Mentions, Search, and Solutions

Learn how to effectively use @mentions, search the forums, and mark threads as solved to enhance your community experience.

@Mentions

What are Mentions?

Mentions allow you to directly reference other users in your posts, helping to bring their attention to specific discussions or questions.

How to Mention Users

Simply type @username anywhere in your post:

@john can you help with this issue?

Thanks @sarah for the great explanation!

@mike @lisa what do you think about this approach?

Mention Formatting

• Basic mention: @username creates a clickable link to the user's profile
• Case insensitive: @John and @john work the same way
• Spaces: Use quotes for usernames with spaces: @"user name"
• Multiple mentions: You can mention multiple users in one post

Mention Etiquette

✅ Good Mention Practices

• Mention relevant users who have expertise or interest in the topic
• Use sparingly to avoid overwhelming users with notifications
• Be specific about why you're mentioning someone
• Include context so the mentioned user understands the situation
• Respect user preferences if they ask not to be mentioned frequently

❌ Poor Mention Practices

• Don't spam mentions to get attention
• Don't mention users who aren't relevant to the discussion
• Don't use mentions as a substitute for proper thread titles or categories
• Don't mention staff unless you need official assistance

Mention Notifications

When you mention someone:

• They receive a notification about your mention
• Notification includes context from your post
• They can click through to see the full discussion
• Works across all categories they have access to

Manual Mentions (Current System)

Currently, the mention system works manually:

• Type the username exactly as it appears on their profile
• No autocomplete: You need to know the correct username spelling
• Case doesn't matter: @John and @john both work
• Visual formatting: Mentions appear as regular text but function as user references

Forum Search

Accessing Search

• Search bar: Located at the top of forum pages
• Direct access: Visit /forums/search or use the search link
• Category search: Search within specific categories
• Global search: Search across all accessible forums

Search Features

Basic Search

Enter any term in the search box:

bug report
download issue
movie recommendation

Advanced Search Operators

• Exact phrases: Use quotes "exact phrase"
• Exclude terms: Use minus -unwanted
• Multiple terms: Space-separated terms use AND logic
• Category filter: Limit search to specific categories

Search Scope

The search function looks through:

• Thread titles: Primary matching for relevance
• Post content: Full-text search of all post content
• Author names: Find content by specific users

Search Results

Result Types

• Thread matches: When search terms appear in thread titles
• Post matches: When terms are found in post content
• Mixed results: Combination of both, sorted by relevance

Result Display

Each result shows:

• Thread/post title with link to content
• Category location and author information
• Creation date and activity metrics
• Content preview for post matches
• Status badges (solved, locked, pinned)

Search Tips

Effective Search Strategies

• Use specific keywords rather than general terms
• Search category names to find relevant sections
• Include error messages exactly as they appear
• Use technical terms for precise results

Common Search Patterns

• Error troubleshooting: Include exact error messages
• Feature requests: Search "feature" + specific functionality
• How-to guides: Search "how to" + your goal
• User content: Search username to find their contributions

Search Limitations

• Real-time indexing: New content may take time to appear in results
• Character limits: Very short terms may not return results
• Special characters: May affect search performance

Mark as Solved

What is "Mark as Solved"?

The solved system helps identify threads where questions have been answered or issues have been resolved, making it easier for others to find solutions.

When to Use Solved Status

Mark threads as solved when:

• Questions are answered completely and correctly
• Problems are resolved with working solutions
• Issues are confirmed fixed by the original poster
• Discussions reach conclusion with clear outcomes

Who Can Mark as Solved

Thread Authors

• Mark your own threads as solved when you get the answer
• Choose the specific post that provided the solution
• Update status as needed if situation changes

Staff Members

• Mark any thread as solved when appropriate
• Help maintain forum organization and usefulness
• Override incorrect solved status when necessary

How to Mark as Solved

1. Find the helpful post that solved your issue
2. Click "Mark as Solved" button on that specific post
3. Thread status updates to show it's solved
4. Solution post gets highlighted with special styling

Solved Thread Benefits

For the Community

• Easy identification: Solved threads have clear visual indicators
• Solution highlighting: The helpful post is marked prominently
• Search filtering: Find solutions quickly in search results
• Knowledge base: Build a repository of answered questions

For Thread Authors

• Show appreciation: Recognize users who helped you
• Stop notifications: Reduce replies asking if issue is resolved
• Help others: Make your solution findable for similar problems
• Close discussion: Signal that no more help is needed

Status Management

• Toggle on/off: Solved status can be changed if needed
• Solution changes: Select different posts as the solution
• Reopening threads: Remove solved status to continue discussion
• History tracking: Previous solutions may be recorded

Best Practices

When to Mark Solved

• ✅ Wait for confirmation: Ensure the solution actually works
• ✅ Test thoroughly: Verify the fix resolves your issue
• ✅ Choose the best answer: Pick the most helpful post
• ✅ Thank contributors: Show appreciation in your response

When NOT to Mark Solved

• ❌ Partial solutions: Don't mark if only partly resolved
• ❌ Unclear answers: Wait for clarification if needed
• ❌ Multiple issues: Consider if all problems are addressed
• ❌ Workarounds only: Distinguish between fixes and temporary solutions

Common Scenarios

Support Requests

Question: "Can't download NZB files - getting 404 errors"
Solution Post: "Check your API key settings in profile > API"
Action: Mark the solution post as solved
Result: Future users with same issue can quickly find the answer

Feature Discussions

Question: "How do I set up automated downloads?"
Solution Post: "Use the RSS feeds feature with your download client"
Action: Mark as solved with link to detailed instructions
Result: Creates searchable how-to resource for community

Bug Reports

Report: "Site returns error when uploading large files"
Resolution: "Fixed in latest update - please test"
Action: Mark as solved after confirming fix works
Result: Clear record of resolved issues for other users

Tips for Power Users

Mention Strategies

• Build relationships: Thoughtful mentions help connect community members
• Expert identification: Learn who has expertise in different areas
• Follow-up mentions: Reference previous helpful contributors
• Notification management: Be considerate of mention frequency

Solution Management

• Solution templates: Develop standard formats for common solutions
• Link solutions: Connect related solved threads for comprehensive answers
• Update solutions: Keep solution posts current with new information
• Cross-reference: Link to solved threads in new discussions

Ready to explore more forum features? Check out our Advanced Tips and Tricks for power user techniques!