Experienced Members Need to Help the Newbies More

[habitatguy187]

Hey guys, not that I've been around a long time or anything, but I've learned ALOT! Still have a lot more to learn, but the past couple days it's been slow at work and I've been on here alot, and I've noticed that some of the easy questions that new ppl ask are answered by new people, and that their answers are way off.

I've seen some people go round and round on a thread that has one simple solution, I've seen people talk about things that they don't understand and mislead the OP's into buying parts and doing things that they don't need to do.

I know that we get tired of seeing the same old thread topics, but these ppl don't know, just like we didn't know. And worst than that they're being given misinformation to confuse them even more in the end.

Just a reminder to the more experienced that we all started somewhere, and that we shouldn't ignore these simple threads. We all know how frustrating it is not knowing what's wrong with our cars, so help the newbs.

 

[92AWDHX40]

I think newbies should use the search more, some questions are answered in there.

 

[habitatguy187]

I think newbies should use the search more, some questions are answered in there.

Then we should at least post a reply to search, not just leave them to be told things that aren't true. And many of them probably think that their problem is rare or unique so they post a thread on it, not realizing that it happens all the time.

 

[kahl23]

Also, a lot of times I see threads with an easy answer that I choose not to answer because of the proven member post requirement. If there is a newbie member who actually knows a few things, I figure he'd be eager to answer that thread, get the extra post, and be that much closer to proven member status. I do agree with you, however, that there has been a lot of BS in the last few months being thrown out by newbies who don't know what they're talking about.

And habitat, I've been burned by the "search" reply before, it's an easy way to get on Defiant's bad side, as per the first rule for before you reply:

1. No "Use the Search" replies - answer the question, link to the answer, or don't reply.

 

[xioca]

Then we should at least post a reply to search,

Mods get pissy then.

 

[joshohatesuall]

you mean like the giant red block of text that says "use the search first?"

oh, and the giant red block of reply text that says "No 'Use the Search' replies"?

 

[snowborder714]

I'm wondering who the first noob will be to post in here

If you have time to post the "You should have searched" answer you have time to perform a quick search and link to a thread that would be helpful. Proven members should know how to search and be familiar with the forums enough to at least be able to find one thread.

 

[Lofty]

I'm wondering who the first noob will be to post in here

You rang?


Anywhoo, I try to be as helpful as possible. I remember how frustrating jumping into these cars were, I usually scold the newbie by saying that they should have searched, but I give them the answer as well, this is the best way to go about things IMO.

Also, maybe we could have more like... bonuses for members with more rep, as in they would have a reason to want to help people.
Maybe a special forum once you hit a certain rep point?
Idk, just thinking out loud.

 

[Auto RS T]

Lofty... That's funny.

I am with Kahl23, if the answer seems too easily answered, then I will not post and try to let a new member help out. I think the mistake made here is not subscribing to these threads thus allowing them to get out of hand when we could have "overseen" what was being replied to and corrected or reported any misinformation and added our own 2 cents on top of that.

I'm not really a fan of the one link replys. Allthough in many cases that's all that is needed. Sure they are helpful and a lot of threads can be answered this way. Its just not my style. I like to give some of my own input in a thread if I am going to reply and possibly some links to back me up. Recently there just doesn't seem to be time for that.

By using more links and watching more threads we should still be helping out and allowing others to help without taking up too much of our own time. Don't forget about the "report" button for any misinformation or any posts that go against the spirit of the site.

 

[snowborder714]

By using more links and watching more threads we should still be helping out and allowing others to help without taking up too much of our own time. Don't forget about the "report" button for any misinformation or any posts that go against the spirit of the site.

+1,000,000,000,000!!!!

There are so many people that do not use this. They decide to take it into their own hands to fix and some of the time it's fine, but other times people get defensive. Make sure to report anything and everything that goes against the site rules (spelling, grammar, WTB/FS ads in the forums/regional forums, flaming, bumping, etc.). This is one easy way to help keep the threads and the forum overall clean. If you see something with a non-descriptive title, report it. If it contains some useful information, how do you think people will find it if the title has nothing to do with the thread?

 

[crimsondragon]

Sure I do help out. I do post "search" and provide the thread. But when you have to do it at least 20 times a day, you get kinda tired of spoonfeeding these ####s and just stop altogether. If they can't search for their own answer, then they can #### their car up for all I care.

 

[Thomas91169]

its hard because while on one hand i feel that the whole point of a forum is to get live and up-to-date responses to a thread, and that if we were to all use the search function it would kinda not be a forum anymore. It would suck to try a fix to an issue by finding a thread from 2002 when in 2005 someone found a far better way to fix it (or a way that actually works) but it was never really brought to attention.

on the other hand, any issue anybody has about anything has come up before; at this point in DSM's theres no issue out there that someone somewhere at some time hasnt posted about and gotten an answer.

 

[steve]

Once in a very rare while somebody comes up with something new.

 

[crimsondragon]

This forum has been here since 2002 with over 100k members. It's to the point where newbs have to ask themselves "Is it possible that somebody have had an experience already and I'm not just searching hard enough?" or "Maybe because I'm a newb, somebody else thought of it beforehand."

 

[DSM_PWR]

This forum has been here since 2002 with over 100k members. It's to the point where newbs have to ask themselves "Is it possible that somebody have had an experience already and I'm not just searching hard enough?" or "Maybe because I'm a newb, somebody else thought of it beforehand."

+2

Iv'e been seeing alot of people with less that 5 posts lately asking the same question over and over again... especially "Whats my next mod"...

 

[habitatguy187]

Iv'e been seeing alot of people with less that 5 posts lately asking the same question over and over again... especially "Whats my next mod"...

Ugh, I hate that question. But I'm not talking about posting on threads like that, I'm talking more about problem diagnosis. The other day there was a member who posted classic symptoms of fuel cut, he was then told by another newbie that it sounded like he had fuel problems, and that he needed a new fuel pump, bigger injectors, and dsmlink .

 

[the_mork]

One of the things that I have noticed is that I often read threads with the fewest replies but some of the most misinformed users are the most post happy which makes simple questions turn into 12 post threads with no answers that I end up ignoring because I assume that the answer has been provided. It turns into an issue when someone develops a dialogue with a poster that is providing bad information and someone comes in and tries to provide a different solution. Perhaps putting more into the rep system would help this, specifically knocking people down for incorrect answers. Of course you would have to increase the amount of kudos you provide so that people have somewhere to be knocked down from and you would have to do it nicely but there would be some advantages to using the current system more.

Another part of the problem is the 50 post minimum for tech entry. I'm not saying that I disagree with that rule but along with its benefits this is one of its downsides, new members post like crazy on topics that they barely understand in order to gain their freedom. Honestly I would hate to see the 50 post minimum go away though, the tech section has an entirely different atmosphere than the newbie section and the information is often presented in a much cleaner way.

 

[snowborder714]

One of the things that I have noticed is that I often read threads with the fewest replies but some of the most misinformed users are the most post happy which makes simple questions turn into 12 post threads with no answers that I end up ignoring because I assume that the answer has been provided. It turns into an issue when someone develops a dialogue with a poster that is providing bad information and someone comes in and tries to provide a different solution.

I know one problem with this is people posting many different questions on the same thread. They think that they're generic "HELP!!!" title will encompass any question they want to ask. I try to keep a look out for this and keep the thread on topic.

Perhaps putting more into the rep system would help this, specifically knocking people down for incorrect answers. Of course you would have to increase the amount of kudos you provide so that people have somewhere to be knocked down from and you would have to do it nicely but there would be some advantages to using the current system more.

I'm not sure what an acceptable approach would be for people with incorrect responses would be.

I personally don't give rep points for someone posting just a correct answer to a simple question (what's my fuel pressure, what's this sensor, etc.), nor for someone posting a link to a site that has the answer. I feel the rep system is for someone who puts some time into a post to make it a complete answer and easy for everyone reading to understand.

Another part of the problem is the 50 post minimum for tech entry. I'm not saying that I disagree with that rule but along with its benefits this is one of its downsides, new members post like crazy on topics that they barely understand in order to gain their freedom. Honestly I would hate to see the 50 post minimum go away though, the tech section has an entirely different atmosphere than the newbie section and the information is often presented in a much cleaner way.

I'm not sure I like this change or not. I agree a lot of people have been post whoring lately, as well as posting incorrect answers. I'm not sure if the mods want to go back to the old system of having to prove yourself to become a proven member.

 

[crimsondragon]

I like the idea of having new members take a test on the most frequently answered questions to become a proven member. It'll force them to read and search for their answer. Also, new members can't post. AT ALL. If they want answers, work for them. The whole 50 post thing is severly flawed.

 

[blcknspo0ln]

I like the idea of having new members take a test on the most frequently answered questions to become a proven member. It'll force them to read and search for their answer. Also, new members can't post. AT ALL. If they want answers, work for them. The whole 50 post thing is severly flawed.

I'll disagree. The test thing won't ever happen because this isn't NABR or some nazi-DSM site, it will kill the spirit and intent of this site. Not to mention the DSM community needs new guys to come in, so that we can continue to thrive (we have enough problems as it is). I think the 50 post limit should be raised to 100, though. I have seen a handful of people post mindless BS just to get their counts up and 50 is easy to reach, 100 will take a lot more determination and dedication to this site.


*oh, and let's not turn this into a 'complain about why i hate newbies' thread, guys.

 

[crimsondragon]

The spirit of what? Stupid posts? Newbs posting "Why can't I vent?" is destroying the spirit. I get on this site and facepalm myself more times than I can count everytime the Newbie forum loads up and I read what's new. Sure we need new guys but new, lazy retarded guys? If they constantly want to be spoon fed and ask dumb questions like welding an oil pan, then we're better off without them in the first place. It's quality, not quantity.

 

[xioca]

...this isn't NABR or some nazi-DSM site

Some of the mods think so.

 

[steve]

Some of the mods think so.

If they did you wouldn't be here whining about it, you would just be gone.

 

[habitatguy187]

Some of the mods think so.

+1, but lets stay on topic. I like the idea of upping the post count for proven member status, that way they will have to hang around the newbie forums longer and see the same questions over and over again, hopefully answered the right way.

As for the rep points or w/e, a system like that would be cool but as stated before I'm not sure if the mods would be up to it.

Maybe if there were another member status between proven member and wiseman where you have to get a certain amount of rep from the mods or other wiseman, not an incredible amount, just enough to say, "hey this guy is pretty knowledgeable"

 

[xioca]

I'd retaliate with a DoS attack