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Just a suggestion, but would it be possible for someone to write a little program that harvests the specs for a computer and then uploads it to a form so that a newbie doesn't have to fill out that whole template before asking for help? OR, just explain how to find that information within the 'Read me first' post? I usually have to ask someone how to find the information it requests which delays my time from problem occurring to being back in game.

DxDiag anyone?

In XP or Vista (and other versions of Windoze, I guess), opening up the device manager gives you most of the information you need to fill in for that template. (For things like your router and AV software, you should know how to find those)

Edit: Darn you sp4wn. >.<

Already a proposed addition to CSS

TB

SP4WN wrote:QUOTE (SP4WN @ Oct 5 2009, 11:22 AM) DxDiag anyone?

Rock Raider wrote:QUOTE (Rock Raider @ Oct 5 2009, 11:22 AM) In XP or Vista (and other versions of Windoze, I guess), opening up the device manager gives you most of the information you need to fill in for that template. (For things like your router and AV software, you should know how to find those)

Edit: Darn you sp4wn. >.<

Don't take this as a slam, but more of advice from a business owner. This game will always have trouble growing if we continue the quoted mentality. There are two types of 'hard core' gamers. Those that are techies and those that just like to play games. I don't even know what DxDiag means. When I open the device manager I don't know what components I'm looking at to even be able to say I have 'x' sound card. I'm just as likely to tell you what kind of sound driver I have which may not be helpful at all. As a community we have to stop assuming that people playing this game know how to do even basic things. We have to continually figure out how to make things more user friendly. The easier it is to get the game up and running smoothly and keep it running that way, the more people we will retain.

TheBored wrote:QUOTE (TheBored @ Oct 5 2009, 12:16 PM) Already a proposed addition to CSS

TB

Very good TB.

Its ok I dont take it badly.

DxDiag instructions can be posted in the helpline readme, or along the lines of the CSS, have an auto upload feature.

They are extremely simple!

Edit: I used to own a business too!

Two thoughts:

One
I agree 100% with McW being both an engineer and former business owner <oh look at my epeen!> this carries even more weight

Two
Look at Spawn's last edit and read it with a "L" vs a "!" makes all the difference in the world

A feature such as this would probably bring results to the helpline staff faster anyway. Also it might help developers if information was collected on install or something but ahh I'm travelling toward the privacy issue and I'll let y'all deal with that as you must.

I'm assuming the CSS function would make a hardware/software audit and send it in? I think ASGS is already collecting some if not all of this information now for security, is it not?

ASGS only collects some information that helps identify your computer, nothing of diagnostic use. The helpline needs information like driver versions, AV installations, etc.

TB