In case some of us forget what it's like to be a newbie

[Joe's tv]

I thought this would be a good section to post this. (moderator feel free to move it if necessary)

As I read some of the threads, it's shocking how some peeps get treated just for asking questions. If they ask in the wrong section or hijack...SO WHAT? It's too easy to forget, many are new to this, and don't know any better. A FRIENDLY reminder (instead of a crude remark) goes a lot further and leaves a more positive impression of our great website.

I was thinking back a few years ago, when all I knew the definition of was a sat dish and a receiver. I wasn't really sure what a file was, let alone how to install it into a receiver. I knew that thing on the dish had a name, but couldn't remember if it was a feedhorn or an lnb, nor did I know the difference. I also never realized that a splitter and a switch were different.

I also didn't understand how nagra 2 worked until I read around here for at least a few weeks. I didn't know the difference between receivers, or what iks even stood for or how that worked either.

As for reading the forums, that was one of the most confusing things I ever had to do, getting from section to section and knowing which one to read or post in without hijacking. I think many of us forget this is a big forum with many sections and is difficult for the newbie to navigate. When we are new to this, we spend a lot of money on equipment and are anxious to get up and running, and need good advice..............not wisecracks because we didn't ask questions properly.

I think most of us here know where I'm coming from and have been there as well.....so lets try to do the right thing. There's a respectful and friendly way to answer a hijacked thread and there's the wrong way. Newbies are people too and should not be ostracized just for asking a question.

Rant over. :)

[mj420]

my bro sent in his info for free nfps code 7 days ago....still nothing, he resubmited info and has been another 2 days...should he resubmit info again?
also looking for a p$...could you guys please pm me with info...thanks.

[MAD]

lmao :tehe:

[towelie]

my bro sent in his info for free nfps code 7 days ago....still nothing, he resubmited info and has been another 2 days...should he resubmit info again?
also looking for a p$...could you guys please pm me with info...thanks.man, you're too much lmao

[mj420]

what...no help????....lol

[stman]

my bro sent in his info for free nfps code 7 days ago....still nothing, he resubmited info and has been another 2 days...should he resubmit info again? also looking for a p$...could you guys please pm me with info...thanks. I give it 50 - 50 odds that someone will miss the ironic intent. lmao

[JCO]

I didnt miss the ironic intent.. I was this close to banning the member for hijacking and off topic posts..

[Highwayman]

:pAAAAAAApple struuuuuuddle!

[Joe's tv]

,,,,so what?i think mods and admin.are doing a great job on deleting and keeping members(hijackers)and threads where they dont belong that is why when new members come to this great website the first thing we tell them is to READ READ.the forum rules and they should do that,and yes we are humans we all make mistakes i have done mistakes myself. and yes is too easy to forget but is also to easy to lose control of this wounderful site.have a good day

This is in no way directed at you Vando, but there's a "kind and gentle" way to handle things.........just simply using snippy remarks and not answering the question, or not at least directing the person to the right place is just plain rude.

IMHO, if you're lurking in the background just to insult people or maybe just too lazy to help perhaps it might be best to just keep quiet and let someone who is willing to be helpful answer the question. :)

[hutch]

:pAAAAAAApple struuuuuuddle!

I see nothing ... I hear nothing... lol

[fritz]

This is in no way directed at you Vando, but there's a "kind and gentle" way to handle things.........just simply using snippy remarks and not answering the question, or not at least directing the person to the right place is just plain rude.

IMHO, if you're lurking in the background just to insult people or maybe just too lazy to help perhaps it might be best to just keep quiet and let someone who is willing to be helpful answer the question. :)

I know for sure 1 for whom this post was directed. They should be reprimanded severely but that will never happen!

[Bigpineguy Retired]

This is in no way directed at you Vando, but there's a "kind and gentle" way to handle things.........just simply using snippy remarks and not answering the question, or not at least directing the person to the right place is just plain rude.

IMHO, if you're lurking in the background just to insult people or maybe just too lazy to help perhaps it might be best to just keep quiet and let someone who is willing to be helpful answer the question. :)

You know what they say ? "there's one in every crowd" , and we have a Big crowd here....lol....

Best thing to do is simply help the new member by pointing them in the right direction, or answer their question so that they get the help they need or want as a newbie, and if someone/anyone is rude or mean, hit that "report post" button, and staff will be alerted to the offending post....Thank you...

BPG~

[mj420]

In some cases peeps don't read at all and just expect answers without doing any research.
if every once and awhile they get a gruff answer or are embarresed alittle then maybe they might read a bit more before blindly asking questions without doing any reading...imo.

[NOKIA™]

alrighty then... am not fish slapping anymore... teach ya a lesson and make you miss it....hehe:grr:

[Anubis]

In some cases peeps don't read at all and just expect answers without doing any research.if every once and awhile they get a gruff answer or are embarresed alittle then maybe they might read a bit more before blindly asking questions without doing any reading...imo.
Commenly called "spoon feeding".

[RagingBull]

mmmm! Spoon Feeding!!!!!

[Tubbs]

Ya, I liked how Nokia just handled a demanding member...

QUESTION:
Like where is this help at...I posted last night and still no help from anyone

NOKIA's response:

and next time don't go whining about no instant help... when people have time to help they will help!
this is not a paid support site !

I do mostly agree with Joe's TV, about being patient, but when peeps write somthing like this,(below) it really gets under your skin.

" I'm new here and I need someone to tell me step by step how to program by box and how to get my donation info and send me the latest files for my reciever"

Man, that really bugs me!

[NOKIA™]

spoon feeding is a very common practice in forums...

all forums have users that want the answer fed to them... either being lazy or... technically challenged and not able to grasp many technical info...

Joe has a point... but as Tubbs said.... sometimes there are requests that will force your blood pressure up ... even if on medication:D

thats the main reason I stopped moderating at few forums that I used to be at... i still miss my DSSGEEKS days though....lol

heres the thread Tubbs was talking about.... http://www.satfix.net/showthread.php?93299-Need-help-with-this-setup

[Turdblossom]

I always found it interesting how some peeps were allowed to totally bash newbs, while others were called out for bashing?

[Fastcompany]

I agree with you 100% Joe. Well said.

Another thing we have to consider, is that English is not always a first language. For many, it is hard to translate and understand what read, or what is being said. In some cases this is clearly seen, and a little "spoon feeding" is necessary. In others, yes they are demanding. In all cases, they are looking for help. If they have posted in the wrong section, or Hi-jacked a thread, guide them to the correct way, even include a link to the forum rules, or appropriate forum section.

In the end, you have to ask yourself "how do I want to handle this" For me, regardless of the situation presented, the answer is always the same. With Respect. Respect others, and it will be noticed, appreciated, and returned. Do it not, and in time, your own words will hold little value. Helping will cost you personal time and effort, but even the most demanding member will remember that you helped them.

[LuckyLarry]

That'swhy a "newbie" section is in order:all the newbies will have a place to post their questions, however simplistic or demanding they may be.That way,there's no need for cynical people to go there (like myself) to leave cynical answers...lol

[bandit2804]

i somewhat hear what your trying to say on the other foot tv is basicly all english so what are you tring to test
I agree with you 100% Joe. Well said.

Another thing we have to consider, is that English is not always a first language. For many, it is hard to translate and understand what read, or what is being said. In some cases this is clearly seen, and a little "spoon feeding" is necessary. In others, yes they are demanding. In all cases, they are looking for help. If they have posted in the wrong section, or Hi-jacked a thread, guide them to the correct way, even include a link to the forum rules, or appropriate forum section.

In the end, you have to ask yourself "how do I want to handle this" For me, regardless of the situation presented, the answer is always the same. With Respect. Respect others, and it will be noticed, appreciated, and returned. Do it not, and in time, your own words will hold little value. Helping will cost you personal time and effort, but even the most demanding member will remember that you helped them.

[Fastcompany]

i somewhat hear what your trying to say on the other foot tv is basicly all english so what are you tring to test

While most do watch DN and Bev, many members only use FTA for the international (Non English) channels only.

[josh3794]

I'm fairly new to this forum but whatever forum I happen to be on I answer the questions that are asked. Even if someone hijacks a thread I will answer the question and then point out to them to start their own thread.

I answer the same questions a lot and I have started including a link to the proper thread after I have answered the question.

I spend a lot of time on different forums for different things and I'm always a newbie at something. So i try to treat those asking questions the way i would like to be treated if I was stumped.

[BHill]

i somewhat hear what your trying to say on the other foot tv is basicly all english so what are you tring to test

You must remember that some peeps can speak and understand English but never really learned to read and write in it.

[caretaker69]

joe joe joe i agree a few r smart a** here & always tell people to find answer instead of giving an answer but some here always willing 2 help & very knowledged in sat stuff.bad cop good cop.

[Joe's tv]

thats the main reason I stopped moderating at few forums that I used to be at... i still miss my DSSGEEKS days though....lol

heres the thread Tubbs was talking about.... http://www.satfix.net/showthread.php?93299-Need-help-with-this-setup

Nokia, I used to mod a small car guy forum. On it there was a senior member who continually jumped on new members bashing their rides and their person. He got a rise by starting fights insulting people. It made him feel like he was great, although his self esteem was quite low. Online, people can come across as different then they really are in person.

After repeated warnings and flagrant "in your face" digs at staff, I pushed the ban button. This guy was so immature, he kept trying to re-register under different usernames, some of them I could not repeat here without breaking rules. Inevitably, we were able to ban him by IP.

Suffice it to say, when you ban or discipline a member, particularly one who is friendly with the staff, that's when site politics will come back to bite. Not to imply any particular member here, but I think that is why some members get a pass and some don't. :)

[iq180]

i still think of myself as a newbie,but i try to help all members new and old to get the info they are looking for and if it means spoon feeding them
then so be it because it was not that long ago that i was where they are and needed lots of help, so yes i do lots of spoon feeding members and i like
what i do.
thanks.

[starmike]

i sometimes wonder the same .
the amount of new things i learned thus far, since i joined, i learned from super mods and lots of reading
and i am still learning
thanks all

[Turdblossom]

Maybe we could started a thread called "Dear Mr. Newbie". And in that thread explain that we have different sections of the forum for a reason, please use them appropriately. Also there should be an explanation of hijacking and why it's not allowed.

A link to this thread could be then posted as a reply to newb's in the wrong forum, or hijacking etc.

Maybe if they still don't get it after multiple links to the Newbie thread, they would be sent to the Newbie room? not sure what the Newbie room is yet, but we could figure something out...lol

[Crazy Carl]

Maybe we could started a thread called "Dear Mr. Newbie". And in that thread explain that we have different sections of the forum for a reason, please use them appropriately. Also there should be an explanation of hijacking and why it's not allowed.

A link to this thread could be then posted as a reply to newb's in the wrong forum, or hijacking etc.

Maybe if they still don't get it after multiple links to the Newbie thread, they would be sent to the Newbie room? not sure what the Newbie room is yet, but we could figure something out...lol

I beleive you maybe on to somethin i rekon

[FaStRmAn]

In some cases peeps don't read at all and just expect answers without doing any research.
if every once and awhile they get a gruff answer or are embarresed alittle then maybe they might read a bit more before blindly asking questions without doing any reading...imo.

Couldn't hurt to link them to the place they can find the info they need. Some people are not computer savvy at all. They are barely able to handle getting ON the board let alone understand how to navigate and do the reading necessary to find the info they seek. Sure there will always be those that are too lazy to even follow a link (let alone read what is there), but at least you can point them in the right direction.

[Turdblossom]

Maybe it's time to consider some facts, being a newb does not mean being stupid; and being a seasoned tester does not make one a genius

When reading some of these "talking down to" posts, I have often thought wouldn't it be a laugh if the "seasoned tester" was in real life a garbage collector, while the newb he was berating was a dentist?

[mj420]

I usually do give them a link...or help when i can.
I guess what I was trying to say was, there are only a couple peeps who are gruff or straight to the point......the rest are always polite and helpfull or spoon feeding. imo the staff here do an excellant job of keeping a good balance of both.
I would find it very hard to believe that any site, anyware would be just "sunshine and lollipops"...lol.
Couldn't hurt to link them to the place they can find the info they need. Some people are not computer savvy at all. They are barely able to handle getting ON the board let alone understand how to navigate and do the reading necessary to find the info they seek. Sure there will always be those that are too lazy to even follow a link (let alone read what is there), but at least you can point them in the right direction.

[Joe's tv]

Maybe we could started a thread called "Dear Mr. Newbie". And in that thread explain that we have different sections of the forum for a reason, please use them appropriately. Also there should be an explanation of hijacking and why it's not allowed.

A link to this thread could be then posted as a reply to newb's in the wrong forum, or hijacking etc.

Maybe if they still don't get it after multiple links to the Newbie thread, they would be sent to the Newbie room? not sure what the Newbie room is yet, but we could figure something out...lol

That's actually a very good idea......I don't think they realize how many members and topics are here, nor do they know where to begin asking questions.

Maybe a good idea would be to have a sticky thread in the newbie section where hijacking is allowed and any question can be asked......that way they can be pointed in the right direction.

I also think a basic explanation sticky (in plain english) of how the fta thing all works would help the newbie who just registered and doesn't have a clue. Sometimes the "read, read, read" approach can only confuse someone who is just starting out. Often they come here looking for free tv, but need to realize it's a full time hobby and if you get spoon fed you'll always need to be spoon fed. :)

[josh3794]

That's actually a very good idea......I don't think they realize how many members and topics are here, nor do they know where to begin asking questions.

Maybe a good idea would be to have a sticky thread in the newbie section where hijacking is allowed and any question can be asked......that way they can be pointed in the right direction.

I also think a basic explanation sticky (in plain english) of how the fta thing all works would help the newbie who just registered and doesn't have a clue. Sometimes the "read, read, read" approach can only confuse someone who is just starting out. Often they come here looking for free tv, but need to realize it's a full time hobby and if you get spoon fed you'll always need to be spoon fed. :)


I'm with you on maybe not just pushing the "read, read, read' approach. Telling someone to just read is not going to help if they can't understand the language or understand what they are reading. Your just going to confuse them more and they might do a lot of damage to their receivers. Like say loading the bin for the wrong receiver onto theirs. At that point they may beyond the point of help and will get frustrated with the whole thing.

Granted a lot of them are just looking for free tv. After a couple of years they start to realize that this hobby can be quite expensive and time consuming.

[Turdblossom]

Agreed, read read read doesn't work. And a link to a couple pages of rules doesn't work

Most newbs suffer from information overload before they get here, so they need short and concise directions

Again, just need a newb thread telling them they will get help if they post in the right section. And maybe suggesting they take a minute to familiarize themselves with the forum

[Condor]

Good stuff Joe.. ( and those who gave constructive criticism) I didn't bother reading the whole thread as I stopped when reading some of the sarcasm... We have always prided ourselves in being "gentler and kinder" and I see what you are seeing.. We were all newbies at one time and I will never forget those who helped me along.. First thing I look at is the Join Date and post count of some of those that ask for help.. I also see them getting slammed sometimes.. Unfortunately we can't police everything all the time and we depend on you and all the membership to report violations... We do have a great method for doing this and all reported posts/threads are looked at by all of us.. So don't give up and keep on truckin'....Salud..........:cor::cor::cor::cor::co r:


Note: I did move your post as this does not belong in rumors......

[fonger]

moderators have a pretty hard job. it may look simple but generally they overlook the site and follow a guidline established by the admin.
when they encounter a potential problem, they ask their peers in private and then take action.
jacked threads are easy, they are usually moved out to a new thread to concentrate on that one particular problem.

so the next time you see a moderator online lurking around making sure everyone is happy, throw them a hello.

cheers

[iq180]

first thing i want to say is the staff here at satfix is the best out of all the fta sites on the net, not perfect but they try hard to be perfect and that is all we can ask for.
the next thing i want to say is we need to remember that the newbie we help today or spoon feed if need be mite be the member that is helping us
tomorrow, that is the way i look at when helping someone with a problem.
thanks to all here at satfix.:comfort1:

[Gabacho]

This has been a really good thread for me to read. I'm a mod at two sites and I'm guilty of getting a little short tempered at times. Everything that can be said on this subject has been said so I won't add any more of my experiences but to say that I wll try to remember much of what has been said here. Thanks guys!!!

[pugsycan]

Been trying to figure out how to answer this as I am not a believer in spoonfeeding but do believe in teaching
now some may think that provide a link to a file/sticky/thread is helping the member but not to me. Tell them where to find the file/info and they should/will learn to look for it give them the link and the next time the next time all they have learned is to go and ask for a link
Its the old give a man a fish/teach him how to fish adage
The newbie section is only good for the ones that read anyway If they dont read they never find it

[Gabacho]

Good point and only each of us can decide what the fine line is. I sort of recall being able to read a lot to avoid asking questions. I only started in the N2 day and this IKS is totally different and requires some basic computer type knowledge. I see many new users that aren't going to get it until they can learn some basics. As someone said the many want to watch TV and not mess with learning. In the bin days almost anyone could understand to go to a site and download a new bin every two weeks.

[Nostradamus]

I find it is fairly easy to determine for the most part who is just being lazy and who really needs help. I really don't think anybody has issues with helping people who need help. It seems like the biggest problem is when the 3rd person jumps into the mix coming to the aid of somebody who just got slam dunked. It could be the reason the guy got a spanking is a 100 reasons but usually boils down to about 3 different things.

1. they have been posting the thing all over the forums

2. they simply refuse to listen and follow directions

3. they just want somebody else to do all the grunt work

Regardless of the reason, when poster #3 jumps in a thread trying to look like some kind of FTA superhero to the guy who just got spanked they should be prepared to babysit their new friend until they solve all his issues. All I can say with that is have fun because if you are able to solve his first problem you can be sure he will have more issues as well

[NOKIA™]

i fall under #3 ...hehe

[slobo]

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