Hi there people! I have learned so much on many topics since joining this awesome website. My very first post was answered within hours and as a result, I became immediately impressed with this forum. Since then, I feel it's only fair that I try to help people here as much as I can with what I know. I regularly check on a lot of interesting threads in several forums in which I feel knowledgeable enough to be able to answer some questions. However, due to the tremendous help the well-informed people here are already providing, I don’t always feel it necessary to post since a lot of threads are already in very good hands. For this reason, I have been trying to focus on threads without replies. I am getting to my point (finally)… I noticed often a lot of threads remain without answers for some time, after which I presume the poster eventually decided to give up and go look somewhere else for answers. My suggestion is perhaps we should try to reply to as many threads without replies as we can. Perhaps we should try to clear them all in a short period of time (although I realize this may sound silly and probably not possible). By that I don’t mean we should all be posting useless answers for the sole purpose of seeing a blank “threads without replies” page. If this could be achieved, then this would mean that everyone here who were seeking help were helped at some point in time. I just thought this concept very well supports the purpose behind this forum. Rest assured this is not criticism on my part to AD members as I’m sure a lot of you already do this. Please don’t be offended by this suggestion as it is not my intent to offend any of you. I also understand that a lot of posts are actually duplicates of something which has been asked a million time before (duh). I sometimes also find it frustrating that a lot of people simply aren’t even trying to search the forums for an answer which was repeated many times already. Then I remember that everybody was once a noob and for some, this is their first time ever posting to an online forum. So for those of you who haven’t already left and actually read through the above novel, what do you guys think ?...
Hi, Great analysis of a personal point of view. As you stated alot of whats in the threads without replies are duplicates or easily answered if folks used the search function. However, after answering the same 'scenario' time and time again it becomes monotonous and somewhat irritating to see a new question which is already covered in 3-4 threads. i myself am no expert and find the best way to actually 'educate' someone who has a question is to provide a link to a topic pre-existing and covers what they are looking for or a brief explanation as to what/ how or why a particular software works. Those who have been here well before me have become somewhat hesistant to answer noobie questions as there is occasionally someone to come along and totally redirect the topic and cause a flamewar. As you and I stick around (as well as others) our replies will become more helpful yet...ask yourself how many new threads about a movie (for example narnia) will you be willing to answer or provide a link to within a week? Double-posts also are factored into new threads as some don't have the patience to await a response and in turn post in another forum section which can lead to conflicting ideas as what works. I try to answer where I can with the knowledge I have and soon hope to be able to provide solid answers without glitches such as rotary, ddp, jerry746, creaky, kivory, bbmayo, scubapete, andmerr, arniebear, lethal_b (too many to name) have and continue to do on a daily basis. My suggestion to you is to assist where you can, and remember its quality not quantity of the replies you give that will make this site wholeheartedly better. This one here for example illustrates the example of not using the search function therefore alot of seems to be new threads just need a link to point them in the right direction http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/326274 Just my 2 cents and no I am no expert...only trying to stay out of flamewars and assist within my spectrum of hands on experience.
matt72, Your answers are just fine. In fact, I enjoy reading them. There are just as many extremely helpful Seniors & Members as there are Addicts and you are one of them. A fancy title doesn't make one any more or less helpful. My view on duplicate posts is this - all newbies are the same in that they are all mostly confused about questions, and only just engaging in new surroundings, and so cannot all be expected to search before posting. Some do, and some don't. So I just treat the newbie who asks the same question for the 50th time with the same courtesy and respect as the first person who answered the question. Here is an example, http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/327324 That particluar question is mentioned in two guides & My FAQ, which the guy didn't bother to look at. I couldn't even be bothered to tell him to "search before posting", as it's becoming a tiresome line, & 99% of the time it falls on deaf ears. D'rather just answer the question & move on.. Newbies will be newbies, and we all have our way of dealing with them. Just remember when answering, we were all clueless noobs at one stage. Peace.
The only time that gets me annoyed is when the newbie asks how to get to new member ranks...I see that at least once a day, LOL For all other questions, I answer just as if it was the first time i answered the question, as i love spreading the knowledge
yeah the main reason i joined aftere dawn was so i could help people out with moding and anything else they had questions about, i like to help them and sometimes i even have to ask about something and my questions are always answered
Nick, its funny you should mention that, as thats what I do most of the time while browsing the forums. If I see something that has no replies, most times it's something that a n00b is asking for the 50th time, but every now and again, you get a question that not everyone knows the answer to. These are what I enjoy. If its something that I dont know, my personality makes me WANT to know what the answer is, so I seek it out. In effect, you end up helping this person out and gaining knowledge for yourself. As far as the "Use the search" feature. I'd have to agree with Lethal. I doubt there's anyone here that hasn't, at one time stumbled into a new forum somewhere (yes, there are forums outside of aD), looked at the first couple of pages, didn't see any topics related to what you need to know about and typed a question out. What happened? You got 30 people jumping down your throat about "GO HOME N00B" "Use the F'n search"... things like that. Didn't make you feel very welcome, did it? I personally try to take it easy on the n00bs and hopefully these people will take some initiative and unn00betize (I'm going to copywrite that word) themselves. Granted, there will always be the lazy types who just want what they need now and move on, but the world is not a perfect place. If it were, everyone would look like me. =P
@ Davedough I agree with you. A lot of times I'll end up learning something new when I research to try and help someone and also from the contribution other people provided to a topic. P.S.: There are forums other than AD ??!! P.P.S.: I love your sig picture :-D It's funny as hell!
I think my 1st quote below sums up this site. I to enjoy reading other peoples probs very often finding an answer to a prob i had years ago maybe. as for repeated questions its just as easy to send a link to the answer as it is to swear and curse cos thev'e asked it. I know which i prefer to do. its a great site and sometimes "newbies" if welcomed nicely can turn out to be a great asset to the site as they may well have a lot of knowledge on other issues
@Depaladin Hey. I took a look at your thread and I really wish I could help you. Unfortunately, I simply have no idea where to find such a list. I really hope someone replies to your thread. Give it a couple days.
