Archived and Closed
This conversation is no longer open for comments or replies and is no longer visible to community members. The community moderator provided the following reason for archiving: Old thread
What it says on the tin, there are often similar problems cropping up and if we spot a common one can we suggest an FAQ? Perhaps using this very thread?
Getting people to read them is another matter...
Getting people to read them is another matter...
Emperor, Champion
Posted 7 years ago
Dan Dassow, Champion
Emperor, Champion
Emperor, Champion
One of the other popular problems seems to be people reporting a new submission has gone live but missing some of the credits - a quick explanation of how the system slots everything together over a few days should help allay most of these concerns.
bluesmanSF, Champion
Yeah. If anything is "Frequently Asked," it's that.
Dan Dassow, Champion
Agreed!
DavidAH_Ca wrote an eloquent explanation about a week or two ago that would be a good starting for such an FAQ.
DavidAH_Ca wrote an eloquent explanation about a week or two ago that would be a good starting for such an FAQ.
Emperor, Champion
Give him a nudge to see if he'll adapt it into an FAQ.
Giancarlo Cairella, Official Rep
Yes, absolutely. Suggestions are welcome, especially those that include not just a question but also the answer to it... :-)
The best way to add FAQs here is to create them in the form of a quesiton/answer topic which can then be kept/preserved. This makes them searchable so that when someone tries to post a similar question, they will turn up among possible matches.
See examples here:
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
If you have good candidates for more FAQs, we will be happy to add them.
The best way to add FAQs here is to create them in the form of a quesiton/answer topic which can then be kept/preserved. This makes them searchable so that when someone tries to post a similar question, they will turn up among possible matches.
See examples here:
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
If you have good candidates for more FAQs, we will be happy to add them.
Emperor, Champion
I've got the balling rolling, but could you tag those FAQs with "faq" so we can find them better?
Dan Dassow, Champion
Emperor, ironically these FAQs are already marked as FAQs. They are posted by the user IMDb FAQ:
https://getsatisfaction.com/people/im...
I tend to forget about them myself.
https://getsatisfaction.com/people/im...
I tend to forget about them myself.
Emperor, Champion
Yep, but it isn't linked in anywhere and being tagged as "faq" would allow us to quickly fish through them to find the right one.
Many of us who work seriously for a living for many years find the entire process of filling out forms just to get our credits find it really stupid. we have come to think of it here as not legitimate anymore. Many of my real credits have never even made it in my profile because of that. Yet I see so many mistakes of other peoples credits which are false that are just ignored. Like the people who say they are on a job and they are not . How do you fix that ? Who do you complain to? No, I am not filling out forms, like I am doing my taxes either.
bluesmanSF, Champion
Re: "How do you fix that?"
Edit the page. Send any proof you have.
Re: "Who do you complain to?"
Site employees. You can post on this board. There's a separate section for "report a problem." Staff are here daily.
As to the forms, part of the reason they are difficult is to make people add the right stuff in the right form to keep the site accurate and uniform.
If you have a submission you've made, that hasn't posted to your page, you can post the submission ID on this board, add any screen grabs, documentation, etc., and ask staff to take a look. They can look at why it has not been approved, let you know what was done wrong or let you know if it lacked verifiable proof.
If staff isn't around, you can explain what you've submitted, how you submitted it, when you submitted and there are contributors who know a lot about it who might help you get it submitted right.
Yes, a lot of people are trying to rig the listings and also many of us make mistakes...that's why all pages have an "edit page" button.
Edit the page. Send any proof you have.
Re: "Who do you complain to?"
Site employees. You can post on this board. There's a separate section for "report a problem." Staff are here daily.
As to the forms, part of the reason they are difficult is to make people add the right stuff in the right form to keep the site accurate and uniform.
If you have a submission you've made, that hasn't posted to your page, you can post the submission ID on this board, add any screen grabs, documentation, etc., and ask staff to take a look. They can look at why it has not been approved, let you know what was done wrong or let you know if it lacked verifiable proof.
If staff isn't around, you can explain what you've submitted, how you submitted it, when you submitted and there are contributors who know a lot about it who might help you get it submitted right.
Yes, a lot of people are trying to rig the listings and also many of us make mistakes...that's why all pages have an "edit page" button.
Emperor, Champion
Great!!
I don't know how folks here want to go about it, but I'd suggest we draft the FAQ in this thread and then post them when we're happy with them (or the FAQ account can). Perhaps start a new reply for each one and then then use the comments to suggest tweaks until it is ready.
Then tag them with "faq" when they are posted.
Sooooooooooo suggestions?
I don't know how folks here want to go about it, but I'd suggest we draft the FAQ in this thread and then post them when we're happy with them (or the FAQ account can). Perhaps start a new reply for each one and then then use the comments to suggest tweaks until it is ready.
Then tag them with "faq" when they are posted.
Sooooooooooo suggestions?
Dan Dassow, Champion
That works for me.
Emperor, Champion
I've now adjusted my tagging on previous threads, so questions about FAQs go into this category:
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/tags...
So an FAQ can go here:
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/tags...
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/tags...
So an FAQ can go here:
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/tags...
Emperor, Champion
Also it'd be an idea to add in as many screenshots as might prove useful - it is one area the IMDB FAQs fall done.
Emperor, Champion
I spoke to MayorDefacto to see if he had anything to chip in at this stage, but he thinks we've got the bases covered, but did suggest we give more prominence to:
http://brndtnlsn.dk/contributorshelp....
Put together by... someone around here and linked in from IMDB, but buried quite deep, so few people find it I know I didn't).
http://brndtnlsn.dk/contributorshelp....
Put together by... someone around here and linked in from IMDB, but buried quite deep, so few people find it I know I didn't).
Dan Dassow, Champion
Wow! Most impressive!
Peter, Champion
I have been working a bit on an updated version. I think of it more as a place where those of us who discuss contributions and help other users can find past discussions. I'm not sure it needs to be pushed to the average user.
Emperor, Champion
OK well two obvious ones:
* Help us help you - not phrased as a question (although "How should I post a problem?" might work), but as DD points out above this is a vital plank in speeding up the help delivery.
* My submission for a new project has been accepted, so why aren't all the credits showing?
* I keep resubmitting to get my credit in a project, why hasn't it appeared yet?
Anything else?
* Help us help you - not phrased as a question (although "How should I post a problem?" might work), but as DD points out above this is a vital plank in speeding up the help delivery.
* My submission for a new project has been accepted, so why aren't all the credits showing?
* I keep resubmitting to get my credit in a project, why hasn't it appeared yet?
Anything else?
Emperor, Champion
Oh and:
* Can you help with authenticating my account using SMS?
* Why am I being told to verify my account when I've already authenticated?
* Can you help with authenticating my account using SMS?
* Why am I being told to verify my account when I've already authenticated?
Emperor, Champion
Also:
* Has this movie/TV show had a home media release?
* Has this movie/TV show had a home media release?
Emperor, Champion
And:
* How do I merge my accounts under the names of "johnsmith" and "John Smith"?
* How do I merge my accounts under the names of "johnsmith" and "John Smith"?
Emperor, Champion
One that comes up quite a bit:
* Why can't I share my ratings on Facebook?
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
* Why can't I share my ratings on Facebook?
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
Emperor, Champion
gromit's How do I get my videos on my film's page?
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
This is an important one as it comes up a few times a week and often requires staff intervention, when the users can sort it out themselves.
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
This is an important one as it comes up a few times a week and often requires staff intervention, when the users can sort it out themselves.
Emperor, Champion
Two for the price of one:
* Why isn't my project's box office automatically updating?
* How do I get a news article linked into my project?
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
* Why isn't my project's box office automatically updating?
* How do I get a news article linked into my project?
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
Emperor, Champion
Emperor, Champion
An obscure one but bloody useful from David (it might not be needed often but if you need to do it...):
* My biography is on the wrong person's entry, how do I switch it to mine?
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
* My biography is on the wrong person's entry, how do I switch it to mine?
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
Emperor, Champion
A handy one:
* How do I add my project as the right type?
There is quite a complex system for this, some of which is done through formatting the title, some through genre and some through keywords (TV miniseries, web series, etc).
* How do I add my project as the right type?
There is quite a complex system for this, some of which is done through formatting the title, some through genre and some through keywords (TV miniseries, web series, etc).
Emperor, Champion
One that requires a list of tricks to run through, so we might as well get them down in one place:
* How do I fix my login/connection issues with the IMDB site?
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
* How do I fix my login/connection issues with the IMDB site?
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
Emperor, Champion
* How to add credits for archive footage:
http://www.imdb.com/board/bd0000042/n...
http://www.imdb.com/board/bd0000042/n...
Emperor, Champion
Related to how to help us help you (and it might be worth adding into that, although we could do a separate one and link across):
* How to make a screenshot:
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
* How to make a screenshot:
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
Emperor, Champion
How do you convert TV episodes into other title types or merge them with other title types?
http://www.imdb.com/board/bd0000042/n...
http://www.imdb.com/board/bd0000042/n...
Emperor, Champion
Why is this film not in the Top 250?
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
Emperor, Champion
Why is my movies average rating different from the weighted average that is displayed on the main page?
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
Emperor, Champion
What counts as a credit?
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
Emperor, Champion
How do I control my page on IMDB and stop other people from editing it?
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
Emperor, Champion
Why is my unreleased title not in credit order?
http://www.imdb.com/board/bd0000042/n...
http://www.imdb.com/board/bd0000042/n...
Emperor, Champion
I've submitted data (trivia, etc.) to the wrong title, can I switch it to the right one?
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
Emperor, Champion
Should extras go in the "Other Crew" section?
http://www.imdb.com/board/bd0000042/n...
http://www.imdb.com/board/bd0000042/n...
Emperor, Champion
Do trade shows count as release dates:
http://www.imdb.com/board/bd0000042/n...
http://www.imdb.com/board/bd0000042/n...
Emperor, Champion
Is there a Top 250 of TV shows?
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
Emperor, Champion
I think we need something on the difference between name pages and user accounts:
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topics/problems_with_a_new_account_i_tried_to_create
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topics/problems_with_a_new_account_i_tried_to_create
bluesmanSF, Champion
I've been thinking that too. I had never seen that on the old Help Board, but it's almost daily here. I don't know why it's a recent thing, but it's a pretty regularly misunderstood thing. I don't know if there's a page on the site that makes it seem like starting out with a user account leads to having a name page and that the two are related somehow of it people are just jumping in there thinking they're signing up to have an advertised page.
Emperor, Champion
It might be the more recent changes to make a user profile that might make people think they can somehow transition this to a name page and/or it might be that they look around and can't see a way to add a name page directly, so assume you need to start with the only means they can find...
Ours is not to reason why, ours is to spot where people's brains are going wrong and trying to head it off at the pass. However, if the above reasoning is correct, then the title of the FAQ might be: "How do I get a name page? Do you need to upgrade your user profile?"
Ours is not to reason why, ours is to spot where people's brains are going wrong and trying to head it off at the pass. However, if the above reasoning is correct, then the title of the FAQ might be: "How do I get a name page? Do you need to upgrade your user profile?"
Emperor, Champion
Emperor, Champion
How do you edit the mini-biography?
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topics/mini_bio
http://www.imdb.com/board/bd0000042/nest/222675310
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topics/mini_bio
http://www.imdb.com/board/bd0000042/nest/222675310
Emperor, Champion
Can I get more slots to add credits?
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topics/not_enough_slots_to_add_all_the_credits_for_some_departments
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topics/not_enough_slots_to_add_all_the_credits_for_some_departments
Emperor, Champion
Can I delete my DOB?
http://www.imdb.com/board/bd0000042/nest/223219663?d=223459519#223459519
Interesting response, as I thought they'd update it if it was incorrect but not remove it. Apparently not.
To your second point, a DoB can be wholly removed if it is categorically proven to us that it is incorrect. If in so doing the individual in question has to show us what their DoB actually is, we will not as a consequence automatically publish their actual DoB unless so requested.
http://www.imdb.com/board/bd0000042/nest/223219663?d=223459519#223459519
Interesting response, as I thought they'd update it if it was incorrect but not remove it. Apparently not.
Dan Dassow, Champion
This works as the question:
How should I post a problem?
Alternately:
What information do I need to supply to get better help?
= = =
DRAFT FAQ:
Note: this is a public forum: anything posted here will be visible to everyone.
For billing/payment issues, visit http://www.imdb.com/bill
For issues regarding accounts or questions involving non-public information, please log into your IMDb.com account and contact our support staff privately via this form.
Check whether other people have already submitted similar problems by clicking problems from the Topics drop-down menu. You may also wish to check the IMDb Get Satisfaction FAQs.
If you have a similar problem to one already listed, post your problem in that thread if it is still active.
If you are reporting a new problem:
Some possible remedies:
How should I post a problem?
Alternately:
What information do I need to supply to get better help?
= = =
DRAFT FAQ:
Note: this is a public forum: anything posted here will be visible to everyone.
For billing/payment issues, visit http://www.imdb.com/bill
For issues regarding accounts or questions involving non-public information, please log into your IMDb.com account and contact our support staff privately via this form.
Check whether other people have already submitted similar problems by clicking problems from the Topics drop-down menu. You may also wish to check the IMDb Get Satisfaction FAQs.
If you have a similar problem to one already listed, post your problem in that thread if it is still active.
If you are reporting a new problem:
- Use a descriptive title for the problem.
- If you are having a problem with a page, provide a link to the page. Describe the problem with enough detail that someone else can duplicate your problem. Provide a screen capture if possible.
- What kind of device are you using: PC, laptop, tablet or mobile device?
- What is the operating system?
- Do have any extensions installed in your browser?
Some possible remedies:
- Try clearing the cache (cntl-F5) for your browser. If that does not work, try logging out of IMDb and logging back in.
- Do disk cleanup (if applicable)?
- Defragment your hard drive?
- Reboot your device.
Peter, Champion
How many questions are asked here where browser extensions and defragmenting your hard drive are relevant? Some of these questions and suggestions are perhaps best suited to be posted when someone asks a question where they are relevant.
Peter, Champion
By the way, the GS front page already includes a link to this page: http://www.imdb.com/help/show_leaf?ho...
Dan Dassow, Champion
How to report problems effectively. is well written and more comprehensive than what I wrote.
How do we encourage people to read this page? It is clear that the majority of people, including me, who post to IMDb's Get Satisfaction site have not read this FAQ.
How do we encourage people to read this page? It is clear that the majority of people, including me, who post to IMDb's Get Satisfaction site have not read this FAQ.
Peter, Champion
A little testing seems to show that the existing FAQ items only show up in the automatic search if a user types a phrase that is quite close to the subject line of the FAQ item.
Some of the FAQ items are well written, but I wonder if it isn't more important to focus on the FAQ's in the IMDb help pages, where people can find answers even without coming to GS. These are also linked from the GS sidebar.
Some of the FAQ items are well written, but I wonder if it isn't more important to focus on the FAQ's in the IMDb help pages, where people can find answers even without coming to GS. These are also linked from the GS sidebar.
Peter, Champion
As some of us have +1'd the existing FAQ items, they have also started to appear in the list of frequently asked questions that is displayed and linked on the front page. Some of the items could use a few more votes.
Dan Dassow, Champion
Peter, I've also +1'd these FAQ items with the hope that they appear in the list of frequently asked questions.
Emperor, Champion
Some of the FAQ items are well written, but I wonder if it isn't more important to focus on the FAQ's in the IMDb help pages, where people can find answers even without coming to GS.
Thing is that you can add more specific FAQs and you can always link to the relevant FAQs over on IMDB. The big bonus is that they will then be tagged to specific keywords here, so people checking for an answer here can find them. You also increase the chance of someone finding the advice through Google and it increases the page rank of the IMDB FAQ.
Aaand staff clearly think it is useful, as they started this. ;)
Peter, Champion
I allow myself question the wisdom of certain staff decisions. The help pages need upkeep, and having one set of concise and updated help pages is better than having several layers of FAQs in different locations.
Dan Dassow, Champion
It is much easier to maintain configuration management of the FAQs on IMDb's main site, rather than dividing them between sites. However, it may still be useful to summarize the FAQs available on IMDb and link to them as appropriate.
Dan Dassow, Champion
Copyright permission for film
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
Giancarlo Cairella (Official Rep)
Permission to screen a film usually needs to be granted from the film's current distributor or copyright owner. Although IMDb usually lists distributor information for films, we can't assist with requests to obtain licenses for exhibition.
Some useful information about obtaining permission for a public exhibition of a film:
http://www.mpaa.org/contentprotection...
Emperor, Champion
Yeah that is a really useful bit of information.
Dan Dassow, Champion
Dan Dassow, Champion
Dan Dassow, Champion
Emperor has a nice summary of using IMDb data:
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb/topi...
Emperor, Champion
Yeah this does come up from time to time, as IMDB has the largest amount of movie data, so it is attractive for students and academics, so it is handy having a ready rolled answer as that seems to cover what most people want.
Emperor, Champion
I do wonder if there is a way to have an over-arching one, collecting links to all existing ones, perhaps linked in from the sidebar?
Dan Dassow, Champion
Emperor, Champion
Dan Dassow, Champion
and Withouabox FAQ's profile [https://getsatisfaction.com/people/wi...] is dedicated to FAQs for IMDb's get satisfaction site. There is no link to either of these FAQs on the Overview page [https://getsatisfaction.com/imdb].
Emperor, Champion
Dan Dassow, Champion
Emperor, Champion
However, a lot of problems could be addressed in a slightly clunkier way by suggesting FAQs, getting them posted and having a link to these in the sidebar.