Find Angel

Online research

None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.

How this was put together

If you only read a few

  1. Add the term 'solved' to your search terms for technical problems to surface threads that contain fixes.

    This makes it more likely you will find pages with a resolution instead of just open questions.

    • You may still encounter 'Not Solved' pages, which are easy to identify and skip.
    • Some posts may claim to be solved but contain no explanation.

    6 people, independently

  2. If you figure out a fix on your own after posting for help, share that solution so others facing the same issue can use it.

    It helps people who encounter the problem later.

    3 people, independently

    • If you solve a problem you posted about online and no one else has answered, return to the thread and post the solution yourself.2
    • If you solve your own problem after posting, reply with the detailed solution instead of just saying 'solved' or 'never mind'.2

  3. Complain that a task is impossible or too difficult to provoke experts into proving you wrong and providing instructions.

    People often race to prove skeptics wrong.

    3 people, independently

  4. Title your help request with a controversial claim or complaint about a tool to provoke corrections.

    People are inclined to prove you wrong rather than simply answering a direct question.

    one person who lived it

  1. Follow up in threads after you have solved your problem to inform other readers.

    It is aggravating to see threads where someone says they figured it out without providing details.

    one person who lived it

    • Quote the exact solution that worked for you before marking a thread as solved or thanking the responder, so other users can easily identify the fix.1

  2. Trust highly upvoted Reddit comments with supporting evidence in the replies more than generic blog posts written for ad revenue.

    Incorrect information in Reddit comments is likely to be proven wrong by other users with sources.

    one person who lived it

  3. Inform the person who helped you with a technical issue about the final resolution, even if they could not solve it initially.

    Hoarding knowledge ultimately harms everyone.

    one person who lived it

  4. Phrase your question as a challenge to intelligence to elicit responses.

    This approach prompts engagement compared to asking a direct question.

    one person who lived it

1 more on this

  1. Look for solutions posted publicly in the thread rather than relying on comments that say 'I'll DM you the answer'.

    Direct messages are often never sent, or the user becomes inactive, leaving the question unanswered for everyone.

    one person who lived it

Close