Telling Noobs To Read The Faq:

[stoi]

Ive noticed a few ppl on this board, not metioning any names, that all they seem to post to noobs is.

Read the :rtfm:

and thats all they seem to post either in the guestroom, or in other threads where posts count.

Ive been here since october and must admit ive never once looked at the faq, ive learned everything from informative posts on this forum.

I think when i was a noob and if i asked about a problem i was having, and someone wrote a reply stating the above, i probably would of said "f**k you" and went to another forum to ask rather than read the faq.

If i know the answer to a noobs question i either try to find a thread on this forum that dealt with the problem/issue and post a link, or try to answer the querie myself.

Im getting pretty tired of opening threads where someone needs help, and all i see is :rtfm: as replys, and it seems to be the same few ppl that do this, now i would like to help this person out with a decent post but i dont know if A: They will ever come back after not getting much help at all B: they have read the faq and found the answer to the prob, if the latter then i would feel stupid posting a reply and he post back "i just read the FAQ and found it".

I think only mods should be allowed to use the :rtfm: in such threads as its just an easy way for ppl to become post whores.

It would be good to know of the few ppl who have posted these posts, how many they have done and how many total posts they have.

Not only is it a form of spamming, for post counts, when they are not acctually helping that person, but also it makes the threads in the forum look a mess.

i would like to hear what other members think of this whole topic, and post your suggestion`s as to either how to fix this prob, or keep it like it is.

thanx

stoi

[The Great Dude]

We also use this :rtfaq: you know. We use :rtfm: on members, sometimes I forget and use them on guest or newbies . rtfm could mean "read the fabulous manual" They have to learn to read the FAQ though.

[stoi]

yeah but you and shinagami seem to be the only ppl that do it to any extent.



Oops sorry, wasnt going to mention any names was i

and why DO they have to learn, ive never LEARNED to do it, its there if i want it, but i didnt need it because this board when i first joined seemed more friendly and personal, now it just seems like everyone couldnt give a F**K.

[The Great Dude]

If you been like us, Shinigami and I have seen so many repeated questions that can easily be said in the faq. It gets very annoying typing the same thing over and over. Thus, FAQ is a simplier solution and they can click the link on top of this forum. Not only that, they usually would look in the FAQ next time to see if their question is there.

[stoi]

ok, valid point, but why not let one of the other members answer it for a change. as soon as i go to a new post that is asking for help you have already beat me to it with the above post, and i know its not just me its everyone, sometimes i woner if you just sit there waiting to catch a noob to get your post count up the easy way, shinigami used to be bad at this aswell untill he reaached the 2000 post mark and now it seems that he has calmed down now, lets just hope after 300+ more post from you you will let other members answer the noobs in a constructive way.

I dont mean to single shinagami and you out, there are others on this forum who do the same even if one of yous 2 have already told the noob to :rtfm:.

Sorry but its just getting on my nerves, and thought i would bring the subject up, but i wouldnt mind other members thoughts on this, along with the few regulars who do these posts, and the mods and amin to chip in as well.

[J'Pol]

To a certain extent I´m ambivalent about this subject. To a large degree it depends on the tone and the nature of the question. If someone comes here and in their first post they are aggresive or belligerent then they won´t get a reasonable response. However if they expalin their problem in a reasonable way and ask for help then they will get it. It´s just like real life in that way.

If I think it is a bogus post, e.g. someone not asking a genuine question, or pretending to be something they are not, then I have no time for them.

Of course sometimes people are just in a strange mood when they reply. I´s all part of life´s rich tapestry.

[TClite]

I agree here that if new members are greeted with this RTFM or such like replies they will be less inclined to be interested in seeking further help here...and most definetly try to persuade potential members in the other direction. Thus I think a good comprimise would be too have a general concensus within our forum and in amongst our regulars that if we bump into a noob we should help them to a greater extent, and show them what a cool environment they are coming into...thats what kept me here...and ultimately keeps me coming here.....besides the friendly banter! Also along similar lines, why not extend an arm to longer serving members if they are in need, Ive had a couple of pretty bad issues with the computer and posted in here...only to come back a couple of hours later and see 50+ views and no response but when i surf around the forum I see plenty useless posts flaming people who are miss-using the board and more....what do you think?

[amphoteric88]

removed

[J'Pol]

Originally posted by amphoteric88@18 March 2003 - 22:49
I have to say that i agree with stoi on this one. I am a noob, and although i haven't been guided to the faq myself, when i look at the forums i see a lot of this practice going on. I agree that if the person is been aggrivative and showing great ignorance then they should either be directed to the faq or told to keep a more civil tone. However, if the person is asking a genuine question and showing repsect to the other members then they should be treated politely or even have a member reply to their problem. If they are treated properly and in a civil manner, they may stay with this forum and contribute something valuable in the future. You have to remember that everyone on this member was once a noob themselves, a little repsect goes a long way in this debate.

Good point, well made.

Welcome, I hope you have a positive experience. Right sort of chap and all that type of thing

[Skillian]

I'm with stoi as well here, and well done to you for bringing up the point. If older members get fed up typing the same things over and over, then don't answer the question! There are plenty of members who are now able to answer any question that might be covered in the FAQ, and are actually willing to answer in sentences rather than quotes and smilies.

The Great Dude, you said the other day you don't do it for a job, but if thats the case you don't have to answer every question. Again not singling you out, you are one of the most knowledgeable and useful members of the board, but why not save some of your expertise for the more advanced questions, and give the newbie questions at least 5 minutes to let some of the junior members answer them?