I'm kind of surprised by the sense of entitlement of some of the newbie posters here. I respond to a lot of question on another website, and often think that the newbie questions are taking advantage of the crew with asking question which have been gone over over and over and for which they have obviously not done any research.
On another website, when I see regulars typing out quick responses to the same old question, many times those responses really lack the details that have been expounded in other locations. It doesn't do the newbie any good for partial answers and I'm sure it is numbing for the regulars.
My response to a newbie question is typically on the terse side. I use it as a gauge to even see if they are listening/reading (which often they are not) and then follow up on the basis of how much self learning and comprehension the seem to have exhibited.
I don't think there is an spoon feeding entitlement that newbies deserve. I let others spoon feed answers until they get tired. If you can't get something and you are trying that is one thing, but just stomping in and saying I want answers to my questions does not fly.
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I did the search as well, and while I got partial answers to some of my questions, I really could not get a FULL answer asking a human would give,
I have been on 'forums' since 1979, I have run BBS's - Multiline chat systems, Multiline BBs systems (way before Al Gore invented this thing called the internet)
Been asked the same question 100,000 times, and gave the same answer 100,000 times.
you plant a seed, and from it grows a tree, that produces many more seeds...
pay it forward.
JonathanLeave a comment:
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A good alternative to the built-in search function, which I agree is not very good on searching for content, is to use Google search.
Just add the qualifier site:www.solarpaneltalk.com to your search string. That will restrict the regular Google search to only pages from this forum site.Leave a comment:
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search function...
I try to use the search function, but it is definitely lacking..........Leave a comment:
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Gratitude
I for one would like to express gratitude to 3 awesome people.Mike,Sunking and Russ (in no order). All 3 have been stars and always helpful. I can only imagine how tiring it must be to assist noobs like myself on a daily basis and then come back again for some more lol. So yeah.Thanks guys your willingness to help and perseverance just shows your character.Utmost respect.Thanks again.Leave a comment:
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He was energy secretary under Regan I believe
Welcome to Solar Panel Talk by the way!Leave a comment:
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Fair enough. I can't argue the "disabling of PMs". I wish I had done that a long time ago. So, I can relate to tons of people wanting to ask a like number of questions, thinking I have nothing better to do with my time than to hang online waiting for them.
I guess, as a "new member", I just got rubbed the wrong way by the tone of the thread. But, as a long time forum owner, I can relate to how you and Russ may feel.Leave a comment:
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I answer questions on the forums. I blocked "pvt messages" because I'm tired of folks asking for a personal reply, my personal consulting fee is $50/hr.
I've sometimes "quoted" a pvt question, and posted the answer to the public forum, if its a particularly interesting question. That gets an answer out, and works around my fee. Ask in public all you want for free, and the answers are shared for all. If you want a private Q & A, it co$ts.Leave a comment:
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What is being said is that if people want more detailed information than is offered and or want to be lazy they are free to pay someone (outside of the forum) for services. None of us sells this type of work and have no interest in doing so.
Perhaps when I am interested in Paul's opinions I will ask him - most likely not.
You might read for a while prior to stating opinions - or is it done just to make yourself feel good.
RussLeave a comment:
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Gotta love the first impression here...
Fine. Then, as soon as I find the donate button for this forum, I will happily donate for information. I have no problem in doing that whatsoever.
I have run forums for about three decades. I have never, not once ever, charged newbies for information, even if they ask the same question tons of times. My expertise is helping people who want to visit or retire in Cebu (or elsewhere) Philippines. One question, off the top of my head, that has been asked a million times if asked once is, "What does it cost to live in __________?" I put myself online, and on that forum to help others who come to us, the seasoned members, for said information.
Yes, of course, they could use the search engine on the site. But, I have to take into account the many older retired guys (I am only 45, though) who know little about posting, much less how to use the search feature on a site. Are they any less deserving of help? Nope. Not in my book anyway.
So, perhaps people who complain about newbies shouldn't be moderators. It isn't healthy for the longevity of that site.
Sign me: A newbie from CebuLeave a comment:
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Usually there are many ways to do most anything - many work and some are even safe! Forget solar for a moment as most likely your questions would be good - let us say on a chef's forum should one do some research on the forum or just ask something about a particular sauce - a point that has been made numerous times.
Most of the people coming here need to learn all they can - electrical items really confuse most.
One of the real dumb questions that comes up very often is, 'Why can't you use DIY panels for grid tie'. Most questioners are not interested in anything except that they have decided they are being deprived of their rights.
Just this evening on another forum I saw a point (from a fellow that used to post here before being banned) of how to get around having a PE sign off on structural plans - too expensive. If the cost of the PE's signature makes the project too expensive then it should not be done to start with. The same guy was quoting the wiki to say that NEC can not charge for their code book - the wiki is a good resource to find references - at the bottom of the entry. All the rest has to be considered opinion.
By the way - Welcome to Solar Panel Talk! Sounds like you have found your way around the PV world so you should be a good resource for members.
RussLeave a comment:
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Paying for personal attention !
I agree with you on that one. But, maybe I am lazy but should I ask a question, it is easier to just ask it rather then search all over the place for what should be the answer.
Besides, a lot of people like to hear more then one opinion on what is what in the solar world. There are always more way's to do some things then one would think. Sometimes !!Leave a comment:
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