forum etiquette

[BlueX]

One thing I've noticed on some other (non-photography related) forums I've been on is that they (mostly admin and moderators) get angry when some one just starts a new thread to ask a simple question, instead of searching through the old threads to see if it has already been covered. This tends to clutter things up a bit. So before I start a new thread about a subject, especially a popular subject, I'll go through some old threads and do a search to see if it has already been covered. I just do it out of courtesy. It's definitely easier on this forum because there's a smaller community and not as much back log to go through. Of course, this doesn't apply to "show your photo" and "critique" threads.

[Mad Aussie]

That is a frustrating problem from an admin point of view sometimes.

I find on my MTB website that it's something that happens a lot but I'm very lenient with it because the technology and circumstances can change quickly so even if a person did find an old thread the info within might not be valid any longer. It's one of those things I guess. Does the person then add to that old thread or start a new one which is easier to get an answer from ? I let them decide. Sometimes new threads add spice.

[JAS_Photo]

If it's a specific subject such as a 'fresh foods diet' on a parrot site, for instance, it can be stickied and the inquirer can be sent there with a link. Otherwise some topics although repeated many times, can get off track or the respondents are no longer around and the thread has gone 'stale'. It can then very well benefit from a fresh start and differing opinions or solutions.

[BlueX]

I agree, this is definitely dependent on many factor like topic, subject matter, info given, applicablility, etc...

I see it mostly in car forums where a newbie signs up and their first post will go something like: "Someone help!!! I can't turn off my parking lights!!!" or "Does anyone know what type of bulbs I need for my headlights???" where a simple search will easily find the answer and the anwser will most like not change.

Not in this forum, but in others, members can get very snippy about this. I don't like getting yelled at by another geek through the computer, so I will often search before posting.

[Mad Aussie]

Yes ... 'Geek Rage' is a horrible thing

"If you don't stop making new threads before searching I will send a virus that will melt your monitor, turn your harddrive into a softdrive, scare your dog away, defrost your fridge and ruin your food AND make your girlfriend like Geeks!!!!"

[Marko]

One thing I've noticed on some other (non-photography related) forums I've been on is that they (mostly admin and moderators) get angry when some one just starts a new thread to ask a simple question, instead of searching through the old threads to see if it has already been covered. This tends to clutter things up a bit. So before I start a new thread about a subject, especially a popular subject, I'll go through some old threads and do a search to see if it has already been covered. I just do it out of courtesy. It's definitely easier on this forum because there's a smaller community and not as much back log to go through. Of course, this doesn't apply to "show your photo" and "critique" threads.

Admins and mods LOVE people like you BlueX

But the fact is, those admins that get miffed for this need to take a chill pill big time. Sure it would be great if most people would search before posting, but it will NEVER EVER happen. It's like spam. You can whine and complain all you like, but it ain't gonna stop it. Besides, new members are part of the important fuel that feeds forums and Admins and Mods should be grateful that they joined up in the first place. I know I am. It's stupid to be all snotty and chase new members away (because no new member or any member wants to be talked down to), and it makes for a very 'cold' forum.

Another good thread!
Thx all,
Marko

[Iguanasan]

Admins and mods LOVE people like you BlueX

But the fact is, those admins that get miffed for this need to take a chill pill big time. Sure it would be great if most people would search before posting, but it will NEVER EVER happen. It's like spam. You can whine and complain all you like, but it ain't gonna stop it. Besides, new members are part of the important fuel that feeds forums and Admins and Mods should be grateful that they joined up in the first place. I know I am. It's stupid to be all snotty and chase new members away (because no new member or any member wants to be talked down to), and it makes for a very 'cold' forum.

Another good thread!
Thx all,
Marko

Some "geeky" things that I like to see is how quoting is handled and a decent subject line. When you quote someone it's nice if you take the time to delete the irrelevant material from the quote. You'll see here that I quoted a large chunk of text that has nothing to do with my post. I like to put in "..." whenever I edit another's text in order to reduce it to a more usable quote. (See good example below)

...Sure it would be great if most people would search before posting, but it will NEVER EVER happen. It's like spam. You can whine and complain all you like, but it ain't gonna stop it....

I completely agree!

[JAS_Photo]

My pet peeve is when they quote the entire long post just above their own and then put a two or three word comment. And then the person below them does the same thing! Lol.