Does TW use "bots" like reddit?

As obnoxious as they can be... seems like it would be worthwhile to have a "bot" reply to some of the most common repeated questions:

• Largest tire size
• When to preform the first oil change
• What does this button do
• How to secure a bed mat
• Where to mount a brake controller

The bot could be triggered by key words and the reply could contain the most fruitful links for each issue, or multiple links, depending on the question. If the bot is off-base, then it would just be a matter of the OP ignoring the first response.

Now mind you, I'm a computer idiot, so this question could be the equivalent of your grandparents asking you if it's possible to have the computer start your microwave... What I asked could be complete nonsense and I wouldn't hold it against you, if you told me that.

 

@WrecklessAbandon @tonered @msgs350

Ok you programming geniuses, put your fingers to work and write some code to accomplish this.

 

LoL! I'm the bad idea person. I struggle with the garage door code.

But, I wholeheartedly agree with this. Peeps need to be spammed MPG and DTE answers before they even hit Post.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/gas-gauge-and-distance-to-e-don’t-match-up.739551/

 

I realize the jest, but this is actually possible.

 

We jest not.

 

Tacomaworld clippy:

 

Doing the Hunters Ed or Boaters Ed classes online, they ask you multiple choice questions, but every page has a countdown timer/wait time until you can go to the next page, so you really get to soak in the info and you can't just blast through the test. Something like that "could" work well

 

I can nearly promise you, you can't start my grandparents microwave with your computer. But I welcome you to try.

 

What's the need and requirement?

In my opinion the need is more on the moderation side.. preventing new users from posting the same tired old questions. Perhaps changing TW so you cannot start a thread until you've contributed/responded/asked in other existing threads?

it seems that there's users that don't mind and respond to the same tired old questions (or do mind and give some random sarcastic answer) so I don't see that a bot is needed there. my 2c.

/ Full disclosure: I write bots for a living and would like to keep them out of TW and my truck.

 

How about a "FAQ" button/ icon with all the frequently asked questions.

 

That's basically the stickies that no one uses...

 

In my opinion one problem with the existing stickies is that there's a long list of them AND the most important ones appear last so new users don't scroll down that area and see them.

For example in the 3rd gen forum there is a sticky that says:

***Before posting anything in 3rd gen read this***

But it is not visible unless you go looking for it. I feel it should be at the top (visible) and perhaps take a more stern tone like:

***DON"T POST ANYTHING UNTIL YOU'VE READ THIS!***


my $0.02

 

I know that, you know that. Don't underestimate the people. Some are lazy, dumb, looking for attention...whatever. one more option at the top wouldn't hurt.

 

I guess the question I'd be asking is: "Would a bot be able to help people who can't be bothered to google?". It's easy to believe something like a bot would have a positive effect, but you have to remember that you're not dealing with reasonable, thoughtful people.

 

After all the stupid shit i’ve asked, i try to fall on the newbie grenade questions as a way of giving back haha

 

I’ve definitely been there, and I totally get it. But at the same time, google has been around for a while now… Hell, I imagine it’s how 95% of us found tacomaworld. So we clearly know how to google?

maybe we should try improving the sites search function, or add tagging to posts. God it’s gonna be embarrassing if we already have that…

 

To be able to stop/speedbump someone from posting, you would have to alter the source code responsible for handling all new thread posts and replies to existing threads (risky changes). A bot approach (as mentioned in OPs title) could just be a user account that parses all threads and replies with text or links to threads/stickies that might be helpful. In order for the bot to not suck you'd need to implement some NLP. If you want to get real fancy you can PM the OP providing the same info and asking if it answered his/her question. If they click yes, their original post/reply is deleted. Obviously bot account would need to have moderator privs for that to work.

 

Has anyone here attempted to get assistance using Verizon's "Virtual Assistant" (mainly a chat window to a bot.) That thing absolutely SUCKS!

You'd think with the deep pockets of VZW that they could engineer something less shaitty.

 

I think part of the reason for the over-asked questions is the fact that the TW search function is pretty worthless. Newbies try to use it, it doesn't bring up any of the relevant threads so they start a new one, not really their fault.

Most of us regulars know that Google works best, as long as you type the word tacomaworld into the question.

Maybe use a bot to tell newbs to use Google for searching