Newbies, foul-mouths, and flamers!

[tekkieman]

OK, first the background.....I am a lurker. I have been quietly observing this great site for over a year before I ever registered. This site taught me how to burn my first VCD! I'm pretty sure I even have the printed guide still somewhere on my desk. I also have a B.S in I.T., been a software developer for 10 years, have 8 years experience in professional video editing systems (both linear and non-linear), yada, yada, yada... I tell you this just so those about to flame know where I am coming from.

I have noticed a disturbing trend in this site since I first accidentally tripped over it over a year ago. That trend is for a couple of "key" people to come completely uncorked over the first newbie post of someone who (obviously) hasn't..... read the guides, done a search, posted their specs, typed clearly and in plain english (even though many members/posters are clearly not in english speaking countries), or somehow otherwise offended the superior morality of these few.

Yesterday, I decided to list all posts of one of these "key" individuals, and quickly learned that in their last 40-some-odd posts, never did provide one useful bit of information to the original poster, but did thoroughly attack them. While I enjoy the occasional flame war, and sometimes chuckle in my sleep over some of the obvious BS answers given here. I cringe when I see one of the newbies post something that deserves some of what they are about to get. Don't
most people deserve at least one chance? Hey, if given a link to the guides, the poster comes back with something stupid, or lazy, or is unwilling to try, then let the flaming begin. Again, I am not a prude or a hard-ass. Some of my favorite posts here have been about how Blockbuster can tell if you've copied a DVD, new DVD formats like DVD* or DVD / or DVD$, microwaving DVDs, and of course, the midget clown porn.

At the same time however, many of the instant slams to first-time posters, especially the verbal abuse attacks, should be grounds for formal warnings, even to the longstanding members, and the apparent post whores. I would truly hate to see this site degrade from the ultimate source of information it has always been.

In the words of Dennis Miller..."Just my opinion.....I could be wrong".

P.S. - Other than to my wife and child, I have absolutely NO feelings whatsoever, so flame away if you feel you must.

[rkr1958]

A bold first (or second) post. I like your direct style. Good luck and I hope you hang around.

Also, how old is your child ... I have a 3-year old boy. Boy is he busy.

[DeleriumMDK]

Newbie posts wont be going away and I actually enjoy reading some of them but I can see why people get annoyed. There is an incredible ammount of info on this site but people are generally too lazy to search first, or read guides. Like the guy who wants a DVD-R bigger than 4.7GB..if he would have read "What is DVD" he wouldn't have become the subject of ridicule. Some people bring it upon themselves, I may not reply but I do get a kick out of the replies stupid questions get. Who didn't get a kick out of the "how do I make a post" topic?

[Almost Human]

No flame, just agreement.

[housepig]

I agree, but I think it's cyclic... now that DVD burners have dropped to the point where a ton of people are picking them up, we're getting more newbies who are clueless, either about the tech aspects or the etiquitte aspects.

It seems like a lot of negative energy crested right around the post-Christmas influx of noobs, and I think it's died down a little, and will continue to do so.

And as much as I hate to say it, if it rises to an unacceptable level, the forums will die - the site will be good, there's tons of good info here, but there are several sites where I go for info only, and don't touch the forums.

if it gets bad enough, most of the solid posters will find another place to congregate, and leave the trolling for the trolls.

and I will admit, I still have a knee-jerk reaction to some of the more witless posters - I'm trying hard to give noobs a break and/or just report stuff & let the mods handle it. I still get into it with some people if I think they have been around enough to know better...

now if you'll pardon me, I'm going to make some nasty comments about your family... :P

[tekkieman]

Yes, it was a bold second post. My first post was a response to someone in the programming forum who obviously had not finished his "...in 21 Days" book yet, but nobody had responded in a month, so I posted some code.

As I have learned so much myself since lurking here before I registered, I decided it was time to give something back. Yes, I enjoyed the "How do I make a post", and the guy who wanted a DVD-R bigger than 4.7G, and everyone who wants to use Shrink to get 7G on a DVD-R with no loss of quality.

Yes, those who do nothing to help themselves open the door, but even the mods and admin only go so far as to post a link - without the additional commentary, and they have had to deal with the greatest amount of these types of posts. I have no doubt that after reading the well written guides, or searching for some of the step-by-step responses posted by many others, that some of them feel embarrassed enough already. It is mainly the foul-mouthed people who prompted this post. The ones who post the hilarious comments, then still offer any amount of useful advice are the ones I keep coming here to read!

Interesting point housepig - "long enough to know better", huh? Sounds like a poll. How many post can a newbie make before flaming can begin?

How many post have I made???? That number + 1!

rkr1958 - My daughter is 17 months old this weekend. Life is good!

[jaxxboss]

LOL. What a post. U are actually right on as far as ur opinion goes because well becuse its ur opinion.

You may have lurked and read some of these posts until it got to the point where you couldnt take it any longer and just had to say something about certain people jumping on noobs.

Right now there is probably a lurker and he is reading this and eventualy he will make his post about people jumping on the cases of people jumping on noobs!

and on and on it goes........

[housepig]

Interesting point housepig - "long enough to know better", huh? Sounds like a poll. How many post can a newbie make before flaming can begin?

honestly, for me, it's not numbers - there are people with 1000+ posts who I think are blowing hot air, and tons with less than 100 that teach me something new. If your first couple of posts signal a trend, you're going to be a welcome addition here, AFAIC, no matter how many posts you have.

it's more the people that I see on the board a lot, generally adding to the flow rather than subtracting from it, but they post something and I just go "oh, hell no, he didn't just post that..." and I have to jump in.

[andkiich]

I could respect everything from the original post, until I saw the Dennis Miller quote.

[fritzi93]

You're quite right. No excuse for bad manners, but good will can get worn down after a bit. And hoo boy, did we ever get an influx right around the new year!

Tell you what, for the next month answer every noob post you can, be as helpful as possible. Then report back how often you were thanked, or even informed as to whether your suggestion worked. Don't forget to include how often you were argued with or how often your good advice wasn't even tried out. Kinda alters your attitude.

Still, on the other side there are a few who always jump on noobs and whose helpful posts are damned few. But really, a noob post can pay off big time when it sparks a thread like the one with the Rosetta Stone and cave paintings being debated. And the merits of other "backup" formats as well. Those I don't want to miss, so I check the forum a couple times a day.

[indolikaa]

OK, first the background.....I am a lurker. I have been quietly observing this great site for over a year before I ever registered. This site taught me how to burn my first VCD! I'm pretty sure I even have the printed guide still somewhere on my desk. I also have a B.S in I.T., been a software developer for 10 years, have 8 years experience in professional video editing systems (both linear and non-linear), yada, yada, yada... I tell you this just so those about to flame know where I am coming from.

All of which is completely unprovable in this forum.

We've been down this road before, Tekkieman. Reputation is established through experience and time; claims mean absolutely nothing because they can't be verified in this arena.

I have noticed a disturbing trend in this site since I first accidentally tripped over it over a year ago. That trend is for a couple of "key" people to come completely uncorked over the first newbie post of someone who (obviously) hasn't..... read the guides, done a search, posted their specs, typed clearly and in plain english (even though many members/posters are clearly not in english speaking countries), or somehow otherwise offended the superior morality of these few.

Don't be afraid to name names.

If you have a beef with the way this forum evolves, you should be able to confront those you disagree with. I would think it safe to say most people here are adult enough to take criticism smack in the face...

I decided to list all posts of one of these "key" individuals, and quickly learned that in their last 40-some-odd posts, never did provide one useful bit of information to the original poster, but did thoroughly attack them. While I enjoy the occasional flame war, and sometimes chuckle in my sleep over some of the obvious BS answers given here. I cringe when I see one of the newbies post something that deserves some of what they are about to get. Don't most people deserve at least one chance? Hey, if given a link to the guides, the poster comes back with something stupid, or lazy, or is unwilling to try, then let the flaming begin. Again, I am not a prude or a hard-ass. Some of my favorite posts here have been about how Blockbuster can tell if you've copied a DVD, new DVD formats like DVD* or DVD / or DVD$, microwaving DVDs, and of course, the midget clown porn.

Everybody deserves a chance. But here's why some newbies get flamed.

They ask a completely stupid question that could be easily answered by doing one simple forum search. And they don't even bother to link to anything that might demonstrate they have tried to do something for themselves.

I'm sorry, but when someone asks for help in converting their downloaded copy of LOTR III, that is purely disrespectful. It's a violation of the rules, it shows no respect for those people who spend time here and are willing to help others, and it's illegal.

This is one example. I could come up with many others.

At the same time however, many of the instant slams to first-time posters, especially the verbal abuse attacks, should be grounds for formal warnings, even to the longstanding members, and the apparent post whores. I would truly hate to see this site degrade from the ultimate source of information it has always been.

I completely disagree.

I have been directly involved in such a situation. Three times.

The first time no action was taken; the ******* was exercising his right to free speech and there wasn't anything I could do but either walk away or return the favor.

The second time, action was taken because the poster hijacked the thread with a discourse on how the Holocaust never happened. The poster was not yellow-carded for speaking his mind, nor was he yellow-carded for his thoughts on the matter. The situation was resolved by removing the material in question and that was done with great reservation on the part of the moderator! Censorship is a very dangerous tool, my friend.

The third time, action was taken because the racial epitaph was so obvious and so spiteful it HAD to be acted upon.

In all three instances, a great deal of concern was made in deciding what constituted free speech and what constituted censorship. I know this because I spoke to the moderators in question about this. Action was taken only after VERY CAREFUL consideration; free speech is truly valued on this site, even when it's a verbal attack.

And what is wrong with post whores? The last time I checked Baldrick wasn't restricting what and how often someone could post, even if the post was completely useless or inflammatory...

You and I obviously have some strong disagreements in these matters.

[DVDDave]

GREAT FIRST POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :P 8)

[lordsmurf]

I tend to get annoyed by people that are here to prove everybody wrong. I have my own list of people I prefer to not talk to, and outright refuse to help (mostly because they'll want to merely disagree and ignore the advice they are given).

The nice people that need help and appreciate it are the majority, and ones I enjoy dealing with.

[Kingnog]

FLAME! FLAAAAME! BURRRRNNN!

Har har Anyway....

I would think it safe to say most people here are adult enough to take criticism smack in the face...

I'm not so sure about the accuracy of that quote. Maybe if you replaced the word "most" with "some"... I've encountered a very large number of people who just scream back whenever screamed at. And on and on they go, making huge posts that nobody wants to read, which eventually turn into flame wars (or a flame-duel...between 2 people)

That's all I've got to say. if you disagree, its your opinion, and you're entitled to it...just dont turn this into a flame-duel!

[indolikaa]

I'm not so sure about the accuracy of that quote. Maybe if you replaced the word "most" with "some"... I've encountered a very large number of people who just scream back whenever screamed at. And on and on they go, making huge posts that nobody wants to read, which eventually turn into flame wars (or a flame-duel...between 2 people)

That's all I've got to say. if you disagree, its your opinion, and you're entitled to it...just dont turn this into a flame-duel!

You see, I disagree. I think that some people aren't given a chance in the matter. I think they're just written off as flamers/baggerers and they get the 's/he's an ass' treatment because of it. I've had some interesting discussions via e-mail and PM with people that I would never have given much credit to myself.

And as for huge posts and flame-duels? I have a short collection I've printed out over time. If nobody wanted to read them, I'd sure like to know why the 'Viewed' count is as high as it is...

And yes, I know I'm one of the people on the 'Universal Short List' that keeps being brought up. That's fine, I'm a big boy, I can deal with the criticism, the hatred and the intellectualizing that erupts.

[edsmith77]

I would think it safe to say most people here are adult enough to take criticism smack in the face...

YGBSM !

[Supreme2k]

[edited for content]

The other thing is that this site is DVDRHELP.COM, not The DVD Copying Forum Site. FIRST AND FOREMOST, people should be reading the guides and other information on this site. The forums, while immeasurably helpful, should be the absolute last resort for help.

Oh, and tekkieman, my dick is bigger than yours. I'd prove it in this forum, but there just isn't enough room man!

[tekkieman]

All of which is completely unprovable in this forum.

We've been down this road before, Tekkieman. Reputation is established through experience and time; claims mean absolutely nothing because they can't be verified in this arena.

No need to verify any credentials, I have not offered any technical advice or expertise, merely an opinion.

Everybody deserves a chance.

This (truncated) statement was my only point!

I completely disagree.

I have been directly involved in such a situation. Three times.

{edited}

In all three instances, a great deal of concern was made in deciding what constituted free speech and what constituted censorship. I know this because I spoke to the moderators in question about this. Action was taken only after VERY CAREFUL consideration; free speech is truly valued on this site, even when it's a verbal attack.

I believe that the prompt abusive response is not nearly as valued as "Please read the guides to the left and post back with any questions".

And what is wrong with post whores? The last time I checked Baldrick wasn't restricting what and how often someone could post, even if the post was completely useless or inflammatory...

I am glad that Baldrick has not restricted what and when people may post, or you and I would not be able to disagree right now. There is also nothing wrong with a post whore. I've seen numerous "I agree" posts. Great way to bump up your count. There are some here who actually equate post count to I.Q. (some believe a 1:1 ratio). However, I merely suggested that if someones last 40 posts contained nothing more that kiss my whatever, or "ferk ewe" (took speeling from a recent post I enjoyed here), then perhaps a mod or admin should formally or informally warn them.

You and I obviously have some strong disagreements in these matters.

Disagreements are the foundation of invention. If not for those who believe there is more than one way to do things, we would all live in a MS world. Coincidentally, there would also only be one guide one this site for newbies to have to read!

[indolikaa]

However, I merely suggested that if someones last 40 posts contained nothing more that kiss my whatever, or "ferk ewe" (took speeling from a recent post I enjoyed here), then perhaps a mod or admin should formally or informally warn them.

You do realize that was ME who posted the 'Ferk ewe' comment?

Wait a minute. You spelled 'speeling' wrong in your post...

Is your name Alexander Hanff?

[tekkieman]

One of my biggest gripes is the supposed newbie who comes in and says "I downloaded this 3-hour movie...", and we're supposed to look the other way just because a title wasn't mentioned. Like there's all these public-domain films out there that these 14-year-olds are tripping over themselves to download. Basically, if someone downloads a movie, it's pretty much warez. I mean, who's kidding who?

The other thing is that this site is DVDRHELP.COM, not The DVD Copying Forum Site. FIRST AND FOREMOST, people should be reading the guides and other information on this site. The forums, while immeasurably helpful, should be the absolute last resort for help.

Oh, and tekkieman, my dick is bigger than yours. I'd prove it in this forum, but there just isn't enough room man!

While I agree that "FIRST AND FOREMOST, people should be reading the guides", reading the forums will quickly show how much talent is in here, and who has it. Although it has been suggested that I name names, I do not feel the need to do so as those who do, know who they are.

Dick size comments ignored. I have no doubt you could prove how big a dick you are. Any chance you'd like to post links to YOUR last 40 posts?

[Supreme2k]

And tekkieman proves that he has absolutely NO sense of humor

Go ahead and post the link. I'd say it's about 50/50.

[tekkieman]

And tekkieman proves that he has absolutely NO sense of humor

Go ahead and post the link. I'd say it's about 50/50.

Glad to! Your request is my wish.....

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/search.php?search_author=Supreme2k

[indolikaa]

Well I just perused the first 15 posts in question and I don't see anything wrong...

Maybe it's all about perception.

[Supreme2k]

That's only 25!

But thanks anyway

[richdvd]

Yesterday, I decided to list all posts of one of these "key" individuals, and quickly learned that in their last 40-some-odd posts, never did provide one useful bit of information to the original poster, but did thoroughly attack them. While I enjoy the occasional flame war, and sometimes chuckle in my sleep over some of the obvious BS answers given here.

Don't you have anything better to do with your time?

[The village idiot]

Oh, and tekkieman, my dick is bigger than yours. I'd prove it in this forum, but there just isn't enough room man!

I DON"T BELIEVE YOU! Let's see pictures to prove it

And just for the record, I don't really care anymore! (as lack of recent posting should confirm) Very tired of reading the same questions over and over, and over again. But it doesn't really matter since nobody reads what a write anyway. Enjoy the uphill battle!

And now for some noob related pictures for all of you to use:

[Rookie64]

And tekkieman proves that he has absolutely NO sense of humor

tekkieman, if you need to vent...you should lurk on over to the Off Topic forum - https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=216773

Constructive Critism is fine...but you can get a lot further without edging on a flame war in the process


8)

[jimmalenko]

@tekkieman:
Let me point out that I was once a hopeless NOOB too. I still am

I'm afraid though that I must disagree with just about everything you've said.

IMO:
1. NOOBs bring it upon themselves most of the time. Topics like "Help me, I'm a complete Newbie!!!" are asking for trouble. They show a blatant disregard for the site rules, having agreed to them only 24 hours earlier. Most people like this should just pay someone to do it for them.

2. The forum rules clearly state about doing research before posting. Some posters have not even tried a google search before posting to the forum. With all your experience, you should know that if in doubt, web search.

3. Most NOOBs, when pointed to a guide, will:
a) Search the guides section all by themselves next time
b) Ask another question in the forum because it worked last time

This site is very rewarding for those that are prepared to show some initiative and put the effort in. As you would know with your academic studies, you only get out of it what you put in. A lot of fly-by-night NOOBs have surfaced recently due to the Christmas Period and the price drop on DVD burners and recorders.

I consider a blatant disregard for the site rules extremely offensive - There are many people here who abide by the rules and to see some wanker that wants to copy their rented DVD in one click in 5 minutes to a CDR with no loss of quality on a Pentium2-200 with 32MB RAM really pisses me off !

Just my 2 cents.

[indolikaa]

But it doesn't really matter since nobody reads what a write anyway.

I still do. When you bother to post, that is.


In fact, your most recent contribution is being printed for future enjoyment. The Yoda one is just too much.

[tekkieman]

And tekkieman proves that he has absolutely NO sense of humor

tekkieman, if you need to vent...you should lurk on over to the Off Topic forum - https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=216773

Constructive Critism is fine...but you can get a lot further without edging on a flame war in the process


8)

Nope. Don't need to vent. Did that with the first post. I did laugh at the image, so the HumorSense installation must have been successful. Thanks!

Already read the thread. Like I said, I actually enjoy most of them. Just a difference between poking fun and outright rude behavior (even if it is asked for).

Didn't intend to start a flame war, but as soon as I made my first reply, I opened myself up to it. Now in fairness, I need to sit here and take it.

Just don't send me an installer for real feelings, or they may actually be hurt by the replies....but don't count on it. Stated my original opinion which was all I intended to do.