Malware Support in Chat...

Since there are basically no Malware Specialists in Chat...may I suggest an announcement which refers guests to the Malware forum, should they have issues regarding viruses?  Or include this in the current announcement?

Plus I would say its a bit hard to get malware help in a chat

[Moderator]

I would agree with this, but, people come into chat for one reason:
Its live, and it can be faster than the forums, it also requires no registration.

I feel, if someone can help them with a malware issue that can be easily fixed within 10 minutes on the chat, it can be answered on chat.
Issues that require including HiJack this logs, and other extensive logs, should be redirected to the forums.

+1

Granted...any malware issues that may require just a simple recommendation can be handled in chat, but most of the time...the user's computer is infected...and they're requesting help.  These users should immediately be directed to the forum, but I've personally run into a situation where I instructed a user to do this at least 5 times, but they carried on, anyway.

Having an announcement for those users who are infected, can simplify this process.

Detailed malware removal should be directed to the forum...where there are Malware Specialists...since there are none in chat.  Even anyone with a good knowledge of malware removal can help, but should something go wrong, they'll end up in the forum anyway.

Not sure if we want an announcement but if needed we could always add a quick response one one or both of the bots.

That would work...

Oz, when active, did have a response for this - not automatic though, it had to be activated by a user with an !expl or !info command.
I think an automated announcement would ba handy, if possible, but the basic problem remains - we need more malware specialists.

[Global Moderator]

What do you think about this idea.

When users ask for malware assistance, one of the bots will provide a link to a CH Page.

On the page, how about saying this:

Hello and welcome to ComputerHope.
You have been directed to this page because you have requested assistance with malware or viruses in our IRC Chat Channel.
Please note that we do not support help with malware in our chat, but do so on the forums.
Please register on our forums here: http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php?action=register
After registering, please follow the steps here: http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,46313.0.html
Once you post the three requested logs, one of our Malware Specialists will be there to assist you.

hey! 

I can help people with hijackthis and other log based malware removal tools. But most of the time, I find that it is taking much more time than we expect. Moreover, I find Guests may not aware of these tools and you will need to Educate them "How to use this tool". 

So, it is better to send them to the Forum, I guess..

Regards

Sykes

I was learning on geeks to go but then my computer broke..

What do you think about this idea.

When users ask for malware assistance, one of the bots will provide a link to a CH Page.

On the page, how about saying this:

...

No need to re-invent the wheel.      Just direct them to:
http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,46313.0.html

and that link is already in Oz.    That means that anyone present in the channel, that takes the time to learn how to use the tool, can - with just a couple keystrokes - provide helpful information to anyone else.

This link is in there too: 
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000636.htm

I lost count.... there are probably around 40 links to various Computerhope Q&A pages, in Oz.   
















Edit: typo fixed

Since there are basically no Malware Specialists in Chat...may I suggest an announcement which refers guests to the Malware forum, should they have issues regarding viruses?  Or include this in the current announcement?

The trick with this is:   it needs some thought, on a case-by-case basis.
And that requires a thinking helper that is human -  it can't be a solid line.

I suppose some malware questions might have answers that are not so involved, that they can be handled in a chat.     But I see other posts here that indicate this is not the norm.

Then, we have the thing where the chat channel is a reflection on the Computerhope.com site.   Here, in the site forum,  malware problems are handled only by those that meet some qualification - this provides a measure of protection for the site's reputation and image.

Regarding the chat channel, we could just say:   Hey.. you asked... it is your fault if you accepted bad advice. 
But...  do we really want to do that?        ...  I hope not.

On occasion, I do take the time to explain to a chat user, that the specialists here in the forum DO have some qualification,  whereas whatever advice they get in the channel could be from someone that knows what he is talking about... or it might not.       This makes it another reason to visit the forum.

Back to your original question -  including in an annoucement.      Right now, for example - you and I both have the link to evilfantasy's  introductory post in a script, so that we post it easily when needed.
And THAT is the key.   "when needed".       
I agree that usually it is needed.   
But the script is just a tool to use, after consideration of whatever the user presented.

Oz's database of info and links is just another tool.   But this one , when Oz is repaired and back online,  is available to everybody.    And contains a lot more info and links.
Anyone and everyone can easily call up various links to point users to helpful pages.

I stand corrected...and will use the script I have for now...

Thanks, WillyW