I am getting an increasing number of queries emailed directly to me (two today), in spite of admonitions on the FAQ site not to. Sometimes I can answer these questions easily enough, but for the majority I refer them back to the newsgroup. This has become common enough to need a standard reply and to that end I have put the following text together.
I'd appreciate any comments, suggestions, improvements.
Thanks. Phil
[Quote]This is a reply to your email regarding the UK.D-I-Y FAQ site:
For a speedy reply always ensure there is a relevant Subject line in place of the text that says "UK DIY FAQ Please type a topic here". Thank you.
If possible ask your question on the uk.d-i-y newsgroup before mailing me - I am *not* the FAQ, just the editor (see "How to Access the uk.d-i-y Newsgroup" below). In the unlikely event that you have no luck there, email me again and I will try to give advice, although I am only the site maintainer and not an expert in all topics. If you do not know how to access the newsgroup please study the following advice.
How do I Ask Questions or Give Answers? =======================================
Asking Questions ================
First study the FAQ (Frequently Asked/Answered Questions) at
If you can't find the answer in the FAQ, check the uk.d-i-y archive by doing an "Advanced Groups Search". Click the following link (it should appear all on one line)
If the answer still eludes you then there's a good chance that someone with extensive knowledge will respond to a courteous question posted in the uk.d-i-y newsgroup. Since their reply will be made in the newsgroup their words of wisdom will be shared with a large audience and will therefore benefit more people.
Contributors to the FAQ and the newsgroup prefer to answer questions by posting to the newsgroup and may not respond to direct email, indeed they may well be annoyed by it. If you have a question, first try to get an answer by posting your question to the uk.d-i-y newsgroup. Others readers will then have the benefit of the Question and Answer too, and you will probably get a range of replies. In the event that you do not get a useful response from the newsgroup, you could try a direct email to the FAQ Maintainer. However, you will only receive this standard reply unless you point out that you tried to ask on the newsgroup first. The FAQ Maintainer is not an expert in all topics but may be able to point you in the right direction.
Give some background information about what you are trying to achieve, and if the question is about specific hardware include as much information as possible, such as make, model, ancillary equipment etc., and what you have tried so far. It is helpful to give some idea of your competence in the area, as this will affect the kind of answer you get. Isolated questions with no background often do not attract useful answers. Make sure that the Subject line of your question is accurate and to the point. Do not use an all-purpose Subject line like "Help", or "Urgent - No heat".
Note that no answers come with guarantees! You are responsible for your own actions even if based on advice. However, several people usually look at replies posted to the group and poor or inaccurate advice is generally challenged or corrected.
When your question has been answered, a short response thanking those who gave useful or potentially useful advice is nice. The lack of this seriously reduces your chance of getting a response to future queries. A later follow up, to tell us the outcome, is also nice.
Answering Question posted by others ===================================
You should not send direct email in response to questions posted on the newsgroups, unless the poster specifically asks for email replies, as this excludes others from the benefit of your contribution. Occasionally there will be reasons why someone will post but not be able to access replies on the newsgroup, and then they will ask for email. If you do send a direct email, don't forget to post a copy to the newsgroup. Many people find it irritating to get email, possibly having responded to it, only to later read the identical material on the newsgroup. Be assured that any answer you post to the newsgroup will be read - the duplication is unnecessary.
How to Access the uk.d-i-y Newsgroup ====================================
An easy way is to use the Google facilities. Click this link
Once signed in, click the "Start a new topic " link to post your question to the group (also known as a forum), then check back later to see if you have had any replies.
Alternatively, you can use a more specialised 'newsreader' and a good starting point is to go to the
But first...
Make sure your browser is set to send plain text, not an HTML (web-based) message. Non-text or binary images are not allowed. Do not use any special effects, not even bold or coloured fonts. These will not come out on the posted message, and may even be illegible.
If you have use of a personal web site you can upload any photos or images there and just put the link address in your message.
If you want to include an 'ASCII' diagram, use a fixed width font such as Courier, otherwise it will not come out right for other readers. It's a good idea to prefix such diagrams with a note to your reader to tell them to 'switch to a fixed width font', too.
[/Quote]Phil The uk.d-i-y FAQ is at