, so we can get more users answering / asking questions. Main reason I'm writing this post is because this is great site, but we need new regular users that are going to vote and ask questions. I think it all came down to 20-30 active users, and rest of users aren't so active.
I'm relatively new to site. I've decided to use it because it helped me a lot, and I'm doing my best to answer the questions. My main concern is also that my answers also don't get any vote up.
So... I'll let it all out. I think that main concern that we need to focus on is motivation.
WE NEED TO MOTIVATE OTHERS TO VOTE. And we all can do that if we vote other users up.
That's from my perspective. Even one vote up motivates you to go further.
I think that I explained what I mean. :) It's all in VOTE UP!
user2146: Hmm yeah we might have a minor problem. I know most of my rep is disportionately from question acceptance and unusually low for +1s. I wonder if it has to do with any active member being able to be on the top 50 list their first month, thus people maybe hoarding their upvotes trying to be number one?
user4762: Strangely enough, I was thinking (prior to reading this post) that this particular SE site was quite good w.r.t. the voting, when compared to some other sites. Most of my questions/answers have received votes, whereas on other (nameless) sites, I have posted a number of questions/answers and not received [m]any votes at all. However, this must be my (inaccurate) perception, as the stats shows that the voting is not at the desired levels.
While it is important to votes and vote often, it is worth remembering that we shouldn't just vote willy-nilly. I have noticed that some beta sites, especially in the early days, tend to get rather frenzied (or, if you will, overly enthusiastic) voting, which one does not necessarily see in the more established sites, where the voting has settled down and only the (oft mentioned) awesome answers are voted for. This overly enthusiastic voting can sometimes end up giving random votes to questions that are not particularly researched, or answers that are not fully accurate, which maybe do not deserve any votes at all.
I am not sure why this (comparatively) frenzied voting occurs, or why it dies down, nor am I sure what (which?) level of voting is appropriate - although it is obvious that poorly researched questions and inaccurate answers should not be voted up.
Regardless, I would agree that voting does act as an incentive to contribute to the site, as well as the idea that voting for a good question, or accurate answer, even if that question/answer does not apply directly to you, because it will help other users. Indeed the latter is the entire premise of Stack Exchange.
user334: So, I'm the first who got Electorate badge. Go guys and fetch that badge. You can only get that badge by voting. This is a very young SE site, and there's need for users that vote, because voting is encouraging others to post and to discuss.
Cheers once again and remember to vote up!
user98: I completely agree! I just posted my own reminder, focusing more on efforts to get us out of Beta.
I'm sorry you can feel discouraged sometimes, I think a lot of users around the Stack Exchange network can feel that way at times.
I think people sometimes forget that an up-vote to an answer isn't necessarily that it was helpful to you, specifically. But, rather that the answer is a good quality answer and will be useful to others as well!
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/196",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/334/"
] | 2016/12/05 | [
"334: <p>In past few months, there are a devastatingly few number of users that cast up votes, and many of users aren't coming back to site, and existing users don't have so much reputation, because no one is voting up great questions / answers.</p>\n\n<p>So... let me start like this..</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users?tab=Voters&filter=all\">THIS IS REALLY DEVASTATING</a></p>\n\n<p>We all need to vote up users and try to answer their questions, so we can get more users answering / asking questions. Main reason I'm writing this post is because this is great site, but we need new regular users that are going to vote and ask questions. I think it all came down to 20-30 active users, and rest of users aren't so active.</p>\n\n<p>I'm relatively new to site. I've decided to use it because it helped me a lot, and I'm doing my best to answer the questions. My main concern is also that my answers also don't get any vote up.</p>\n\n<p>So... I'll let it all out. I think that main concern that we need to focus on is motivation.</p>\n\n<p>WE NEED TO MOTIVATE OTHERS TO VOTE. And we all can do that if we vote other users up.</p>\n\n<p>That's from my perspective. Even one vote up motivates you to go further.</p>\n\n<p>I think that I explained what I mean. :) It's all in VOTE UP!</p>\n",
"2146: <p>Hmm yeah we might have a minor problem. I know most of my rep is disportionately from question acceptance and unusually low for +1s. I wonder if it has to do with any active member being able to be on the top 50 list their first month, thus people maybe hoarding their upvotes trying to be number one? </p>\n",
"4762: <p>Strangely enough, I was thinking (prior to reading this post) that this particular SE site was quite good w.r.t. the voting, when compared to some other sites. Most of my questions/answers have received votes, whereas on other (nameless) sites, I have posted a number of questions/answers and not received [m]any votes at all. However, this must be my (inaccurate) perception, as the stats shows that the voting is not at the desired levels.</p>\n\n<p>While it is important to votes and vote often, it is worth remembering that we shouldn't just vote willy-nilly. I have noticed that some beta sites, especially in the early days, tend to get rather frenzied (or, if you will, overly enthusiastic) voting, which one does not necessarily see in the more established sites, where the voting has settled down and only the (oft mentioned) <em>awesome</em> answers are voted for. This overly enthusiastic voting can <em>sometimes</em> end up giving random votes to questions that are not particularly researched, or answers that are not fully accurate, which maybe do not deserve any votes at all.</p>\n\n<p>I am not sure why this (comparatively) frenzied voting occurs, or why it dies down, nor am I sure what (which?) level of voting is appropriate - although it is obvious that poorly researched questions and inaccurate answers should not be voted up. </p>\n\n<p>Regardless, I would agree that voting <em>does</em> act as an incentive to contribute to the site, as well as the idea that voting for a good question, or accurate answer, even if that question/answer does not apply directly to you, because it will help other users. Indeed the latter is the entire premise of Stack Exchange.</p>\n",
"334: <p>So, I'm the first who got <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/help/badges/44/electorate\"><strong>Electorate</strong></a> badge. Go guys and fetch that badge. You can only get that badge by voting. This is a very young SE site, and there's need for users that vote, because voting is encouraging others to post and to discuss.</p>\n\n<p>Cheers once again and remember to vote up!</p>\n",
"98: <p>I completely agree! I just posted <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/197/3d-printing-se-beta-status\">my own reminder</a>, focusing more on efforts to get us out of Beta.</p>\n\n<p>I'm sorry you can feel discouraged sometimes, I think a lot of users around the Stack Exchange network can feel that way at times.</p>\n\n<p>I think people sometimes forget that an up-vote to an answer isn't necessarily that it was helpful to you, specifically. But, rather that <strong>the answer is a good <em>quality</em> answer</strong> and <strong>will be <em>useful</em> to others</strong> as well!</p>\n"
] |
197 | user98: I'd like to talk about site building a little bit. We have now been in public Beta for almost a year now and I feel that we've learned a lot about what audience we have here on Stack Exchange. However, we've got a little ways to go before we can make it out of Beta.
The Stats
Questions per day is 2.1/10; 21% of the way there
Our answer rate is still good with 96%
We need to work on our votes
We have 56/150 users with 200+ reputation
We have 4/10 users with 2,000+ reputation
We have 3/5 users with 3,000+ reputation
Our answers per question ratio is 2.0/2.5. which is good, but could be better
We currently hold an average of 753 visits per day out of a recommended 1,500 per day.
All of these stats are live and always available on our Area51 site.
Let's increase our Visits!
Ultimately, the kink in the chain is that we do not have enough visitors. The more visitors we accrue, the easier it may become to reach some of these smaller goals such as questions per day and user reputation. Remember that the home page for 3D Printing has sharing links to social media sites.
There are a growing number of 3D printing sites such as Thingiverse, 3D Hubs, MakeXYZ, Shapeways, etc. All of these sites have avid users and I'm sure many of them have questions on a regular basis and are more than happy to share their knowledge with other Makers/Professionals.
Let's increase our Votes!
The more people we have visiting the site, the more opportunity we have have gaining more reputation.
As Josip Ivic states in a recent Meta post, asking/answering questions becomes a chore if people don't feel that they're efforts are appreciated or good enough. Often times there is legitimate research going into answering certain questions, so there can be real work going into providing people with quality answers.
The same goes for asking questions. If you've been in the same predicament or appreciate a well written question, give the question an up-vote.
Meta Activity
I think it is also important for everyone to occasionally review the latest here on Meta. It's a great tool for people to express how they feel the site could be better!
user6417: Are we at the limit on how big we can grow if we are only talking about "3D printers"
The 3D printing market is growing; but, it is still a pretty small niche compared to broader subjects like Programming, Engineering, Cooking, etc.
3D printers are really pretty simple compared to the other topics I mentioned above. There aren't going to be as many questions.
There is a wide diversity of printers and most commercial (non RepRap) printers are supported by the individual manufacturer's forums.
That said, 753 visits/day (which is less than the number of people in the launch) and 2.1 questions/day are both pretty pathetic. I think pretty much every 3D Printing forum, Facebook group, and YouTube channel WAY exceeds those numbers.
Only being able to ask and answer questions may also be a BIG limitation to our growth
3D Printing is part of the general Maker Culture and Makers want to not just ask; but, they want to show off and talk about what they make. That is a lot of what I see on the other venues and that may be why we aren't getting as much traction here.
We need to find a way to channel the nubies and students here
I know nubies can be annoying; but, they ask more questions. Lots of questions on StackOverflow come from students and nubies.
So, what can we do?
Broaden our scope from just "3D Printing". The original Beta description is "tools and applications of 3D printing" which is a bit wider. Maybe we should try to get more CAD, scanning, and maybe even CNC questions.
I wonder if Stack Exchange would be interested in getting a booth at our local Maker Faires. They seem to be willing to partner money with effort and a booth is pretty cheap if we can muster the manpower.
Could we do a community-ad. It looks like they may be taking requests now.
Maybe we could partner with someone to do a "Print-a-thon" or printing contest. They could post the results and push the questions to us.
Find a way to connect to schools that have printing and/or CAD classes or after-school activities.
Connect into other student activities that use 3D printing whether it be art or things like Robotics Competitions.
user2146: Well we need to attract more members! Personally I know a lot of people that can help us attract more. Myself I run a facebook group with 6k members called 3d printing hobbyists. That said I am also friends with the admins of the other and larger groups.
If I had some good promo material I could probably get folks like 3d printing nerd to mention the SO group in his highly visible channel.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/197",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/98/"
] | 2016/12/05 | [
"98: <p>I'd like to talk about site building a little bit. We have now been in public Beta for almost a year now and I feel that we've learned a lot about what audience we have here on Stack Exchange. However, we've got a little ways to go before we can make it out of Beta.</p>\n\n<h1>The Stats</h1>\n\n<ul>\n<li><em>Questions per day</em> is <strong>2.1</strong>/10; 21% of the way there</li>\n<li>Our <em>answer rate</em> is still good with <strong>96%</strong></li>\n<li>We need to work on our votes\n\n<ul>\n<li>We have <strong>56</strong>/150 users with <em>200+ reputation</em></li>\n<li>We have <strong>4</strong>/10 users with <em>2,000+ reputation</em></li>\n<li>We have <strong>3</strong>/5 users with <em>3,000+ reputation</em></li>\n</ul></li>\n<li>Our <em>answers per question</em> ratio is <strong>2.0</strong>/2.5. which is good, but could be better</li>\n<li>We currently hold an average of <strong>753</strong> <em>visits per day</em> out of a recommended 1,500 per day.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>All of these stats are live and always available on <a href=\"http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/82438/3d-printing\">our Area51 site</a>.</p>\n\n<h2>Let's increase our Visits!</h2>\n\n<p>Ultimately, the kink in the chain is that we do not have enough visitors. The more visitors we accrue, the easier it may become to reach some of these smaller goals such as <strong><em>questions per day</em></strong> and <strong><em>user reputation</em></strong>. Remember that the home page for 3D Printing has sharing links to social media sites.</p>\n\n<p>There are a growing number of 3D printing sites such as Thingiverse, 3D Hubs, MakeXYZ, Shapeways, etc. All of these sites have avid users and I'm sure many of them have questions on a regular basis and are more than happy to share their knowledge with other Makers/Professionals.</p>\n\n<h2>Let's increase our Votes!</h2>\n\n<p>The more people we have visiting the site, the more <strong>opportunity</strong> we have have gaining more reputation.</p>\n\n<p>As Josip Ivic states in a recent <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/196/remember-to-vote\">Meta post</a>, asking/answering questions becomes a chore if people don't feel that they're efforts are appreciated or good enough. Often times there is legitimate research going into answering certain questions, so there can be real work going into providing people with quality answers.</p>\n\n<p>The same goes for asking questions. If you've been in the same predicament or appreciate a well written question, give the question an up-vote.</p>\n\n<h2>Meta Activity</h2>\n\n<p>I think it is also important for everyone to occasionally review the latest here on Meta. It's a great tool for people to express how they feel the site could be better!</p>\n",
"6417: <p><strong>Are we at the limit on how big we can grow if we are only talking about \"3D printers\"</strong></p>\n\n<ol>\n<li>The 3D printing market is growing; but, it is still a pretty small niche compared to broader subjects like Programming, Engineering, Cooking, etc.</li>\n<li>3D printers are really pretty simple compared to the other topics I mentioned above. There aren't going to be as many questions.</li>\n<li>There is a wide diversity of printers and most commercial (non RepRap) printers are supported by the individual manufacturer's forums.</li>\n</ol>\n\n<p>That said, 753 visits/day (which is less than the number of people in the launch) and 2.1 questions/day are both pretty pathetic. I think pretty much every 3D Printing forum, Facebook group, and YouTube channel WAY exceeds those numbers.</p>\n\n<p><strong>Only being able to ask and answer questions may also be a BIG limitation to our growth</strong></p>\n\n<p>3D Printing is part of the general Maker Culture and Makers want to not just ask; but, they want to show off and talk about what they make. That is a lot of what I see on the other venues and that may be why we aren't getting as much traction here.</p>\n\n<p><strong>We need to find a way to channel the nubies and students here</strong></p>\n\n<p>I know nubies can be annoying; but, they ask more questions. Lots of questions on StackOverflow come from students and nubies.</p>\n\n<hr>\n\n<p><strong>So, what can we do?</strong></p>\n\n<ol>\n<li>Broaden our scope from just \"3D Printing\". The original Beta description is \"tools and applications of 3D printing\" which is a bit wider. Maybe we should try to get more CAD, scanning, and maybe even CNC questions.</li>\n<li>I wonder if Stack Exchange would be interested in getting a booth at our local Maker Faires. They seem to be willing to partner money with effort and a booth is pretty cheap if we can muster the manpower.</li>\n<li>Could we do a <a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/237281/community-ads-faq\">community-ad</a>. It looks like they may be <a href=\"https://meta.serverfault.com/questions/9028/community-promotion-ads-2017/9040\">taking requests</a> now.</li>\n<li>Maybe we could partner with someone to do a \"Print-a-thon\" or printing contest. They could post the results and push the questions to us.</li>\n<li>Find a way to connect to schools that have printing and/or CAD classes or after-school activities.</li>\n<li>Connect into other student activities that use 3D printing whether it be art or things like Robotics Competitions.</li>\n</ol>\n",
"2146: <p>Well we need to attract more members! Personally I know a lot of people that can help us attract more. Myself I run a facebook group with 6k members called 3d printing hobbyists. That said I am also friends with the admins of the other and larger groups. </p>\n\n<p>If I had some good promo material I could probably get folks like 3d printing nerd to mention the SO group in his highly visible channel. </p>\n"
] |
204 | user2146: I have noticed that we are getting a lot of questions like this one
Which really are CAD / Mech engineering questions. I will note this person needed several rewrites of his question. Though I am not sure asking for Hollywood 007 scifi computer automagic is focused enough for the group... we can ignore that bit... But it is clear after a few revisions that he is looking for cad help.
Where do you all think we draw the line? As CAD is very closely coupled with 3d. I could see questions such as "how to I render this so it prints well" as a valid question. I am not sure asking for CAD auto processing software really should be topics we tackle. Or do we want to be inclusive to most non specific CAD questions, and let the members who are strong in that area handle it?
user115: I see your point in how CAD modelling only is an indirect match for this site; however, since it falls naturally into the workflow of 3D printing, it is indeed something most of our users have experience with. Furthermore, I believe many users get introduced to CAD through 3D printing, which again could make 3D Printing SE a natural place to turn back to.
In my opinion, I think we should allow these types of questions - at least for now. I don't see them as a problem due to their low frequency, and I think we generally manages to produce sensible answers.
There is also issue that there currently are no other Stack Exchange sites that focus on general CAD. There is always Blender SE, but it would again be somewhat off topic there as well. Perhaps we could find some relevant beta site to direct pure CAD questions to?
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/204",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/2146/"
] | 2016/12/15 | [
"2146: <p>I have noticed that we are getting a lot of <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/3198/reducing-amount-of-material\">questions like this one</a></p>\n\n<p>Which really are CAD / Mech engineering questions. I will note this person needed several rewrites of his question. Though I am not sure asking for Hollywood 007 scifi computer automagic is focused enough for the group... we can ignore that bit... But it is clear after a few revisions that he is looking for cad help.</p>\n\n<p>Where do you all think we draw the line? As CAD is very closely coupled with 3d. I could see questions such as \"how to I render this so it prints well\" as a valid question. I am not sure asking for CAD auto processing software really should be topics we tackle. Or do we want to be inclusive to most non specific CAD questions, and let the members who are strong in that area handle it? </p>\n",
"115: <p>I see your point in how CAD modelling only is an indirect match for this site; however, since it falls naturally into the workflow of 3D printing, it is indeed something most of our users have experience with. Furthermore, I believe many users get introduced to CAD through 3D printing, which again could make 3D Printing SE a natural place to turn back to.</p>\n\n<p>In my opinion, I think we should allow these types of questions - at least for now. I don't see them as a problem due to their low frequency, and I think we generally manages to produce sensible answers. </p>\n\n<p>There is also issue that there currently are no other Stack Exchange sites that focus on general CAD. There is always <a href=\"https://blender.stackexchange.com/\">Blender SE</a>, but it would again be somewhat off topic there as well. Perhaps we could find some relevant beta site to direct pure CAD questions to? </p>\n"
] |
210 | user2146: Seeing too many terrible questions lately asking along the lines of
"My printer was working, now it is not! Help!" With no provided information. As we are a growing group I do not want to just close them and say you suck at using our site... but I am finding that these questions end up orphaned.. I usually recommend that they try a forum and that they could ask a more specific question in the future..
I did come across this one Stack overflow
put on hold as off-topic by jonsca, ρяσѕρєя K, R. Zagórski,
Shikkediel, EdChum 8 hours ago
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close
gave this specific reason:
"Questions seeking debugging help ("why isn't this code working?")
must include the desired behavior, a specific problem or error and the
shortest code necessary to reproduce it in the question itself.
Questions without a clear problem statement are not useful to other
readers. See: How to create a Minimal, Complete, and Verifiable
example." – jonsca, ρяσѕρєя K, R. Zagórski, Shikkediel, EdChum If this
question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please
edit the question.
I am thinking that we could use a solid message like that, outlining exactly what they need to do, without is having to write it out every time. It is not shown in the copy (hence the link) but there are links in that message.
Thoughts? How can we make this happen?
user98: I've added a custom off-topic close reason. It needs another moderator to buy off, but it goes as follows (pretty much copied what you outlined in your question):
Questions seeking troubleshoot help ("My printer was working, now it
is not! Help!") must include information on 1) expected behavior, 2)
actual behavior, and 3) what steps have been taken to troubleshoot
already. Exceptions can be made after communication in Meta or Chat.
Thank you for bringing this up.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/210",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/2146/"
] | 2017/01/24 | [
"2146: <p>Seeing too many terrible questions lately asking along the lines of \n\"My printer was working, now it is not! Help!\" With no provided information. As we are a growing group I do not want to just close them and say you suck at using our site... but I am finding that these questions end up orphaned.. I usually recommend that they try a forum and that they could ask a more specific question in the future.. </p>\n\n<p>I did come across this one <a href=\"https://stackoverflow.com/questions/41815424/how-can-i-write-post-method-using-retrofit-for-json#comment70820978_41815424\">Stack overflow</a></p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>put on hold as off-topic by jonsca, ρяσѕρєя K, R. Zagórski,\n Shikkediel, EdChum 8 hours ago</p>\n \n <p>This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close\n gave this specific reason:</p>\n \n <p>\"Questions seeking debugging help (\"why isn't this code working?\")\n must include the desired behavior, a specific problem or error and the\n shortest code necessary to reproduce it in the question itself.\n Questions without a clear problem statement are not useful to other\n readers. See: How to create a Minimal, Complete, and Verifiable\n example.\" – jonsca, ρяσѕρєя K, R. Zagórski, Shikkediel, EdChum If this\n question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please\n edit the question.</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>I am thinking that we could use a solid message like that, outlining exactly what they need to do, without is having to write it out every time. It is not shown in the copy (hence the link) but there are links in that message.</p>\n\n<p>Thoughts? How can we make this happen?</p>\n",
"98: <p>I've added a custom off-topic close reason. It needs another moderator to buy off, but it goes as follows (pretty much copied what you outlined in your question):</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>Questions seeking troubleshoot help (\"My printer was working, now it\n is not! Help!\") must include information on 1) expected behavior, 2)\n actual behavior, and 3) what steps have been taken to troubleshoot\n already. Exceptions can be made after communication in Meta or Chat.</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>Thank you for bringing this up.</p>\n"
] |
212 | user5698: As a newbie to 3D printing, I would like to get some feedback on a model I have created before sending it off to get printed. I don't yet own a printer, and I have never sent anything out to get printed before. I am interested in feedback about the following for example:
Are any features I have included too big/small/angled/etc. to print reliably?
Have I set up my components correctly for optimal printing?
Are there any obvious structural issues (weak spots, press-fit issues, etc.)
Are there any obvious material/time saving things I should consider?
What materials are suitable/best for printing my model?
What questions should I ask the supplier before comitting?
Any other tips on getting my specific model to succeed.
Since Stack Exchange sites are generally not for "primarily opinion based" questions, I'm not sure if this site itself is a suitable location.
Is the 3D Printing Stack Exchange site a suitable place to get feedback on a specific model before printing?
If not is there a Stack Exchange site similar to Code Review, but for reviewing 3D models?
Update
I have not determined where to print the model b/c it likely depends on some of the answers (ex: printing technology, material, etc.) so I don't have someone I can work with directly yet. Also, I'd rather not choose the supplier as my first step b/c they will likely be biased towards whatever they can supply.
user26: Such a question would be too broad in terms of the number of answers possible, and too specialized to your particular model. The question would be of little value to the site as a whole, as nobody else will ever have the same question and so the answers will be useful only to you.
You should instead ask a question (or multiple questions) about a specific aspect you're unsure about, for instance whether a 1mm wall is thick enough to be printed with SLS, or whether a 35 degree overhang angle will print without supports, etc... This helps build a useful archive of questions, because people will be able to search for your question using general terms, rather than trying to find a question about "Model X".
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/212",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/5698/"
] | 2017/01/19 | [
"5698: <p>As a newbie to 3D printing, I would like to get some feedback on a model I have created before sending it off to get printed. I don't yet own a printer, and I have never sent anything out to get printed before. I am interested in feedback about the following for example: </p>\n\n<ol>\n<li>Are any features I have included too big/small/angled/etc. to print reliably?</li>\n<li>Have I set up my components correctly for optimal printing?</li>\n<li>Are there any obvious structural issues (weak spots, press-fit issues, etc.)</li>\n<li>Are there any obvious material/time saving things I should consider?</li>\n<li>What materials are suitable/best for printing my model?</li>\n<li>What questions should I ask the supplier before comitting?</li>\n<li>Any other tips on getting my specific model to succeed.</li>\n</ol>\n\n<p>Since Stack Exchange sites are generally <strong>not</strong> for \"primarily opinion based\" questions, I'm not sure if this site itself is a suitable location. </p>\n\n<h2>Is the 3D Printing Stack Exchange site a suitable place to get feedback on a specific model before printing?</h2>\n\n<p>If not is there a Stack Exchange site similar to <a href=\"http://codereview.stackexchange.com\">Code Review</a>, but for reviewing 3D models?</p>\n\n<h3>Update</h3>\n\n<p>I have not determined where to print the model b/c it likely depends on some of the answers (ex: printing technology, material, etc.) so I don't have someone I can work with directly yet. Also, I'd rather not choose the supplier as my first step b/c they will likely be biased towards whatever they can supply.</p>\n",
"26: <p>Such a question would be too broad in terms of the number of answers possible, and too specialized to your particular model. The question would be of little value to the site as a whole, as nobody else will ever have the same question and so the answers will be useful only to you.</p>\n\n<p>You should instead ask a question (or multiple questions) about a specific aspect you're unsure about, for instance whether a 1mm wall is thick enough to be printed with SLS, or whether a 35 degree overhang angle will print without supports, etc... This helps build a useful archive of questions, because people will be able to search for your question using general terms, rather than trying to find a question about \"Model X\".</p>\n"
] |
213 | user98: I'll start off on a good note and congratulate everyone in the community for continually supporting each other. We have maintained a great answer rate here on 3D Printing SE with a answer rate of 96%. I believe this rate has been maintained since day one and it's hard to keep up, especially with fluctuations in user activity.
However, I would like to at least address an issue I've seen trending. Most of the issue comes from old posts and new, unfamiliar users to the SE network. Anyways, there is an abnormally high number of unaccepted answers.
Specifically, on 01/28/2017 9am Pacific US, there are 658 questions with answers, 258 of which have no answer accepted. This is an answer acceptance rate of about 40%.
Updated to 11/16/2018 10am CET, there are 1682 questions with answers (of a total of 1788 questions), 706 of which have no answer accepted. This is an answer acceptance rate of about 42%, although improved, it is still very low!
Now, I've done this in the past with little payout, but perhaps if we have more eyes on it moving forward. I have gone through the list of questions here and commented on the question to ask the OP if any of the answers helped solve their situation. Something like this (see also meta posting Do we have Standardised Comments?):
Hello @[UserName], I noticed your question has been up for a while now. Have any of the answers below been able to solve your question? If so, would you mind accepting the appropriate answer. If not, what is missing so that we may help you further? Also, if you have figured it out on your own, you can always answer and accept your own solution. Thank you.
This should hopefully ping the user. Also, going through these questions may bring up questions that may need moderator attention/intervention.
Hopefully we can tackle this issue and get some other users more reputation in the process.
user8884: I have the feeling that a lot of the questions with non-accepted answers are users that came in for one or two questions and then left for good without ever accepting an answer. They might even have forgotten about this place.
For the note: we have (according to Area 51) 11,291 users that have joined (probably including spammers). Of these only 168 have gained 200 or more Rep, which is a quota of 1.488%. So only about 1.5% of the userbase has shown more than a glancing activity. 200 points equivalent to 40 votes on questions or 20 on answers, so it is a point showing at least some dedication to the stack.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/213",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/98/"
] | 2017/01/28 | [
"98: <p>I'll start off on a good note and congratulate everyone in the community for continually supporting each other. We have maintained a great answer rate here on 3D Printing SE with a answer rate of 96%. I believe this rate has been maintained since day one and it's hard to keep up, especially with fluctuations in user activity.</p>\n\n<p>However, I would like to at least address an issue I've seen trending. Most of the issue comes from old posts and new, unfamiliar users to the SE network. Anyways, there is an abnormally high number of unaccepted answers.</p>\n\n<p>Specifically, on 01/28/2017 9am Pacific US, there are <strong>658 questions</strong> <strong><em>with answers</em></strong>, <strong><em>258</em></strong> of which have <strong>no answer accepted</strong>. This is an <strong><em>answer acceptance rate of about 40%</em></strong>.</p>\n\n<p>Updated to 11/16/2018 10am CET, there are <strong>1682 questions</strong> <strong><em>with answers</em></strong> (of a total of 1788 questions), <strong><em>706</em></strong> of which have <strong>no answer accepted</strong>. This is an <strong><em>answer acceptance rate of about 42%</em></strong>, although improved, it is still very low!</p>\n\n<hr>\n\n<p>Now, I've done this in the past with little payout, but perhaps if we have more eyes on it moving forward. I have gone through the list of questions <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/search?q=hasaccepted%3Ano+answers%3A1\">here</a> and commented on the question to ask the OP if any of the answers helped solve their situation. Something like this (see also meta posting <a href=\"/questions/303/do-we-have-standardised-comments\">Do we have Standardised Comments?</a>):</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>Hello @[UserName], I noticed your question has been up for a while now. Have any of the answers below been able to solve your question? If so, would you mind accepting the appropriate answer. If not, what is missing so that we may help you further? Also, if you have figured it out on your own, you can always answer and accept your own solution. Thank you.</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>This should hopefully ping the user. Also, going through these questions may bring up questions that may need moderator attention/intervention.</p>\n\n<p>Hopefully we can tackle this issue and get some other users more reputation in the process.</p>\n",
"8884: <p>I have the feeling that a lot of the questions with non-accepted answers are users that came in for one or two questions and then left for good without ever accepting an answer. They might even have forgotten about this place.</p>\n\n<p>For the note: we have (according to <a href=\"https://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/lookup/3dprinting.stackexchange.com\">Area 51</a>) 11,291 users that have joined (probably including spammers). Of these only 168 have gained 200 or more Rep, which is a quota of 1.488%. So only about 1.5% of the userbase has shown more than a glancing activity. 200 points equivalent to 40 votes on questions or 20 on answers, so it is a point showing at least some dedication to the stack.</p>\n"
] |
215 | user4762: There is a printing-powder and a metal-powder tag.
The respective use of each tag, to date, is as follows:
printing-powder 2
metal-powder 1
One of the printing-powder tagged questions is closed, and the other is also tagged metal-powder, and both questions were about metal-powder.
Therefore, should the two tags be merged, as (currently), they both refer to the same thing, namely, metal powder?
I guess that, as there is other printing powders available, the printing-powder tag could be left in-situ, but why not remove it, and if it is subsequently required, then let it be recreated?
[and/or]... remove the double tagging from this question, Why can't powder-based 3D printing techniques create enclosed or hollow structures?
user2146: In my opinion it should not. There is a distinction. If someone said powder printing to me, I would think of powder + glue printers. Metal powder is pulverized metal that are bound with an insanely expensive laser.
That said no everyone will tag with that distinction in mind. Which has little to no impact.
It could also be argued that it is a subset. IE I see a Java tag on SO. I also will use Android. Or I might use an FDM tag here with a PLA tag.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/215",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/4762/"
] | 2017/02/01 | [
"4762: <p>There is a <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/printing-powder\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'printing-powder'\" rel=\"tag\">printing-powder</a> and a <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/metal-powder\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'metal-powder'\" rel=\"tag\">metal-powder</a> tag.</p>\n\n<p>The respective use of each tag, to date, is as follows:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/printing-powder\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'printing-powder'\" rel=\"tag\">printing-powder</a> 2</li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/metal-powder\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'metal-powder'\" rel=\"tag\">metal-powder</a> 1</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>One of the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/printing-powder\">printing-powder</a> tagged questions is closed, and the other is also tagged <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/metal-powder\">metal-powder</a>, and both questions were about metal-powder.</p>\n\n<p>Therefore, should the two tags be merged, as (currently), they both refer to the same thing, namely, <em>metal powder</em>?</p>\n\n<p>I guess that, as there is other printing powders available, the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/printing-powder\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'printing-powder'\" rel=\"tag\">printing-powder</a> tag could be left in-situ, but why not remove it, and if it is subsequently required, <em>then</em> let it be recreated?</p>\n\n<p>[and/or]... remove the double tagging from this question, <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/2667/why-cant-powder-based-3d-printing-techniques-create-enclosed-or-hollow-structur\">Why can't powder-based 3D printing techniques create enclosed or hollow structures?</a></p>\n",
"2146: <p>In my opinion it should not. There is a distinction. If someone said powder printing to me, I would think of powder + glue printers. Metal powder is pulverized metal that are bound with an insanely expensive laser.</p>\n\n<p>That said no everyone will tag with that distinction in mind. Which has little to no impact. </p>\n\n<p>It could also be argued that it is a subset. IE I see a Java tag on SO. I also will use Android. Or I might use an FDM tag here with a PLA tag.</p>\n"
] |
217 | user98: We have a question simply asking about the existence of a type of printer. This question does not appear to be revolving around recommendation. Personally, I feel that questions like this can be useful for branching out and learning about non-traditional 3D printing.
Whether these should be set as community-driven is another debate, but should we at least allow non-recommendation list questions?
user5518: I think the question you reference is a good question for the site as it isn't opinion based and could have a specific answer, or even several answers. In this case if multiple people answered, the 'best' answer could either be seen as being the most descriptive, or detailed about the options listed.
Since 3D printing is still a fairly new field and is still expanding and changing, I think there is a good chance that this type of question will be more common, and to exclude them might be limiting. Moreover, allowing list type answers can still be updated as technologies change and evolve.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/217",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/98/"
] | 2017/03/13 | [
"98: <p>We have <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/3711/are-there-many-assembly-type-3d-printers\">a question</a> simply asking about the existence of a type of printer. This question does not appear to be revolving around recommendation. Personally, I feel that questions like this can be useful for branching out and learning about non-traditional 3D printing.</p>\n\n<p>Whether these should be set as community-driven is another debate, but should we at least allow non-recommendation list questions?</p>\n",
"5518: <p>I think the question you reference is a good question for the site as it isn't opinion based and could have a specific answer, or even several answers. In this case if multiple people answered, the 'best' answer could either be seen as being the most descriptive, or detailed about the options listed.</p>\n\n<p>Since 3D printing is still a fairly new field and is still expanding and changing, I think there is a good chance that this type of question will be more common, and to exclude them might be limiting. Moreover, allowing list type answers can still be updated as technologies change and evolve.</p>\n"
] |
219 | user6352: I know that here at SE I cant ask recommendation of products and so. I have a printer that I wanna buy and I want to know if it's good. Where should I post this question in order to get some smart people to take a look?
user98: Great question! 3DPrinting SE attracts a lot of new Stack Exchange network users, which unfortunately can come with questions that don't always meet the Q&A style for the network that this site tries to uphold.
Questions like this are probably best asked in the Chat room. Currently, it's not very active, but hopefully if we have a few people interested in these more "off-topic" questions the activity will pick up. Pings are going to be a very useful tool if we're going to try and utilize the chat window more. Pinging some of the highly active users may help get quality answers to those off-topic questions.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/219",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/6352/"
] | 2017/03/19 | [
"6352: <p>I know that here at SE I cant ask recommendation of products and so. I have a printer that I wanna buy and I want to know if it's good. Where should I post this question in order to get some smart people to take a look?</p>\n",
"98: <p>Great question! 3DPrinting SE attracts a lot of new Stack Exchange network users, which unfortunately can come with questions that don't always meet the Q&A style for the network that this site tries to uphold.</p>\n\n<p>Questions like this are probably best asked in the <a href=\"http://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/34216/the-hotbed-3d-printing\">Chat</a> room. Currently, it's not very active, but hopefully if we have a few people interested in these more \"off-topic\" questions the activity will pick up. Pings are going to be a very useful tool if we're going to try and utilize the chat window more. Pinging some of the highly active users may help get quality answers to those off-topic questions.</p>\n"
] |
222 | user4762: This question may require migration to Meta.SE, as it could be a site-wide "bug", but I thought that I would test the waters here, to see if there is an obvious explanation.
I noticed that a question of mine had been modified, on April 16, by "Song Khmer" in the unanswered questions list, when sorted by votes1:
However, when checking the revision history, the April 16 edit, by Song Khmer, is not shown. The last modification was the "https everywhere" edit, three days prior:
I've not noticed the behaviour before. What is going on? Is it a bug, or something really obvious that I can't see?
Was it a rejected edit? If the latter, then should it really be shown in the Unanswered question list? Shouldn't the modifications listed in the Unanswered questions list, actually only be accepted modifications/edits?
1 The unanswered list, and the sorting, are irrelevant to the actual issue.
user98: Regarding the "invisible modification", there is technically a modification made multiple times by the user Song Khmer (now destroyed). This user was posting nonsense to your question by copying text from your question and posting it as an answer.
The reason you probably did not see this in the revision history is:
1) it wasn't a direct edit to your question
2) I believe only moderators can see deleted posts.
click here for full view of deleted posts
I'm pretty sure that anytime someone posts an answer or edits your question, the post raises the modified flag. In this case, when the user was posting answers it would properly flag the post. But, the flag remained even after the answers were deleted (there were 3 answers).
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/222",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/4762/"
] | 2017/05/10 | [
"4762: <p>This question may require migration to Meta.SE, as it could be a site-wide \"bug\", but I thought that I would test the waters here, to see if there is an obvious explanation.</p>\n\n<p>I noticed that a question of mine had been modified, on April 16, by \"Song Khmer\" <strike>in the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/unanswered\">unanswered questions list</a>, when sorted by votes</strike><sup>1</sup>:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/nY7mi.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/nY7mi.png\" alt=\"Modification listed\"></a></p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>However, when checking the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/posts/3015/revisions\">revision history</a>, the April 16 edit, by <em>Song Khmer</em>, is not shown. The last modification was the \"https everywhere\" edit, three days prior:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/p5B9M.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/p5B9M.png\" alt=\"No apparent modification\"></a></p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>I've not noticed the behaviour before. What is going on? Is it a bug, or something really obvious that I can't see? </p>\n\n<p>Was it a rejected edit? If the latter, then should it really be shown in the Unanswered question list? Shouldn't the modifications listed in the Unanswered questions list, actually only be accepted modifications/edits?</p>\n\n<hr>\n\n<p><sup>1</sup> The unanswered list, and the sorting, are irrelevant to the actual issue.</p>\n",
"98: <p>Regarding the \"invisible modification\", there is technically a modification made multiple times by the user <strong>Song Khmer</strong> (now destroyed). This user was posting nonsense to your question by copying text from your question and posting it as an answer.</p>\n\n<p>The reason you probably did not see this in the revision history is:</p>\n\n<p>1) it wasn't a direct edit to your question</p>\n\n<p>2) I believe only moderators can see deleted posts.</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/2VAiLs.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/2VAiLs.png\" alt=\"enter image description here\"></a> <a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/2VAiL.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">click here for full view</a> of deleted posts</p>\n\n<p>I'm pretty sure that anytime someone posts an answer or edits your question, the post raises the modified flag. In this case, when the user was posting answers it would properly flag the post. But, the flag remained even after the answers were deleted (there were 3 answers).</p>\n"
] |
224 | user6417: On reviewing the question, How can I solve syntax error for the following code in Python 2.7?, it seemed to myself, and others, that it should be migrated to StackOverflow.
When flagging a question to be off topic because it belongs to another Stack Exchange, you can only choose the 3D Printing Meta. Why?
user4762: Use the flag "In need of moderation attention" and then specify why it should be migrated and where to. It doesn't always work, depending on the length of time that the question has been posted for and some other factors, but often it does work.
The answer to "Why?" is simply because it hasn't been set up by the moderators. Generally, a specific migration "pathway" has to be agreed between sites, I think, and only then is that particular SE site manually added as an option to the migration dialog. There is a post, from a few years ago, on SE.Arduino - See Why does the migrate dialog only list Arduino Meta?.
Actually, I was mistaken, although, I am sure that I heard the above from someone, somewhere. Apparently, it is because SE 3D Printing is still in beta:
I think it is because we are "only" a Beta site. Once we graduate, I
think more migrating options become available.
As a moderator, I can migrate to other sites, and have done in some
cases. I usually ask their moderators first, and quite often they
decline to accept them. However migration does happen.
I think there is some rule that Beta sites don't get to migrate to
other sites. I'm not quite sure why such a rule exists (it would seem
more logical for it to be the other way).
See also, from SE Robotics, Closing a question - only option for another site is Robotics Meta.
Migrating to an arbitrary stack exchange site
This is only an option for ♦ moderators, so instead of voting to close
the question † you should flag it for moderator
attention ‡ with a suggestion of where it should be
migrated.
On established sites, migration paths are created to allow migration
without moderator approval, but any migrations outside of those
pathways still have to be handled by a moderator. The reason for this
is because...
This specific question
This question would not be a good candidate for migration. We try not
to migrate questions which would just be closed on the target site for
another reason. In this case, it is a very broad question. It could be
edited to be a more practical, answerable questions based on actual
problems faced but
that may invalidate the existing answer, which is pretty good, given
the limitations of the question.
If neither Computer Science nor Signal Processing want this
question, I'm happy for it to remain on robitics, since there are
robotic applications of the answer to this question.
† close > off-topic because... > This question belongs on
another site in the Stack Exchange network
‡ flag > in need of moderator intervention
See also What are the limitations in Beta, in particular animuson's answer:
Beta sites don't have default migration paths (although moderators can still migrate to/from).
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/224",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/6417/"
] | 2017/05/28 | [
"6417: <p>On reviewing the question, <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/4148/how-can-i-solve-syntax-error-for-the-following-code-in-python-2-7\">How can I solve syntax error for the following code in Python 2.7?</a>, it seemed to myself, and others, that it should be migrated to StackOverflow.</p>\n\n<p>When flagging a question to be off topic because it belongs to another Stack Exchange, you can only choose the 3D Printing Meta. Why?</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/HqwrG.jpg\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/HqwrG.jpg\" alt=\"Migration flagging dialog\"></a></p>\n</blockquote>\n",
"4762: <p>Use the flag \"In need of moderation attention\" and then specify why it should be migrated and where to. It doesn't always work, depending on the length of time that the question has been posted for and some other factors, but often it does work.</p>\n\n<p>The answer to \"Why?\" is simply because it hasn't been set up by the moderators. Generally, a specific migration \"pathway\" has to be agreed between sites, I think, and only then is that particular SE site <em>manually added</em> as an option to the migration dialog. There is a post, from a few years ago, on SE.Arduino - See <a href=\"https://arduino.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/2340/why-does-the-migrate-dialog-only-list-arduino-meta\">Why does the migrate dialog only list Arduino Meta?</a>. </p>\n\n<p>Actually, I was mistaken, although, I am sure that I heard the above from someone, somewhere. Apparently, it is because SE 3D Printing is still in beta:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>I think it is because we are \"only\" a Beta site. Once we graduate, I\n think more migrating options become available.</p>\n \n <p>As a moderator, I can migrate to other sites, and have done in some\n cases. I usually ask their moderators first, and quite often they\n decline to accept them. However migration does happen.</p>\n \n <p>I think there is some rule that Beta sites don't get to migrate to\n other sites. I'm not quite sure why such a rule exists (it would seem\n more logical for it to be the other way).</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>See also, from SE Robotics, <a href=\"https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/1287/closing-a-question-only-option-for-another-site-is-robotics-meta\">Closing a question - only option for another site is Robotics Meta</a>.</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <h3>Migrating to an arbitrary stack exchange site</h3>\n \n <p>This is only an option for ♦ moderators, so instead of voting to close\n the question <sup>†</sup> you should flag it for moderator\n attention <sup>‡</sup> with a suggestion of where it should be\n migrated.</p>\n \n <p>On established sites, migration paths are created to allow migration\n without moderator approval, but any migrations outside of those\n pathways still have to be handled by a moderator. The reason for this\n is because...</p>\n \n <h3>This specific question</h3>\n \n <p>This question would not be a good candidate for migration. We try not\n to migrate questions which would just be closed on the target site for\n another reason. In this case, it is a very broad question. It could be\n edited to be a more <em><a href=\"https://robotics.stackexchange.com/help/dont-ask\">practical, answerable questions based on actual\n problems faced</a></em> but\n that may invalidate the existing answer, which is pretty good, given\n the limitations of the question.</p>\n \n <p>If neither <a href=\"https://cs.stackexchange.com/\">Computer Science</a> nor <a href=\"https://dsp.stackexchange.com/\">Signal Processing</a> want this\n question, I'm happy for it to remain on <em>robitics</em>, since there are\n robotic applications of the answer to this question.</p>\n \n <p>†<sub> <em>close > off-topic because... > This question belongs on\n another site in the Stack Exchange network</em></sub></p>\n \n <p>‡<sub> <em>flag > in need of moderator intervention</em></sub></p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>See also <a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/296832/what-are-the-limitations-in-beta\">What are the limitations in Beta</a>, in particular <a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/296832/what-are-the-limitations-in-beta#answer-296833\">animuson's answer</a>:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>Beta sites don't have default migration paths (although moderators can still migrate to/from).</p>\n</blockquote>\n"
] |
226 | user4762: I have just edited a new post, Help understanding bridge settings, so that the video would be "inlined" and playable in the post itself1.
However, the video does not show up, and only the raw link (https://youtu.be/HaeCBru3mOI) is displayed:
This is the markup:
I have used the same markup method, for inlining the video clip as this post, Is ATC communication subject to FCC profanity regulations?, on SE.Aviation:
and there the video clip is inlined:
TL;DR
Is video inlining disabled on SE.3D Printing, or is it because we are still beta?
If it can be enabled , then should/could it be enabled?
I personally think it would be useful to enable it, and save a few mouse clicks (and RSI) having to open the video in another tab/window etc. What do other people think?
1 See Allow embedded HTML5 YouTube video
user6417: Per answer to What are the limitations in Beta
"Inline videos is a feature that is off by default on all sites and only turned on if the community thinks it's necessary to improve the quality of a good portion of their question base."
user4927: Yes, I think on this site it would be useful - but we need to be fairly aggressive about closing questions that don't have a fully readable 'text' question. The video must only be for clarification, not as a replacement for writing a question.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/226",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/4762/"
] | 2017/05/29 | [
"4762: <p>I have just edited a new post, <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/4153/help-understanding-bridge-settings\">Help understanding bridge settings</a>, so that the video would be "inlined" and playable in the post itself<sup>1</sup>.</p>\n<p>However, the video does not show up, and only the raw link (<code>https://youtu.be/HaeCBru3mOI</code>) is displayed:</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/f7jmC.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/f7jmC.png\" alt=\"Only raw link is visible\" /></a></p>\n</blockquote>\n<p>This is the markup:</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/ukkfG.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/ukkfG.png\" alt=\"Markup of post\" /></a></p>\n</blockquote>\n<p>I have used the <em>same</em> markup method, for inlining the video clip as this post, <a href=\"https://aviation.stackexchange.com/questions/34121/is-atc-communication-subject-to-fcc-profanity-regulations\">Is ATC communication subject to FCC profanity regulations?</a>, on SE.Aviation:</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/kgTCg.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/kgTCg.png\" alt=\"Markup on SE.Aviation\" /></a></p>\n</blockquote>\n<p>and there the video clip is inlined:</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/LrHrI.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/LrHrI.png\" alt=\"Post on SE.Aviation showing inline video clip\" /></a></p>\n</blockquote>\n<hr />\n<h3>TL;DR</h3>\n<p>Is video inlining disabled on SE.3D Printing, or is it because we are still beta?</p>\n<p>If it can be enabled , then should/could it be enabled?</p>\n<p>I personally think it would be useful to enable it, and save a few mouse clicks (and RSI) having to open the video in another tab/window etc. What do other people think?</p>\n<hr />\n<p><sup>1</sup> See <a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/121209/allow-embedded-html5-youtube-video?rq=1\">Allow embedded HTML5 YouTube video</a></p>\n",
"6417: <p>Per answer to <a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/296832/what-are-the-limitations-in-beta\">What are the limitations in Beta</a></p>\n\n<p>\"Inline videos is a feature that is off by default on all sites and only turned on if the community thinks it's necessary to improve the quality of a good portion of their question base.\" </p>\n",
"4927: <p>Yes, I think on this site it would be useful - but we need to be fairly aggressive about closing questions that don't have a fully readable 'text' question. The video must only be for clarification, not as a replacement for writing a question.</p>\n"
] |
230 | user4762: We have, now, assertained that inlined videos (for want of a better description) are currently turned off (disabled) for SE 3D Printing, but can be turned on at any time, and there is no need to wait for the site to exit Beta, see Is the "inlining videos" capability turned off on this site?
The question now is, should we enable it?
I have seen a few (2?) cases where the OP has linked to a video in order to succinctly describe their issue. As Ecnerwal points out in their answer to Help understanding bridge settings, watching videos, and in particular having to click on a link to watch them, can be somewhat onerous. Having the video inlined, might make it less so.
BTW, I don't know what [backend or UX] disadvantages there would be to switching it on, although there are these cautionary tales.
user98: From a traffic standpoint, people are more likely to stay on our site if they do not have to jump over to YouTube or any other video page to get the answer they're looking for from a video. As mentioned in the question, there are already a few use-cases for such a feature and I don't think it would hurt the visual appeal to the questions/answers.
However, it would be good to get some insight on disadvantages to the site in implementing this capability.
user115: It actually seems like a user from 3D Printing SE - @markshancock - has asked this exact question over at the general Meta. (Nice work, @markshancock!)
As pointed out by Jason Cs answer, it basically seems like we have to make a case why we need it to the SE moderation team, so that they can decide whether to activate it or not.
In general, I think inlining videos makes sense for our site, since both the questions and answers often can end up with a video link with some descriptive text. Examples include questions of printers with strange behavior, and answers of how to do XYZ in Fusion 360 answered as a Youtube link. In both of these cases, what would otherwise be a mere "link only answer" would get much more substance.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/230",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/4762/"
] | 2017/06/06 | [
"4762: <p>We have, now, assertained that <em>inlined videos</em> (for want of a better description) are currently turned off (disabled) for SE 3D Printing, but can be turned on at any time, and there is no need to wait for the site to exit Beta, see <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/226/is-the-inlining-videos-capability-turned-off-on-this-site\">Is the "inlining videos" capability turned off on this site?</a></p>\n\n<p>The question now is, should we enable it?</p>\n\n<p>I have seen a few (2?) cases where the OP has linked to a video in order to succinctly describe their issue. As Ecnerwal points out in <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/4153/help-understanding-bridge-settings#answer-4157\">their answer</a> to <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/4153/help-understanding-bridge-settings\">Help understanding bridge settings</a>, watching videos, and in particular having to click on a link to watch them, can be somewhat onerous. Having the video inlined, <em>might</em> make it less so.</p>\n\n<p>BTW, I don't know what [backend or UX] disadvantages there would be to switching it on, although there are these <a href=\"http://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/226/is-the-inlining-videos-capability-turned-off-on-this-site#answer-400\">cautionary tales</a>.</p>\n",
"98: <p>From a traffic standpoint, people are more likely to stay on our site if they do not have to jump over to YouTube or any other video page to get the answer they're looking for from a video. As mentioned in the question, there are already a few use-cases for such a feature and I don't think it would hurt the visual appeal to the questions/answers.</p>\n\n<p>However, it would be good to get some insight on disadvantages to the site in implementing this capability.</p>\n",
"115: <p>It actually seems like a user from 3D Printing SE - @markshancock - has asked this exact question <a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/296832/what-are-the-limitations-in-beta/296833#296833\">over at the general Meta</a>. (Nice work, @markshancock!)</p>\n\n<p>As pointed out by <a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/a/296834/326646\">Jason Cs answer</a>, it basically seems like we have to make a case why we need it to the SE moderation team, so that they can decide whether to activate it or not. </p>\n\n<p>In general, I think inlining videos makes sense for our site, since both the questions and answers often can end up with a video link with some descriptive text. Examples include questions of printers with strange behavior, and answers of how to do XYZ in Fusion 360 answered as a Youtube link. In both of these cases, what would otherwise be a mere \"link only answer\" would get much more substance. </p>\n"
] |
236 | user6417: Do we want to add a BLOG to this site?
Blogs are another way of communicating things that don't fit the Q&A model.
Here is a good description of what a Blog is and how you can start one.
This post on the SuperUser Blog asking for help with their Blog is helpful too.
user4762: +1 - As it seems a good idea. Not sure what would go in it though - do you have any concrete examples of blog ideas?
I already have a (messy) blog, and I am not sure if I could also write a blog on here too. I wonder what the score is regarding duplicating personal blogs on to SE blogs?
Content
An SE 3D print blog could be a good idea for Build Logs, for example, maybe. Or maybe a page that links to other people's superlative build logs, David Crocker's blogs come to mind.
Is the blog (unlike the SE Q&A site) allowed to contain links to cheap items/suppliers? Apparently, reviews are allowed, from Blog Overflow:
Review a product. Reviews don’t fit the Q&A nature of the sites, but these rules don’t apply on the blog! Between a review written by a random person on the internet and a review written by a user on the site who consistently gets a lot of upvotes, which review would you trust more?
This closed question would have fitted into a blog nicely: What Is 3D Printing?
Concerns
So, yes, I think it would be worth starting one up and seeing how it goes... although I would be a little concerned about the regularity of posts:
Plan a schedule. Given the results of steps #2 and #3, think about a rough idea of a schedule for the blog. Will there be one post a week, posted Mondays? Will there be posts on Tuesdays and posts on Fridays? You don’t need to be pushing out posts daily, but you should post at least once a week.
and
Pick a posting schedule and stick to it. It is easier to simply keep up from the get go than catch up if you fall behind. Have a couple draft posts stashed away for a rainy day, ready to go that can be published if there is a lull.
Also, who would coordinate it? Are you putting yourself forward?
Have someone holding the reins. This person doesn’t need to be the one writing all the posts, just someone that helps coordinate who is writing what and when it is getting posted.
However, it is a bit of a misfortune that Blog Overflow has a rather unfortunately acronym (as well as sounding like Bog Overflow).
user26: The description of blogs you've cited is 6 years old. Unfortunately, blogs have since been discontinued.
It is no longer possible to start a new blog.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/236",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/6417/"
] | 2017/06/22 | [
"6417: <p>Do we want to add a BLOG to this site?\nBlogs are another way of communicating things that don't fit the Q&A model.</p>\n\n<p>Here is a good description of <a href=\"https://stackoverflow.blog/2011/06/23/blog-overflow/\">what a Blog is and how you can start one</a>.</p>\n\n<p>This post on the SuperUser Blog asking for <a href=\"http://blog.superuser.com/2012/02/09/are-you-interested-in-writing-for-our-blog/\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">help with their Blog</a> is helpful too.</p>\n",
"4762: <p>+1 - As it seems a good idea. Not sure what would go in it though - do you have any concrete examples of blog ideas? </p>\n\n<p>I already have a (messy) <a href=\"https://gr33nonline.wordpress.com/\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">blog</a>, and I am not sure if I could also write a blog on here too. I wonder what the score is regarding duplicating personal blogs on to SE blogs? </p>\n\n<hr>\n\n<h3>Content</h3>\n\n<p>An SE 3D print blog could be a good idea for <strong><em>Build Logs</em></strong>, for example, maybe. Or maybe a page that links to other people's superlative build logs, <a href=\"https://miscsolutions.wordpress.com/\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">David Crocker's blogs</a> come to mind.</p>\n\n<p>Is the blog (unlike the SE Q&A site) allowed to contain <strong><em>links to cheap items/suppliers</em></strong>? Apparently, reviews are allowed, from <a href=\"https://stackoverflow.blog/2011/06/23/blog-overflow/\">Blog Overflow</a>:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p><strong>Review a product</strong>. Reviews don’t fit the Q&A nature of the sites, but these rules don’t apply on the blog! Between a review written by a random person on the internet and a review written by a user on the site who consistently gets a lot of upvotes, which review would you trust more?</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>This closed question would have fitted into a blog nicely: <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/4279/what-is-3d-printing\">What Is 3D Printing?</a></p>\n\n<hr>\n\n<h3>Concerns</h3>\n\n<p>So, yes, I think it would be worth starting one up and seeing how it goes... although I would be a little concerned about the regularity of posts: </p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p><strong>Plan a schedule</strong>. Given the results of steps #2 and #3, think about a rough idea of a schedule for the blog. Will there be one post a week, posted Mondays? Will there be posts on Tuesdays and posts on Fridays? You don’t need to be pushing out posts daily, but you should post at least once a week.</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p><em>and</em></p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p><strong>Pick a posting schedule and stick to it</strong>. It is easier to simply keep up from the get go than catch up if you fall behind. Have a couple draft posts stashed away for a rainy day, ready to go that can be published if there is a lull.</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>Also, who would coordinate it? Are you putting yourself forward?</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p><strong>Have someone holding the reins</strong>. This person doesn’t need to be the one writing all the posts, just someone that helps coordinate who is writing what and when it is getting posted.</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<hr>\n\n<p>However, it <em>is</em> a bit of a misfortune that Blog Overflow has a rather unfortunately acronym (as well as sounding like <em>Bog</em> Overflow).</p>\n",
"26: <p>The description of blogs you've cited is 6 years old. Unfortunately, <a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/291741/we-will-no-longer-be-hosting-blog-overflow\">blogs have since been discontinued</a>.</p>\n\n<p>It is no longer possible to start a new blog.</p>\n"
] |
239 | user6417: Recently I have seen several questions that sit on the fence between staying in the Community and being Migrated because another Community might be able to better help. I recently put a proposal on SE Meta to provide another alternative - Community Referrals.
Personally I often don't like Migrating questions. The OP usually posts the question where they posted it because that is the Community they felt it associates with. Migrating it often means the Community (and sometimes the OP) loses. Rather than just Migrating questions, I feel a better to also provide a way to ask for help from other Communities.
What do you think? Would it help our Community?
user98: I've mentioned this to others in the past as well, but in the form of sharing tags. Essentially any similarly named tags from this site could be provided almost as an Ad on, say, Arduino.SE if someone searches that site for a question or answer related to that tag.
For instance, if someone is searching for information on special pinouts available on the "MightyBoard" controller (which is similar to Arduino), then questions available on our site related to mightyboard can show up amidst the regular search results.
This would negate the need for moderators or community members needing to individually refer posts to other sites and provide new sites the opportunity to bring more members in.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/239",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/6417/"
] | 2017/07/04 | [
"6417: <p>Recently I have seen several questions that sit on the fence between staying in the Community and being Migrated because another Community might be able to better help. I recently put a <a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/297981/why-not-let-communities-refer-questions-to-other-communities\">proposal on SE Meta</a> to provide another alternative - Community Referrals.</p>\n\n<p>Personally I often don't like Migrating questions. The OP usually posts the question where they posted it because that is the Community they felt it associates with. Migrating it often means the Community (and sometimes the OP) loses. Rather than just Migrating questions, I feel a better to also provide a way to ask for help from other Communities.</p>\n\n<p>What do you think? Would it help our Community?</p>\n",
"98: <p>I've mentioned this to others in the past as well, but in the form of sharing tags. Essentially any similarly named tags from this site could be provided almost as an Ad on, say, Arduino.SE if someone searches that site for a question or answer related to that tag.</p>\n\n<p>For instance, if someone is searching for information on special pinouts available on the \"MightyBoard\" controller (which is similar to Arduino), then questions available on our site related to <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/mightyboard\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'mightyboard'\" rel=\"tag\">mightyboard</a> can show up amidst the regular search results.</p>\n\n<p>This would negate the need for moderators or community members needing to individually refer posts to other sites and provide new sites the opportunity to bring more members in.</p>\n"
] |
242 | user5686: I've just had one recent comment flag declined on a noisy comment.
This comment was a reply to a deleted '+1' comment, and said, simply:
@FrankL Thanks!
When you go to post a comment, you see this:
Use comments to ask for more information or suggest improvements. Avoid comments like "+1" or "thanks". (emphasis mine)
And Jeff Atwood said to flag these.
So I flagged the +1 comment, which was automatically deemed helpful. I then flagged the remaining thanks to that comment as 'no longer needed'. So... why was it declined?
user98: That action didn't appear in the moderator activity history, so I'm not exactly sure how it was handled. Regardless, I agree and have deleted the comment.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/242",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/5686/"
] | 2017/07/24 | [
"5686: <p>I've just had one recent comment flag declined on a noisy comment.</p>\n\n<p>This comment was a reply to a deleted '+1' comment, and said, simply:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/1477/how-to-optimally-make-a-3d-model-of-an-object-using-photos/1486#comment2055_1486\">@FrankL Thanks!</a></p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>When you go to post a comment, you see this:</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/rh88N.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/rh88N.png\" alt=\"see blockquote below\"></a></p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>Use comments to ask for more information or suggest improvements. <strong>Avoid comments like \"+1\" or \"thanks\".</strong> (emphasis mine)</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>And <a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/a/15292/294691\">Jeff Atwood said to flag these</a>.</p>\n\n<p>So I flagged the +1 comment, which was automatically deemed helpful. I then flagged the remaining thanks to that comment as 'no longer needed'. So... why was it declined?</p>\n",
"98: <p>That action didn't appear in the moderator activity history, so I'm not exactly sure how it was handled. Regardless, I agree and have deleted the comment.</p>\n"
] |
244 | user6417: A user from SE Meta recommended that we "feature" posts from our Meta that need more general user visibility and possibly draw more users into Meta.
Some recent examples might be:
Why are there so few votes
Accepting Answers
user4762: As a BTW, looking at the edit history of Why don't members like our questions and answers?, it seems like the featured tag expires automatically.
For the post in question the featured tag was added Aug 3 and by Sept 9 it was deleted, by Community. This post, When and why is the [featured] tag removed by the Community user?, states that they are removed after 30 (or so) days:
if we did not, every meta would be littered with dozens of forgotten "featured" questions over time.
Also, I can't seem to get it to work, I've just featured the On-topic meta question, but it doesn't seem to show up anywhere in a "Featured" box. Neither on 3D printing meta nor the main 3D printing site.
Update
It seems as if there is a little delay, at most 5-6 hours (I've tested it), between adding the featured flag and it appearing in a box:
It also appears to hang around in the box for another 12- 14 hours after the tag has been removed.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/244",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/6417/"
] | 2017/07/31 | [
"6417: <p>A user from SE Meta recommended that we \"feature\" posts from our Meta that need more general user visibility and possibly draw more users into Meta.</p>\n\n<p>Some recent examples might be:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><p><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/241/why-are-there-so-few-votes\">Why are there so few votes</a></p></li>\n<li><p><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/213/accepting-answers\">Accepting Answers</a></p></li>\n</ul>\n",
"4762: <p>As a BTW, looking at the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/posts/241/revisions\">edit history</a> of <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/241/why-dont-members-like-our-questions-and-answers\">Why don't members like our questions and answers?</a>, it seems like the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/featured\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'featured'\" rel=\"tag\">featured</a> tag expires automatically.</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/gzCZg.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\" title=\"Featured tag removal\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/gzCZg.png\" alt=\"Featured tag removal\" title=\"Featured tag removal\" /></a></p>\n</blockquote>\n<p>For the post in question the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/featured\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'featured'\" rel=\"tag\">featured</a> tag was added Aug 3 and by Sept 9 it was deleted, by Community. This post, <a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/281797/when-and-why-is-the-featured-tag-removed-by-the-community-user\">When and why is the [featured] tag removed by the Community user?</a>, states that they are removed after 30 (or so) days:</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>if we did not, every meta would be littered with dozens of forgotten "featured" questions over time.</p>\n</blockquote>\n<hr />\n<p>Also, I can't seem to get it to work, I've just featured the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/276\">On-topic meta question</a>, but it doesn't seem to show up anywhere in a "Featured" box. Neither on 3D printing meta nor the main 3D printing site.</p>\n<h3>Update</h3>\n<p>It seems as if there is a little delay, at most 5-6 hours (I've tested it), between adding the featured flag and it appearing in a box:</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/yIxLE.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\" title=\"Featured on meta\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/yIxLE.png\" alt=\"Featured on meta\" title=\"Featured on meta\" /></a></p>\n</blockquote>\n<p>It also appears to hang around in the box for another 12- 14 hours <em>after</em> the tag has been removed.</p>\n"
] |
246 | user776: Should we add a tag for 'laser' for those of us who are attaching laser cutters/burners to 3D printers to turn them into 3D CNC. Or is this drifting too far off topic from "3d printing"?
user4762: The tag laser has been created. Would you like to provide usage guidance and edit the tag summary and body?
So far I have found one question which is laser related, Laser Engraver with Smoothie, RAMPS 1.4 or AWC708C?. Seeing as you posted this question, did you have any other questions in mind that required that tag? If so, would you mind tagging them as such?
user6853: A good question. I'm currently using insights I obtained from mucking about with a 3D printer with Arduino Mega 2560 and RAMPS 1.4 to dive into retrofitting an elderly CNC router (but, as a router, still, not as a printer) with a new control system (presently thinking and have on order Arduino Uno R3 and Arduino CNC shield R3, we'll see how implementation goes on those) and was wondering if I could ask questions here that would overlap, or not, as I don't think there's a CNC/subtractive community similar to this 3DP/additive one in the ecosystem yet.
I actually started out thinking I could just use the same controller setup (there's plenty of stepper driver slots available, and going "dual-purpose" cut and print is potentially interesting) but it seems the official GRBL fork is not 2560 compatible, though there is a fork to try and make it so - it seemed more of a sure bet to stick with the "official" fork and the common hardware.
Likewise I've seen a bit of chatter about making Marlin switch-hit CNC/3DP, but I get the impression it's not all there yet, and I'm more interested in immediately usable based on current/past efforts than trying to develop new functionality my dang self.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/246",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/776/"
] | 2017/08/25 | [
"776: <p>Should we add a tag for 'laser' for those of us who are attaching laser cutters/burners to 3D printers to turn them into 3D CNC. Or is this drifting too far off topic from \"3d printing\"?</p>\n",
"4762: <p>The tag <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/laser\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'laser'\" rel=\"tag\">laser</a> has been created. Would you like to provide usage guidance and edit the tag summary and body?</p>\n\n<p>So far I have found one question which is laser related, <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/6214/laser-engraver-with-smoothie-ramps-1-4-or-awc708c\">Laser Engraver with Smoothie, RAMPS 1.4 or AWC708C?</a>. Seeing as you posted this question, did you have any other questions in mind that required that tag? If so, would you mind tagging them as such?</p>\n",
"6853: <p>A good question. I'm currently using insights I obtained from mucking about with a 3D printer with Arduino Mega 2560 and RAMPS 1.4 to dive into retrofitting an elderly CNC router (but, as a router, still, not as a printer) with a new control system (presently thinking and have on order Arduino Uno R3 and Arduino CNC shield R3, we'll see how implementation goes on those) and was wondering if I could ask questions here that would overlap, or not, as I don't think there's a CNC/subtractive community similar to this 3DP/additive one in the ecosystem yet.</p>\n\n<p>I actually started out thinking I could just use the same controller setup (there's plenty of stepper driver slots available, and going \"dual-purpose\" cut and print is potentially interesting) but it seems the official GRBL fork is not 2560 compatible, though there is a fork to try and make it so - it seemed more of a sure bet to stick with the \"official\" fork and the common hardware.</p>\n\n<p>Likewise I've seen a bit of chatter about making Marlin switch-hit CNC/3DP, but I get the impression it's not all there yet, and I'm more interested in immediately usable based on current/past efforts than trying to develop new functionality my dang self.</p>\n"
] |
249 | user233: This post has been up for 4-5 days now. I flagged it originally when it was first posted and that flag aged away, I have now flagged it again and it's still here. We have one user that shares part of the posters name but I am unsure if they are connected in any way or if that name references the linked user.
Do we need more moderators to handle this? What is the process for having these removed?
user98: The post has now been deleted and the user destroyed due to spam, so thank you for bringing this up.
It either must have come up after I cleaned out the inbox or I must have overlooked it.
Yes, we do need another moderator. I would have loved to be at a point by now that we could have had elections as part of a fully public SE site, but we've still got a few hurdles to overcome as a community.
I'll double check what the options are for bringing on new moderators at this stage and post back to Meta.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/249",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/233/"
] | 2017/09/25 | [
"233: <p><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/a/4642/233\">This post</a> has been up for 4-5 days now. I flagged it originally when it was first posted and that flag aged away, I have now flagged it again and it's still here. We have one <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/1263/szymon-b%C4%99czkowski\">user</a> that shares part of the posters name but I am unsure if they are connected in any way or if that name references the linked user. </p>\n\n<p>Do we need more moderators to handle this? What is the process for having these removed? </p>\n",
"98: <p>The post has now been deleted and the user destroyed due to spam, so thank you for bringing this up.</p>\n\n<p>It either must have come up after I cleaned out the inbox or I must have overlooked it.</p>\n\n<p>Yes, we do need another moderator. I would have loved to be at a point by now that we could have had elections as part of a fully public SE site, but we've still got a few hurdles to overcome as a community.</p>\n\n<p>I'll double check what the options are for bringing on new moderators at this stage and post back to Meta.</p>\n"
] |
252 | user9120: I am wondering if my question is going to be on-topic.
I am having trouble finding software that is native to linux that can cut STL models in to smaller models for printing properly. Is asking for help finding software that can do this, or asking for help with some software that I have found, on topic here?
user98: I personally don't think this is off-topic, but I recommend also noting what machine(s) you're trying to slice for as the code can be different depending on the capabilities of the machine.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/252",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/9120/"
] | 2017/11/25 | [
"9120: <p>I am wondering if my question is going to be on-topic.</p>\n\n<p>I am having trouble finding software that is native to linux that can cut STL models in to smaller models for printing properly. Is asking for help finding software that can do this, or asking for help with some software that I have found, on topic here?</p>\n",
"98: <p>I personally don't think this is off-topic, but I recommend also noting what machine(s) you're trying to slice for as the code can be different depending on the capabilities of the machine.</p>\n"
] |
255 | user8264: There are currently about 50 questions containing the words “leveling” or “levelling”. I think it would be helpful to unify them with a tag, but I can't find an appropriate one. Further, several of these questions are tagged with [heated-bed] without being about heating, which is somewhat misleading.
Bed leveling is an area in which one may accrue distinct expertise, and as such I would like to suggest a [bed-leveling] tag to help experts find and answer questions. The spelling with a single “l” is the more common spelling used on the site and also that used in Marlin's documentation. The tag's ambit could encompass:
Mechanical bed-leveling such as manual adjustment of screws and springs
Software bed-leveling like the G29 G-Code command
General Z-axis measurement with a mechanical or inductive probe
The tag could also be applied post-facto to questions about printing problems like poor-adhesion, should the solution be found to involve bed calibration.
user98: There is no tag created for leveling (or levelling, or bed-leveling for that matter). So, I would recommend taking some of your top search results for leveling, of your results, if any have available tags (not all 5 tags have been used) then add/created the [bed-leveling] tag.
Overall, this is a good catch on potentially improving the tagging here on 3DPrinting SE.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/255",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/8264/"
] | 2018/02/12 | [
"8264: <p>There are currently about 50 questions containing the words “<a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/search?q=%22leveling%22%20is%3Aq\">leveling</a>” or “<a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/search?q=%22levelling%22%20is%3Aq\">levelling</a>”. I think it would be helpful to unify them with a tag, but I can't find an appropriate one. Further, several of these questions are tagged with <code>[heated-bed]</code> without being about heating, which is somewhat misleading.</p>\n\n<p>Bed leveling is an area in which one may accrue distinct expertise, and as such I would like to suggest a <code>[bed-leveling]</code> tag to help experts find and answer questions. The spelling with a single “l” is the more common spelling used on the site and also that used in Marlin's documentation. The tag's ambit could encompass:</p>\n\n<ol>\n<li>Mechanical bed-leveling such as manual adjustment of screws and springs</li>\n<li>Software bed-leveling like the <a href=\"http://marlinfw.org/docs/gcode/G029-mbl.html\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">G29 G-Code command</a></li>\n<li>General Z-axis measurement with a mechanical or inductive probe</li>\n</ol>\n\n<p>The tag could also be applied post-facto to questions about printing problems like poor-adhesion, should the solution be found to involve bed calibration.</p>\n",
"98: <p>There is no tag created for leveling (or levelling, or bed-leveling for that matter). So, I would recommend taking some of your top search results for leveling, of your results, if any have available tags (not all 5 tags have been used) then add/created the [bed-leveling] tag.</p>\n\n<p>Overall, this is a good catch on potentially improving the tagging here on 3DPrinting SE.</p>\n"
] |
257 | user10139: I think that there should be a Fusion360 tag. It would be useful for Fusion360-related questions. I was making a question about Fusion360, but then I realized that there was not a Fusion360 tag. There is a TinkerCAD tag, which is a similar CAD system, but no Fusion360 tag. Please make this tag, as it will be very useful for Fusion360 questions.
user4927: Write your question, and we can add a tag to it. Tags which have no questions associated with them become removed automatically.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/257",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/10139/"
] | 2018/03/10 | [
"10139: <p>I think that there should be a Fusion360 tag. It would be useful for Fusion360-related questions. I was making a question about Fusion360, but then I realized that there was not a Fusion360 tag. There is a TinkerCAD tag, which is a similar CAD system, but no Fusion360 tag. Please make this tag, as it will be very useful for Fusion360 questions.</p>\n",
"4927: <p>Write your question, and we can add a tag to it. Tags which have no questions associated with them become removed automatically.</p>\n"
] |
259 | user-1: My flag history shows that
6 "spam" flags aged away without review.
3 "rude/abusive" flags aged away without review.
2 "not an answer" flags were raised in February and are still pending. It's now April.
All this suggests that current moderators do not have enough time to handle flags. I think the site should try and get a couple more.
user4762: Some new moderators were appointed yesterday, see Pro Tem Moderator Announcement. Hopefully the new moderators can keep up the sterling work that the previous moderators have provided up to now... :-)
After a minor marathon session of clearing the backlog, all flags have now been cleared. Hopefully in a way that keeps everyone happy:
Some (one or two) questions were migrated to Engineering or Blender, after requests were thrown over to moderators on other sites, and some others were left "as is", as they have garnered some answers here on 3D Printing.
Some short/terse answers (which were useful/informative) have been converted to comments, others (which were not so helpful) were deleted.
Some sprawling comments threads/chats have been shortened/deleted
Some "additional information" comments have been moved into the questions to which they pertain
Some "issue resolved" updates to questions have been turned into community wiki answers
No information has hopefully been lost. If anything seems to have gone missing, please leave a comment below.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/259",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/-1/"
] | 2018/04/01 | [
"-1: <p>My flag history shows that </p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>6 \"spam\" flags aged away without review.</li>\n<li>3 \"rude/abusive\" flags aged away without review.</li>\n<li>2 \"not an answer\" flags were raised in February and are still pending. It's now April.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>All this suggests that current moderators do not have enough time to handle flags. I think the site should try and get a couple more.</p>\n",
"4762: <p>Some new moderators were appointed yesterday, see <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/135/pro-tem-moderator-announcement\">Pro Tem Moderator Announcement</a>. Hopefully the new moderators can keep up the sterling work that the previous moderators have provided up to now... :-)</p>\n\n<p>After a minor marathon session of clearing the backlog, all flags have now been cleared. Hopefully in a way that keeps everyone happy:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Some (one or two) questions were migrated to Engineering or Blender, after requests were thrown over to moderators on other sites, and some others were left \"as is\", as they have garnered some answers here on 3D Printing. </li>\n<li>Some short/terse answers (which were useful/informative) have been converted to comments, others (which were not so helpful) were deleted.</li>\n<li>Some sprawling comments threads/chats have been shortened/deleted</li>\n<li>Some \"additional information\" comments have been moved into the questions to which they pertain</li>\n<li>Some \"issue resolved\" updates to questions have been turned into community wiki answers</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>No information has hopefully been lost. If anything seems to have gone missing, please leave a comment below.</p>\n"
] |
260 | user10319: I recently asked a question (Is there any public and reasonably accurate 3D scan from a Cray-2 computer?) about where to find (if there is any, because I tried and there seems not to be) a 3D model of a specific object I could use as a starting point for printable model and printable parts and it was flagged as off-topic and closed. Has this type of question proved to be troublesome in the past?
user4762: This topic is actually up for debate possibly. I don't personally know if this sort of question has been actually troublesome. I remember your question well and whilst it didn't fit into the scope as it is currently defined, it seemed (IMHO) a reasonable question nevertheless. It was unfortunate that you did not get a suitable answer before your question was closed.
I have include this question in the new meta post about what should and shouldn't be on-topic, Game plan - What is on-topic?.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/260",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/10319/"
] | 2018/04/20 | [
"10319: <p>I recently asked a question (<a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/5699/is-there-any-public-and-reasonably-accurate-3d-scan-from-a-cray-2-computer\">Is there any public and reasonably accurate 3D scan from a Cray-2 computer?</a>) about where to find (if there is any, because I tried and there seems not to be) a 3D model of a specific object I could use as a starting point for printable model and printable parts and it was flagged as off-topic and closed. Has this type of question proved to be troublesome in the past? </p>\n",
"4762: <p>This topic is actually up for debate <em>possibly</em>. I don't personally know if this sort of question has been actually <em>troublesome</em>. I remember your question well and whilst it didn't fit into the scope <em>as it is currently defined</em>, it seemed (IMHO) a reasonable question nevertheless. It was unfortunate that you did not get a suitable answer before your question was closed.</p>\n\n<p>I have include this question in the new meta post about what should and shouldn't be on-topic, <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/276/game-plan-what-is-on-topic\">Game plan - What is on-topic?</a>.</p>\n"
] |
264 | user5740: I can't find an answer to this question on the "mother" meta website; hope this is not related to my choice of words in the search box.
The statistics of the 3D Printing on Area51 show that only few items (questions and visits per day) are not up to par and need work. Do those need to reach a level of let's say "okay" before the site can loose the Beta stage?
I'm interested to know what would be the requirements to get out of the Beta stage.
Update September 5, 2019:
It appears that the "visits per day" is "excellent" with close to three thousand visits. The "questions per day" still lack behind with a 3.0 value ("needs work") while more than 5 is considered "healthy". All further stats seem to be "okay" or "excellent".
user4927: One thing that I noticed about the stats for this site when I first came across it was how high the number of registered users and visits is, compared with the number of active users and questions.
For some time, I felt the site had either picked up some bad stats, or was in the final stages of fading away. I think things are a little more normal now though.
It seems that we still have a bit of a problem with becoming sticky for lots of users. We're at 151 200 rep users (out of 10k), and IoT is at 149 out of 7k, so it seems maybe we're not too far apart. The big difference seems to be the number of views. 1.2k per day on IoT, and 2.8k here (maybe expected since views depend on visibility of the site spreading over time).
Are people really coming here and finding answers to their questions? Are they coming here and asking a single question? Are we on the wrong end of cheap printers with poor support, holding back the really interesting questions?
user4762: This post, 3D Printing SE Beta Status, by tbm0115 highlights the three main sticking points (IMHO clearer than the Area 51 page):
Questions per day
Users vs Reputation
Visits per day
Once those reach the required levels then that should be it. So, there is quite a way to go...
The stats can be seen here, 3D Printing Area51 site:
Stats progress
Note: Only changes are shown (no date information)
Questions per day 2.1 -> 1.9 1.6 2.1 2.7 2.1 1.7 2 2.4 3.0 2.5 3.9 2.8 3.3 3 2.7 2 1.9 2.1 2.2 2.4
Answer rate 96 % -> 93 % 95 % 96 % 97 % 98 % 96 % 95 % 94 % 88 % 87 %
Users
200+ reputation 56/150 -> 103/150 113/150 139/150 144/150 151/150 161/150 164/150 179/150 194/150 282/150* 351/150 358/150 359/150
2,000+ reputation 4/10 -> 8/10 9/10 10/10 11/10 12/10 14/10 17/10 19/10 22/10* 27/10
3,000+ reputation 3/5 -> 4/5 6/5 7/5 8/5 9/5 11/5 12/5* 14/5
Answers per question ratio is 2.0 -> 1.9
Visits per day 753 -> 4 2324 2648 2675 2774 2844 3041 3707 2934 3290 8756 7146 6773 6718 6682 6627 6582 6247 6207 6081 5929 5541 5469
* This change in the number of users with X reputation is, in part, due to the move from +5 to +10 reputation for upvoted questions on 13 Nov 2019 (see also Upvotes on questions will now be worth the same as upvotes on answers).
Alternative Stats presentation
Latest statistic shown in bold -> chronological history shown thereafter
Questions per day 2.4 -> 2.1 1.9 1.6 2.1 2.7 2.1 1.7 2 2.4 3.0 2.5 3.9 2.8 3.3 3 2.7 2 1.9 2.1 2.2
Answer rate 87 % -> 96 % 93 % 95 % 96 % 97 % 98 % 96 % 95 % 94 % 88 %
Users
200+ reputation 359/150 -> 56/150 103/150 113/150 139/150 144/150 151/150 161/150 164/150 179/150 194/150 282/150* 351/150 358/150
2,000+ reputation 27/10 -> 4/10 8/10 9/10 10/10 11/10 12/10 14/10 17/10 19/10 22/10*
3,000+ reputation 14/5 -> 3/5 4/5 6/5 7/5 8/5 9/5 11/5 12/5*
Answers per question ratio is 1.9 -> 2.0
Visits per day 5469 -> 753 4 2324 2648 2675 2774 2844 3041 3707 2934 3290 8756 7146 6773 6718 6682 6627 6582 6247 6207 6081 5929 5541
Additional points of note
The stats above aren't really the be all to end all... there are a few other considerations that I came across here, in this answer, to “Graduation” of this Community:
A number of 10k+ users ( n > 3 ) are required to access mod tools
A number of 3k+ users ( n > 10 ) are required to be able to fully vote
The final hurdle
The main sticking point, according to this meta post on Ethereum, Congratulations! Ethereum is graduating!, is 10 questions per day, which we are a long way from, and seems to be the last remaining issue. A link (Graduation, site closure, and a clearer outlook on the health of SE sites) from the Ethereum meta post to Meta.SE states:
When a site starts to consistently receive 10 questions/day, we’ll consider it for graduation.
No graduation, but losing the Beta label...
Apart from graduation, SE management has recognised that small sites (with an active community) struggle to reach the 10 questions/day consistently. For sites that have been waiting to get out of Beta by graduation for 7-8 years, SE has decided to drop the Beta label. Please see Congratulations to our 29 oldest beta sites - They're now no longer beta!.
CSV Format
Format: heading,data,date,data,date,...,data,date
Date format: YYYYMMDD
*Questions per day*,2.1,20170317,1.9,20180525,1.6,20180705,2.1,20180707,2.7,20180815,2.1,20180903,1.7,20181015,2,20181106,2.4,20190327,3.0,20190905,2.5,20191119,3.9,20210121,2.8,20210411,3.3,20210423,3.3,20210424,3,20210425,3,20210426,2.7,20210427,2,20210506,2,20210508,1.9,20210511,2.1,20210514,2.2,20210525,2.4,20210526
*Answer rate*,96,20170317,93,20180525,95,20180705,96,20180707,96,20180815,97,20180903,98,20181015,98,20181106,96,20190327,95,20190905,94,20191119,88,20210121,88,20210411,88,20210423,88,20210424,88,20210425,88,20210426,88,20210427,88,20210506,88,20210508,87,20210511,87,20210514,87,20210525,87,20210526
*200+ reputation*,56,20170317,103,20180525,113,20180705,139,20180707,144,20180815,151,20180903,161,20181015,164,20181106,179,20190327,194,20190905,282,20191119,351,20210121,358,20210411,358,20210423,358,20210424,358,20210425,358,20210426,358,20210427,358,20210506,358,20210508,358,20210511,358,20210514,359,20210525,359,20210526
*2,000+ reputation*,4,20170317,8,20180525,9,20180705,10,20180707,11,20180815,12,20180903,14,20181015,14,20181106,17,20190327,19,20190905,22,20191119,27,20210121,27,20210411,27,20210423,27,20210424,27,20210425,27,20210426,27,20210427,27,20210506,27,20210508,27,20210511,27,20210514,27,20210525,27,20210526
*3,000+ reputation*,3,20170317,4,20180525,6,20180705,7,20180707,7,20180815,7,20180903,7,20181015,8,20181106,9,20190327,11,20190905,12,20191119,14,20210121,14,20210411,14,20210423,14,20210424,14,20210425,14,20210426,14,20210427,14,20210506,14,20210508,14,20210511,14,20210514,14,20210525,14,20210526
*Answers per question*,2.0,20170317,1.9,20180525,1.9,20180705,1.9,20180707,1.9,20180815,1.9,20180903,1.9,20181015,1.9,20181106,1.9,20190327,1.9,20190905,1.9,20191119,1.9,20210121,1.9,20210411,1.9,20210423,1.9,20210424,1.9,20210425,1.9,20210426,1.9,20210427,1.9,20210506,1.9,20210508,1.9,20210511,1.9,20210514,1.9,20210525,1.9,20210526
*Visits per day*,753,20170317,4,20180525,2324,20180705,2648,20180707,2675,20180815,2774,20180903,2844,20181015,3041,20181106,3707,20190327,2934,20190905,3290,20191119,8756,20210121,7146,20210411,6773,20210423,6718,20210424,6682,20210425,6627,20210426,6582,20210427,6247,20210506,6207,20210508,6081,20210511,5929,20210514,5541,20210525,5469,20210526
Auto-generate markdown lists and CSV: GitLab: SE3DP_PlotterScraper/Area51Scraper.py
Graphical representation
Graph script: GitLab: SE3DP_PlotterScraper/StackExchange3DP_6.py
user11242: Your "vote" is one of the key things. As Jon Ericson pointed out to Mechanics.SE before we graduated and were asking the same question asked here, he stated:
... voting is the engine that drives the reputation economy.
I think Mech had a little different scenario than does 3D Printing, but it still holds true. If you want people to show up and do things, you (and everyone else) needs to vote. Up, down, sideways ... doesn't matter. They all help drive people to do things in every Stack.
Looking at the above link, you can see one of the things which is important to graduation is having the right user base. You have to have people who have the ability to do things which only those who have met the point level can do. As it stands the highest ranked person by point total is Tom van der Zanden. He hasn't (as of this writing) broached 10k points. There are two users who have more than 5k points, and another five who are over 2500. How do you improve this scenario? You guessed it, by voting.
I realize with sub two questions per day (QPD), there's not a lot to vote on. That can be overcome as well. Those of you who have had issues or have met challenges have knowledge. Write down those challenges you've faced in a question. Then, either write an answer for them, or let someone else figure them out. Either way, you are creating opportunity for the site to expand. That opportunity will be giving someone a chance to vote and/or answer the question. Plus, you are doing what SE wants done in the first place: bringing and recording knowledge. It's a win-win.
There's a ton of other things which can be done to get 3D Printing graduated. I'm sure we'll get there sooner or later. I hope I can help in some small way. I'm not the bastion of all knowledge to get a site graduated, that's for sure, but having gone through it with Mechanics gives me some insight.
Here's to the future and what it will bring.
user98: I was running out of space in the comments, so I'm just moving this to a full blown answer.
According to the magic Moderator portal, we should be around 2,350 in visits per day. Also, my post was a little over a year and half ago.
To elaborate on my original post that @Greenonline attributed and reiterate the points:
Accept Answers
I have mentioned the accepted answers issue before as well in a separate post, but there are currently 571 unaccepted-answer questions WITH at least 1 answer available out of 1,467 as of 06/06/2018 11:12pm UTC-7 (Pacific). That's almost 40% of our content ripe for reputation. That equates to 8,565 reputation points just by purely accepting one of the available answers.
I've periodically used the link above to retroactively remind users that they can approve of an answer. There's nothing wrong with reminding users in the comments, so long as it is asked appropriately. If you don't know how to word it, feel free to steal my wording from the post above.
Vote
I'm not the best at remembering to vote, but I typically vote both on the answer(s) that helped me AND the question(s). I think questions easily get overlooked in the voting process, but it does help our newer visitors.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/264",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/5740/"
] | 2018/05/25 | [
"5740: <p>I can't find an answer to this question on the \"mother\" meta website; hope this is not related to my choice of words in the search box. </p>\n\n<p>The statistics of the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/\">3D Printing</a> on <a href=\"http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/82438/3d-printing\">Area51</a> show that only few items (questions and visits per day) are not up to par and need work. Do those need to reach a level of let's say \"okay\" before the site can loose the Beta stage?</p>\n\n<p>I'm interested to know what would be the requirements to get out of the Beta stage.</p>\n\n<hr>\n\n<p>Update September 5, 2019:</p>\n\n<p>It appears that the <em>\"visits per day\"</em> is <em>\"excellent\"</em> with close to three thousand visits. The \"questions per day\" still lack behind with a 3.0 value (<em>\"needs work\"</em>) while more than 5 is considered \"healthy\". All further stats seem to be <em>\"okay\"</em> or <em>\"excellent\"</em>.</p>\n",
"4927: <p>One thing that I noticed about the stats for this site when I first came across it was how high the number of registered users and visits is, compared with the number of active users and questions.</p>\n\n<p>For some time, I felt the site had either picked up some bad stats, or was in the final stages of fading away. I think things are a little more normal now though.</p>\n\n<p>It seems that we still have a bit of a problem with becoming sticky for lots of users. We're at 151 200 rep users (out of 10k), and <a href=\"https://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/94224/internet-of-things\">IoT</a> is at 149 out of 7k, so it seems maybe we're not too far apart. The big difference seems to be the number of views. 1.2k per day on IoT, and 2.8k here (maybe expected since views depend on visibility of the site spreading over time).</p>\n\n<p>Are people really coming here and finding answers to their questions? Are they coming here and asking a single question? Are we on the wrong end of cheap printers with poor support, holding back the really interesting questions?</p>\n",
"4762: <p>This post, <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/197/3d-printing-se-beta-status\">3D Printing SE Beta Status</a>, by tbm0115 highlights the <em>three main</em> sticking points (IMHO clearer than the Area 51 page):</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Questions per day</li>\n<li><strike>Users vs Reputation</strike></li>\n<li><strike>Visits per day</strike></li>\n</ul>\n<p>Once those reach the required levels then that should be it. So, there is quite a way to go...</p>\n<p>The stats can be seen here, <a href=\"http://area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/82438/3d-printing\">3D Printing Area51 site</a>:</p>\n<h3>Stats progress</h3>\n<p>Note: Only <em>changes</em> are shown (no date information)</p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Questions per day</em> <strike><strong>2.1</strong></strike> -> <strike>1.9</strike> <strike>1.6</strike> <strike>2.1</strike> <strike>2.7</strike> <strike>2.1</strike> <strike>1.7</strike> <strike>2</strike> <strike>2.4</strike> <strike>3.0</strike> <strike>2.5</strike> <strike>3.9</strike> <strike>2.8</strike> <strike>3.3</strike> <strike>3</strike> <strike>2.7</strike> <strike>2</strike> <strike>1.9</strike> <strike>2.1</strike> <strike>2.2</strike> 2.4</li>\n<li><em>Answer rate</em> <strike><strong>96 %</strong></strike> -> <strike>93 %</strike> <strike>95 %</strike> <strike>96 %</strike> <strike>97 %</strike> <strike>98 %</strike> <strike>96 %</strike> <strike>95 %</strike> <strike>94 %</strike> <strike>88 %</strike> 87 %</li>\n<li><em>Users</em>\n<ul>\n<li><em>200+ reputation</em> <strike><strong>56/150</strong></strike> -> <strike>103/150</strike> <strike>113/150</strike> <strike>139/150</strike> <strike>144/150</strike> <strike>151/150</strike> <strike>161/150</strike> <strike>164/150</strike> <strike>179/150</strike> <strike>194/150</strike> <strike>282/150</strike><sup>*</sup> <strike>351/150</strike> <strike>358/150</strike> 359/150</li>\n<li><em>2,000+ reputation</em> <strike><strong>4/10</strong></strike> -> <strike>8/10</strike> <strike>9/10</strike> <strike>10/10</strike> <strike>11/10</strike> <strike>12/10</strike> <strike>14/10</strike> <strike>17/10</strike> <strike>19/10</strike> <strike>22/10</strike><sup>*</sup> 27/10</li>\n<li><em>3,000+ reputation</em> <strike><strong>3/5</strong></strike> -> <strike>4/5</strike> <strike>6/5</strike> <strike>7/5</strike> <strike>8/5</strike> <strike>9/5</strike> <strike>11/5</strike> <strike>12/5</strike><sup>*</sup> 14/5</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li><em>Answers per question</em> ratio is <strike><strong>2.0</strong></strike> -> 1.9</li>\n<li><em>Visits per day</em> <strike><strong>753</strong></strike> -> <strike>4</strike> <strike>2324</strike> <strike>2648</strike> <strike>2675</strike> <strike>2774</strike> <strike>2844</strike> <strike>3041</strike> <strike>3707</strike> <strike>2934</strike> <strike>3290</strike> <strike>8756</strike> <strike>7146</strike> <strike>6773</strike> <strike>6718</strike> <strike>6682</strike> <strike>6627</strike> <strike>6582</strike> <strike>6247</strike> <strike>6207</strike> <strike>6081</strike> <strike>5929</strike> <strike>5541</strike> 5469</li>\n</ul>\n<p><sup>*</sup> This change in the number of users with <em>X</em> reputation is, in part, due to the move from +5 to +10 reputation for upvoted questions on <a href=\"https://stackoverflow.blog/2019/11/13/were-rewarding-the-question-askers/\">13 Nov 2019</a> (see also <a href=\"https://meta.stackoverflow.com/q/391250/4424636\">Upvotes on questions will now be worth the same as upvotes on answers</a>).</p>\n<hr />\n<h3>Alternative Stats presentation</h3>\n<p>Latest statistic shown in bold -> chronological history shown thereafter</p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Questions per day</em> <strong>2.4</strong> -> <strike>2.1</strike> <strike>1.9</strike> <strike>1.6</strike> <strike>2.1</strike> <strike>2.7</strike> <strike>2.1</strike> <strike>1.7</strike> <strike>2</strike> <strike>2.4</strike> <strike>3.0</strike> <strike>2.5</strike> <strike>3.9</strike> <strike>2.8</strike> <strike>3.3</strike> <strike>3</strike> <strike>2.7</strike> <strike>2</strike> <strike>1.9</strike> <strike>2.1</strike> <strike>2.2</strike></li>\n<li><em>Answer rate</em> <strong>87 %</strong> -> <strike>96 %</strike> <strike>93 %</strike> <strike>95 %</strike> <strike>96 %</strike> <strike>97 %</strike> <strike>98 %</strike> <strike>96 %</strike> <strike>95 %</strike> <strike>94 %</strike> <strike>88 %</strike></li>\n<li><em>Users</em>\n<ul>\n<li><em>200+ reputation</em> <strong>359/150</strong> -> <strike>56/150</strike> <strike>103/150</strike> <strike>113/150</strike> <strike>139/150</strike> <strike>144/150</strike> <strike>151/150</strike> <strike>161/150</strike> <strike>164/150</strike> <strike>179/150</strike> <strike>194/150</strike> <strike>282/150</strike><sup>*</sup> <strike>351/150</strike> <strike>358/150</strike></li>\n<li><em>2,000+ reputation</em> <strong>27/10</strong> -> <strike>4/10</strike> <strike>8/10</strike> <strike>9/10</strike> <strike>10/10</strike> <strike>11/10</strike> <strike>12/10</strike> <strike>14/10</strike> <strike>17/10</strike> <strike>19/10</strike> <strike>22/10</strike><sup>*</sup></li>\n<li><em>3,000+ reputation</em> <strong>14/5</strong> -> <strike>3/5</strike> <strike>4/5</strike> <strike>6/5</strike> <strike>7/5</strike> <strike>8/5</strike> <strike>9/5</strike> <strike>11/5</strike> <strike>12/5</strike><sup>*</sup></li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li><em>Answers per question</em> ratio is <strong>1.9</strong> -> <strike>2.0</strike></li>\n<li><em>Visits per day</em> <strong>5469</strong> -> <strike>753</strike> <strike>4</strike> <strike>2324</strike> <strike>2648</strike> <strike>2675</strike> <strike>2774</strike> <strike>2844</strike> <strike>3041</strike> <strike>3707</strike> <strike>2934</strike> <strike>3290</strike> <strike>8756</strike> <strike>7146</strike> <strike>6773</strike> <strike>6718</strike> <strike>6682</strike> <strike>6627</strike> <strike>6582</strike> <strike>6247</strike> <strike>6207</strike> <strike>6081</strike> <strike>5929</strike> <strike>5541</strike></li>\n</ul>\n<hr />\n<h3>Additional points of note</h3>\n<p>The stats above aren't really the be all to end all... there are a few other considerations that I came across here, <a href=\"https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/1354/graduation-of-this-community/1355#1355\">in this answer</a>, to <a href=\"https://robotics.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/1354/graduation-of-this-community\">“Graduation” of this Community</a>:</p>\n<ol>\n<li>A number of 10k+ users ( <em>n</em> > 3 ) are required to access mod tools</li>\n<li>A number of 3k+ users ( <em>n</em> > 10 ) are required to be able to fully vote</li>\n</ol>\n<h3>The final hurdle</h3>\n<p>The main sticking point, according to this meta post on Ethereum, <a href=\"https://ethereum.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/474/congratulations-ethereum-is-graduating\">Congratulations! Ethereum is graduating!</a>, is 10 questions per day, which we are a long way from, and seems to be the last remaining issue. A link (<a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/257614/graduation-site-closure-and-a-clearer-outlook-on-the-health-of-se-sites\">Graduation, site closure, and a clearer outlook on the health of SE sites</a>) from the Ethereum meta post to Meta.SE states:</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>When a site starts to consistently receive 10 questions/day, we’ll consider it for graduation.</p>\n</blockquote>\n<h3>No graduation, but losing the Beta label...</h3>\n<p>Apart from graduation, SE management has recognised that small sites (with an active community) struggle to reach the 10 questions/day consistently. For sites that have been waiting to get out of Beta by graduation for 7-8 years, SE has decided to drop the Beta label. Please see <a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/331708/congratulations-to-our-29-oldest-beta-sites-theyre-now-no-longer-beta?cb=1\">Congratulations to our 29 oldest beta sites - They're now no longer beta!</a>.</p>\n<hr />\n<h3>CSV Format</h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Format: <code>heading,data,date,data,date,...,data,date</code></li>\n<li>Date format: <code>YYYYMMDD</code></li>\n</ul>\n<pre><code>*Questions per day*,2.1,20170317,1.9,20180525,1.6,20180705,2.1,20180707,2.7,20180815,2.1,20180903,1.7,20181015,2,20181106,2.4,20190327,3.0,20190905,2.5,20191119,3.9,20210121,2.8,20210411,3.3,20210423,3.3,20210424,3,20210425,3,20210426,2.7,20210427,2,20210506,2,20210508,1.9,20210511,2.1,20210514,2.2,20210525,2.4,20210526\n*Answer rate*,96,20170317,93,20180525,95,20180705,96,20180707,96,20180815,97,20180903,98,20181015,98,20181106,96,20190327,95,20190905,94,20191119,88,20210121,88,20210411,88,20210423,88,20210424,88,20210425,88,20210426,88,20210427,88,20210506,88,20210508,87,20210511,87,20210514,87,20210525,87,20210526\n*200+ reputation*,56,20170317,103,20180525,113,20180705,139,20180707,144,20180815,151,20180903,161,20181015,164,20181106,179,20190327,194,20190905,282,20191119,351,20210121,358,20210411,358,20210423,358,20210424,358,20210425,358,20210426,358,20210427,358,20210506,358,20210508,358,20210511,358,20210514,359,20210525,359,20210526\n*2,000+ reputation*,4,20170317,8,20180525,9,20180705,10,20180707,11,20180815,12,20180903,14,20181015,14,20181106,17,20190327,19,20190905,22,20191119,27,20210121,27,20210411,27,20210423,27,20210424,27,20210425,27,20210426,27,20210427,27,20210506,27,20210508,27,20210511,27,20210514,27,20210525,27,20210526\n*3,000+ reputation*,3,20170317,4,20180525,6,20180705,7,20180707,7,20180815,7,20180903,7,20181015,8,20181106,9,20190327,11,20190905,12,20191119,14,20210121,14,20210411,14,20210423,14,20210424,14,20210425,14,20210426,14,20210427,14,20210506,14,20210508,14,20210511,14,20210514,14,20210525,14,20210526\n*Answers per question*,2.0,20170317,1.9,20180525,1.9,20180705,1.9,20180707,1.9,20180815,1.9,20180903,1.9,20181015,1.9,20181106,1.9,20190327,1.9,20190905,1.9,20191119,1.9,20210121,1.9,20210411,1.9,20210423,1.9,20210424,1.9,20210425,1.9,20210426,1.9,20210427,1.9,20210506,1.9,20210508,1.9,20210511,1.9,20210514,1.9,20210525,1.9,20210526\n*Visits per day*,753,20170317,4,20180525,2324,20180705,2648,20180707,2675,20180815,2774,20180903,2844,20181015,3041,20181106,3707,20190327,2934,20190905,3290,20191119,8756,20210121,7146,20210411,6773,20210423,6718,20210424,6682,20210425,6627,20210426,6582,20210427,6247,20210506,6207,20210508,6081,20210511,5929,20210514,5541,20210525,5469,20210526\n</code></pre>\n<p>Auto-generate markdown lists and CSV: <a href=\"https://gitlab.com/testkins/se3dp_plotterscraper\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">GitLab: SE3DP_PlotterScraper</a>/<a href=\"https://gitlab.com/testkins/se3dp_plotterscraper/-/blob/master/Area51Scraper.py\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">Area51Scraper.py</a></p>\n<hr />\n<h3>Graphical representation</h3>\n<p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/MYOoT.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\" title=\"Graph of stats\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/MYOoT.png\" alt=\"Graph of stats\" title=\"Graph of stats\" /></a></p>\n<p>Graph script: <a href=\"https://gitlab.com/testkins/se3dp_plotterscraper\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">GitLab: SE3DP_PlotterScraper</a>/<a href=\"https://gitlab.com/testkins/se3dp_plotterscraper/-/blob/master/StackExchange3DP_6.py\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">StackExchange3DP_6.py</a></p>\n",
"11242: <p>Your \"vote\" is one of the key things. As Jon Ericson pointed out to Mechanics.SE before we graduated and were asking the same question asked here, he stated:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p><a href=\"https://mechanics.meta.stackexchange.com/q/1447/4152\"><em>... voting is the engine that drives the reputation economy</em></a>. </p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>I think Mech had a little different scenario than does 3D Printing, but it still holds true. If you want people to show up and do things, you (and everyone else) needs to vote. Up, down, sideways ... doesn't matter. They all help drive people to <em>do things</em> in every Stack.</p>\n\n<p>Looking at the above link, you can see one of the things which is important to graduation is having the right user base. You have to have people who have the ability to do things which only those who have met the point level can do. As it stands the highest ranked person by point total is <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/26/tom-van-der-zanden\">Tom van der Zanden</a>. He hasn't (as of this writing) broached 10k points. There are two users who have more than 5k points, and another five who are over 2500. How do you improve this scenario? You guessed it, by voting. </p>\n\n<p>I realize with sub two questions per day (QPD), there's not a lot to vote on. That can be overcome as well. Those of you who have had issues or have met challenges have knowledge. Write down those challenges you've faced in a question. Then, either write an answer for them, or let someone else figure them out. Either way, you are creating opportunity for the site to expand. That opportunity will be giving someone a chance to vote and/or answer the question. Plus, you are doing what SE wants done in the first place: <em>bringing and recording knowledge</em>. It's a win-win.</p>\n\n<p>There's a ton of other things which can be done to get 3D Printing graduated. I'm sure we'll get there sooner or later. I hope I can help in some small way. I'm not the bastion of all knowledge to get a site graduated, that's for sure, but having gone through it with Mechanics gives me some insight.</p>\n\n<p>Here's to the future and what it will bring.</p>\n",
"98: <p>I was running out of space in the comments, so I'm just moving this to a full blown answer.</p>\n<p>According to the <em>magic Moderator portal</em>, we should be around 2,350 in visits per day. Also, my post was a little over a year and half ago.</p>\n<p>To elaborate on my original post that @Greenonline attributed and reiterate the points:</p>\n<h1>Accept Answers</h1>\n<p>I have mentioned the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/174/accepting-unanswered-questions\">accepted answers issue</a> before as well in a separate post, but there are currently <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/search?q=hasaccepted%3Ano%20answers%3A1\">571 unaccepted-answer questions WITH at least 1 answer available</a> out of 1,467 as of 06/06/2018 11:12pm UTC-7 (Pacific). That's almost <strong>40%</strong> of our content ripe for reputation. That equates to <strong>8,565 reputation</strong> points just by purely accepting one of the available answers.</p>\n<p>I've periodically used the link above to retroactively remind users that they can approve of an answer. There's nothing wrong with reminding users in the comments, so long as it is asked appropriately. If you don't know how to word it, feel free to steal my wording from the post above.</p>\n<h1>Vote</h1>\n<p>I'm not the best at remembering to vote, but I typically vote both on the answer(s) that helped me AND the question(s). I think questions easily get overlooked in the voting process, but it does help our newer visitors.</p>\n"
] |
266 | user4762: With respect to this question, How can you both reliably print and remove your item without breaking it when detatching it?, the OP rightly states the following:
ps. I didn't find (and I can't make one), for what I think would be, the correct tag(s) for this post. Please forgive me.
Does anyone have a good suggestion regarding this? Should the question be re-tagged? Is a new tag even required?
The question is currently tagged under print-quality and bed-leveling. Are these sufficient? They don't really seem appropriate. Is there an already existing tag that would fit?
I thought of tag:object removal, tag:print removal or bed scrapping, but they all sound a bit off (except, maybe, for print-removal). What is the technical term (if there is one), for those in the know, for this activity?
user9730: imho that could be a post-processing category/tag.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/266",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/4762/"
] | 2018/06/04 | [
"4762: <p>With respect to this question, <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/6041/how-can-you-both-reliably-print-and-remove-your-item-without-breaking-it-when-de\">How can you both reliably print and remove your item without breaking it when detatching it?</a>, the OP rightly states the following:</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>ps. I didn't find (and I can't make one), for what I think would be, the correct tag(s) for this post. Please forgive me.</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>Does anyone have a good suggestion regarding this? Should the question be re-tagged? Is a new tag even required? </p>\n\n<p>The question is currently tagged under <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/print-quality\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'print-quality'\" rel=\"tag\">print-quality</a> and <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/bed-leveling\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'bed-leveling'\" rel=\"tag\">bed-leveling</a>. Are these sufficient? They don't really seem appropriate. Is there an already existing tag that would fit?</p>\n\n<p>I thought of <code>tag:object removal</code>, <code>tag:print removal</code> or <code>bed scrapping</code>, but they all sound a bit off (except, maybe, for <em>print-removal</em>). What is the technical term (if there is one), for those in the know, for this activity? </p>\n",
"9730: <p>imho that could be a <code>post-processing</code> category/tag.</p>\n"
] |
270 | user4762: What is the difference between post-production and post-processing, or are they synonyms? Should they be merged?1
post-production has no description whatsoever.
After looking at What are tag synonyms and merged tags? How do they work?, We can make post-processing the master and post-production the slave synonym. This would seem to be a logical relationship given the number of questions tagged respectively. This relationship can be easily removed, if deemed to be incorrect.
If, after some time, everyone is happy with this arrangement, then the two will be merged.
Does that sound like a plan and does anyone have any objections..?
1 This question was moved from my answer to Naming convention for tags with CamelCase or Pre-Fix
user98: These are NOT the same in a manufacturing, which 3D printing is primarily considered a part of.
Post-Processing typically refers to additional steps that must/can be done to produce the nominally desired part. These steps can include deburr, grind, and other additive/subtractive processing on the physical part.
Post-Production typically refers to any steps that typically do not "produce" or alter the dimensions of the product. These steps can include final visual and dimensional inspection, packaging, and sometimes even shipment.
I would not recommend creating a synonym, but merely updating the definition of both terms.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/270",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/4762/"
] | 2018/06/06 | [
"4762: <p>What is the difference between <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/post-production\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'post-production'\" rel=\"tag\">post-production</a> and <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/post-processing\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'post-processing'\" rel=\"tag\">post-processing</a>, or are they synonyms? Should they be merged?<sup>1</sup></p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/post-production\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'post-production'\" rel=\"tag\">post-production</a> has no description whatsoever.</p>\n\n<p>After looking at <a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/70710/what-are-tag-synonyms-and-merged-tags-how-do-they-work\">What are tag synonyms and merged tags? How do they work?</a>, We can make <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/post-processing\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'post-processing'\" rel=\"tag\">post-processing</a> the master and <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/post-production\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'post-production'\" rel=\"tag\">post-production</a> the slave <strong>synonym</strong>. This would seem to be a logical relationship given the number of questions tagged respectively. This relationship can be easily removed, if deemed to be incorrect.</p>\n\n<p>If, after some time, everyone is happy with this arrangement, then the two will be <strong>merged</strong>.</p>\n\n<p>Does that sound like a plan and does anyone have any objections..?</p>\n\n<hr>\n\n<p><sup>1</sup> This question was moved from my answer to <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/151/naming-convention-for-tags-with-camelcase-or-pre-fix#answer-269\">Naming convention for tags with CamelCase or Pre-Fix</a></p>\n",
"98: <p>These are <strong>NOT</strong> the same in a manufacturing, which 3D printing is primarily considered a part of.</p>\n\n<p>Post-Processing typically refers to additional steps that must/can be done to produce the nominally desired part. These steps can include deburr, grind, and other additive/subtractive processing on the physical part.</p>\n\n<p>Post-Production typically refers to any steps that typically do not \"produce\" or alter the dimensions of the product. These steps can include final visual and dimensional inspection, packaging, and sometimes even shipment.</p>\n\n<p>I would not recommend creating a synonym, but merely updating the definition of both terms.</p>\n"
] |
274 | user4762: This answer, from a new user, to the question, Anet A8 reading 739°C from the extruder thermistor!, quite clearly should have been posted as a question and referred back to the OPs question. The answer appears to have been provided by Toonis, in a comment.
Any idea as to how an answer can be converted to question, and then have the comment converted to an answer - without having to resort to the poster of the answer delete the answer and have them re-post it as a question, and then get Toonis to submit an answer?
Obviously, mods do not have a big magic button to do this automatically... and it would seem that we have to delete it, and ask the new user to post a new question. See also Is it acceptable to post questions to the OP as an answer?
user98: I think the way to go would be to migrate the answer (and its comments) to comments of the question.
As for Toonis' answer in the comment. I don't think that there is a way to create an answer for someone else. Functionality like that could be abused to achieve higher reputation. It's up to Toonis to create his/her own answer.
However, it is seen site-wide where users will create an answer attributing to the comment of another user. I think it is unspoken law that you remove your answer if the user ever creates their own answer. Ultimately, there are some users that just don't care about the reputation, so they would prefer to use the comments instead.
So, don't be afraid to create your own answer off of someone else's comments. Having explicit answers in the system will only make our site stronger.
Hit me up on The Heat Element chatroom (specifically for 3D Printing Mods) and I can walk you through these steps.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/274",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/4762/"
] | 2018/06/10 | [
"4762: <p><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/5097/anet-a8-reading-739c-from-the-extruder-thermistor#answer-6143\">This answer</a>, from a new user, to the question, <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/5097/anet-a8-reading-739c-from-the-extruder-thermistor\">Anet A8 reading 739°C from the extruder thermistor!</a>, quite clearly should have been posted as a question and referred back to the OPs question. The answer appears to have been provided by <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/5097/anet-a8-reading-739c-from-the-extruder-thermistor#comment9139_6143\">Toonis, in a comment</a>. </p>\n\n<p>Any idea as to how an answer can be converted to question, and then have the comment converted to an answer - without having to resort to the poster of the answer delete the answer and have them re-post it as a question, and then get Toonis to submit an answer?</p>\n\n<p>Obviously, mods do not have a <a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/19288/how-to-stop-the-question-as-an-answer-problem#answer-19289\">big magic button</a> to do this automatically... and it would seem that <a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/25752/official-policy-on-questions-posted-as-answers#answer-25760\">we have to delete it</a>, and ask the new user to post a <em>new</em> question. See also <a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/68529/is-it-acceptable-to-post-questions-to-the-op-as-an-answer\">Is it acceptable to post questions to the OP as an answer?</a></p>\n",
"98: <p>I think the way to go would be to migrate the answer (and its comments) to comments of the question.</p>\n\n<p>As for Toonis' answer in the comment. I don't think that there is a way to create an answer for someone else. Functionality like that could be abused to achieve higher reputation. It's up to Toonis to create his/her own answer.</p>\n\n<p>However, it is seen site-wide where users will create an answer attributing to the comment of another user. I think it is unspoken law that you remove your answer if the user ever creates their own answer. Ultimately, there are some users that just don't care about the reputation, so they would prefer to use the comments instead.</p>\n\n<p>So, don't be afraid to create your own answer off of someone else's comments. Having explicit answers in the system will only make our site stronger.</p>\n\n<p>Hit me up on <a href=\"https://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/49795/the-heat-element\">The Heat Element</a> chatroom (specifically for 3D Printing Mods) and I can walk you through these steps.</p>\n"
] |
276 | user4762: Please note; Due to its very nature, this post is very subjective and is not intended to be a definitive list of categories. It is merely an attempt to offer one perspective of what has been suggested, and to ask "How should we move forward?"
Sometimes it is a bit hard to see the wood for the trees...
Following on from tjb1's meta post, Post Closing Issues, it seems like we should widen the scope and be less strict about what is, and what is not, on-topic. What do people think? What additions, if any, should be made? Are there things that definitely should be on the list, that aren't currently?
So, with respect to our On-topic page, which needs updating, in order to get an idea of what people have been asking ("why has my question been closed?"/"why is X not allowed"), I've gone through the Meta questions and come up with a list of questions that mentioned the words "ask" and "topic". I then pulled out the questions relating to specifically what types of questions can/can't be asked.
A number of them seem to be able to be labeled as duplicates (inasmuch as they asked more or less the same thing), and so I have attempted to group them according to their suggestion request. The full list is at the bottom of this post.
Even though I went through both lists twice - also, I didn't read every question and answer listed below fully - there may be some suggestions that I have missed. Please feel free to either suggest a change, or edit this post directly and add any that have gone astray (in that respect, maybe this question should be a wiki?).
Whilst we maybe don't want to change the aim of the site too much (as doing so may put off some regular users), maybe the scope needs to broaden slightly, as to have a wider appeal and be more inclusive.
BTW, a useful post to read is What should our documentation contain?
Any thoughts, questions, additional suggestions that have not already been posted, agreements, or disagreements?
Update
The list below was integrated into the on-topics page, on the 8th June 2019. See On-topic has been updated - finally! for further discussion.
TL;DR - Suggested topics
In the list below,
Italics are used for notes
Strikethrough is used for definitive no-go topics
Whilst there may be some overlap, duplication and/or mis-categorisation, the list of suggested on-topics seems to be, essentially:
Recommendations (Hardware and Software)
Note: Usually banned from SE - with the exception of Hardware Recommendations
General Shopping - opinion based
First printer - opinion based, see "Best first printer" wiki/blog/closed-question
Best printer
Overall - opinion based
For specific task - opinion based but allowable, although speed as a task is in a very grey area... this question Fastest FDM printer? was closed for being opinion-based
Best software
Overall - opinion based
For a specific task - opinion based but allowable
Software issues
Firmware
Tools
Coding/Compiling firmware (see Misc - Coding)
3D modelling (same as CAD?)
Websites (could come under Software and/or Tools)
Recommended sites
for knowledge
for models
for online tools
Issues with web based tools
CAD
Needs to show relevancy to 3D printing! (See Meta questions)
Overlap with SE.Blender?
Printer DIY
Repair and maintenance (both commercial and DIY repair of both commercial and DIY printers)
Construction
Mechatronics
Components (could come under Printer DIY)
Thermistors is a good example, see note 1 below
Help and Recommendations
Electronics
Printer related electronics
Common electronic gotchas
Print Services
Scanning
Also 3D Reconstruction (example)
Software (example)
Bio-printing
3D Models
Feasibility
Availability
Sharing recommended settings
Legal issues
Copyright (i.e. Lego)
Guns/Weapons
Insurance (i.e. fire damage)
Manufacturers
Best manufacturer - opinion based
Materials
Filament
ABS
PLA
PETG
etc.
Makerspaces
Medical
Materials for medical use
Medical quality printing
Medical applications for 3D printed objects
Health
Closely related, and may overlap with safety
Safety
Fumes
Print material suitability for foodstuffs
Non-3D Printing related
CNC (example), (example)
Laser (example)
Routers
Vacuum Forming
Parts assembly (example)
Misc
Not strictly 3D related, see Non-3D Printing related above
Anything 3D related
Connecting 3D printed parts - For example, connecting 3D printed parts is currently off-topic2
Coding - For example How to build my own Cura GUI? - Coding Ultimaker Cura question, migrated to SO3
Other
FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication)
FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)
SLA (Stereo Lithography)
DLP (Digital Light Processing)
SLS (Selective Laser Sintering)
DLMS (Direct Laser Metal Smelting)
Notes
Admittedly, there will be overlap with some other SE sites and whilst we need to avoid the too-broad-black-hole, we should also welcome all things that are 3D Printer related, so as to keep all relevant knowledge in a central location.
1 WRT Components, and taking the thermistors meta question as an example, my first thought is that questions like this should remain, as they are pertinent to 3D Printing, otherwise we could theoretically end up compartmentalising printers and migrating off a lot of stuff to SE. Electronics, SE.Engineering, SE.Hardware Recommendations, etc.
2 The same applies to the Misc/Anything 3D related, in particular the Connecting 3D parts question. Yes, as some of the comments state, you could remove the 3D printer part and then it is basically an engineering question. However, when taken as a whole, this question is pertinent to 3D printing of large models, in parts.
3 Also under Misc/Anything 3D related, Coding Ultimaker Cura is a SO type question, but it is also 3D printer specific
Additional suggestions in the future
Instead of posting a new question, it might be a good idea to post an additional answer, containing the suggestion, to this question - in order to keep everything grouped together. This will save on the pain of having to go through all of the Meta questions as I have just done.
However, that might mean that the suggestion request would not have such prominence that it would do if the suggestion was posted independently as its own question... So (at the risk of duplication), if a new question/suggestion is posted, then it could be a good idea to also copy that new post and add it as an answer below.
Meta Suggestions
These are the meta questions that I used to create the categories above:
ask - 89 questions in total
General scope questions
What should our documentation contain?
What is our scope?
What is your opinion on SE Meta post regarding questions that cross Community lines?
How do we get more traffic to the site?
What should our documentation contain?
Recommendations
Ask about recommendation
Is a novice question on a specific printer allowed?
How do we handle recommendations?
Discussions type: X 3d printer is good? are acceptable
Is there any way to prevent endless "best first printer" posts?
Ask about recommendation
Another approach to solving "purchase" questions
Software
Is a question about software to create models on-topic?
Software Suggestion
Software Suggestion Question
Questions about software and websites?
Are software recommendation questions allowed here? - not in the ask list, but relevant here
CAD
The fine line between 3d and CAD
Followup: CAD Questions - Review
Misc
Are questions that tangentially involve 3D printing on topic?
Hobbyist Machine questions On-Topic?
Generalized questions allowed?
FFF/FDM vs... everything else?
FDM printer that can also mill and engrave -- what's in scope?
CNC
Wondering why CNC questions in general are not welcome here
Printer not working:
How to handle "Why is in't my printer working?!" questions
What about mystery-problem troubleshooting requests?
Repairing 3D printer
Discovering 3D Printing
null
Print services
Are questions from people who lack knowledge of 3D printing looking to discover how to have something printed on-topic?
Are Questions about Online 3-D printing services allowed?
Model Feasibility
Is 3D Printing SE appropriate for getting feedback on feasibility of a model?
Model Availability
Are questions about availability of 3D models on-topic?
Scanning
Does this reworded question meet the SE requirements?
Bio Printing
Bio-Printing Questions Okay?
What is our scope? - not in the ask list, but relevant here
on-topic - 56 questions in total
Sharing Settings through out the community
Are questions about sharing settings On Topic?
Printer construction - DIY
Are questions discussing printer construction, internals, and firmware on-topic here?
Legal issues
Are questions involving legal issues and 3D printing on-topic?
Closing questions about knock-off printers
Filament/Materials
Why are you voting to close this question?
Could this Printing Material Recommendation Question be or shaped to be valid on 3D SE? - not in the on-topic list, but relevant here
Laser
Adding a 'laser' tag?
Is laser etching, specifically a question linked below, considered to be on topic?
Thermistors
Why was the question about thermistors migrated?
Makerspaces
Questions about Makerspaces and 3-D Printers?
Mechatronics
What is our scope? - not in the on-topic list, but relevant here
Actual questions (not meta)
Closed - 73 questions in total
how to build own cura gui? - Coding Ultimaker Cura question, migrated to SO: How to build own Cura GUI?
What is the best way to connect 3D printed parts? - General Mechanical issue
Interesting project for a child - Opinion based, but it was a HNQ
Scanning
Is there any public and reasonably accurate 3D scan from a Cray-2 computer?
Laser
laser is engraving the negative space
Legal
3D printer part clones from china - legality
Recommendations
Fastest FDM printer?
Deleted
Understand and developing firmware - IDE help - Setting up a development environment
What's the least amount of money I can spend to get a decent printer? - Shopping
Designing a Safe and Crush-proof Pokemon playing card box using a 3D Super-Elipsoid - Migrated to Engineering: Designing a Safe and Crush-proof Pokemon playing card box using a 3D Super-Elipsoid
Resources on getting horus/ciclop scanners to work?
user4922: I propose that we add Direct Ink Writing (DIW) and Melt Electro-Writing (MEW) to the list of on-topic subjects at https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/help/on-topic
Direct Ink Writing:
Direct-Ink-Writing (DIW) is an extrusion-based additive manufacturing method heavily utilized in meso- and micro-scales. In DIW, the liquid-phase “ink” is dispensed out of small nozzles under controlled flow rates and deposited along digitally defined paths to fabricate 3D structures layer-by-layer.
Melt Electro-Writing
MEW utilizes an electric field uniquely coupled with AM technology for the controlled deposition of a molten polymer jet, which rapidly solidifies into a fiber. These submicron fibers can be consistently laid on top of each other, resulting in the ability to direct-write complex and multi-scaled architectures and structures, and overcoming the resolution challenge that a majority of other additive manufacturing technologies encounter.
My request to have these additive manufacturing techniques added to the list of on-topic subjects is driven by the facts that:
These are valid Additive Manufacturing processes; and
The company for which I work, Hyrel 3D, has customers (mostly at universities) using these processes.
user4927: A couple of points:
Asking for a machine to solve a specific problem, or software which can do something 'specific' is not really a shopping question, so long as the question is asked in the right way. We do need to avoid subjective questions, but sometimes this can be the result of a misunderstanding (i.e. find me a non-CN supplier of this budget Chinese printer {which also seems to be a decent product}).
Topics which bridge into something like Electronics can be useful because the field is very large, and EE.SE makes an assumption of near degree level expertise. Useful answers here could be more 'off the shelf' routes to achieving what could potentially be fairly 'textbook' to someone with the right background.
Same with making trivial changes to firmware, using a complex software tool for a trivial task, etc. If the task is common, relevant and bounded then a 'hand-holding' answer here will be much more valuable/findable than pushing questioners to a more specific site. Once people move from trivial use of these tools they may well end up needing to self-educate before they reach a point that EE.SE, or SO will accept their questions.
We're at a difficult point between a mass market consumer product, and emerging tech. The IoT site has similar challenges.
user10684: I pondered this question a while ago and tried to come up with a coherent and minimalistic strategy. This would be my suggestion, as to what is on-topic or off-topic:
So, basically, on-topic would follow the formula:
(formingMethod == additive OR substractive) AND (instrument == machine)
Off-topic would have the formula:
(formingMethod == transformative) OR (scale == mass) OR (instrument == human)
This is just my suggestion and I invite everyone to put forward their argument, if they think, that a better strategy or community can be created, if the boundaries are to be moved or the criteria re-defined.
Vacuum forming on an individual/batch scale, for example, would be a topic, that is close to the other "green fields". If we want vacuum forming to be on-topic, we would have to give up the "transformative" criteria. I'm sure, there are other points like this.
I also assume, such a strategy would have to be adapted in the future, when these methods have either matured, have been adopted by the masses, or other methods have been discovered.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/276",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/4762/"
] | 2018/06/13 | [
"4762: <p><em>Please note; Due to its very nature, this post is very subjective and is <strong>not</strong> intended to be a definitive list of categories. It is merely an attempt to offer one perspective of what has been suggested, and to ask "How should we move forward?"</em></p>\n<hr />\n<p>Sometimes it is a bit hard to see the wood for the trees...</p>\n<p>Following on from tjb1's meta post, <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/134/post-closing-issues\">Post Closing Issues</a>, it seems like we should widen the scope and be less strict about what is, and what is not, on-topic. What do people think? What additions, if any, should be made? Are there things that definitely should be on the list, that aren't currently?</p>\n<p>So, with respect to our <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/help/on-topic\">On-topic page</a>, which needs updating, in order to get an idea of what people have been asking ("why has my question been closed?"/"why is X not allowed"), I've gone through the Meta questions and come up with a list of questions that mentioned the words "<a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/search?q=ask\">ask</a>" and "<a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/search?q=topic\">topic</a>". I then pulled out the questions relating to specifically what types of questions can/can't be asked.</p>\n<p>A number of them seem to be able to be labeled as duplicates (inasmuch as they asked more or less the same thing), and so I have attempted to group them according to their suggestion request. The full list is at the bottom of this post.</p>\n<p>Even though I went through both lists twice - also, I didn't read <em>every</em> question and answer listed below fully - <em>there may be some suggestions that I have missed</em>. Please feel free to either suggest a change, or edit this post directly and add any that have gone astray (in that respect, maybe this question should be a wiki?).</p>\n<p>Whilst we maybe don't want to change the aim of the site too much (as doing so may put off some regular users), maybe the scope needs to broaden slightly, as to have a wider appeal and be more <em>inclusive</em>.</p>\n<p>BTW, a useful post to read is <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/6/what-should-our-documentation-contain\">What should our documentation contain?</a></p>\n<p>Any thoughts, questions, additional suggestions that have not already been posted, agreements, or disagreements?</p>\n<h3>Update</h3>\n<p>The list below was integrated into the on-topics page, on the 8<sup>th</sup> June 2019. See <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/413/on-topic-has-been-updated-finally\">On-topic has been updated - finally!</a> for <em>further</em> discussion.</p>\n<hr />\n<h3>TL;DR - Suggested topics</h3>\n<p>In the list below,</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Italics are used for notes</li>\n<li>Strikethrough is used for definitive no-go topics</li>\n</ul>\n<p>Whilst there may be <em>some</em> overlap, duplication and/or mis-categorisation, the list of suggested on-topics seems to be, essentially:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Recommendations (Hardware and Software)\n<ul>\n<li><em>Note: Usually banned from SE - with the exception of <a href=\"https://hardwarerecs.stackexchange.com/\">Hardware Recommendations</a></em></li>\n<li><strike>General Shopping - <em>opinion based</em></strike></li>\n<li><strike>First printer - <em>opinion based</em></strike>, <em>see <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/278/best-first-printer-closed-wiki\">"Best first printer" wiki/blog/closed-question</a></em></li>\n<li>Best printer\n<ul>\n<li><strike>Overall - <em>opinion based</em></strike></li>\n<li>For specific task - <em>opinion based but allowable, although <strong>speed</strong> as a task is in a <strong>very grey area</strong>... this question <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/10204/fastest-fdm-printer\">Fastest FDM printer?</a> was closed for being opinion-based</em></li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>Best software\n<ul>\n<li><strike>Overall - <em>opinion based</em></strike></li>\n<li>For a specific task - <em>opinion based but allowable</em></li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>Software issues\n<ul>\n<li>Firmware</li>\n<li>Tools</li>\n<li>Coding/Compiling firmware (see <strong>Misc - Coding</strong>)</li>\n<li>3D modelling (<em>same as <strong>CAD</strong>?</em>)</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>Websites (<em>could come under <strong>Software</strong> and/or <strong>Tools</strong></em>)\n<ul>\n<li>Recommended sites\n<ul>\n<li>for knowledge</li>\n<li>for models</li>\n<li>for online tools</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>Issues with web based tools</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>CAD\n<ul>\n<li>Needs to show relevancy to 3D printing! (See Meta questions)</li>\n<li><em>Overlap with SE.Blender?</em></li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>Printer DIY\n<ul>\n<li>Repair and maintenance (<em>both commercial and DIY repair of both commercial and DIY printers</em>)</li>\n<li>Construction</li>\n<li>Mechatronics</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>Components (<em>could come under <strong>Printer DIY</strong></em>)\n<ul>\n<li><em><a href=\"https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/244366/how-do-i-tell-if-my-thermistors-are-10k-or-100k\">Thermistors</a> is a good example, see note <sup>1</sup> below</em></li>\n<li>Help and Recommendations</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>Electronics\n<ul>\n<li>Printer related electronics</li>\n<li>Common electronic gotchas</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>Print Services</li>\n<li>Scanning\n<ul>\n<li>Also 3D Reconstruction (<a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/172/is-a-question-about-software-to-create-models-on-topic\">example</a>)</li>\n<li>Software (<a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/8057/resources-on-getting-horus-ciclop-scanners-to-work\">example</a>)</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>Bio-printing</li>\n<li>3D Models\n<ul>\n<li>Feasibility</li>\n<li>Availability</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>Sharing recommended settings</li>\n<li>Legal issues\n<ul>\n<li>Copyright (i.e. <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/164/can-i-print-my-own-lego-bricks\">Lego</a>)</li>\n<li>Guns/Weapons</li>\n<li>Insurance (i.e. fire damage)</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>Manufacturers\n<ul>\n<li><strike>Best manufacturer - <em>opinion based</em></strike></li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>Materials\n<ul>\n<li>Filament</li>\n<li>ABS</li>\n<li>PLA</li>\n<li>PETG</li>\n<li>etc.</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>Makerspaces</li>\n<li>Medical\n<ul>\n<li>Materials for medical use</li>\n<li>Medical quality printing</li>\n<li>Medical applications for 3D printed objects</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>Health\n<ul>\n<li>Closely related, and may overlap with safety</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>Safety\n<ul>\n<li>Fumes</li>\n<li>Print material suitability for foodstuffs</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>Non-3D Printing related\n<ul>\n<li>CNC (<a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/10709/spindle-dc-motor-and-drill-bit-specifications-for-circuit-etching-cnc-machine\">example</a>), (<a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/10610/using-both-gcode-and-gbr-files-in-a-hybrid-3d-printer-circuit-etching-machin\">example</a>)</li>\n<li>Laser (<a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/6214/laser-engraver-with-smoothie-ramps-1-4-or-awc708c\">example</a>)</li>\n<li>Routers</li>\n<li>Vacuum Forming</li>\n<li>Parts assembly (<a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/3711/are-there-many-assembly-type-3d-printers\">example</a>)</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>Misc\n<ul>\n<li>Not strictly 3D related, see <strong>Non-3D Printing related</strong> above</li>\n<li>Anything 3D related\n<ul>\n<li>Connecting 3D printed parts - <em>For example, <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/54/what-is-the-best-way-to-connect-3d-printed-parts\">connecting 3D printed parts</a> is currently off-topic</em><sup>2</sup></li>\n<li>Coding - <em>For example <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/3109/how-to-build-own-cura-gui\">How to build my own Cura GUI?</a> - Coding Ultimaker Cura question, migrated to SO</em><sup>3</sup></li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n<li>Other\n<ul>\n<li>FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication)</li>\n<li>FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)</li>\n<li>SLA (Stereo Lithography)</li>\n<li>DLP (Digital Light Processing)</li>\n<li>SLS (Selective Laser Sintering)</li>\n<li>DLMS (Direct Laser Metal Smelting)</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<hr />\n<p><strong>Notes</strong></p>\n<p>Admittedly, there will be overlap with some other SE sites and whilst we need to avoid the <em>too-broad-black-hole</em>, we should also welcome all things that are 3D Printer related, so as to keep all relevant knowledge in a central location.</p>\n<p><sup>1</sup> WRT <strong>Components</strong>, and taking the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/177/why-was-the-question-about-thermistors-migrated\">thermistors meta question</a> as an example, my first thought is that questions like this should remain, as they are pertinent to 3D Printing, otherwise we <em>could</em> theoretically end up compartmentalising printers and migrating off a lot of stuff to SE. Electronics, SE.Engineering, SE.Hardware Recommendations, etc.</p>\n<p><sup>2</sup> The same applies to the <strong>Misc/Anything 3D related</strong>, in particular the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/54/what-is-the-best-way-to-connect-3d-printed-parts\"><em>Connecting 3D parts</em> question</a>. Yes, as some of the comments state, you could remove the 3D printer part and then it is basically an engineering question. However, when taken as a whole, this question <em>is</em> pertinent to 3D printing of large models, in parts.</p>\n<p><sup>3</sup> Also under <strong>Misc/Anything 3D related</strong>, Coding Ultimaker Cura <em>is</em> a SO type question, but it is <em>also</em> 3D printer specific</p>\n<hr />\n<h3>Additional suggestions in the future</h3>\n<p>Instead of posting a new question, it <em>might</em> be a good idea to post an additional answer, containing the suggestion, to this question - in order to keep everything grouped together. This will save on the pain of having to go through all of the Meta questions as I have just done.</p>\n<p>However, that might mean that the suggestion request would not have such prominence that it would do if the suggestion was posted independently as its own question... So (at the risk of duplication), if a new question/suggestion is posted, then it could be a good idea to also copy that new post and add it as an answer below.</p>\n<hr />\n<h1>Meta Suggestions</h1>\n<p>These are the meta questions that I used to create the categories above:</p>\n<h2><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/search?q=ask\">ask</a> - 89 questions <em>in total</em></h2>\n<h3>General scope questions</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/6/what-should-our-documentation-contain\">What should our documentation contain?</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/138/what-is-our-scope\">What is our scope?</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/239/what-is-your-opinion-on-se-meta-post-regarding-questions-that-cross-community-li\">What is your opinion on SE Meta post regarding questions that cross Community lines?</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/74/how-do-we-get-more-traffic-to-the-site\">How do we get more traffic to the site?</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/6/what-should-our-documentation-contain\">What should our documentation contain?</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Recommendations</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/219/ask-about-recommendation\">Ask about recommendation</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/103/is-a-novice-question-on-a-specific-printer-allowed\">Is a novice question on a specific printer allowed?</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/5/how-do-we-handle-recommendations\">How do we handle recommendations?</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/77/discussions-type-x-3d-printer-is-good-are-acceptable\">Discussions type: X 3d printer is good? are acceptable</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/159/is-there-any-way-to-prevent-endless-best-first-printer-posts\">Is there any way to prevent endless "best first printer" posts?</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/219/ask-about-recommendation\">Ask about recommendation</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/179/another-approach-to-solving-purchase-questions\">Another approach to solving "purchase" questions</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Software</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/172/is-a-question-about-software-to-create-models-on-topic\">Is a question about software to create models on-topic?</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Software Suggestion</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/252/software-suggestion-question\">Software Suggestion Question</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/101/questions-about-software-and-websites\">Questions about software and websites?</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/185/are-software-recommendation-questions-allowed-here\">Are software recommendation questions allowed here?</a> - <em>not in the <strong>ask</strong> list, but relevant here</em></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>CAD</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/204/the-fine-line-between-3d-and-cad\">The fine line between 3d and CAD</a>\n<ul>\n<li>Followup: <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/501/cad-questions-review\">CAD Questions - Review</a></li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Misc</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/21/are-questions-that-tangentially-involve-3d-printing-on-topic\">Are questions that tangentially involve 3D printing on topic?</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/147/hobbyist-machine-questions-on-topic\">Hobbyist Machine questions On-Topic?</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/217/generalized-questions-allowed\">Generalized questions allowed?</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/69/fff-fdm-vs-everything-else\">FFF/FDM vs... everything else?</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/67/fdm-printer-that-can-also-mill-and-engrave-whats-in-scope\">FDM printer that can also mill and engrave -- what's in scope?</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>CNC</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/182/wondering-why-cnc-questions-in-general-are-not-welcome-here\">Wondering why CNC questions in general are not welcome here</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Printer not working:</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/210/how-to-handle-why-is-int-my-printer-working-questions\">How to handle "Why is in't my printer working?!" questions</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/83/what-about-mystery-problem-troubleshooting-requests\">What about mystery-problem troubleshooting requests?</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/129/repairing-3d-printer\">Repairing 3D printer</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Discovering 3D Printing</h3>\n<ul>\n<li>null</li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Print services</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/141/are-questions-from-people-who-lack-knowledge-of-3d-printing-looking-to-discover\">Are questions from people who lack knowledge of 3D printing looking to discover how to have something printed on-topic?</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/165/are-questions-about-online-3-d-printing-services-allowed\">Are Questions about Online 3-D printing services allowed?</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Model Feasibility</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/212/is-3d-printing-se-appropriate-for-getting-feedback-on-feasibility-of-a-model\">Is 3D Printing SE appropriate for getting feedback on feasibility of a model?</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Model Availability</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/260/are-questions-about-availability-of-3d-models-on-topic\">Are questions about availability of 3D models on-topic?</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Scanning</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/180/does-this-reworded-question-meet-the-se-requirements\">Does this reworded question meet the SE requirements?</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Bio Printing</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/123/bio-printing-questions-okay\">Bio-Printing Questions Okay?</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/138/what-is-our-scope\">What is our scope?</a> - <em>not in the <strong>ask</strong> list, but relevant here</em></li>\n</ul>\n<h2><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/search?q=topic\">on-topic</a> - 56 questions <em>in total</em></h2>\n<h3>Sharing Settings through out the community</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/145/are-questions-about-sharing-settings-on-topic\">Are questions about sharing settings On Topic?</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Printer construction - DIY</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/8/are-questions-discussing-printer-construction-internals-and-firmware-on-topic\">Are questions discussing printer construction, internals, and firmware on-topic here?</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Legal issues</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/32/are-questions-involving-legal-issues-and-3d-printing-on-topic\">Are questions involving legal issues and 3D printing on-topic?</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/412/closing-questions-about-knock-off-printers\">Closing questions about knock-off printers</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Filament/Materials</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/80/why-are-you-voting-to-close-this-question\">Why are you voting to close this question?</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/281/could-this-printing-material-recommendation-question-be-or-shaped-to-be-valid-on\">Could this Printing Material Recommendation Question be or shaped to be valid on 3D SE?</a> - <em>not in the <strong>on-topic</strong> list, but relevant here</em></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Laser</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/246/adding-a-laser-tag\">Adding a 'laser' tag?</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/404/is-laser-etching-specifically-a-question-linked-below-considered-to-be-on-topi\">Is laser etching, specifically a question linked below, considered to be on topic?</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Thermistors</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/177/why-was-the-question-about-thermistors-migrated\">Why was the question about thermistors migrated?</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Makerspaces</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/164/questions-about-makerspaces-and-3-d-printers\">Questions about Makerspaces and 3-D Printers?</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Mechatronics</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/138/what-is-our-scope\">What is our scope?</a> - <em>not in the <strong>on-topic</strong> list, but relevant here</em></li>\n</ul>\n<h1>Actual questions (not meta)</h1>\n<h2><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/search?q=closed%3Ayes\">Closed</a> - 73 questions <em>in total</em></h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/3109/how-to-build-own-cura-gui\">how to build own cura gui?</a> - <em>Coding Ultimaker Cura question, migrated to SO: <a href=\"https://stackoverflow.com/questions/40909403/how-to-build-own-cura-gui\">How to build own Cura GUI?</a></em></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/54/what-is-the-best-way-to-connect-3d-printed-parts\">What is the best way to connect 3D printed parts?</a> - <em>General Mechanical issue</em></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/6338/interesting-project-for-a-child\">Interesting project for a child</a> - <em>Opinion based, but it was a HNQ</em></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Scanning</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/5699/is-there-any-public-and-reasonably-accurate-3d-scan-from-a-cray-2-computer\">Is there any public and reasonably accurate 3D scan from a Cray-2 computer?</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Laser</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/10010/laser-is-engraving-the-negative-space\">laser is engraving the negative space</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Legal</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/10200/3d-printer-part-clones-from-china-legality\">3D printer part clones from china - legality</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h3>Recommendations</h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/10204/fastest-fdm-printer\">Fastest FDM printer?</a></li>\n</ul>\n<h2>Deleted</h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/326/understand-and-developing-firmware-ide-help\">Understand and developing firmware - IDE help</a> - <em>Setting up a development environment</em></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/5836/whats-the-least-amount-of-money-i-can-spend-to-get-a-decent-printer\">What's the least amount of money I can spend to get a decent printer?</a> - <em>Shopping</em></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/5742/designing-a-safe-and-crush-proof-pokemon-playing-card-box-using-a-3d-super-elips\">Designing a Safe and Crush-proof Pokemon playing card box using a 3D Super-Elipsoid</a> - <em>Migrated to Engineering: <a href=\"https://engineering.stackexchange.com/questions/21885/designing-a-safe-and-crush-proof-pokemon-playing-card-box-using-a-3d-super-elips\">Designing a Safe and Crush-proof Pokemon playing card box using a 3D Super-Elipsoid</a></em></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/8057/resources-on-getting-horus-ciclop-scanners-to-work\">Resources on getting horus/ciclop scanners to work?</a></li>\n</ul>\n",
"4922: <p>I propose that we add <strong>Direct Ink Writing (DIW)</strong> and <strong>Melt Electro-Writing (MEW)</strong> to the list of on-topic subjects at <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/help/on-topic\">https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/help/on-topic</a></p>\n<p><a href=\"https://labs.wsu.edu/mpml/projects/\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">Direct Ink Writing</a>:</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Direct-Ink-Writing (DIW) is an extrusion-based additive manufacturing method heavily utilized in meso- and micro-scales. In DIW, the liquid-phase “ink” is dispensed out of small nozzles under controlled flow rates and deposited along digitally defined paths to fabricate 3D structures layer-by-layer.</p>\n</blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https://www.advancedsciencenews.com/melt-electrowriting-where-are-we-now/\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">Melt Electro-Writing</a></p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>MEW utilizes an electric field uniquely coupled with AM technology for the controlled deposition of a molten polymer jet, which rapidly solidifies into a fiber. These submicron fibers can be consistently laid on top of each other, resulting in the ability to direct-write complex and multi-scaled architectures and structures, and overcoming the resolution challenge that a majority of other additive manufacturing technologies encounter.</p>\n</blockquote>\n<p>My request to have these additive manufacturing techniques added to the list of on-topic subjects is driven by the facts that:</p>\n<ol>\n<li><p>These are valid Additive Manufacturing processes; and</p>\n</li>\n<li><p>The company for which I work, <a href=\"http://hyrel3d.com\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">Hyrel 3D</a>, has customers (mostly at universities) using these processes.</p>\n</li>\n</ol>\n",
"4927: <p>A couple of points:</p>\n\n<p>Asking for a machine to solve a specific problem, or software which can do something 'specific' is not really a shopping question, so long as the question is asked in the right way. We do need to avoid subjective questions, but sometimes this can be the result of a misunderstanding (i.e. find me a non-CN supplier of this budget Chinese printer {which also seems to be a decent product}).</p>\n\n<p>Topics which bridge into something like Electronics can be useful because the field is very large, and EE.SE makes an assumption of near degree level expertise. Useful answers here could be more 'off the shelf' routes to achieving what could potentially be fairly 'textbook' to someone with the right background.</p>\n\n<p>Same with making trivial changes to firmware, using a complex software tool for a trivial task, etc. If the task is common, relevant and bounded then a 'hand-holding' answer here will be much more valuable/findable than pushing questioners to a more specific site. Once people move from trivial use of these tools they may well end up needing to self-educate before they reach a point that EE.SE, or SO will accept their questions.</p>\n\n<p>We're at a difficult point between a mass market consumer product, and emerging tech. The IoT site has similar challenges.</p>\n",
"10684: <p>I pondered this question a while ago and tried to come up with a coherent and minimalistic strategy. This would be my suggestion, as to what is on-topic or off-topic:</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/tCcAG.png\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\"><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/tCcAG.png\" alt=\"Suggestion for topic policy\"></a></p>\n\n<p>So, basically, on-topic would follow the formula:</p>\n\n<p><code>(formingMethod == additive OR substractive) AND (instrument == machine)</code></p>\n\n<p>Off-topic would have the formula:</p>\n\n<p><code>(formingMethod == transformative) OR (scale == mass) OR (instrument == human)</code></p>\n\n<p>This is just my suggestion and I invite everyone to put forward their argument, if they think, that a better strategy or community can be created, if the boundaries are to be moved or the criteria re-defined.</p>\n\n<p>Vacuum forming on an individual/batch scale, for example, would be a topic, that is close to the other \"green fields\". If we want vacuum forming to be on-topic, we would have to give up the \"transformative\" criteria. I'm sure, there are other points like this.</p>\n\n<p>I also assume, such a strategy would have to be adapted in the future, when these methods have either matured, have been adopted by the masses, or other methods have been discovered.</p>\n"
] |
278 | user4762: TL;DR
One thing that I did see was that the closed questions, also seem to get automatically deleted. This is a shame because some of them have interesting/informative answers. So this raises the question that whilst, yeah, close the obvious shopping answers, should the associated information/knowledge that resides in the answers be lost, or not displayed, because the question was auto-deleted? Is there a close-but-don't-delete flag?
Preamble
Admittedly, this is a bit of a slippery slope, and I certainly am not advocating that all closed questions get re-opened but I was going through [some of] the closed questions last night and it is a shame that a few were closed due to the narrow (maybe strict?) guide lines that were set initially. If I get time, I might add a new section to the meta post, Game plan - What is on-topic?, for new topics pulled from some select closed questions.
Beachcombing the closed question pile
I have been browsing a number of closed questions and came across a lot of "Best first printer" type questions, which are off-topic, admittedly, but they had some good answers. I think those sorts of questions get people to want to answer, for whatever reason (pride/emotion in demonstrating their own first printer, good/bad experiences, what have you...). Maybe, instead of closing all of them, it is worth having just one example question, such as the example below, so that it has already been asked - then we can legitimately close subsequent similar duplicates, without any loss of information or help.
Taking this one as an example, https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/5836/whats-the-least-amount-of-money-i-can-spend-to-get-a-decent-printer. It was closed as being too broad. I actually voted to close it as well, although I'm starting to wish that I hadn't. It has some great answers in it and it is a shame that they have been lost.
Since having been closed, it has now been automatically deleted. I'm just wondering whether it is worth undeleting it..?
I am not 100% sure whether, after undeleting it, then leaving it closed will cause it to be automatically deleted again - isn't there some sort of closed-but-don't-delete flag?
If there isn't then would it also have to be re-opened? Which, of course, entails other issues of "Why do we allow certain broad questions to be left open?" or "It's a shopping question!"
Regardless, it does seem a shame to have lost those fine (but subjective) answers.
Summing up
So, the point of this post is, should we save this information somewhere, and if so, in what format? I envisage a number of possibilities:
Blog post
Locked question
Protected question
Featured tagged question1 (meta only?)
FAQ tagged question1 (meta only?)
Closed, but not deleted, question - if this is possible
A community wiki type post
1 See also Difference between FAQ and Featured tagging
user98: I've thought about this in the past as well. I'd be curious if anyone from the Stack Team has any issues with the following format:
1) This functionality needs to be explicitly outlined in our On-Topic page!
2) Any of these types of questions should be created by a moderator and immediately "converted to wiki" (see mod options)
3) The question should outline an expected format for the following answers. For example, in the case of "Best Printer" questions:
**Make**: {Enter Manufacturer}
**Model**: {Enter Model #/Name}
**Type**: {Select tag: [FDM,SLA,SLS,DLP, etc]}
**Pros**: {Provide details of benefits}
**Cons**: {Provide details of downfalls}
4) Answers MUST follow the outline provided in the question or risk being deleted.
5) (Optional) Answers should be converted to wiki
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/278",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/4762/"
] | 2018/06/14 | [
"4762: <h3>TL;DR</h3>\n<p><em><strong>One thing that I did see was that the closed questions, also seem to get automatically deleted. This is a shame because some of them have interesting/informative answers. So this raises the question that whilst, yeah, close the obvious shopping answers, should the associated information/knowledge that resides in the answers be lost, or not displayed, because the question was auto-deleted? Is there a close-but-don't-delete flag?</strong></em></p>\n<hr />\n<h3>Preamble</h3>\n<p><em>Admittedly, this is a bit of a slippery slope, and I certainly am <strong>not</strong> advocating that all closed questions get re-opened but I was going through [some of] the closed questions last night and it is a shame that a few were closed due to the narrow (maybe strict?) guide lines that were set initially. If I get time, I might add a new section to the meta post, <a href=\"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/276\">Game plan - What is on-topic?</a>, for new topics pulled from some select closed questions.</em></p>\n<h3>Beachcombing the closed question pile</h3>\n<p>I have been browsing a number of <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/search?q=closed%3Ayes\">closed questions</a> and came across a lot of "Best first printer" type questions, which are off-topic, admittedly, but they had some good answers. I think those sorts of questions get people to want to answer, for whatever reason (pride/emotion in demonstrating their own first printer, good/bad experiences, what have you...). Maybe, instead of closing <em>all</em> of them, it is worth having just one example question, such as the example below, so that it <em>has already</em> been asked - then we can legitimately close subsequent similar duplicates, without any loss of information or help.</p>\n<p>Taking this one as an example, <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/5836/whats-the-least-amount-of-money-i-can-spend-to-get-a-decent-printer\">https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/5836/whats-the-least-amount-of-money-i-can-spend-to-get-a-decent-printer</a>. It was closed as being too broad. I actually voted to close it as well, although I'm starting to wish that I hadn't. It has some great answers in it and it is a shame that they have been lost.</p>\n<p>Since having been closed, it has now been <em>automatically deleted</em>. I'm just wondering whether it is worth undeleting it..?</p>\n<p>I am not 100% sure whether, after undeleting it, then leaving it closed will cause it to be automatically deleted again - isn't there some sort of <em>closed-but-don't-delete</em> flag?</p>\n<p>If there isn't then would it also have to be re-opened? Which, of course, entails other issues of "Why do we allow certain broad questions to be left open?" or "It's a shopping question!"</p>\n<p>Regardless, it <em>does</em> seem a shame to have lost those fine (but subjective) answers.</p>\n<h3>Summing up</h3>\n<p>So, the point of this post is, should we save this information somewhere, and if so, in what format? I envisage a number of possibilities:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>Blog post</li>\n<li><a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/22228/what-is-a-locked-post\">Locked question</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/52764/what-is-a-protected-question\">Protected question</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/tags/featured/info\">Featured tagged question</a><sup>1</sup> (meta only?)</li>\n<li><a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/tags/faq/info\">FAQ tagged question</a><sup>1</sup> (meta only?)</li>\n<li>Closed, but not deleted, question - if this is possible</li>\n<li>A community wiki type post</li>\n</ul>\n<hr />\n<p><sup>1</sup> See also <a href=\"https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/133704/what-is-the-difference-between-the-per-site-metas-faq-and-featured-tags\">Difference between FAQ and Featured tagging</a></p>\n",
"98: <p>I've thought about this in the past as well. I'd be curious if anyone from the Stack Team has any issues with the following format:</p>\n\n<p>1) This functionality needs to be explicitly outlined in our On-Topic page!</p>\n\n<p>2) Any of these types of questions should be created by a moderator and immediately \"converted to wiki\" (see mod options)</p>\n\n<p>3) The question should outline an expected format for the following answers. For example, in the case of \"Best Printer\" questions:</p>\n\n<pre><code>**Make**: {Enter Manufacturer}\n\n**Model**: {Enter Model #/Name}\n\n**Type**: {Select tag: [FDM,SLA,SLS,DLP, etc]}\n\n**Pros**: {Provide details of benefits}\n\n**Cons**: {Provide details of downfalls}\n</code></pre>\n\n<p>4) Answers MUST follow the outline provided in the question or risk being deleted.</p>\n\n<p>5) (Optional) Answers should be converted to wiki</p>\n"
] |
281 | user1422: Common 3D printing materials/ methods to suitably replicate (w durability) this injection molded Polypropylene item?
Please advise. As I am new to 3D Printing and SE Rules can get pretty restrictive on whats allowed or not and would be hard for me to argue or decipher its validity for this SE.
user4762: I was thinking about your question this morning, and I saw that there were no replies. SE 3D Printing is quite a small site and there aren't an awful lot of regulars here - but there are just enough who can give great answers, but not everyone ventures here, into meta.
I think that you should ask the question, it does seem on-topic. If it is well presented (without typos) and has the necessary detail, then it should be OK. It is usually only very poorly worded, poorly formatted and overly broad questions, where little thought and research has been done beforehand, which are shot down in flames... :-)
Looking at your Reddit post, it seems ok, but it could be worth relevant quoting parts from those links that you listed (as links die over time and the information that you refer to could be lost), and show why or why not, you think certain options may or may not be suitable. Your question could also appear to be opinion-based or broad - so it could be better to narrow down your question to a point or two (or three).
If it does end up getting closed, which hopefully it won't as you do appear to have put some thought into it, you will be provided with guidance as to how to edit and improve it and make it more suitable for StackExchange.
I wouldn't worry too much, even the best of us have bad post days sometimes... it's not a big deal :-)
Also, think about it this way, the time that you take formulating and crafting your question will be well spent as it should help clarify your question in your own mind. Often, I have found, whilst writing and clarifying a question, that I had actually mis-understood the whole issue in the first place, and sometimes re-working a post can help me find my own solution (especially when using peoples comments to adjust the original post), or at the very least, help me get my head around the issue.
TL;DR - Don't over think this, just post your question :-)
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/281",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/1422/"
] | 2018/06/22 | [
"1422: <p><a href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/8t0ivj/common_3d_printing_materials_methods_to_suitably/\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">Common 3D printing materials/ methods to suitably replicate (w durability) this injection molded Polypropylene item?</a></p>\n\n<p>Please advise. As I am new to 3D Printing and SE Rules can get pretty restrictive on whats allowed or not and would be hard for me to argue or decipher its validity for this SE. </p>\n",
"4762: <p>I was thinking about your question this morning, and I saw that there were no replies. SE 3D Printing is quite a small site and there aren't an awful lot of regulars here - but there are just enough who can give great answers, but not everyone ventures here, into meta.</p>\n<p>I think that you <em>should</em> ask the question, it does seem on-topic. If it is well presented (without typos) and has the necessary detail, then it should be OK. It is usually only very poorly worded, poorly formatted and overly broad questions, where little thought and research has been done beforehand, which are shot down in flames... :-)</p>\n<p>Looking at your Reddit post, it seems ok, but it could be worth relevant quoting parts from those links that you listed (as links die over time and the information that you refer to could be lost), and show why or why not, <em>you</em> think certain options may or may not be suitable. Your question could also appear to be opinion-based or broad - so it could be better to narrow down your question to a point or two (or three).</p>\n<p>If it <strong>does</strong> end up getting closed, which hopefully it won't as you do appear to have put some thought into it, you will be provided with guidance as to how to edit and improve it and make it more suitable for StackExchange.</p>\n<p>I wouldn't worry too much, even the best of us have <em>bad post days</em> sometimes... it's not a big deal :-)</p>\n<p>Also, think about it this way, the time that you take formulating and crafting your question will be well spent as it should help clarify your question in your own mind. Often, I have found, whilst writing and clarifying a question, that I had actually mis-understood the whole issue in the first place, and sometimes re-working a post can help me find my own solution (especially when using peoples comments to adjust the original post), or at the very least, help me get my head around the issue.</p>\n<hr />\n<h3>TL;DR - Don't over think this, just post your question :-)</h3>\n"
] |
284 | user4762: diy and diy-3d-printer - These seem very similar to me, but I may be wrong.
diy has 7 questions
diy-3d-printer has 77 questions
All questions under diy could easily be tagged diy-3d-printer and still make sense.
Merge diy into diy-3d-printer or not? Delete diy?
diy has no usage description anyway.
user4762: I have retagged all of the diy as diy-3d-printer and removed the diy.
In fact, 6 out of the 7 were already tagged diy-3d-printer.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/284",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/4762/"
] | 2018/07/05 | [
"4762: <p><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/diy\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'diy'\" rel=\"tag\">diy</a> and <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/diy-3d-printer\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'diy-3d-printer'\" rel=\"tag\">diy-3d-printer</a> - These seem <em>very</em> similar to me, but I may be wrong.</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/diy\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'diy'\" rel=\"tag\">diy</a> has 7 questions</li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/diy-3d-printer\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'diy-3d-printer'\" rel=\"tag\">diy-3d-printer</a> has 77 questions</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>All questions under <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/diy\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'diy'\" rel=\"tag\">diy</a> could easily be tagged <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/diy-3d-printer\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'diy-3d-printer'\" rel=\"tag\">diy-3d-printer</a> and still make sense.</p>\n\n<p>Merge <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/diy\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'diy'\" rel=\"tag\">diy</a> into <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/diy-3d-printer\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'diy-3d-printer'\" rel=\"tag\">diy-3d-printer</a> or not? Delete <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/diy\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'diy'\" rel=\"tag\">diy</a>?</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/diy\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'diy'\" rel=\"tag\">diy</a> has no usage description anyway.</p>\n",
"4762: <p>I have retagged all of the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/diy\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'diy'\" rel=\"tag\">diy</a> as <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/diy-3d-printer\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'diy-3d-printer'\" rel=\"tag\">diy-3d-printer</a> and removed the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/diy\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'diy'\" rel=\"tag\">diy</a>.</p>\n\n<p>In fact, 6 out of the 7 were already tagged <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/diy-3d-printer\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'diy-3d-printer'\" rel=\"tag\">diy-3d-printer</a>.</p>\n"
] |
286 | user5740: If you look at the existing tags there are tags for printer brands/types and tags for mechanical 3D printer types (e.g. Delta or Prusa, which actually is a brand and a mechanical type...).
Do we need to create tags for every printer out there or list them by type?
My reasoning for creating tags for all brands/types is that people that have a problem with their printer search on their printer brand/type and the problem. E.g. people with an Anet A2 will most likely not search for "Display of my Prusa i3 clone is not working, help!", I rather think it contains the "Anet A2 in the phrasing". I do however think that that we should create synonyms to the mechanical type like Prusa, Delta, CoreXY, Cartesian.
Please share your ideas and suggestions in the answers.
user4762: Ah, I think I see, and I may have initially misunderstood. I had understood (in the chat) that you wanted a tag for each make/model, but, in fact, you would rather link each make/model back to a printer type, so
P3Steel -> Prusa
Kossel -> Delta
Is that right?
If so, then I am not so sure. I would want to keep some of the p3steel questions to be specific to P3Steel and not just general prusa issues.
Likewise, some kossel issues are specific to the Kossel and not to all delta printers.
In some cases I would agree that your reasoning is correct, but not in all cases. In the cases where you are right (such as the example that you cite), then the question would just need retagging correctly, but not require linking all of a particular printer's make/model related questions (via the synonym-ising (?) of the tag) back to that particular printer's type.
Does that make sense? Have I understood correctly?
As an example, if you have a generic question about a ANet A2 printer, that actually concerns all cartesian printers, but especially Prusa, you would have to manually tag that question aneta2 and prusa and cartesian, so that it gets grouped in such a way, where Cartesian, Prusa and AnetA2 are subsets of the previous (super)set. I don't think you can internally link the tags, if you see what I mean, that mechanism doesn't exist.
Likewise, if you have a generic question about a ANet A2 printer, that actually concerns all prusa printers (but not necessarily all cartesian printers), you would have to manually tag that question aneta2 and prusa and maybe cartesian.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/286",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/5740/"
] | 2018/07/06 | [
"5740: <p>If you look at the existing tags there are tags for printer brands/types and tags for mechanical 3D printer types (e.g. Delta or Prusa, which actually is a brand and a mechanical type...). </p>\n\n<p>Do we need to create tags for every printer out there or list them by type?</p>\n\n<p>My reasoning for creating tags for all brands/types is that people that have a problem with their printer search on their printer brand/type and the problem. E.g. people with an Anet A2 will most likely not search for \"Display of my Prusa i3 clone is not working, help!\", I rather think it contains the \"Anet A2 in the phrasing\". I do however think that that we should create synonyms to the mechanical type like Prusa, Delta, CoreXY, Cartesian. </p>\n\n<p>Please share your ideas and suggestions in the answers.</p>\n",
"4762: <p>Ah, I think I see, and I may have initially misunderstood. I had understood (in the chat) that you wanted a tag for <em>each</em> make/model, but, in fact, you would rather link each make/model back to a printer type, so</p>\n\n<pre><code>P3Steel -> Prusa\nKossel -> Delta\n</code></pre>\n\n<p>Is that right? </p>\n\n<p>If so, then I am not so sure. I would want to keep some of the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/p3steel\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'p3steel'\" rel=\"tag\">p3steel</a> questions to be specific to P3Steel and not just general <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/prusa\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'prusa'\" rel=\"tag\">prusa</a> issues.</p>\n\n<p>Likewise, some <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/kossel\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'kossel'\" rel=\"tag\">kossel</a> issues are specific to the Kossel and not to all <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/delta\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'delta'\" rel=\"tag\">delta</a> printers.</p>\n\n<p>In some cases I would agree that your reasoning is correct, but not in all cases. In the cases where you are right (such as the example that you cite), then the question would just need retagging correctly, but not require linking all of a particular printer's make/model related questions (via the <em>synonym-ising</em> (?) of the tag) back to that particular printer's type.</p>\n\n<p>Does that make sense? Have I understood correctly?</p>\n\n<p>As an example, if you have a generic question about a ANet A2 printer, that actually concerns <em>all</em> cartesian printers, but especially Prusa, you would have to manually tag that question <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/aneta2\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'aneta2'\" rel=\"tag\">aneta2</a> and <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/prusa\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'prusa'\" rel=\"tag\">prusa</a> and <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/cartesian\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'cartesian'\" rel=\"tag\">cartesian</a>, so that it gets grouped in such a way, where Cartesian, Prusa and AnetA2 are subsets of the previous (super)set. I don't think you can internally link the tags, if you see what I mean, that mechanism doesn't exist. </p>\n\n<p>Likewise, if you have a generic question about a ANet A2 printer, that actually concerns <em>all</em> prusa printers (but <em>not necessarily</em> all cartesian printers), you would have to manually tag that question <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/aneta2\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'aneta2'\" rel=\"tag\">aneta2</a> and <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/prusa\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'prusa'\" rel=\"tag\">prusa</a> and <em>maybe</em> <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/cartesian\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'cartesian'\" rel=\"tag\">cartesian</a>.</p>\n"
] |
289 | user4762: There must be a subtle difference, that I can't quite see, between material and print-material.
The print-material tag clearly states that it is different from material:
Print-material, in comparison to the tag 'material', helps to specify that the question is concerned with the material the print itself is made from. This includes 'filament' as a subgroup but also SLS polymers for example.
Where as material states, more or less, the same thing:
For questions about compatible 3D printing materials.
For questions regarding 3D printable materials such as whether a material is capable of being 3D printed, optimal 3D printing parameters (ie. extrusion temp), mechanical properties of materials, etc.
To me, even though print-material states that it differs from material, I can't really see the difference, unless material is a superset of print-material, and not only confined to being printed, but also construction of a printer (i.e. acrylic, wood, steel, aluminium, etc.). If the latter, then the description of material is a bit misleading and may require expansion.
Can someone explain?
user98: I agree, there's not much difference inherently between these two tags. However, we could try to direct the use of material to more general (not necessarily 3D printed material) vs the obviously focused print-material.
Or we could just merge them into the print-material tag (my vote).
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/289",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/4762/"
] | 2018/07/06 | [
"4762: <p>There must be a subtle difference, that I can't quite see, between <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/material\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'material'\" rel=\"tag\">material</a> and <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/print-material\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'print-material'\" rel=\"tag\">print-material</a>.</p>\n<p>The print-material tag clearly states that it is different from material:</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Print-material, in comparison to the tag 'material', helps to specify that the question is concerned with the material the print itself is made from. This includes 'filament' as a subgroup but also SLS polymers for example.</p>\n</blockquote>\n<p>Where as <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/material\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'material'\" rel=\"tag\">material</a> states, more or less, the same thing:</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>For questions about compatible 3D printing materials.</p>\n<p>For questions regarding 3D printable materials such as whether a material is capable of being 3D printed, optimal 3D printing parameters (ie. extrusion temp), mechanical properties of materials, etc.</p>\n</blockquote>\n<p>To me, even though <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/print-material\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'print-material'\" rel=\"tag\">print-material</a> states that it differs from <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/material\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'material'\" rel=\"tag\">material</a>, I can't really see the difference, <em>unless</em> material is a superset of print-material, and not only confined to being printed, but also construction of a printer (i.e. acrylic, wood, steel, aluminium, etc.). If the latter, then the description of <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/material\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'material'\" rel=\"tag\">material</a> is a bit misleading and may require expansion.</p>\n<p>Can someone explain?</p>\n",
"98: <p>I agree, there's not much difference inherently between these two tags. However, we could try to direct the use of <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/material\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'material'\" rel=\"tag\">material</a> to more general (not necessarily 3D printed material) vs the obviously focused <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/print-material\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'print-material'\" rel=\"tag\">print-material</a>.</p>\n\n<p>Or we could just merge them into the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/print-material\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'print-material'\" rel=\"tag\">print-material</a> tag (my vote).</p>\n"
] |
292 | user8884: as it is currently, there are several diy-3d-printer questions that gave info about a specific printer. While I tried to add the appropriate names for these kit-printers, I feel that it technically is inappropriate for these to actually have this tag. Even as the DIY tag contains the "assembled from a kit by the end user" in the wiki, there is also non-commercially in it, meaning it seems to be meant for a true DIY kits like Hypercube or such. They are so vastly different, that I fel we should encourage the following:
pull any comercial kits out of the diy-3d-printer tag
add a tag printer-kit-assembly or use printer-building for questions that struggle with the assembly of a kit together with the specific model's tag
enforce the specific tag of the kit for questions having problems with it
user4762: It got too long to fit in a comment:
That does seem sort of reasonable. A DIY printer should be one that has been sourced from various parts. Or should that also include (or be exclusively) DIY designs? I mean, DIY means Do It Yourself, so a commercial kit, is literally a DIY printer, even though it is following a recognised design. It may seem a pedantic point over semantics but what is classed as DIY? Is it:
A true home brew, DIY design? And everything made from scratch with a lathe and possibly another 3D printer?
Following a RepRap design straight of the Wiki/Github and printing the plastic parts yourself
Following a RepRap design straight of the Wiki/Github but buying the plastic parts (because you don't yet have a printer)
Following a RepRap design straight of the Wiki/Github but a complete kit
Buying a commercial printer available as a kit, in kit form.
To me, there is not much difference between the last two, if the commercial printer is derived from a RepRap. Even 2 and 3 are just as DIY as each other, really.
So, just to play devil's advocate, here are four real word scenarios...
Would you class a P3Steel as a DIY diy-3d-printer tag or as a printer-kit printer-building tag if the frame was purchased as a kit from Poland, but the rest of it was sourced separately from various places, such as Chinese eBay vendors?
Likewise, a Kossel, whose plastic parts were bought from a eBay vendor and then the aluminium struts were cut to length in the back streets of Bangkok - would that be a commercial kit (because the plastic parts were available commercially), or DIY?
Also, a Wilson II, whose plastic parts were from MJRice (the designer of the Wilson), but the aluminium came from a cottage industry aluminium extruder in Vietnam, who you had had to walk miles to find. Commercial kit or DIY tag?
Now, twisting it slightly... What about a complete Wilson II kit? Where the entire frame and kit has been purchased from an eBay vendor, or MJRice. Is that commercial or not?
There seems to be a fine line between the last two. We might need to be very specific in the tag definitions if people aren't going to get confused.
If, all four examples are DIY then fine. If none of them are, because the plastic parts were purchased, then ok, we have a very strict definition of DIY.
Just for completeness, the first three scenarios are my personal purchasing experiences, where I considered them as DIY printers.
Now, to be fair to your question, I think I know what you mean. You are referring to printer kits from established manufacturers that are available pre-built, or as kits. Is that right? I just want to clarify what defines a commercial kit and a DIY kit.
Does that make sense? I might have got a bit carried away.
user48: To me, the dividing line between "DIY" and "not DIY" is who you deal with if a part is defective when you get it.
If you're contacting different vendors for a jammed bearing, a miswired stepper motor, or a dead controller board, it's DIY. If you talk to the same person regardless of which part is defective out of the box, it's not DIY. So, from Greenonline's examples, 1, 2, and 3 are DIY, while 4 and 5 aren't.
Yes, that means that a printer can evolve from "not DIY" to "DIY". For example, if you start with a preassembled Prusa i3 Mk3, but then replace the V6 hotend with a Volcano hotend in an extruder found on Thingiverse, switch to a 320-watt Meanwell PSU, replace the display with a touchscreen, change out the ball bearings for sleeve bearings, upgrade the steppers for more precision, and install a BuildTak bed, you've now got a DIY printer.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/292",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/8884/"
] | 2018/07/08 | [
"8884: <p>as it is currently, there are several <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/diy-3d-printer\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'diy-3d-printer'\" rel=\"tag\">diy-3d-printer</a> questions that gave info about a specific printer. While I tried to add the appropriate names for these kit-printers, I feel that it technically is inappropriate for these to actually <em>have</em> this tag. Even as the DIY tag contains the \"assembled from a kit by the end user\" in the wiki, there is also non-commercially in it, meaning it seems to be meant for a true DIY kits like <a href=\"https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2254103\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">Hypercube</a> or such. They are so vastly different, that I fel we should encourage the following:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>pull any comercial kits out of the <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/diy-3d-printer\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'diy-3d-printer'\" rel=\"tag\">diy-3d-printer</a> tag</li>\n<li>add a tag <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/printer-kit-assembly\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'printer-kit-assembly'\" rel=\"tag\">printer-kit-assembly</a> or use <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/printer-building\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'printer-building'\" rel=\"tag\">printer-building</a> for questions that struggle with the assembly of a kit together with the specific model's tag</li>\n<li>enforce the specific tag of the kit for questions having problems with it</li>\n</ul>\n",
"4762: <p>It got too long to fit in a comment:</p>\n\n<p>That does seem sort of reasonable. A DIY printer should be one that has been sourced from various parts. Or should that also include (or be exclusively) DIY designs? I mean, DIY means Do It Yourself, so a commercial kit, is literally a DIY printer, even though it is following a recognised design. It may seem a pedantic point over semantics but what is classed as DIY? Is it:</p>\n\n<ol>\n<li>A true home brew, DIY design? And everything made from scratch with a lathe and possibly another 3D printer?</li>\n<li>Following a RepRap design straight of the Wiki/Github and printing the plastic parts yourself</li>\n<li>Following a RepRap design straight of the Wiki/Github but buying the plastic parts (because you don't yet have a printer)</li>\n<li>Following a RepRap design straight of the Wiki/Github but a complete kit</li>\n<li>Buying a commercial printer available as a kit, in kit form.</li>\n</ol>\n\n<p>To me, there is not much difference between the last two, <em>if</em> the commercial printer is derived from a RepRap. Even 2 and 3 are just as DIY as each other, really.</p>\n\n<p>So, just to play devil's advocate, here are four real word scenarios... </p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Would you class a P3Steel as a DIY <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/diy-3d-printer\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'diy-3d-printer'\" rel=\"tag\">diy-3d-printer</a> tag <em>or</em> as a printer-kit <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/printer-building\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'printer-building'\" rel=\"tag\">printer-building</a> tag <em>if</em> the frame was purchased as a kit from Poland, but the rest of it was sourced separately from various places, such as Chinese eBay vendors? </li>\n<li>Likewise, a Kossel, whose plastic parts were bought from a eBay vendor and then the aluminium struts were cut to length in the back streets of Bangkok - would that be a commercial kit (because the plastic parts were available commercially), or DIY? </li>\n<li>Also, a Wilson II, whose plastic parts were from MJRice (the designer of the Wilson), but the aluminium came from a cottage industry aluminium extruder in Vietnam, who you had had to walk miles to find. Commercial kit or DIY tag?</li>\n<li>Now, twisting it slightly... What about a complete Wilson II kit? Where the entire frame and kit has been purchased from an eBay vendor, or MJRice. Is that commercial or not? </li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>There seems to be a fine line between the last two. We might need to be very specific in the tag definitions if people aren't going to get confused.</p>\n\n<p>If, all four examples are DIY then fine. If none of them are, because the plastic parts were purchased, then ok, we have a <em>very strict</em> definition of DIY.</p>\n\n<p>Just for completeness, the first three scenarios are my personal purchasing experiences, where I considered them as DIY printers.</p>\n\n<p>Now, to be fair to your question, I <em>think</em> I know what you mean. You are referring to printer kits from established manufacturers that are available pre-built, <em>or</em> as kits. Is that right? I just want to clarify what defines a commercial kit and a DIY kit.</p>\n\n<p>Does that make sense? I might have got a bit carried away.</p>\n",
"48: <p>To me, the dividing line between \"DIY\" and \"not DIY\" is who you deal with if a part is defective when you get it.</p>\n\n<p>If you're contacting different vendors for a jammed bearing, a miswired stepper motor, or a dead controller board, it's DIY. If you talk to the same person regardless of which part is defective out of the box, it's not DIY. So, from Greenonline's examples, 1, 2, and 3 are DIY, while 4 and 5 aren't.</p>\n\n<p>Yes, that means that a printer can evolve from \"not DIY\" to \"DIY\". For example, if you start with a preassembled Prusa i3 Mk3, but then replace the V6 hotend with a Volcano hotend in an extruder found on Thingiverse, switch to a 320-watt Meanwell PSU, replace the display with a touchscreen, change out the ball bearings for sleeve bearings, upgrade the steppers for more precision, and install a BuildTak bed, you've now got a DIY printer.</p>\n"
] |
297 | user4762: Should there be a space between a quantity and its (SI) units?
For example:
1.56mm
or
1.56 mm
Which is correct?
user4762: I've been fixing posts for a while for many different editorial reasons, but one of the main issues is the lack of a non-breaking space between the amount and the units.
Today however I came across this article, 32 GB versus 32GB: Almost everyone is writing it wrong, by chance - I was actually looking up SD cards - and it summed up things pretty well. I'll let you read it.
However, the rules are as follows:
non-breaking spaces ( / ALT+0160) before all SI units, including bytes
Except:
degrees (°), minutes ('), and seconds (") (for angles)
See also: Wikipedia: International System of units - Lexicographic conventions :
The value of a quantity is written as a number followed by a space (representing a multiplication sign) and a unit symbol; e.g., 2.21 kg, 7.3×102 m2, 22 K. This rule explicitly includes the percent sign (%) and the symbol for degrees of temperature (°C). Exceptions are the symbols for plane angular degrees, minutes, and seconds (°, ′, and ″), which are placed immediately after the number with no intervening space.
I must admit that I didn't realise that it applied to °C and %, as well... oops!
In a comment, does not work (nor does any HTML). Try ALT+0160 - Or on Windows Ctrl+Shift+Spacebar (or on a Mac, type Option+Spacebar).
Note that it is best to stick with in answers as the other options are impossible to see when editing - so the serves as a nice visual clue.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/297",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/4762/"
] | 2018/07/11 | [
"4762: <p>Should there be a space between a quantity and its (SI) units?</p>\n\n<p>For example:</p>\n\n<pre><code>1.56mm\n</code></pre>\n\n<p>or </p>\n\n<pre><code>1.56 mm\n</code></pre>\n\n<p>Which is correct?</p>\n",
"4762: <p>I've been fixing posts for a while for many different editorial reasons, but one of the main issues is the lack of a non-breaking space between the amount and the units.</p>\n\n<p>Today however I came across this article, <a href=\"https://www.engadget.com/2010/12/16/32-gb-versus-32gb-almost-everyone-is-writing-it-wrong/?guccounter=1\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">32 GB versus 32GB: Almost everyone is writing it wrong</a>, by chance - I was actually looking up SD cards - and it summed up things pretty well. I'll let you read it. </p>\n\n<p>However, the rules are as follows:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>non-breaking spaces (<code>&nbsp;</code> / <code>ALT</code>+0160) before <em>all</em> SI units, including bytes</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>Except:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>degrees (°), minutes ('), and seconds (\") (for angles)</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>See also: <a href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_System_of_Units#General_rules\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer\">Wikipedia: International System of units - Lexicographic conventions</a> :</p>\n\n<blockquote>\n <p>The value of a quantity is written as a number followed by a space (representing a multiplication sign) and a unit symbol; e.g., 2.21 kg, 7.3×10<sup>2</sup> m<sup>2</sup>, 22 K. This rule explicitly includes the percent sign (%) and the symbol for degrees of temperature (°C). Exceptions are the symbols for plane angular degrees, minutes, and seconds (°, ′, and ″), which are placed immediately after the number with no intervening space.</p>\n</blockquote>\n\n<p>I must admit that <em>I</em> didn't realise that it applied to °C and %, as well... oops!</p>\n\n<hr>\n\n<p>In a <strong>comment</strong>, <code>&nbsp;</code> does not work (nor does any HTML). Try <code>ALT+0160</code> - Or on Windows Ctrl+Shift+Spacebar (or on a Mac, type Option+Spacebar).</p>\n\n<p>Note that it is best to stick with <code>&nbsp;</code> in <strong>answers</strong> as the other options are <strong><em>impossible</em></strong> to see when editing - so the <code>&nbsp;</code> serves as a nice visual clue.</p>\n"
] |
298 | user5740: At the moment there are two tags related to fans:
print-fan
fans
If you look at the topics there is no distinction which fans are meant, this must be read in the questions.
Should we create separate tags for specific fan applications?
user5740: There aren't that many topics labelled with either one of the existing tags, so re-tagging will not be a problem.
Indeed these tags are generic tags and do not cover the range of fans specifically for the application they are used for. There are 3 types of applications for fans in 3D printers,
electronics cooling fans (board/stepper/stepper drivers cooling),
part cooling fans (filament cooling after deposition), and
cold end cooling fans (extruder cold end cooling).
How about making 3 categories and re-tag? (in the same order as the previous list)
electronics-fan,
part-cool-fan (or filament-fan or print-fan), and
extruder-fan.
Alternatively, we could just use a single tag and let the poster make sure that he explains clearly which fan is used.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/298",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/5740/"
] | 2018/07/16 | [
"5740: <p>At the moment there are two tags related to fans:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/print-fan\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'print-fan'\" rel=\"tag\">print-fan</a></li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/fans\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'fans'\" rel=\"tag\">fans</a></li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>If you look at the topics there is no distinction which fans are meant, this must be read in the questions.</p>\n\n<p>Should we create separate tags for specific fan applications?</p>\n",
"5740: <p>There aren't that many topics labelled with either one of the existing tags, so re-tagging will not be a problem.</p>\n\n<p>Indeed these tags are generic tags and do not cover the range of fans specifically for the application they are used for. There are 3 types of applications for fans in 3D printers, </p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>electronics cooling fans (board/stepper/stepper drivers cooling), </li>\n<li>part cooling fans (filament cooling after deposition), and </li>\n<li>cold end cooling fans (extruder cold end cooling).</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>How about making 3 categories and re-tag? (in the same order as the previous list)</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/electronics-fan\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'electronics-fan'\" rel=\"tag\">electronics-fan</a>,</li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/part-cool-fan\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'part-cool-fan'\" rel=\"tag\">part-cool-fan</a> (or <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/filament-fan\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'filament-fan'\" rel=\"tag\">filament-fan</a> or <a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/print-fan\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'print-fan'\" rel=\"tag\">print-fan</a>), and</li>\n<li><a href=\"https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/extruder-fan\" class=\"post-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'extruder-fan'\" rel=\"tag\">extruder-fan</a>.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>Alternatively, we could just use a single tag and let the poster make sure that he explains clearly which fan is used.</p>\n"
] |
301 | user4762: We have an awesome guide on close voting posted by Ninefingers for crypto.SE. I'll just copy it to our meta-faq, with a few tweaks.
user4762: Rationale: why do we close questions?
There are really two ways to do moderation. If you've been on any of the .moderated newsgroups you'll be well aware that to get a post on there, it needs to undergo a review process first and be accepted. The aim is to keep problem discussions from arising.
SE is slightly different - it works the other way. Anyone can ask a question on SE and closing a question is the equivalent of putting that question back into review/improve mode. It's a feedback mechanism designed to react to problem cases only, so the usual business of asking and answering good questions can just... happen.
Why do we close a question?
The philosophy of SE is that each site handles questions on problems you face or things you are trying to understand. The don't ask section of the help center gives you a good overview of things that don't work - to summarise:
Some questions invite arguments or extended debate that suck up time when members could be helping other people.
Some questions are too broad, too narrow or have other content problems.
Some questions belong elsewhere.
These have been worked out over time and with a lot of experience from Stack Overflow and are, broadly speaking true. Sometimes, exceptions are made - it is always a case-by-case thing.
Is closing like deletion?
No. Actually, deletion is a different concept on SE. Closed questions are put "into improve mode" if you like, and are still visible for anyone to improve. That's the idea. Deleted questions are different — they have a red background and are invisible to all but high reputation users. So deletion is different and solves a slightly different problem.
What are the requirements for closing a question?
If you have 3000 reputation, or 500 reputation on a beta site, you can vote to close any question for the reasons above. More on that in a moment.
If you do not have this level of reputation, you will find that under the flag menu, you have an option "this question does not belong here". That will raise a flag for users who can vote to close.
Why can anyone vote to close/reopen?
Firstly, anyone with sufficient reputation can vote to close or reopen (or flag as such, with lower reputation) because it is your site. This is really important - it's about expressing what you feel works and doesn't.
Ok, so how does it work?
Ok, the important piece. Voting to close works like this:
Underneath the question, there will be a close link. When you click on this, you will be presented with a list of options from which you can pick a close reason most appropriate to the situation.
If other people have voted, you will see blue numbers against the reason they chose.
The exact duplicate page takes you to a page that allows you to specify a question to close as an exact duplicate against.
The "off topic" page will present you with two options - one to migrate here, to meta, and one just off topic. At the moment, only moderators can send questions elsewhere, so feel free to cast a vote here and flag if you have a target in mind - we are collecting statistics to build a "migrate to" list, but that is not implemented yet.
The other options are straight out closes.
Once you pick your option and click "close", your vote is registered. You cannot retract it at this stage, but nobody else, including moderators, will know it was you who voted.
If five people agree, the question will be closed. You've seen the effect of these before.
Your name, and the name of other closers, will appear on the bottom of the question.
How does vote to re-open work?
A closed question has a "reopen" link underneath it. If you click this, a dialog box will ask you if you are sure - click yes and your vote will be registered to re-open the question.
Below, you can see an example of the re-open link with two votes registered for re-opening (out of five).
What happens if I make a mistake?
Don't worry! You can retract your close vote by clicking the “close” button again. This is useful, for example, if the question has been edited since you voted to close. Note that you cannot use this to change the close reason (if you retract a close vote, you can't cast a new one).
Furthermore, unless five people agree, or a moderator agrees, the question won't be closed.
Why are some questions closed with fewer votes?
Moderator close votes complete the required vote count immediately, no matter how many people have voted. This applies for both close/reopen votes.
Furthermore, closure as duplicate can be faster for two reasons. If the asker agrees that their question is a duplicate, they can validate the closure immediately. This shows a final duplicate close vote from “Community”. Also, if a user with a gold tag badge in one of the question's initial tags votes to close or reopen as a duplicate, this takes effect immediately; in this case a gold tag badge icon appears after the closer's name.
I've seen a closed question and I disagree. What can I do?
Well, one option is to use your re-open vote! You can also always raise a discussion here on meta to seek clarification on why a question is closed and hopefully either a resolution will be reached, or you will get an explanation for the closure.
My name appears on the bottom. Isn't this going to cause problems with other users?
Actually, surprisingly few closed questions generate any response at all.
However, if you experience difficulties as a result of closing a question, you can and should contact a moderator via the flag mechanism (which is anonymous). We can then take any necessary action.
How do I find questions I might need to close? What about re-opens?
In the review queues, specifically the close votes queue and the reopen votes queue. These queues are open to everyone who has the close vote privilege. For each question, you get to decide whether to close/reopen or not; enough “no” votes take the question out of the queue. An edit from the queue is a vote to not close or reopen.
| [
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/301",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com",
"https://3dprinting.meta.stackexchange.com/users/4762/"
] | 2018/07/18 | [
"4762: <p>We have <a href=\"https://crypto.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/129/a-guide-to-moderating-crypto-stackexchange-yourself-close-voting\">an awesome guide on close voting</a> posted by Ninefingers for crypto.SE. I'll just copy it to our meta-<a href=\"/questions/tagged/faq\" class=\"post-tag moderator-tag\" title=\"show questions tagged 'faq'\" rel=\"tag\">faq</a>, with a few tweaks.</p>\n",
"4762: <h3>Rationale: why do we close questions?</h3>\n\n<p>There are really two ways to do moderation. If you've been on any of the <code>.moderated</code> newsgroups you'll be well aware that to get a post on there, it needs to undergo a review process first and be accepted. The aim is to keep problem discussions from arising.</p>\n\n<p>SE is slightly different - it works the other way. <em>Anyone</em> can ask a question on SE and closing a question is the equivalent of putting that question <em>back into review/improve mode</em>. It's a feedback mechanism designed to react to problem cases only, so the usual business of asking and answering good questions can just... <em>happen</em>.</p>\n\n<h3>Why do we close a question?</h3>\n\n<p>The philosophy of SE is that each site handles questions on <em>problems you face</em> or things you are trying to understand. The <a href=\"https://crypto.stackexchange.com/help/dont-ask\">don't ask</a> section of the help center gives you a good overview of things that don't work - to summarise:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Some questions invite arguments or extended debate that suck up time when members could be helping other people.</li>\n<li>Some questions are too broad, too narrow or have other content problems.</li>\n<li>Some questions belong elsewhere.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>These have been worked out over time and with a lot of experience from Stack Overflow and are, <em>broadly speaking</em> true. Sometimes, exceptions are made - it is always a case-by-case thing.</p>\n\n<h3>Is closing like deletion?</h3>\n\n<p>No. Actually, deletion is a different concept on SE. Closed questions are put \"into improve mode\" if you like, and are still visible for <em>anyone</em> to improve. That's the idea. Deleted questions are different — they have a red background and are invisible to all but high reputation users. So deletion is different and solves a slightly different problem.</p>\n\n<h3>What are the requirements for closing a question?</h3>\n\n<p>If you have 3000 reputation, or 500 reputation on a beta site, you can vote to close any question for the reasons above. More on that in a moment.</p>\n\n<p>If you do not have this level of reputation, you will find that under the flag menu, you have an option \"this question does not belong here\". That will raise a flag for users who can vote to close.</p>\n\n<h3>Why can anyone vote to close/reopen?</h3>\n\n<p>Firstly, anyone with sufficient reputation can vote to close or reopen (or flag as such, with lower reputation) because it is <em>your site</em>. This is really important - it's about expressing what you feel works and doesn't.</p>\n\n<h3>Ok, so how does it work?</h3>\n\n<p><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/qogGL.png\" alt=\"Example close button\"></p>\n\n<p>Ok, the important piece. Voting to close works like this:</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Underneath the question, there will be a close link. When you click on this, you will be presented with a list of options from which you can pick a close reason most appropriate to the situation.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/THms0.png\" alt=\"Close vote reasons dialog\"></p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>If other people have voted, you will see blue numbers against the reason they chose.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/69Kak.png\" alt=\"Other votes\"></p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>The exact duplicate page takes you to a page that allows you to specify a question to close as an exact duplicate against.</li>\n<li>The \"off topic\" page will present you with two options - one to migrate here, to meta, and one just off topic. At the moment, only moderators can send questions elsewhere, so feel free to cast a vote here and flag if you have a target in mind - we are collecting statistics to build a \"migrate to\" list, but that is not implemented yet.</li>\n<li>The other options are straight out closes.</li>\n<li>Once you pick your option and click \"close\", your vote is registered. You cannot retract it at this stage, but nobody else, including moderators, will know it was you who voted.</li>\n<li>If five people agree, the question will be closed. You've seen the effect of these before.</li>\n<li>Your name, and the name of other closers, will appear on the bottom of the question.</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/K3F4V.png\" alt=\"Close banner\"></p>\n\n<h3>How does vote to re-open work?</h3>\n\n<p>A closed question has a \"reopen\" link underneath it. If you click this, a dialog box will ask you if you are sure - click yes and your vote will be registered to re-open the question.</p>\n\n<p>Below, you can see an example of the re-open link with two votes registered for re-opening (out of five).</p>\n\n<p><img src=\"https://i.stack.imgur.com/syw4O.png\" alt=\"Re-open link\"></p>\n\n<h3>What happens if I make a mistake?</h3>\n\n<p>Don't worry! You can retract your close vote by clicking the “close” button again. This is useful, for example, if the question has been edited since you voted to close. Note that you cannot use this to change the close reason (if you retract a close vote, you can't cast a new one).</p>\n\n<p>Furthermore, unless five people agree, or a moderator agrees, the question won't be closed. </p>\n\n<h3>Why are some questions closed with fewer votes?</h3>\n\n<p>Moderator close votes complete the required vote count immediately, no matter how many people have voted. This applies for both close/reopen votes.</p>\n\n<p>Furthermore, closure as duplicate can be faster for two reasons. If the asker agrees that their question is a duplicate, they can validate the closure immediately. This shows a final duplicate close vote from “Community”. Also, if a user with a gold tag badge in one of the question's initial tags votes to close or reopen as a duplicate, this takes effect immediately; in this case a gold tag badge icon appears after the closer's name.</p>\n\n<h3>I've seen a closed question and I disagree. What can I do?</h3>\n\n<p>Well, one option is to use your re-open vote! You can also always raise a discussion here on meta to seek clarification on why a question is closed and hopefully either a resolution will be reached, or you will get an explanation for the closure. </p>\n\n<h3>My name appears on the bottom. Isn't this going to cause problems with other users?</h3>\n\n<p>Actually, surprisingly few closed questions generate any response at all.</p>\n\n<p>However, if you experience difficulties as a result of closing a question, you can and should contact a moderator via the flag mechanism (which is anonymous). We can then take any necessary action.</p>\n\n<h3>How do I find questions I might need to close? What about re-opens?</h3>\n\n<p>In the <a href=\"https://crypto.stackexchange.com/review\">review queues</a>, specifically the <a href=\"https://crypto.stackexchange.com/review/close\">close votes queue</a> and the <a href=\"https://crypto.stackexchange.com/review/reopen\">reopen votes queue</a>. These queues are open to everyone who has the close vote privilege. For each question, you get to decide whether to close/reopen or not; enough “no” votes take the question out of the queue. An edit from the queue is a vote to not close or reopen.</p>\n"
] |