larry - Posted - 03/09/2014:  03:12:18

I post this after some time of deliberation.  I have noticed in the past that some of our new first-time posters have not received a very friendly welcome.  Some of our members are so smug in their 'vast' knowledge as to be incensed at redundant questions.  It is my opinion that any newcomer should first be welcomed and invited to explore the site.  I have seen new posters in the past become insulted and quit the site, altogether.  That is not our mission, if we have one.  When we are starting out, we are doubtful, we are reaching out to those that "know".  If those that "know" are asses, we go somewhere else.  All I'm saying, guys, is if you have any respect for your craft and would like to see it perpetuated, treat these newbies with kindness.  Welcome their questions....  If you are so proficient that their questions are a waste of your time, then don't post condescending responses.  

I am an older member here, and I'm willing to bet the other 'older' members will agree.   Treat the newbies with kindness.  Welcome their inquiries.  Share your knowledge in a helpful way.  We want to propagate our craft, not hoard it....

Edited by - larry on 03/09/2014 03:21:27

kimbro - Posted - 03/09/2014:  04:05:34

Very well said Larry. I'm with you!

Dobrojan - Posted - 03/09/2014:  05:05:34

Me three;~)

Preston Thompson - Posted - 03/09/2014:  05:28:58

Wow, who was nasty to the newcomers? What you say may be true but getting feeling hurt and quitting the site, I haven't seen it.

larry - Posted - 03/09/2014:  05:55:35

quote:

---

Originally posted by Preston Thompson

 

Wow, who was nasty to the newcomers? What you say may be true but getting feeling hurt and quitting the site, I haven't seen it.

---

Oh, it's happened Preston.  All I am asking is a general welcome to all first- comers to the site.  And let them prove or disprove themselves accordingly.   

Edited by - larry on 03/09/2014 06:11:08

shoveldog - Posted - 03/09/2014:  10:01:37

Larry, I know exactly what you are talking about. In fact, over the past few days, I considered posting something similar on another forum where I think the problem is actually worse than it is here, but I decided not to. I probably should have, because there was a prime example to address at that point.

The new guys need to be able to ask questions without getting belittled by some longtime member because he personally thinks the question has already been addressed.

Thanks for posting this.

Lee

Steevarino - Posted - 03/09/2014:  10:43:16

+1

AMCCJ7 - Posted - 03/09/2014:  10:57:58

This Policy should be for everyone,
Newbies to Veterans alike.

bluedobro - Posted - 03/09/2014:  11:12:24

Larry good post and good point. Everyone is welcome and there are no stupid questions.

otdobro - Posted - 03/09/2014:  11:13:45

  Sometimes, a newbie can be a little overwhelmed by the site being new to them, and they are not sure how to navigate it, and look for things, so they may ask a question that has been answered many times in the forums. I've found that folks do that a lot on their very first post.

chuck hall - Posted - 03/09/2014:  12:04:51

Good point Larry and well said.

cb56 - Posted - 03/09/2014:  15:33:38

As a fairly new reso player I've received nothing but helpful kindness here.

Edited by - cb56 on 03/09/2014 15:34:50

dobrojj - Posted - 03/09/2014:  17:44:38

I resemble what otdobro said and agree with cb56 and Larry. John

Preston Thompson - Posted - 03/10/2014:  05:51:00

I really would hate to think some new picker was run off by bad attitudes. To me the worst thing is the nasty infighting we used to have. That all seems to have died out. But I do agree that answering the same questions year after year does get old, but it also means new folks are trying to learn. Which is good.

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 03/10/2014:  11:15:39

Can't go wrong with being polite. 

But as usual, there are two sides to every story. Check out the link to a recent thread below. 

On the one hand, as I alluded to briefly in the most recent post in that thread, perhaps something came up  in this new member's life, a family emergency  or something along those lines, a massive work project that demands all his attention recently - could be any number of things. 

More benefit of the doubt: maybe he couldn't find his original thread? I don't think this forum is always the easiest to negotiate among those that I visit. 

Here's the "on the other hand" part:  the original poster started a thread on Feb. 23, I took the time to give him a fairly comprehensive answer to his question or try to give him some direction,  a couple other folks posted as well - and two weeks later - still no sign of him.  Or if he did read the replies, a simple "thanks for the help" would suffice.

resohangout.com/topic/36757/#414157

Edited by - MarkinSonoma on 03/10/2014 11:23:40

otdobro - Posted - 03/10/2014:  12:56:35

  Yeah, he logged in the next day, so must have read at least some of the replies, but hasn't logged in since then ( 2/24 )

kimbro - Posted - 03/10/2014:  18:34:50

I can understand your frustration with those kind mark. I've noticed that you do really take a lot of time and consideration to give out a lot of helpful information, which is more than I can say for myself. So kudos to you for that.

daver - Posted - 03/12/2014:  16:09:42

My observation is that the "fresher" the BB, the more everyone chimes in to help the newcomer and the newcomer-type questions (What's a dobro? Should I get biscuit or spider? What kind of strings/picks/bars/straps? Who plays what?). The "more established" the BB, the more it seems those issues have been discussed over and over. Each BB ages (gracefully or not so).

The Jerry Douglas BB, when newer, used to be filled with newcomer type of questions. It's really tapered off in past years.

larry - Posted - 03/13/2014:  21:47:34

If I came on a little strong, I offer my sincere apologies here.  I will say that almost everyone I've read on here or had contact with are super guys.  Guys I wish I could meet in person and jam with under a shade tree or in a little community center out in the middle nowhere like I do on weekends.

I guess I am sensitive to how newcomers are welcomed on here because of an experience I had on the Fiddle Hangout a few years ago.  I build a few fiddles in my spare time and I learned from an old fiddle maker that lived near me here in Arkansas.  He had learned from makers before my time and taught me the methods he used.   I still come across his fiddles all over the place and they are still played by many.  He has long since passed away.  In my introductory thread, I mentioned that I built and was anxious to talk to other builders.  I happened to mention how I was fitting a bridge..... and I was absolutely raked over the coals.  I think some of these builders were making 'classical violins' in the 'classical' sense.   Anyway, my 'hillbilly' method ( which works great for bluegrass fiddles ) was poo-pooed left and right.  And I figured out that I didn't have too much in common with those guys......I have never gone back.  I still build a few and sell a few.  These 'experts' might be surprised at what I have read and studied, but mostly I still follow the methods of my old teacher.  If you ever run across a fiddle with the name BOZE scratched on the neck heel, it's one of his.

larry - Posted - 03/13/2014:  22:29:22

quote:

---

Originally posted by MarkinSonoma

 

Can't go wrong with being polite. 

But as usual, there are two sides to every story. Check out the link to a recent thread below. 

On the one hand, as I alluded to briefly in the most recent post in that thread, perhaps something came up  in this new member's life, a family emergency  or something along those lines, a massive work project that demands all his attention recently - could be any number of things. 

More benefit of the doubt: maybe he couldn't find his original thread? I don't think this forum is always the easiest to negotiate among those that I visit. 

Here's the "on the other hand" part:  the original poster started a thread on Feb. 23, I took the time to give him a fairly comprehensive answer to his question or try to give him some direction,  a couple other folks posted as well - and two weeks later - still no sign of him.  Or if he did read the replies, a simple "thanks for the help" would suffice.

resohangout.com/topic/36757/#414157

---

Yep, Mark.  You gave a good response that should have prompted an answer.  Like I said, give them the benefit of the doubt until they prove or disprove themselves.  Well, this one 'disproved' himself.  There is nothing wrong in 'being polite' and there is nothing wrong in expecting a like reciprocation.  Some people don't know how to show gratitude.  Reminds me of people standing in line for government cheese and complaining about the wait....

deuce - Posted - 05/24/2014:  23:59:35

In general I would agree with your sentiment Larry, but the "some of our members" line is a little indiscriminate, and I've only seen the "smug" thing a couple of times at most.

I'm with markinsonoma, in that there's two sides to this. I've been off with a couple of first time posters, ones that try to sell something without any attempt to get to know people here etc. But they're all adults, water off a ducks back etc.

The problem with this site is that there is no active involvement from moderators. Check out Michael Messers forum - he's usually personally welcoming most to his site. I do to new members on the RG site I'm a mod on too.

This could be an ongoing issue unless Eric gets personally stuck in.

TT 

Jewels Vern - Posted - 06/25/2014:  02:04:44

Well, it happened to me. My start was delayed several years because I said something dumb on a certain forum and several old timers jumped on me. Let's face it: learning to play an instrument is a lonely project and a beginner needs every kind word he can get.

larry - Posted - 07/02/2014:  23:03:31

Sorry to hear that Jewels.  All I can tell you is that it seems every forum has one or two "cock of the walks" that have finally found a way to make themselves feel important and they haunt these things day and night to impart their expertise and their indignance at ignorance.  Hang in there.  The large majority of members remember what it's like to start out and will have some very good tips for you.  Just learn how to separate the "wheat from the chaff".  LOL!!

larry - Posted - 07/02/2014:  23:26:40

I need to add here that this forum has been an exception for the most part now.  I've read nothing but positive comments .  I belong to a few other foums, though, where this is still not the case.  Thumbs up, RH for making everyone feel welcome and remembering what it was like to know practically nothing!

Grizz - Posted - 07/03/2014:  09:54:30

What is was like??????? What is is now is more like it.