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Are there any more really useful links like this? And, if so, where?

9635560
over 5 years ago

Hi,

While browsing one of the old-timer’s DF (definitely old as “using the new settings feature”) I stumbled across this link: https://apps.garmin.com/settingsHelp

It redirects to a fantastic wiki page that I will now include for my user instructions. 

But if there is one, surely there are more?

What other really useful resources exist but are unknown that I can use to help people to use my DFs, apps and WFs?

Is there, for example, one that explains how to use a DataField so I don’t have to continually explain on email (when they _include_ an email) why they cannot see the DF they have just installed?

Any useful customer-facing links in this thread will be gratefully received!

Thanks,

G

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    Also...

    That link is great but has some old screenshots. Who maintains it (is it maintained?) and can I contact them to get it updated? 

    Or can I contribute if I want more?

    Specifically;

    1. How to use DF / set data screen with links to device specific manual entries

    2. User facing description of difference between DF, WF, app and widget?

    G

  • 0 over 5 years ago

    Check out the wiki section on the right side of the forums pages.  There's this one, as well as things like the new Dev FAQ, and another specific to BLE.  Forum rules, etc

    They are maintained by Garmin.

    In some cases the screen shots may be a bit old, but in others, things may look a bit different based on iOS or Android, or based on the device being used.  For example. "Appearance" isn't there for older devices, and it may have just watch faces while on others, widgets also appear there.

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to jim_m_58

    Well, I did scan that after finding the settingsHelp permalink... (hint: there should be more permalinks) but could find nothing on the two topics I suggested. 

    That could be my searching inadequacy, but it is equally likely they don’t exist. 

    Also, the wiki is much more dev focused than end-user focused. 

    I already know how to use DF and settings and the differences between app, df, wf, widget... Many browsing CIQ store (_still_) haven’t got a clue. 

    How do I get more, maintained, customer-facing, wikis with (like the settingsHelp permalink) readable, user-friendly and (this is key) UNBROKEN links?

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to 9635560

    And, yes, I know I could (like Peter DeDecker and a spattering of others) do Garmin’s support work for them by creating my own YouTube videos etc, but surely this is pretty generic stuff that is a benefit to all of CIQ and also Garmin? That, again, Garmin is in the best place to provide current and correct information on?

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to 9635560

    The reason for the broken links is this.  The Garmin forum SW changes about a year ago.  Prior to that there was a basic "how to" for app settings that was a sticky in the showcase forum.  When the forum SW changed, all the links people used in the app store broke, including showcase links for individual apps.  Some have just never been updated.  And with Google, sometimes the old links are cached. 

    Again, just check out the CIQ list of wikis or click on wiki in the CIQ forum to find them.  When a user asks, I just respond with the link.  I also have a few canned responses for things when a user asks with contact developer, etc.,

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to jim_m_58

    As ever, Jim, a factually correct summary of the status quo and a tacit decision to ignore my questioning of same!

    Yes, I know (from previous threads) why individual developer links are (with you as the sole exception) broken. That is down to developers not giving a damn about their work. 

    What I am talking about is basic user support by Garmin of generic Garmin  user support issues. 

    If I am wrong about the existence of Garmin user facing pages to answer any of the questions above, please do prove me wrong by posting links here. 

    I maintain they do not exist and that they should. 

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to 9635560

    True story.  When app settings were first introduced, I asked about user level doc for them, and there was none.  Within a day, Teun created the post that became the sticky in the showcase forum.  If you find something lacking, create a post and maybe Garmin will turn it into a wiki.

    When it comes to some basic questions like "I just downloaded your DF, and I don't know how to add it to an activity, you can often just point them to the manual for their device.

    One think you'll discover, is no matter how much doc there is for some of this stuff, many users won't read it, or even read the app description in the store.  They might post a bad review or send a "contact developer" and there are often really easy answers.

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to jim_m_58
    jim_m_58 said:
    just point them to the manual for their device.

    Assuming they provide their email, you mean?

    If they get as far as contacting me with a means to reply, yes, I can help them. 

    But they mostly do not. 

    There is not a single page link to serve as a step off point that I can include as a first line in DF description.

    Yes, I can create a forum link... no I cannot lock it to keep the relevant info visible... and no I am not the best placed person to do that - that’s someone in Garmin. 

    Also...

    An “app.garmin.com” permalink is a user-friendly and clickable redirect... a _long_ forum link leading to a developer resource is intimidating and the tinyurl links are things every sane person is wary of unless they have reason to know where it goes and / or who set it up. 

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to 9635560

    The issue with email just came up a month or so back, is a reported issue with a ticket and hopefully will be resolved in the next update.  Things do break at times!  I've gotten close to 200 contact developer messages that I haven't been able to reply to, and I know some devs have "make sure to include your email if you want a response" for their apps.

    https://forums.garmin.com/developer/connect-iq/i/bug-reports/contact-developer-user-feedback-replyto-address-missing

    And here's the simple link for app settings:

    https://forums.garmin.com/developer/connect-iq/w/wiki/14/changing-your-app-settings-in-garmin-express-gcm-ciq-mobile-store

    Never had an issue when I use it in a reply to for a contact developer.

  • 0 over 5 years ago in reply to jim_m_58
    jim_m_58 said:

    And here's the simple link for app settings:

    https://forums.garmin.com/developer/connect-iq/w/wiki/14/changing-your-app-settings-in-garmin-express-gcm-ciq-mobile-store

    Honest question:

    If you were a non-techy, non-dev user, would you rather click that or the permalink in my op that redirects to the exact same URI?

    apps.garmin.com/settingsHelp

    How hard is it to add a permalink? If it takes longer than ten minutes as a one-off task (including time to RTFM) then whoever it was got distracted.