Separate Category for Non-Qubes Discussion

[corny]

My understanding is General Discussion is for Qubes topics but I see lots of topics that are just general tech questions. Could we add a separate grouping for non qubes discussion ? I know there is All Around Qubes but it isn’t accessible to everyone and is rarely used

When I visit Qubes forum, I do so for Qubes related discussion not random tech discussion. It’s getting to the point I visit less because I don’t want to scan through for actually relevant discussion

[parulin]

What I like here is that the mods keep the discussion more or less related to Qubes OS. I don’t think there is room for other content, so I share your concern, not your solution. I think it is better to flag a topic or a post when it is not related to Qubes OS.

All around Qubes topics still have to be related to Qubes OS

[OvalZero]

+1

[de_dust2]

I agree with you but like many operating system distro’s forums the discussions are often about doing things on those operating systems. The more casual users are going to see trying to do something that itself has nothing to do with Qubes on Qubes as part of Qubes discussion.

I understand the sentiment of this thread and I do agree with it. But this doesn’t change how casual users are.

A better tactic may be to make a forum topic that sounds Qubes-specific. I know that those who care about this topic won’t like this suggestion and I don’t like that it is probably the better tactic actually.

But it do be like that.

[parulin]

@de_dust2

The more casual users are going to see trying to do something that itself has nothing to do with Qubes on Qubes as part of Qubes discussion.

Telling the user about that (and if possible providing a link or a hint about where to search) is acceptable to me.

[corny]

I mostly agree but “related to Qubes” is rather subjective and skews permissive on this forum. I think I’m just used to older forums where good behavior was expected of new users. Things like using the search for your issue first. Or seeing whether the subject was already discussed and responding there. Like how many times can we discuss Intel ME ?

[FranklyFlawless]

Related:

Ability to mute a user or a thread?

Is there a way to mute a user ? How about a topic ? There seems to be an influx recently of users who just stir up arguments with no value added. There are also new users who post multiple threads on slight variations of the same subject. And users who post questions that have been answered many times but they won’t use the search function. I really like Qubes and this forum but it is becoming tiresome wading through the junk

User-empowered solution:

Ability to mute a user or a thread?

You can ignore a user’s mentions and/or posts from their user profile. Under the “:email: Message” button is a “:bell:” button with three options: Normal Muted Ignored Select the third option to hide all notifications and posts from the user. For topics, a similar button exists at the bottom of it: [Screenshot 2026-01-26 at 20-50-20 Ability to mute a user or a thread - Feedback - Qubes OS Forum] Select the last option on the dropdown menu to mute the topic.

[phceac]

@corny

many times can we discuss Intel ME ?

I just came searching for “how to mute a thread” because of this!

However, I have also learnt useful Qubes things from discussions that have gone more-or-less off topic… and sometimes they come back to something relevant. It must be more inconvenient for email users, but I feel current moderation is pretty good.

Maybe a weekly Reminder would be good, with (e.g.):

• Extra-short code of conduct +link to the full one.
• Pointer to search the forum
• Pointer to search the Docs(if such page exists)
• and specifically pre/post-install troubleshooting
• and a “my keyboard is blocked” flow diagram,
• etc.

That used to be a thing, back in olden times. I don’t think a sticky intro/welcome topic is quite as effective.

[renehoj]

@parulin

I don’t think there is room for other content

I’m fairly sure this is the same person, all three accounts keep posting the same 1-line questions and also follow the same pattern of not liking any posts.

xian_hufeng
huaopeng
janglingquo_575

This person has created 272 new threads and is by far the “normal” user who has created the most posts.

It’s not like they haven’t discovered the jailbreak to the forums rules, you just need to add Qubes OS to the end of the sentence, and you can post anything on the forum.

[corny]

+100

I didn’t tie those users together but now I can see the similarities. Today the latest iteration user has been using the forum as a notes app

I’ve flagged the posts but it’ll probably be 2-3 days before they might get removed by which time they’ve already done 90 % of potential irritation (at least for me)

I also noticed that users very first post was flagged and Sven told them not to post off topic. No change in behavior. There seems to be a hole in the approach

[corny]

@phceac

However, I have also learnt useful Qubes things from discussions that have gone more-or-less off topic… and sometimes they come back to something relevant.

Yeah I’ve had that happen too although the ratio seems bad lately. Perhaps I just spent more time on the forum recently. There’s also the psychological factor of overweighting exceptions to generalizations if you strive to be a reasonable and tolerant person (I do)

I like those olden days rules. I remember when I would click to write a new post a warning would blast me that I should search first and some brief guidelines. The old forums seemed more interested in maintaining courtesy and standards for existing users whereas modern forums cater to new users

[parulin]

@renehoj

you just need to add Qubes OS to the end of the sentence, and you can post anything on the forum

Putting “Qubes OS” in a sentence doesn’t make it related to Qubes OS. Example: “What is the best text editor/browser/app for Qubes OS?”

Part of the problem is our trend to still answer such kind of topics.

[renehoj]

I don’t see how users answering the posts is the problem when the moderators don’t remove the posts.

“What are your thoughts on using bong-cloud-technology in Qubes OS/dom0/Xen?” seems to be a perfectly valid question, and I don’t even need to specify what the tech is or how it should be used.

[phceac]

@renehoj

this is the same person

I was thinking there was some similarity early this morning when I replied to one.

Then I saw those 2 followup posts, which made me wonder whether there is a machine involved. Could also be language/culture related, I suppose.

[otter2]

@corny

I remember when I would click to write a new post a warning would blast me that I should search first and some brief guidelines.

Very similar thing happens here, on discourse. It even suggests already existing topics as you draft.

[unman]

I’m fairly sure this is the same person, all three accounts keep posting the same 1-line questions and also follow the same pattern of not liking any posts.

Whether the same person or not they are all in my extensive kill file. I
saw no benefit in their questions.

I never presume to speak for the Qubes team.
When I comment in the Forum I speak for myself.

[phceac]

I tried creating some new topics with typical “newbie” help subjects, but I did not see many useful things suggested.

Also for forum search, it was really difficult to find any clear answer for “media test” problems in installation.

I just discovered that topics on discourse can have keywords attached. It did seem that posts with relevant keywords were offered in search. Maybe more use of them would be helpful. I think they can only be changed by more experienced accounts.
“Installation” keyword is almost empty.

I also wonder if it would be helpful to have some extra keywords to help users with appropriate permissions to flag and let others use “keyword muting”.

e.g. experienced userX keywords a topic “intel-me”, and Corny and I never have to see it, because we muted that keyword.
e.g. new user searches “keyboard problem” and Community guide with “keyboard” keyword is at the top.

Note that I am not sure that discourse works like that. Maybe it would not help email users at all.

[corny]

@phceac

I tried creating some new topics with typical “newbie” help subjects, but I did not see many useful things suggested.

Same, in fact, I don’t really remember any relevant suggestions. I’m on mobile, perhaps it’s limited

@phceac

I also wonder if it would be helpful to have some extra keywords to help users with appropriate permissions to flag and let others use “keyword muting”.

I like that too

I also think the flagging could be automated (if Discourse allows). If 3 people flag a thread/post it could be placed in locked/hidden mode until reviewed by a mod.

I like the idea of having another locked sub forum (like All Around Qubes) where more interesting discussions go or even a Best Of threads. Similar to Guides. There are a lot of great threads that get lost in the shuffle

[corny]

I was looking at whonix forums and liked some of the elements there although I realize their scope is narrower than Qubes, which cuts down on the issues of moderation.

Their wiki has good policies

Self Support First Policy for Kicksecure

And this gem

Too Difficult

I feel like posting this daily on here

[otter2]

@phceac

I tried creating some new topics with typical “newbie” help subjects, but I did not see many useful things suggested.

It is hit or miss for me. Sometimes it gives a brilliant suggestion, something I have genuinely failed to discover using search, sometimes it returns nonsense. Good thing overall - it reduces friction nicely, saves user conscious effort to search.