Help them help you.

[Starshipwright]

This post is in response to a problem that I have seen repeatedly in this forum and my idea for resolving it.

Once a file is added to a Celestia installation it can be hard to remember the version number or when you downloaded it. But there is one thing that you always have: The date created or modified! Both linux and windows, and mac too I'm sure associate a date with each file. So when reporting a problem or asking for help if you can give that date it will help others to know what exact file you are refering to. For example "I can't get texture A to work, I am using the texture file modified 00/00/000." or "My Celestia.exe file was created 00/00/00" Even if the date you have is the date that you downloaded the file it will help others to figure out what exact file you are using.

Also, I think that the practice of many of the people on this forum of listing their computer specs in their signature is fantastic. It lets others know whether or not they can help you if your problem sems OS or graphic card related.