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Re: preferred format for a Frequently Asked Questions page

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From: JAKE JOEHL
Date: Dec 20, 2014 1:18PM

Hi all. Sorry for the late response, I’ve been having email issues with this account. I think it’s about time to upgrade to OS X Yosemite. Hopefully this makes it onto the list. But anyway, I don’t really have a particular preference for an FAQ format, just as long as it is accessible. But I like how Dreamwidth has their FAQ. What they do is list out all the categories with a same-page link to each one, and then on the same page they have separate headings for each FAQ category. Within each separate category there is a link that says “View All,” which when clicked lists all the questions and answers for that particular category. Please see http://www.dreamwidth.org/support/faq .
Jake
Please visit me at http://jazzyjj.dreamwidth.org .



On Dec 18, 2014, at 1:55 PM, Jennifer Sutton < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:

Thanks to those who responded, both on and off list. I'm a bit surprised at how few responses I've gotten.

So I'd like to send out yet one more call for sample FAQ pages that people like/have been tested, etc.

Despite Cliff's comments (which come from an unachievable ideal goal, in most cases, in my experience), I actually *like* FAQs and do use them. When they're done right, they can save me one heckuva lot of time reading a bunch of prose and poking around a site.

Sometimes, as shocking as this may seem to some, *I* go straight to that page, especially when I'm on a technology-based site, and I'm trying to solve what I think could be a common problem. One example that comes to mind is on phone carriers' sites which tend to be filled with marketing jargon and sales pitch pages, rather than specific step-by-step guidance.

As a fyi, I haven't specified what kind of site I'm focusing on here, primarily to avoid the very philosophical debate Cliff raises.

Again, as I said originally, I have a chance to set up a good design pattern for FAQS, and I'd welcome any additional ideas people have to help me "get it right."

Thanks.
Best,
Jennifer