How to do a helpful forum post requesting assistance

Below is an example of a helpful way of requesting assistance. Comments are in italic. This is from a hypothetical MUSHclient user who is experiencing a problem ...

Brief summary of problem:

Hi! I am having trouble getting my health and mana trigger to match.

Summary of client version and operating system:

I am using MUSHclient 4.73 on Windows XP.

A copy of the trigger as described here: http://mushclient.com/copying:

This is the trigger I am using:


<triggers>
  <trigger
   custom_colour="2"
   enabled="y"
   match="*hp *m *mv&gt; "
   sequence="100"
  >
  </trigger>
</triggers>

A copy of the MUD output that should match the trigger:

Here are some examples of the MUD output I get:


10520hp 90m 1400mv> 
10525hp 92m 1432mv> 
10534hp 94m 1460mv>

Some indication that you read the FAQ in an attempt to solve the problem:

I read the FAQ, and point 22 seemed a bit relevant, but didn't help me.

A description of the manner in which it isn't working:

The trigger doesn't match. I know this because I edited the trigger and it said "0 matches".

A copy of the error message, if there is one:

Here is the error I get:


Run-time error
World: Smaug
Immediate execution
[string "Trigger: "]:1: attempt to perform arithmetic on global 'bar' (a function value)
stack traceback:
        [string "Trigger: "]:1: in main chunk

What you are trying to do:

I want to match the prompt so I can keep track of my current health and warn me if it gets low.

Say which scripting language you are using, if scripting is involved:

I am scripting in Lua.

Specify which MUD you are on - some problems are MUD-specific:

I am playing on Realms of Despair. Here is a link to their site:

http://www.realmsofdespair.com/

Any other information which indicates what the problem might be:

The problem only occurs in combat.