then the "newbie" is going to live in the "newbie" section forever just because it's easier to do that than to search ... and then the forum is going to blow up because slowly that section becomes the most popular and lively. when a newbie posts a stupid question, most of the time people DO give them answers, and other people tell them to also do a search for more info. if there needs to be any type of newbie section, it should just be locked down with a few separate threads for them to read through - one on what tire sizes fit with what amount of lift, another for what lifts are available for what year, another with links to tech writeups, etc.

if you make a newbie section where no one is told to "search" then all you're going to get is people who refuse to do any research whatsoever. it won't cut down on the number of "can I fit a 40" tire in the spare location?" threads that come in every day and even those in the newbie section answering questions are going to start getting frustrated enough that they beg the newbies to search.

the search feature benefits everyone - even if someone answers a newbie's post, there is still a lot to be gained through doing a search on the topic as well - so the search should always be encouraged if it is a topic that has been addressed at length.

the trouble with adding a new section is that it's another section they have to moderate, and it will encourage people NOT TO USE THE SEARCH FEATURE AT ALL.

 

i mean, if there was a newbie section, you bet i'd help and try to answer as many questions as i could (because i really don't know much), but the truth is just that sometimes the best answers are found in past threads that we can't quote verbatim off the top of our heads everytime someone asks.

 

ok i give. no newbie section.

 

agreed, matt.

and i dont think a noob section will work, but i'm going to seriously think about it and discuss with the other mods and especially with some of the TTORA mods i know.

but back to the crux of the problem: we all assume that a noob is a good noob from the start. but EVERYONE here knows a lazy noob who wants a spoon feeding when you see his first question and how he claims to have "searched and searched".

you know, if a member is gracious enough to steer a noobie in the right direction with links and search terms, that is a GIFT because most forums dont have members like ours who will do that.

if said noobie reveals himself as a lazy noob that doesnt read those links and search terms and then proceeds to bullshizzle everyone by saying "i searched and read and read but didn't find what kind of sealant to put on my deckplate mod!", then said noobie needs to be
for good!!!

this constant, tiresome debate amongst the members of this forum centers around what? how to deal with the lazy, non-reading, non-searching noob. isnt that...ummm...ridiculous? we ask the presumed good honest noob to meet us halfway by giving him links, but then the presumed good noob reveals himself to want nothing more than a spoon feeding and have someone rewrite years and years of good tech threads just for him. so are we to presume he will be one of the most outstanding new members who will provide endless, useful tech knowledge and organize great trail runs?

better just:


bob


...hey, i'm getting really good at repeating myself!

 

LOL....bob i love the way you write...its extremely professional! Believe it or not, im taking a class on how to write professionally. And yes, I am in a real school taking real classes! what can I say...im a business major!

One question, Can i use my hi-lift on my running boards? LOL

 

That's exactly what I did in one case today. I wrote a reply explaining a bit about our tolerations with those types of questions on the forum and then gave him his answeres hoping he would be would gracious... ... ...

BUT NO! His next post is asking another rediculous question that could be answered with common sense let alone searching. I can tolerate someone who wants a personalized answer so they can be rest assured, but I can't take these noobs who just plain out refuse to learn ANYTHING and have NO BASIC MECHANICAL KNOWLEDGE AT ALL! I mean, I only have 200 posts, but I try to help, and it gets old, fast.

Sorry, just venting.

 

yeah, thats what i hate the most. when you take the time to sympathize with them and answer their question, give some links, whatever you do to help. then their next post is as if you dont exist.

 

i think everyone in this thread has me on their ignore lists because that's exactly what i've been saying in each post here! yarrr!

 

matt, marko, et al:

assume for now, that things remain the same. so what do you guys think we should do w/ that noob that won't meet you and the rest of the members halfway? should we let him stay? should we watch him? should we warn him? or should we just cut the cord and call it a day?

bob

p.s. thanks matt, for the compliment now if i could only have the talent of public speaking, that would be great! oh by the way, if your school offers any courses in public speaking and debate, TAKE THEM ALL. and do toastmasters too if your schedule permits. if you are going into the business field, you will need public speaking more than you think. the all-important job interview is your first real public speaking event if you really think about it

 

Well i think we shouldnt punish him per se. Perhaps we(as in moderators) should send them a friendly PM reminding them of the search function. Yea, im trying to fit in more public speaking courses, but my advisor tells me that I have enough fun classes(electives). I dont plan on going into the business field after college, but that could always change.

 

yarrr matey?? LOL are we a pirate today? I completely agree with you...well time to add you to my ignore list. LOL jk

 

is there a way to prevent someone from creating threads? maybe if a certain person is becoming a problem you can 'ban' them from making threads for a couple days. or possibly leave a message in their thread telling them to search and then closing the thread. one thing i usually see is a noob as a question, it gets answered within a couple posts, then the same noob keeps asking different questions, milking the answers out of us. soon enough the thread is like 2 or 3 pages when it shouldve stopped early on.

 

as far as i know, no. but lemme see.

but yeah, there are 'problem' noobs that dont take the time to help themselves. usually a nice, friendly warning and some edjumacation is good enough, but some get very combative. those get the boot asap.

but again, you've pointed out what i've been saying: its a big time waster for the members in terms of spoon feeding and also for the mods to police this kind of stuff.

bob

 

yeah. maybe a good axe will do the trick.