We get a lot of repetitive questions regarding certain issues. Depending on the mood I'm in, I can get a little snippy at times responding to them. As noted in a thread this morning, when I see myself doing that, I take a brief, self-imposed break from even opening those threads. That helps. But I know there's a better way! 
Let's say that John Q Public starts creating a thread. Either in its title or body, a certain word/phrase/name appears. Let's say it's "unknown icon" or "can you identify" or "what is this alert," etc. [I see my fellow regulars rolling their eyes.] Yes, it's yet another "i don't know what this is can you tell me what app this is from my phone doesn't tell me anything it just appeared one day i don't use anything like it someone said it could be a dating app PLEASE HELP ME!!!"
When I'm cranky, but not cranky enough yet to absent myself from that thread, I'll write a brief, 'if you're interested in my explanation of why this is virtually impossible, please see this post,' and leave it at that.
And then there are the endless 'how do I [fill in the blank] on my JP5 tablet' posts. These are prison-issued, locked-down, kiosk mode-only tablets. If the now-released prisoner wants full use of their tablet, they must send it to, and pay, JPay to unlock it. Officially, that is. We see the folks who want to bypass paying and/or those who claim to know how--for a price.
Why not trap, based on content, and redirect these while they're being posted? Send them to an appropriate sticky that sums everything up for them. The 'unknown icon' sticky would explain the logistics of it all, the JP5 sticky would give its rundown AND explain that asking for, or offering, help to illegally bypass its protection is not allowed. Then, *if* they still think they have a legitimate, different question, let them post it.
As always, @Rob, just my 2¢'s worth; feel free to do whatever you please with it!
Let's say that John Q Public starts creating a thread. Either in its title or body, a certain word/phrase/name appears. Let's say it's "unknown icon" or "can you identify" or "what is this alert," etc. [I see my fellow regulars rolling their eyes.] Yes, it's yet another "i don't know what this is can you tell me what app this is from my phone doesn't tell me anything it just appeared one day i don't use anything like it someone said it could be a dating app PLEASE HELP ME!!!"
When I'm cranky, but not cranky enough yet to absent myself from that thread, I'll write a brief, 'if you're interested in my explanation of why this is virtually impossible, please see this post,' and leave it at that.
And then there are the endless 'how do I [fill in the blank] on my JP5 tablet' posts. These are prison-issued, locked-down, kiosk mode-only tablets. If the now-released prisoner wants full use of their tablet, they must send it to, and pay, JPay to unlock it. Officially, that is. We see the folks who want to bypass paying and/or those who claim to know how--for a price.
Why not trap, based on content, and redirect these while they're being posted? Send them to an appropriate sticky that sums everything up for them. The 'unknown icon' sticky would explain the logistics of it all, the JP5 sticky would give its rundown AND explain that asking for, or offering, help to illegally bypass its protection is not allowed. Then, *if* they still think they have a legitimate, different question, let them post it.
As always, @Rob, just my 2¢'s worth; feel free to do whatever you please with it!
