I've been a member for some time and spend most of my time in the General Electronics forum because that is where my expertise is and I can be of the most help.
Lately the environment has gotten a little caustic with words like "crap" "nonsense" mostly between posters responding to the OP. I was going to suggest these folks re-read the forum guidelines but either they don't exist or I could just not find them.
{UPDATE} found them!
What makes it worse is the OP's are usually inexperienced, young and don't have a clue what they are asking for. But they have an idea and are willing to pursue it so us posters should guide them with positive reinforcement not negative.
Also I see many posts with the date as ?? Is this a forum wide issue or just me?
JohnRob:
What makes it worse is the OP's are usually inexperienced, young and don't have a clue what they are asking for. But they have an idea and are willing to pursue it so us posters should guide them with positive reinforcement not negative.
If a person identifies him/herself as a young person I will respond appropriately. Otherwise I will assume the person is an adult.
I have no problem with colourful language although I try to keep my own within the bounds that seem to be publicly acceptable in England. (Ireland is more broad minded.)
Successful computer programming requires organised and sometimes intensive thought. Some questions and some replies clearly demonstrate an absence of that basic requirement.
I don't recall any case where an OP who was serious about finding a solution did not get every assistance possible.
From personal experience I find myself occasionally disillusioned by the OP's lack of basic thought process.
"HELP ME" followed by the lines of "It does not work please fix it" I want to help fix the OP but not in the way they imagine
I get bored by the amount of "have you read this or that first" replies I have to put forward.
Often clearly they have not put even the most simple effort into something as basic as Google.
If I spot an effort in any way and I have something to offer I will try to assist.
Like R2 I will try tailor my response to what seems the OP's age and language level but try keep that within some bounds of decency.
This type of topic comes up on a regular basis and my stance has always been MAKE THEM READ THE STICKIES !
At least they might put a little more information up first by doing that.
I was going to suggest these folks re-read the forum guidelines but either they don't exist or I could just not find them.
Oh sure; make the people PROVIDING help read guidelines, but give the people ASKING for help a pass on reading the "How to use this forum" post...
(There should be a smiley in there. Except that most of the "mean" posts I see are in response to people who obviously have NOT read the "how to use" post, and haven't provided enough information to give any answer to other than "post more info; see the how-to sticky." Some of those could be nicer, and ... not repeated by so many people, but...)
