Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Well, I guess if some of the comments here bother you so much you feel need to quit, that would be the best thing for you to do. Life is tough and UHH is part of life. I don't think you'll find things any better anywhere else and it might be worse. Good luck.

Zario Loc: sacramento, CA

I just joined the hedgehogs and submitted a couple of really amateur/ rookie questions.
Every reply was helpful and gracious.
Thanks to all of you for taking the time and making the effort to assist me.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

This has been an interesting discussion to follow. In particular, a number of folks have called on the general nastiness pervading our country to justify the nastiness that sometimes (but fortunately not always) pervades here. The truth is that neither is acceptable, and neither will lead to the advancement and improvement of either.

It is particularly interesting to me that there are a number of members here who are advanced or advancing in age. A natural corollary of that is that we we either already are or soon will be losing more and more of our friends as we all approach the end of our lives. One would expect that the natural tendency would be to cherish those relationships that remain and even nourish and cultivate them. For some reason, that seems rarely to be the case.

In my own case, I have on some occasions taken a fairly firm stand here or made a fairly strong case here. But my goal is always never to do so via a personal attack on anyone. That's not the way life should work. I have a very good friend (the friendship is going on about 15 years. We do not agree on everything. We have diametrically opposing views on a couple of things. Sometimes we discuss them. But never in the form of a personal attack. And we remain friends in spite of our disagreements.

I'm sure that the original poster has gone and will not read any of our discussion here. But he is correct in what he says. Other forums (fora?) which might be "as bad or even worse) than ours do not justify bad behavior here. And bad behavior simply to demonstrate to others that one is not affected by the bad behavior of someone else is no more justified than any other. I too would like to see us demonstrate more civilized behavior here.

In-lightened Loc: Kansas City

Snarky, snide and rude comments were hard on me at first. I lurked in the eves and would never post. What I found out is that it was a perfect tool to help me grow. Grow tougher, gain more confidence in my own knowlege base as a new photographer. Most of all, I found that peoples opinions helped me to think differently. And that I value the most.

d3200prime

Don't tell us you've turned into a "snowflake!" Say it ain't so!

bodiebill

Don't Go.
Stay and add positive contribution to UHH.
I recently asked one of those "basic" questions wanting to learn.
Only a few were snarky, most all were positive and helpful.
We all go through life learning, encountering something new, etc., every begins as a "Newbie"
It is nice to have a "Mentor" with experience to help out.
Stay and be one of those!

wds0410 Loc: Nunya

Can't say I blame you. There are plenty of ah's on this forum as you can see from of the comments you got. My ignore list grows by the day. There is a core group of some really helpful people but for everyone of them there is a least one on the other side of the coin.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

To the OP. If someone is rude to you call them on it. At least you don't have to worry about admins banning you on UHH. If a converstaion gets really nasty (rarely happens) it gets sent to the Attic. Same rules apply here as in the school yard in grammar school back in the 1950's. Stand up for yourself. Give as good as you get. Avoid the bullies unless they pick on you. Then give it right back to them.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Life is full of choices, and this is one place where we can all make lots of choices. The plain and simple fact is that there are some who feel that newbie questions are bothersome and make no bones about expressing their displeasure. But then, that is their problem, not yours. I suppose we should feel sorry for those who choose to be negative. On the other hand, the vast majority here are willing to help, and as far as that goes, we were all "newbies" at one time or another. But you have choices, as do we all, to simply ignore the snarky replies and those who generate that sort of stuff. And yes, one has to have a bit of a thick skin, because sooner or later, somone is going to dump on you, and you didn't deserve it.

I like to go by a couple personal rules. First, when I'm researching something, I go to Google or simply go online an read some professional reviews of that item. There are several good, reliable sources to read. Second, I look up who sells what, like B&H, for example and see what they say. Lastly (at least most of the time) I'll ask a question here to get the opinions and experiences the folks here have with whatever I am interested in. I value what the Hoggers have to say as, unlike the pro reviewers, folks here have experience based on day to day, real world use of, say, a camera or lens. So you can read the reviews, then come here and ask what it's really like in these folks' hands. And they will let you know. Just ignore the smart azz and snarky comments, and just know that they don't know you. The internet is anonymous in nature.

So don't be too quick to pass judgement and leave angry. We're not that bad here. And we value every member, however some are more memorable than others, but not for being gracious. Anyway, do stick around, sift out the chaff from the wheat, as they say, and just enjoy what's here.

rydabyk Loc: Florida Panhandle

One of the reasons that sometimes a "sarcasm" emoji is needed because I think some are meant to be sarcastic. That being said however, If I was offended or took every rude/snarky/negative comment personally I'd never be able to even go on a computer, let alone post something. To me they're just like water on a ducks back and I just scroll on by. There is way too much to be learned here and elsewhere to be bothered by the few keyboard warriors.

srt101fan

You're right, besides the good folks here, there are a number of bullying, snarky "rear-end orifices". (Regrettably I think I've acted like one at times!)

But there are other denizens of these pages that can degrade the UHH photography learning experience just as much. They are the ones that insert themselves into a thread with a continuing barrage of inane and off-topic comments, and then become argumentative and combative when challenged. They derail the conversation and the downward spiral starts...

ekfelton Loc: Michigan

Was that really necessary Traveler?

Rongnongno Loc: FL

*Yawn*

Need help to redo my external garage roof... Been at it since 0700...

papa Loc: Rio Dell, CA

When Johnnie was asked by his mother, "Johnnie, why are you in the stall covered with horse shit?" Johnnie replied, "Because mom, I know there's a pony in here somewhere".

10MPlayer Loc: California

YAGE - Yet Another Grand Exit

I notice a lot more of what Cochese is talking about lately. I think the whole thing about not asking a question that's been asked 100 times before is moronic. The reason for joining a forum is to find quick answers from knowledgeable people. Sure we could spend hours searching online but it's more fun to ask a question and get an answer from someone you can then ask a follow-up question of. I agree the Admin should start cracking down on the "Grumpy Old Men," not including me of course. For Cochese, there is a way to set up your browsing experience here so you can block the grumps you don't want to hear from.