*flounders!* FAQ page help...

[ellenmillion]

I keep staring at this FAQ document, and finding that I'm still having trouble getting started on it.

What things do you like to find on such pages?
Should I give a blurb about each of the EMG projects?
How much history should I include?
How much do I say about ME?
Pictures of pets: indulgent and stupid or endearing and personal?

Why is this so complicated??

Comments

[jenny heidewald (from livejournal.com)]

What are we FAQing about again?

And how many projects are there again? :)

History, you could do each major turning point.

I always find it hard to write about myself, A couple paragraphs?

Pet pictures: Hmmm, not sure on that one,though, because I know you, they would be cute. :)

[mathhobbit.livejournal.com]

Here's a sample you could look at: http://www.toroidalsnark.net/. It has cute comments about cats. I personally would avoid using a violent blue background.

The thing I would most want are links to all the different things.

The second most useful thing would be clear distinctions between things. Sketchfest is largely independent of Torn World, but Muse Fusion is a Torn World spinoff? How are all these things related to EMG-foo, and how many different types of "foo" are there?

[redokapi.livejournal.com]

What things do you like to find on such pages?
-Why, answers to my questions, of course! :)

Should I give a blurb about each of the EMG projects?
-Not sure what all projects this includes, but yes, probably. I'd keep these short (one paragraph), and then provide a link to more specific/detailed info for each.

How much history should I include?
-It depends one the goal of the FAQ, but I probable wouldn't overdo it, and try to keep it positive. Again, maybe a paragraph or so, with a link to a more detailed history if you desire. It might be appropriate to have a paragraph of history for each project, depends on how you set things up.

How much do I say about ME?
-Again, depends on the goal of this FAQ, but I'd still keep it to a paragraph or so, and link to a longer bio if you want to say more. (I guess I'm a fan of the paragraph, with link to more info when needed.)

Pictures of pets: indulgent and stupid or endearing and personal?
-Not really sure here, I like animals so I enjoy seeing pics of people's pets. Again, depends on the goal, are you trying for "professional" or "friendly" or something else? You could also put these on the longer "bio page" if you choose that route. That way they're not cluttering up the page for people that just want info, but still there for people that are interested in more "personal" type info.

[miss-catlady.livejournal.com]

I know zip about FAQs, myself, but for me personally regarding the pet department I think a snapshot or two wouldn't hurt and leans towards being endearing and personal. ^^ If you start putting up 5, 10, 15 pictures it starts being indulgent, in my opinion.

In general I think keeping it short and sweet will do the trick. I like the above commenter's idea to do a paragraph for the history, about you, etc. When I look at a FAQ of any kind and find it to be too long and exhausting to read I tend to skip it.

[kelkyag]

Well, what do people frequently ask you? :) Or what do you wish they'd ask you, that you want to tell them about?

A short blurb for each project ("What is Sketchfest? How do I participate?") seems like a good thing.

Project histories IMO should be kept very short in a faq, unless they really are frequently asked questions or are important to explaining what the project is. Pointing to more data on another page is fine.

Enough to convince people that yes, you really do have all these balls in the air, and yes, you really do have them all under control. Also that you're awesome and inspiring.

I would put the pet photos on a separate bio page, unless you're asked about them with any frequency. Putting small ones in under "Who is this Ellen person, anyway?" would be fine, too.

[ankewehner.livejournal.com]

What things do you like to find on such pages?
Answers to my questions

Should I give a blurb about each of the EMG projects?
Sounds like a good idea to me. What else would you put there?

How much history should I include?
None? Or maybe mention which year a project was launched in the short blurb. Do you frequently receive questions about the history of the projects?

How much do I say about ME?
A short paragraph, similar to the "about the author" in the back of a book. With a link to your personal website and/or livejournal and maybe deviantart or whatever other places...

Pictures of pets: indulgent and stupid or endearing and personal?
I think the bit with including a photo of you together with a pet would work, but including extra pictures would in my opinion be a bit much for a business site.

Does EMG need a global FAQ?

[jenny heidewald (from livejournal.com)]

Augh! I had to go look and the blue stabbed at my eyes!

Yea to the links, that is always great to have.

[jenny heidewald (from livejournal.com)]

"What things do you like to find on such pages?
Answers to my questions"


*Hahahaha!!!*

Yeah, take a photo of you with the pets. :)

[mathhobbit.livejournal.com]

It *is* an extremely aggressive shade of blue, is it not?