Dear Focal Pointers,

Firstly, I would like to say thank you for everyone’s help and input on this keyword rule, which has helped to make this forum a valuable resource. Special thanks to Mickey Grackin who helped a ton with starting this post!

In an effort to help communicate better, we would like to suggest that everyone should use the following subject title keywords when appropriate. The keywords are designed to help all Focal Pointers communicate and find information a little easier.

Here is the complete keyword list as of now:
[SOLVED]
[CODE]
[WORKAROUND]
[CLOSED]
[SHARING]
[CASE-OPENED]

When used, each of these keywords should be placed as the first word in the subject title for the discussion thread. Here is the intended use for each one and when it should be placed in the subject title.

Definations:
[SOLVED] – This should be placed in the subject title when a solution to the question has been posted in the thread. There are many great discussions and solutions on Focal Point. Using this keyword will help communicate to everyone when a solution has been received. This will also be helpful in the future for new Focal Point members when they are searching for answers to questions they have. If this keyword appears in the subject title they will know there is a solution in the thread.

[CODE] – This should be placed in the subject title when the information in the post is not a question but rather is a piece of code that may be helpful to other Focal Point members. This will communicate that there is not a question in the thread that needs to be answered.

[WORKAROUND] – This should be placed in the subject title when the information in the post is a workaround solution to a specific issue. This is similar to using the [CODE] keyword but is very specific to a particular issue.

[CLOSED] – This should be placed in the subject title when if a solution/suggestion is given, or if a request for more info is made, e.g. code, master files, and we follow-up with the topic starter via one private message, but there is no response or update from the topic starter in 2 business days. This is similar to [SOLVED] except that there is no final confirmation from the topic starter.

[SHARING] – This should be placed in the subject title when the topic is to ask for others’ experiences, thoughts and comments on a particular issue, and there isn’t any right-or-wrong answer.

[CASE-OPENED] – This should be placed in the subject title when the topic starter opened a case with Information Builders’ Customer Support Services for assistance. Once a solution is provided from the case, it is expected that the topic will be updated with the solution, and subject line to be changed to [SOLVED].

The [CODE], [WORKAROUND], and [SHARING] keywords by the nature of their usage would be placed in the subject title when the thread is first started.
However, the [SOLVED] and [CLOSED] keywords will be placed in the subject title AFTER there has been discussion and/or a solution posted for the thread.

The [CASE-OPENED] keyword should be placed in the subject title whenever a case is opened, whether it is before the topic is started or after the fact, and it should be updated to [SOLVED] once a solution is given from the case and posted to the topic.

The Focal Point member who starts the thread is the only person other than the Focal Point administrators (Kathleen Butler and Kathryn Henning) who can change the subject title. To add the appropriate keyword to the subject title, the member who began the thread should go to the very first post that they started the thread with and then edit it. The subject title may only be changed by editing the very first post in the thread.

As always we are open to any additional suggestions or comments. If anyone has other keyword suggestions, please reply your suggestions to the post or send them via private message or email to focalpoint@ibi.com. Please provide an explanation of when to use it.


Thank you all for making this community a great place!

Cheers,

Kerry Zhan
Focal Point Moderator
Kathleen Butler
Customer Care and Communications Manager
Information Builders, Inc.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: <Kathryn Henning>,

How do I mark an issue as [SOLVED] ?

I've noticed that some do this, but didn't know how, although I'd like to do that.
Thanks

If you go to the Orginal post that you started there will be a little yellow square icon at the right bottom of your post and looks like a pencil eraser( I could be wrong about what it is supposed to be)click on that and you can change your original Title by adding the Tag words.

The originator of the thread must go to the original post to "Close Topic" (under "Options")as [SOLVED].

Thanks - nice touch !

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Charlz,

Prarie,

I used the "edit" button that is available on all posts in the the thread.
I found "Close Topic" under "Options" only for the first post in the thread.

I didn't use that because I wanted to hear other comments and didn't want to "close the door" on them.

However, "Close Topic" doesn't prevent anyone else from commenting, or even providing a better solution, so it doesn't really "Close" the topic, so that's good.

Thanks for the 'heads up' on that.

[CLOSED]

Hi Everyone,

This is a reminder to use the subject line to indicate if your post has been solved, closed etc.. It should also be a best practice for you to respond back to the post and thank the person helping you and indicate if their solution or suggestion helped you. These posts also come in handy for others that may have the same issue.

Thank you for being a member of Focal Point.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Butler
Information Builders

which makes the topics very hard to read, to scan, the status at the END is a good idea, but at the beginning, is counter-productive

Hi,

Just to clarify, the subject line is to be updated with the proper keyword once an issue has been solved or closed. The user should also end the post with "thanks, this worked" or "decided to go another route" or something along those lines.

Thank you everyone. I really appreciate your help with answering questions and keeping the board active!!

Have a wonderful day.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Butler
Information Builders