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Creating a new discussion area for newbies
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Mar 25, 2017 11:45:37   #
CMH
 
I've learned photography like I learned to sail - episodically. Years ago I actually took a week long sailing course because I knew there were blanks in my knowledge. I think the same applies here and will happily visit a newbie site to find out what I don't know that I don't know!

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Mar 25, 2017 11:52:01   #
CatMarley Loc: North Carolina
 
I want to add that segregating people so as to shield them from being "offended" is encouraging the "snowflake syndrome". I think we have enough of that in our society that I don't want it in a forum devoted to discussion and information. I say let everyone grow up, stand tall and ask your questions. Be adults.

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Mar 25, 2017 11:55:35   #
Retina Loc: Near Charleston,SC
 
Bill_de wrote:
The biggest issue I see as a deterrent to people learning is when 2 or 3 people start bickering among themselves and virtually take over somebody else's thread. They always start by telling the others that they just don't understand, and end up calling each other names.

A simple solution is to limit the number of posts an individual can make in a thread, other than one they started, to 2. By that time they have exhausted and pertinent information they have on the original topic. Beyond that they can start a new thread for an additional topic. I'm not talking about a rule, just a couple of lines of code should do the trick.

--
The biggest issue I see as a deterrent to people l... (show quote)

Lest I be accused of breaking my own proposed rule here, but one way to help prevent scope creep is to allow quoting only the person who started the thread. I like the idea of a limited number of posts per member on a thread. However, with replies directed only to the originator, there would be less need to force a limit. Some try to help do a little research and add value or corrections to their own previous replies, so just limiting the number would not always be good.

One member here said he didn't understand why some feel a need to be rude. It is often described in psychology as an attempt to compensation or mask feelings of insecurity or inferiority. Hiding behind the controls of a machine like a car or a computer offers some anonymity and provides opportunities for this sort of interaction with others and within themselves. It helps to remember these, too, are people with feelings.

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Mar 25, 2017 12:12:58   #
CatMarley Loc: North Carolina
 
burkphoto wrote:
I would love to see an edited section of newbie questions and their well-vetted, clear answers. Call it "newbie Q&A archives" or something. Then we can direct users there for reference. "Please see the Newbie Q&A Archive, and/or RTFM."


That would be a grownup way of providing a good resource for Newbies. A lot of work though, for somebody.

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Mar 25, 2017 12:19:25   #
DaveO Loc: Northeast CT
 
CatMarley wrote:
Newbie questions are sort of universal. The answers often contain insights one might not have considered, and answering these questions often instructs the answerer as much as the questioner. You never learn something so well as when you have to teach it to someone else. We are never going to cure incivility, but we do need to remind the newbies that there are no "stupid" questions, and to pay no mind to the few (stupid) rude answers.


May positive points in this post!

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Mar 25, 2017 12:39:10   #
R.G. Loc: Scotland
 
Admin wrote:
.....If a topic is "too advanced" (by whatever arbitrary standard), then do I move it from the Newbie section to Main?

Or if someone posts a simple question in Main, do I move it to the Newbie section?....


This problem is already dealt with in part by posters who tell the Original Poster "You should have posted this in the xxxxx section", which is often followed by the response "You're right - I'll ask Admin to shift it". Even if the thread doesn't get shifted, the OP will often go and start a copy of the thread in the appropriate section. The threads that don't get sorted by that process could just be left in place to either continue or be ignored (which is what happens much of the time already).

Apart from that, I think the forum could tolerate a fair amount of overlap between the two sections.

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Mar 25, 2017 12:47:30   #
Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada
 
bdk wrote:
We see lots of questions, such as why is everything behind my subject blurry? what is ISO , SOOC etc etc.

Then we get the people replying with nasty comments, such as read a book go to school etc. ( there are of course lots of people that try to help as well)

Then there are a lot of people that wont ask their newbie question because they are afraid of the nasty responses.
Maybe its time for a newbie question area. where they can safely ask their questions and hopefully NOT get the snide remarks that are so common here.

Then if your one of the ones that hates the newbie questions, you dont have to visit that area.

what do u think?
We see lots of questions, such as why is everythin... (show quote)


I think this is a great idea.

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Mar 25, 2017 13:02:42   #
Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA
 
StanRP wrote:
I tried posting a macro industrial photograph in the Macro section and it was deleted
You have ZERO (0) "Number of topics created": http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-profile?usernum=71251
Did you post your photo in another member's thread? I see you have a habit of doing this: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-440393-2.html#7407982

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Mar 25, 2017 13:41:03   #
veezee Loc: CT
 
How would a newbie be defined? How would you define a basic question versus a complex or advanced question?

I had a question about how exposure is managed for certain situations using back button focusing. I started using film SLRs in 1970. I looked in books, online courses, Google, You-Tube, and searched here on UHH but could not find an answer. I considered asking on the main forum, but BBF questions had been asked before. And I was discouraged by the snarky answers and tendency for people to get off topic and/or ask unrelated questions.

I finally opted to private message a member who has done some excellent YouTube videos. I received a very helpful answer. No one else got to benefit, but l got what l needed without any snide remarks.

Would I qualify as a newbie? Was that question a newbie question? Was it a basic or advanced question? How would I know where to post that question?

I do not think a newbie section is a good idea because there are topics that newbies ask that can help experienced people and advanced topics that can help newbies. Everyone has the ability to read a question and just skip it if they think it is a repetitive, basic, too advanced, or a silly question.

I find the links people post helpful, not insulting; Google searches by different people do not always turn up the same links. Links to other posts are helpful because UHH searches may not find them. Snarky remarks, squabbles and off topic questions and arguments are just wasting the time of people who are interested in the topic. To people who do those things, please don't waste your time posting to a question you don't like.

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Mar 25, 2017 13:45:37   #
LessN2 Loc: Texas
 
A newbie area may be worth at least a test period to see how it goes.
Questions will be repeated. Those with a need to leave arrogant, snide, sarcastic or otherwise rude comments don't need to post their comments. That goes for any area of the forum. Nor, do those comments need to be responded to. Those wishing to be helpful and leave a comment will happen. The problem there, may be that a less than correct answer given because of the inexperience of someone in the newbie area trying to be helpful.
Being new here myself, I realize there are those that have been around here for a long time. I know there are friendships that have developed and some with sarcastic/snide remarks are ment to be taken humorously. Some just have a need to display their ignorance and superior knowledge of the subject in a less than polite manner.
New members won't necessarily get that. Some comments have just been unnecessary due to what could be considered rude.
I get an email everyday. I look through and read, sometimes just shake my head at some replies and say to myself "what an A$$hole!" I have also thought about leaving this sight and just searching for what I might need an answer to. Then a topic or question comes up about something I hadn't thought of or even knew to ask, so I hang around here, then look to Google.
Like everyday life, the world is full of A$$holes. We accept, ignore or join their ranks. For now, I'll ignore them.

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Mar 25, 2017 14:10:14   #
Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.
 
CatMarley wrote:
Newbie questions are sort of universal. The answers often contain insights one might not have considered, and answering these questions often instructs the answerer as much as the questioner. You never learn something so well as when you have to teach it to someone else. We are never going to cure incivility, but we do need to remind the newbies that there are no "stupid" questions, and to pay no mind to the few (stupid) rude answers.


That's a good point, but sadly there are sometimes stupid questions. However, even if the question actually is stupid, that does not justify an uncivil response.

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Mar 25, 2017 14:35:36   #
mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA
 
bdk wrote:
We see lots of questions, such as why is everything behind my subject blurry? what is ISO , SOOC etc etc.

Then we get the people replying with nasty comments, such as read a book go to school etc. ( there are of course lots of people that try to help as well)

Then there are a lot of people that wont ask their newbie question because they are afraid of the nasty responses.
Maybe its time for a newbie question area. where they can safely ask their questions and hopefully NOT get the snide remarks that are so common here.

Then if your one of the ones that hates the newbie questions, you dont have to visit that area.

what do u think?
We see lots of questions, such as why is everythin... (show quote)
But who would answer the newbie questions? The same arrogant thugs who criticize and chastise everybody to pump up their own fragile egos would still be there. Nice idea, but no way to protect the newbies. that's what lurking is for!

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Mar 25, 2017 14:39:07   #
Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.
 
mikeroetex wrote:
But who would answer the newbie questions? The same arrogant thugs who criticize and chastise everybody to pump up their own fragile egos would still be there. Nice idea, but no way to protect the newbies. that's what lurking is for!


Is that why you lurk, or why you respond? Have you stopped being an arrogant thug yet?

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Mar 25, 2017 14:44:33   #
DaveO Loc: Northeast CT
 
Peterff wrote:
Is that why you lurk, or why you respond? Have you stopped being an arrogant thug yet?


Add following the thread!

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Mar 25, 2017 15:07:17   #
Admin
 
I just remembered another approach I saw at a few different places.

Like "Newbie Monday" or "Newbie Wednesday" or whatever day of week.

A new topic started each week as a periodical inviting people to post their "silly" questions without fear of being mocked.

Usually, such topics end up being overloaded with multiple independent threads of discussion that aren't even relevant to each other. But it does help get the newbies posting.

Such approach is better with threaded forums, not with linear ones like UHH. On UHH, such topics would really be one gigantic mess, if enough newbies actually do post in them. But, as I said, the goal there is to get people to overcome their shyness and realize that they shouldn't take forums too seriously and not worry and just post whenever they have a question.

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