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Post by flydiver on Dec 30, 2008 19:53:02 GMT 1
We 'had' a new member yesterday. He came in with just a mess of questions, spread them around in the proper forums and made no obvious attempt to do any reading or work on his own. His initial foray showed he knew how forums works.
Those who have been here awhile know this is one of my pet peeves. I try to distinguish between the clueless (when we start we're all clueless) and the lazy. This looked lazy. The general theme is "tell me exactly how to do [name it], in detail and with pictures". Implicit is the expectation that they will have this info served up to them with no effort on their part.
I told the poster (and nicely for me I think) that the answers were in the forum and he should do some reading since it was all there already.
It kind of deteriorated after that and apparently to the point he was banned. I didn't actually see the final result and the admin scrubbed his postings. (what fun is that?)
So, how do you folks think this ought to run? There's a fine line between being friendly and just being a push over. Where that line is can be very subjective and very personal. Being older I tend to be on the conservative side and have some higher expectations of people.
I think this is an ADULT forum and I have expectations of adult learning and responsibility. We do have some younger folks and if I know that I try to cut them some slack but this is still a sport that demands a certain amount of discipline and motivation to be successful.
This certainly isn't my forum, and I don't make the rules. But I do a lot of work here and I am well aware I can set a tone for an initial interaction that can determine how a member will perceive the forum. I'm more than willing to work with people that will work with me. I've got limited patience for people that exhibit little effort on their own.
fly
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flyer88
Squadron leader
Flyer88
Posts: 165
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Post by flyer88 on Dec 30, 2008 20:22:05 GMT 1
Agreed ! We all spend time and money to explore and expand our knowledge and that includes reading and digging up the information to answer our questions.For people to assume that you will be an open book for answers to sometimes stupid questions is irresponsible and lazy.
The best modifications and planes I have built in the past, have been repeats.....practice makes perfect (well almost) and that experience is not always free, it has to be earned.
Fly it low !!
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Post by Ellis on Dec 30, 2008 21:24:09 GMT 1
I agree fly. People need to do the work themselves, this give the most satisfaction also. From gathering info to doing the repairs and mods.
For me, When I first joined, this was my first forum and I was a little overwhelmed with the amount of posts and didn't immediately realize how well they're organized - like you said "clueless". I think you provide most of the technical info which is a great asset for this forum. So, his loss I say.
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Post by patmatgal on Dec 31, 2008 1:04:19 GMT 1
What came first, the chicken or the egg? Everyone was dumb and young at one time. When someone asks a question rarely will I be able to answer it (not very familiar with electronics at all) but if I can I will, and always try to keep in mind (‘cause I hope) the question was asked out of true ignorance, not just laziness to research it. I’ve asked my share of bone headed questions on this forum, not out of laziness but because I couldn’t put together all the pieces of info from other posts and get a satisfying answer, some people give much better explanations than others but there’s at least a grain of truth in all (or most) answers. Research the question, yeah; expect it to get handed to you on a silver platter, no; still ask a bone headed question if all else fails, yeah. Just my 2 cents.
fly thanks again for the advice on CellproS charger
flyer88 practice does make perfect (or better), without all those crashes I wouldn’t have a better plane
Ellis yeah, his loss ‘cause there is a boatload of info available in this forum and more to be learned
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Post by flydiver on Dec 31, 2008 1:20:15 GMT 1
I got some people that jumped on my case here because I took someone to task that asked the EXACT same question that was right next to it. Then they get offended I told them to wake up in class?
This guy knew his way around a forum. He participated in RC Universe. I didn't know that until later but by his posting manner I figured he knew his way around. He knew enough to know WHERE to post his questions and exactly how to phrase them. That meant he wasn't clueless.
I've got no problem with clueless-we all start that way. I even do fine or just ignore bone-head questions, I've had my share of those and that status is pretty subjective depending on WHAT you know.
I also believe for that which you receive, you give back. I suspect 'lazy' people (as I define them) aren't likely to give much back since they want everything handed to them.
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swimmer
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 95
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Post by swimmer on Dec 31, 2008 2:52:23 GMT 1
Fly,
It is called, "Good Forum Moderation." No one should be excluded, as long as they abide by forum rules, but endless repetitive questions serve no purpose and makes a forum boring. You, as a moderator, have every right to point this out when infractions are obvious.
There is another SC forum on the web that is in excess of 12800 posts. Identical questions are asked over and over again without anyone, like the moderators, asking that a search be done before asking questions that possibly, no probably considering 12800 posts, have been asked before many, many times.
Keep up the good work!!
swimmer
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flyer88
Squadron leader
Flyer88
Posts: 165
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Post by flyer88 on Dec 31, 2008 3:24:12 GMT 1
I don't mean to come off in a condescending tone, but it's cool to see people making an effort to learn about the hobby instead of others feeding it to them. I see it all the time at my local Hobby Shop, I don't know where the sales people get the patience to deal with all the crazy questions. Just for the record I would be the first person to share any helpful information I know to people that seem inclined.
The last crazy question I asked at my Hobby Shop, the store owner ,who is a professional scratch builder.... pointed me to a book rack , and said "sounds like you should buy a design handbook".....and so I did. It was the best $25 I ever spent.
I guess it's all about earning your wings
Fly it low !!
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Post by flydiver on Dec 31, 2008 4:11:14 GMT 1
You, as a moderator, have every right to point this out when infractions are obvious. swimmer No, no, I'm not a moderator-I'm just one of you ordinary folk. I fly 'em, crash 'em, and repair 'em like anyone. But I AM and opinionated SOB at times and occasionally cranky when I'm having my morning coffee and waking up on the RC forums and see someone wearing 3 watches ask what time of day it is. ;D Words can make a difference. I've been bandying about the word 'clueless'. It's a negative word I think. Uninformed is probably better. Lazy is in the same category but I've got emotional attachments to that term (obvious to me if it isn't to you) so am less inclined to set it aside. That's a personal issue for me to think about. I did try to find our banned member on RC Universe. Since the only thing I had to go with was his on on line 'handle' I could only use that and didn't find him under that name. Not surprising but of modest interest to me anyway. Folks tend to maintain their ID across these forums I think. |
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Post by SCC on Dec 31, 2008 11:59:28 GMT 1
Hi All. I just want to make it clear that the member in question was banned for obscene language directed at another member. This will not be tolerated on this forum. Happy New year to all the members here at the Super cub club.  Cheers Paul |
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swimmer
Flight lieutenant
Posts: 95
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Post by swimmer on Dec 31, 2008 16:44:01 GMT 1
fly,
Gave you too much authority, didn't I? (ha-ha)
SCC,
Thank you.
Both of you keep up the good work.
swimmer
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Post by ginginho on Jan 1, 2009 20:03:32 GMT 1
To add my 2d's worth (that's old pennies in the UK ) I am a fairly recent SCC member but have found that Fly and many others are extremely helpful and courteous on this forum, and it it a pleasant place to visit and discuss matters that may have not yet been aired with those who are interested. Swimmer mentioned, there are other forums with thousands of posts, mostly repeating a few subjects which can be a source of information, although it can be tiresome wading through the dross. I'm happy to read that the "new-poster" was banned for being offensive and hope that Fly is not overly concerned with his part in the situation. I too can feel old and be grumpy, it's part and parcel of life. I've yet to read a posting on here that is not respectful, which is a credit to all parties. Keep up the good work all. |
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Post by skyboss on Jan 2, 2009 1:18:47 GMT 1
So a newbie comes asking questions and is told to quit being lazy and figure it out himself, get pushed to the point of calling names then banned.
Theres a nice introduction to our wonderful hobby!!
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Post by Ellis on Jan 2, 2009 2:44:52 GMT 1
So a newbie comes asking questions and is told to quit being lazy and figure it out himself, get pushed to the point of calling names then banned. Theres a nice introduction to our wonderful hobby!! Yes that's unfortunate. Hopefully he'll come back under a new name - and all can be forgotten. |
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Post by mrmugen on Jan 2, 2009 3:04:01 GMT 1
I for one don't mind answering Q's that have been asked before. It's when someone shows no effort at all that bugs me. We all have questions from time to time and sometimes finding the answers is less than fast...so asking is usually faster. I am guilty of it sometimes as well. If time is limited then sometimes it calls for a quick answer.....
No one should be condemned for trying to gain knowledge.....no matter how lazy. Asking is the first step for some people....
Try to make positive comments when asking someone to do a little research themselves....adding links is helpful. I like to do just that. He is a page of info you can find your answer in......
Just my opinion and not that of this site....
Your friend,
Kevin
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gws003
Flying officer
Posts: 25
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Post by gws003 on Jan 2, 2009 4:25:45 GMT 1
I for one don't mind answering Q's that have been asked before. It's when someone shows no effort at all that bugs me. We all have questions from time to time and sometimes finding the answers is less than fast...so asking is usually faster. I am guilty of it sometimes as well. If time is limited then sometimes it calls for a quick answer..... No one should be condemned for trying to gain knowledge.....no matter how lazy. Asking is the first step for some people.... Try to make positive comments when asking someone to do a little research themselves....adding links is helpful. I like to do just that. He is a page of info you can find your answer in...... Just my opinion and not that of this site.... Your friend, Kevin I've only been in this hobby for a little under 2 yrs,,and I've read a ton of forums, and I feel the research is part of the hobby,, so I agree just pointing someone to a forum here or there is more than enough info at the moment,,,no instant gratification  just my 2cents ;D I don't have many posts here, but I've read alot,,,all the SC posts on RCU And because of the SC, I'm moving on to glow planes ;D |
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just my 2cents ;D I don't have many posts here, but I've read alot,,,all the SC posts on RCU