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Started by TheHermit Jun 18, 2002 at 11:17 PM 7 replies 100+ views
Original Post
TheHermit
TheHermit
OK, with the recent (great) addition of columns, I got thinking. ...just for something different... On these forums there is often the question "How do I ... with ..." And also on these forums there is also the response "... Why don''t you search the { [forums] [for beginner section] } you ..." Usually this "Q" "A" sequence appears in the same thread. So what''s the point. Why bore with this crap? Well, I think a new column is in order. Commonly asked questions on the forums be summarised in sweet snippets style articles, and each time the same question is asked, the article is there to explain - with minimal flames. I know that I usually search the forums before placing a Question, and quite often find the answer. Some Questions (just to get the ball rolling) may be: - How do I use OO techniques to make my entire application Class based? - How do I set up DirectX with MSVC++ vX.X They should be on issues that pop up in the forums commonly, ie weekly/monthly that are not overly complex for the high level beginner. Suggestions for Q''s/Improvements here: (your turn)
Martee
Martee
I like this idea ... a few more suggestions that seem to come up quite regularly:

"What does ''unresolved external symbol _WinMain@16'' mean?"
"How do I clear the screen in C++ (or Visual C++)?"
ReactOS - an Open-source operating system compatible with Windows NT apps and drivers
TheHermit
TheHermit
Good suggestions.

Also thinking a little on it, linked lists etc. may be tackled, but I personally have the view that sort of topic already receives a lot of exposure in books/forums/articles/tutorials/network news etc.

I think they should be articles on problems usually encountered once then remebered, not in depth tutorials.

In saying that of course, good explanations are _never_ a bad thing
Null and Void
Null and Void
  • Why does my program close as soon as I run it? (the infamous "I don''t realize what the Win32 console does when the program is done" thing)
  • How do I convert from a(n) string/integer/whatever to a string/integer/whatever in C/C++? (atoi, snprintf, stringstream, boost::lexical_cast)
  • How do I compare strings in C/C++? (strcmp, std::string)
  • Why are there lines on the edges of my textures? (OpenGL: GL_CLAMP_TO_EDGE).
  • Where can I get OpenGL 1.2+ headers and libraries for Windows? (answer: you don''t)
  • How do I use screen coordinates for vertices in Direct3D/OpenGL?
  • Where can I get a free compiler/some-other-tool? (link to http://www.gamedev.net/reference/articles/article1510.asp)
  • Why does this warning mean? (in reference to the MSVC warning about debug identifiers being too long for STL or other templates)
  • How do I do color keying in OpenGL? (alpha channel with alpha testing/blending)

    Um, I''m out for the moment, but I''ll probably find more annoyances.

    • TheHermit
    TheHermit
    Exactly what i meant....

    Examples not to be included:
    - What is this funky green discharge and how do I stop it?
    - Why does my brother/sister give me _that_ look?
    - Is DirectX more powerful than a char* array?
    Myopic Rhino
    Myopic Rhino
    I like the idea. I don''t know that it needs a new column, though, because the longer tips would work as Sweet Snippets (I had originally hoped that people would take lengthy responses to common questions and turn them into articles to submit as Sweet Snippets, though that''s never really happened), and the shorter ones could be included as the tip of the week in the newsletter (newsletter tips will also be available through the web).
    llyod
    llyod
    On the other hand, why would I bother going through the sweet snippets, FAQ or whatever if I can just ask in the forums...?

    Go 2D NOW!
    TheHermit
    TheHermit
    ...indeed, and why go to the bakery when I have all i need to make my own bread?


    These articles would provide a "quick" place to check to see if the questions answered rather than sifting through 1 question, 3 clarifications, 5 flames and an average of 1.32 valuable answers per thread. It is instant access to knowledge, and isn''t that what the internet is all about?
    IndirectX
    IndirectX
    At least we can save on typing by just a href''ing people to the appropriate place instead of reposting the answers.
    ---visit #directxdev on afternet <- not just for directx, despite the name

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