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I was just looking today at Can't turn on Microsoft update in Windows 7 x86 on Super User. Now, first, this illustrates the value of Super User (and all StackExchange) because I searched hours on Microsoft.com answers and community sites and the quality is poor. Many MVPs simply say "read the FAQ on windows update" which is completely irrelevant to the problem. The ANSWER was on Super User.

I was just looking today at Can't turn on Microsoft update in Windows 7 x86 on Super User. Now, first, this illustrates the value of Super User (and all StackExchange) because I searched hours on Microsoft.com answers and community sites and the quality is poor. Many MVPs simply say "read the FAQ on windows update" which is completely irrelevant to the problem. The ANSWER was on Super User.

EDIT: Well, I just saw this right on the front page of stackexchange.com.

So close, but it doesnt really say what's so different. "Community" sounds so much like "forum" I doubt a beginner would be triggered to think it's "different". There are hints; it says this community is built. Strange term for a discussion forum, but IMHO not enough to trigger the average newcomer.

"This is a Knowledgebase-building community, not a discussion forum"--now that would have alerted me. Regardless, based on what I've learned, and what's on this page, that blurb should definitely say "This is not a discussion forum" in some way.

3 suggestions

1. The idea that you ask a question, and that people question you and make suggestions and you edit the question as time goes on--that was not obvious to me and I suspect will not be to most beginners. I suggest it should explain this style right when you go to ask a question. It should come right out and say "Enter the first version of your question. Through interaction with people on the site you will edit your question later to be more specific and precise as time goes on." That would have helped me. It was also helpful to me when experienced users specifically asked me to edit the question to add more info.

2. Maybe a link/button on every page that says "[sitename] is different from most other sites. How?" which is a link to not pages of rules, but a 1 page overview emphasizing those things that are the most frequent to trip up beginners. Something like the focus on answers not discussion, something about having to earn reputation points, and the best way to earn them, the bit about expecting to edit your own question, and links to the rest of the good intro stuff here. Anything else?

3. There's strength in numbers. I know that SE discourages "me too" answers, but a string of "this worked for me" is extremely helpful. One person who gives an answer and the OP saying this worked, is not the same as 15 people saying "this worked for me". Because, as you're reading possible answers to a problem's symptoms, you're trying to guess at which would be most effective to try first. Answers that fixed a lot of people's problems are good candidates for a first try. This might apply to Super User and Server Fault more than Stack Overflow.

2 suggestions

1. The idea that you ask a question, and that people question you and make suggestions and you edit the question as time goes on--that was not obvious to me and I suspect will not be to most beginners. I suggest it should explain this style right when you go to ask a question. It should come right out and say "Enter the first version of your question. Through interaction with people on the site you will edit your question later to be more specific and precise as time goes on." That would have helped me. It was also helpful to me when experienced users specifically asked me to edit the question to add more info.

2. Maybe a link/button on every page that says "[sitename] is different from most other sites. How?" which is a link to not pages of rules, but a 1 page overview emphasizing those things that are the most frequent to trip up beginners. Something like the focus on answers not discussion, something about having to earn reputation points, and the best way to earn them, the bit about expecting to edit your own question, and links to the rest of the good intro stuff here. Anything else?