hi,
Brian and Hank have my full support.

If you feel you cannot say something helpful or useful, I cannot see any point in buzzing from post to post, like a mosquito on speed biting everyone.

If you don't like a post, ignore it.

Regards

Originally Posted by ThermalRunaway

Oh, so now you're admitting to the negative attitude??

Only to those who can't be bothered.

There are those who post here expecting that you will do their entire project or coursework for them which you could argue is rude in itself and deserves an equally rude response. Personally, I'm choosing to ignore such posts.

I have thought about that, but then I decided that it isn't fair on the other members especially when people here bend over backwards to help them and they don't get any thanks. I would rather tell the origional poster to either think about making an effort or leaving, then at least they have the chance to at least make an attempt.

There is no point in contributing to a thread unless you feel you can contribute positively, and for that reason alone I would always object to a rude attitude in any thread.

I see discouraging people from asking for everying on a plate as a positive thing.

I am also worried that the backlash from the people who take advantage does occasionally spill over onto newbies who in their first posts ask quite valid (if misguided) questions.

Nubes shouln't be put off. I do not think any of my canned responses are in any way rude or encouraging. I've highlighted the encouraging parts of my post in red.

We don't mind helping you but we won't do all of the work for you. Please post what you've already done including any ideas you've had and we might be able to make some suggestions. If you've got completely no idea then may be it's your lecuturer's fault and it isn't right that you make him/her look good by cheating and copying from the Internet.

Often a thread like this becomes productive after my default response. If I and the other people here had ignored their post then the thread would have not had amounted to anything.

I'm often rude to people, after I've helped them, to make a point. For example if someone asks for the datasheet for a 2N2222A transistor, I'll say don't be lazy use Google. The way I see it is I've given them both help and support and a a stern talking to so hopefully next time they'll make some effort.

The bottom line is:

• If people ask for all the work to be done for them I'll encourage them to either make an effort or leave.
• If people make duplicate threads then I'll discourage them from doing so and explain to them that it does not help them or us to help them.
• If people post a question then come back an hour later wondering why they haven't received a response then I'll encourage them to be patient and not give up hope and (if appropriate) I'll encourage them to provide them more information.

The way I see it, is I'm not just here to help people with their electronics problems but also to help them use this forum as effectively. I'd just rather cut straight to the point rather than messing around.

Originally Posted by HarveyH42

Double posts... The moderator does a very good job of keeping things clean, the duplicates will be removed and the member reprimanded/banned as needed. Not really our concern.

I haven't seen Nigel reprimand anyone for a duplicate post but that's probably because I get there before him.

Anyway, I disagree, duplicate threads are everone's responsibility, if you see one then you should report it to the moderator.

If a new member does make a bad first post, it's better they learn from the example of other threads, and leave the mistake in the past, rather then be attacked and ridiculed for it.

But we ignore it and there is a risk that it might be a genuine question?

I still think it's a good idea to respond to such a post in an appropriet manner. If you think my canned "do your own work post" is rude then could you please rephase it.

There again if it is obvious that they do not have any intention of making any effort then is it such a bad thing if they do not return? Perhaps we are better off without them.

From now on, I'm going to ask whether it's college work before I post my usual canned response.

Either way, even if it isn't college work, it still goes against my principles doing someone's entire project for them.

Originally Posted by Hero999

Either way, even if it isn't college work, it still goes against my principles doing someone's entire project for them.

It goes against mine as well. Infact it not only goes against my principals, but to be honest I can't be bothered wasting my time with someone's project/coursework/whatever unless they can show that they're putting in effort their end. I think we're on the same wavelength in that respect, and as I said earlier I don't disagree with the reasons for your rude posts... just the rude posts themselves.

That said, I'm not here to try and stop you being rude to them. It's your forum as much as mine, so dip your bread. Normally I ignore any post which I believe is a waste of my time, and that includes any "rude" posts you may have made. We're both in agreement that the thread doesn't deserve a positive response, the difference is you then choose to make a negative one, where as I choose no response at all.
There was one occasion where we had a little (heated?) discussion though, and the reason for that was I believed the newbie had asked a very valid question, had explained the basic problem very well considering English was not his first language, and he had even provided graphical drawings of what he was trying to do which was enough to convince me that he was genuine in what he was trying to do, was willing to make some effort himself, and I felt that the thread deserved a positive response. Your response was less than positive, and hence why we clashed a little on that.

My point is that there is the potential to be rude to someone who didn't actually deserve it, and hence my previous concern regarding the anger which is being directed at time-wasters can occasionally spill over onto genuine newbies who perhaps haven't phrased their question very well, or haven't quite provided enough information, or accidentally duplicated their post (etc etc) but actually were genuine people with valid and interesting Electronics related questions.

Brian

Subjugating the ego for increased communication is something just about every living human being has a problem with. We all are our own King's (or Queen's) so to speak and hate the idea of giving another's idea, decision, or even thought any leeway over our own exact viewpoint. ANY viewpoint which belittles even the most idiotic of statements is only out to increase it's own ego image in the eyes of others. Any 'good' or 'decent' and intelligent person will struggle their entire life with learning to say I'm sorry, you have a point, or I am wrong. And even just as long figuring out that "Why do you feel or think that way" is almost always a good response to defuse a hostile situation, and that attacking attackers is never a proper thing to do, under ANY circumstances regardless of any perceived right or wrong.

People that speak specifically to encourage these types of arguments are in the IRC terms I'm used to hearing called trolls.

I'm currently in the process of teaching my 10 year old step-son (the wedding is in three months at least) these same basic principles that he will encounter in every day for the rest of his life. Most people here are older than 10 and haven't even come close to understanding a fraction of what he knew before I was even around.

ALWAYS be polite, always concede your viewpoints aren't always correct and discuss the others viewpoints, and your own whenever possible. If no consensus can be made after a few volleys of conversation none will be made over a long drawn out tirade. After that simply state your own basic viewpoint with simple and concise information and walk away. Kind of like my first and last post in this thread.
Any attempt to prove any viewpoint ultimately correct is going to fail completely.

There has to be some sort of filtering, and Hero999 is doing a great job!

(My rant)

First of all, to those people that post ridiculous first posts - clearly you know how to use Google/Yahoo/Whatever (You found Electro-Tech somehow!!), so why not start there with your key question! Thanks Hero999 for saving me the effort of suggesting the same thing!

Generic questions with no specific tasking/problem involved is really pointless. We (the readers) can't guide you if you haven’t guided your question! Thanks Hero999 for suggesting to so many threads to elaborate!

BIG COLORFUL LETTERS do not increase your chances of a response, for me they simply invoke an instantaneous reaction to start randomly clicking any "X" or close buttons repetitively!

Multiple posts has been covered..

(end rant)


But - All this said, its a public forum, everyone is entitled to personal opinions, they are like A**Holes, everyone’s got em, NO one wants to hear about them. Application suggestions/support on the other hand is (in my mind) what this site (community) is about

Starting personal opinion threads like this is just pointless, Hero999 is doing a bloody great job and is helping out thousands (if not millions) of people, and doing the "dirty work" for us at the same time

Good on ya Hero999

hi,
>> Starting personal opinion threads like this is just pointless, Hero999 is doing a bloody great job and is helping out thousands (if not millions) of people, and doing the "dirty work" for us at the same time

I dont want 'hero' or anyone else doing the 'dirty work' in my name!
Whatever 'hero' decides to comment on a OP, thats his personal opinion, not mine.

If I have got something to say I will say it in my own way, first hand, not by proxy.

If you dont like an OP's question, just ignore it.

pwotooles post explains it well. REF: Feedback Section
About feedback and comments

Originally Posted by Hero999

I haven't seen Nigel reprimand anyone for a duplicate post but that's probably because I get there before him.

That's because they have been deleted before you spot them, and I PM the offender! - apart from the ones where you report them first.

Originally Posted by Hank Fletcher

As someone who hasn't enjoyed the benefit of formal electrical engineering training, personally I find the discussion of electrical/electronics class projects entertaining and informative - infotainment, if you will.

That has never been my intention.

I also enjoy helping people with their college work but there's a difference between providing assistance and doing it for them.

Originally Posted by gramo

Starting personal opinion threads like this is just pointless

I disagree, I like to hear people's oppinions and will accept constructive critism.

I have decided to continue to make canned responses to bad threads in the hope that they might develop into useful discussions. However I have listened to everyone's opinions and have reviewed all of my responses.

Impatient poster who whines about not having any replies after less than a few days
It can some times take a few of days for someone to reply to a thread. Please try to be more patient, if you don't receive a reply within a week then try bumping the original thread by making an additional post with more information about what you are trying to do.

If you don't receive any replies to a thread then please don't take it personally. For all you know people might not actually know the answer but it's far more likely that you haven't provided enough information.

Duplicate thread
Please do not make duplicate posts or threads, they do not increase your chance of a helpful response but only reduce it, as people get confused and can't always see what others have suggested in the other thread(s).

If you have made this post or thread in error then please do not be offended. We get lots of people making duplicate threads under the misapprehension that it will increase their chance of a helpful response when in practice the reverse is true.

I did consider stopping using the duplicate thread response but I've decided to continiue to do so as it makes life easier for Nigel. If they see my response they might not make another thread on the same topic and Nigel won't have to bother deleting yet another thread or sending them a private message.

Possible lazy student post - thanks mneary I've expanded on your idea.
Whilst we enjoy helping people; in order to help you we need to know how far you've progressed. Please post what you've already done, including any ideas you've had. If you need help that your lecturer should have provided, please tell us (and your lecturer) what you found was lacking. It is not right if you manage to attain a high grade from the help we have provided if your lecturer is negligent; it will make them appear to be better than they really are and put you at an unfair advantage to your classmates.

It also would help us to know more about your education, geographical location and experience with the English language.

Is that any better?
Please tell me what you think.