Jimmalenko's Rant (Come 1, Come all)

[daamon]

Unless of course you've put it in three times and it gets wipped out each time there was an upgrade or server move

Ya Ya....I know I should fill mine out now

At least the original intent was there...

What corner? What sign? Is that a corner in NTSC-land or PAL-land?

[gll99]

Let's see .... if I change Australia to Canada then add the word blood in front of bank and then... Yes I think I could use this for my 7000th post in 2015

Good job Jim! Has it been that long?

[Shadowmistress]

Tmh, it's people with your attitude that inspire rants such as this in the first place.

I know, I know, do a search on it! Nope, I have a job to get to right away so I'll have to do it the lazy way.

We all have jobs. Each and every one of us. What makes you think you deserve more special treatment than the rest of us? Why should we do the work to solve your problem? Would you do the research involved to solve one of mine?

Do you not see how very foolish this is? If you know how to do all this stuff then there would be no need for a help forum! If you are offended by folks who know less than you (on THIS subject ONLY, I'd suspect) then post only in the advanced forum.

You, LS REGULARILY post answers in the "NEWBIE" form with condesending, know-it-all one or two word answers then cry if anyone dares question you as to "why" or "is there another way". I'd find some examples of this buit I'm too lazt to search for them!

Members don't "cry" when someone tries to question them. The whole subject of video/dvd is a very complicated, long involved process. You simply cannot explain every single detail in each and every single post so that a newbie can understand all the terms, all the stuff that can go wrong, all the "best" opinions on how to do things or what software to use. The post would end up larger than most of the guides! Remember that this whole site is dedicated to explaining every facet of video and it's quite huge. You just simply cannot put all that information in a single post (even if you knew all the answers).

When they give the impression that you should not question them, it's because you are bordering on opening a whole new can of worms topic of explanation which will end up not having all that much to do with your immediate problem in the first place. If you really want to find out, read a guide. If they answered you in the post the way you wanted, you'd be reading a guide long post anyway so what's the difference?

To those who help ONLY AFTER a lecture on how stupid the rest of us are, just feel free to ignore my questions!

It's not a crime around here to be stupid. It's a crime to be lazy. Lazy people hog the time and effort it takes to help stupid people get smart. Lazy people just stay lazy.
Do you know how quiet this place would be if the regulars stopped answering stupid questions? You would hear a pin drop.


I understand how you feel as a newb, frustrated with why on earth if people already know the answers, they just don't simplify it for you and answer you. The answer to that is that some things just cannot be simplified. If they can, they will be answered right away. If they can't, you get a link to a guide in your answer.
Think about this: if 200 people asked you the same question over a period of time, wouldn't you get tired of explaining it in excrusiating detail over and over again?

Tmh, this post is not solely directed at you, but to all the newbs who read this rant and have varying degrees of your view/position.

(P.S. Just look how long this post is.)

[jimmalenko]

Bump-a-Roony

I've got a few points to add to the rant (editor's error ), which I'll do over the next few days ...

[AlecWest]

Jim,

What a great rant. I loved every minute of it. And though our hardware and software choices are a bit different, you and I went through pretty much the same evolution from VCDs to DVDs. And, I'm still shaking my baby-rattle in the DVD realm ... as was proven by accidentally stumbling upon a topic area where I was being talked about behind my back (in an unflattering way):

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249825

But, that's OK. I'm a big guy and can take my lumps, especially if I deserve them. VideoHelp.com has been a salvation to me a number of times and I'm sure it will continue to be so until I reach that golden moment when (ahem ahem) I "know it all." The overwhelming majority of people met on VideoHelp.com have been understanding and patient with my newbie status ... although I have run into an extremely small minority of people who must think this domain's name is:

http://Video_Mutual_Backslapping_Society_For_Experts_Only.com

But, they are the fringers and, eventually, no one will take them seriously.

Why no-warez rules exist
Baldrick runs this site out of his own good-will, and as it is a private site, he is ultimately responsible for any repercussions of anything discussed here.

That's a good thing to keep in mind. Recently, I got a SPAM sent to me in PM, offering to sell me a whole bunch of proprietary software for only £20 ... and give me his/her existing serial number for Womble. This is what it looked like (poster's name withheld to protect his/her anonymity):

Dear AlecWest

The following software is all you require to edit and burn any type of file onto a CD or DVD.

The software is capable of taking information from completed DVDs including those made on a stand alone player.

One type of problem many encounter when taking titles from a DVD is that no audio can be imported because most DVD recorders record audio in the AC3 format for which much computer software cannot handle however I can send you a copy of my Ulead software and other software which is capable of all aspects of editing.

All my software are the fully functioning versions, no trials.

With this software you will be able to import from any file, DVD or straight from a camcorder and you will be able to edit with almost any type of effect, as well as being able to over-dub audio or add back ground music onto existing footage.

Below is a list of the software I can offer you, all on one DVD and the value (At Aug 2004) which you can have for £20.

To show my good intent you should pay me AFTER you have received the software. Below is the software list.

ULEAD DVD WORKSHOP 2 £250
ULEAD MOVIE FACTORY DISC CREATOR £40
ULEAD MEDIA STUDIO PRO £170
ULEAD VIDEO STUDIO £40
SONY SOUND FORGE 7 £200
ROXIO 6
SONIC DVDit

To receive the very important editing software MPEG Video Wizard download the trial version from the website below into MY DOCUMENTS & install but don’t insert the serial number they E-Mail you, I will send you the serial number which keeps the software working permanently.

http://www.mpegvideowizard.com/mvw/mvw-trial.htm

Please E-Mail me if you’re interested.

Kind Regards (name withheld)

I sent a note to Baldrick immediately, letting him know about the SPAM ... and saved it in my SAVEBOX if he or another Mod wanted to read it.

Anyhoo, just wanted to compliment you on your rant.

[jimmalenko]

@AlecWest:

Thanks for your kind words. Much appreciated

Now, just to get off-topic for a second, as for people talking about you "behind your back", that thread has been in the feedback forum for a week now. You (or anyone, for that matter) has had access to that thread at any time, so I'd hardly call it "behind your back". One of the problems with hosting a guide off-site (as opposed to in a thread here) is that you don't get to see the feedback unless you create a separate thread specifically for that purpose, also. Note to self

To be brutally honest with you, I read your guide and I instantly thought it had quite a few flaws. Sure, it worked for you, but IMHO that was more good luck rather than good management. Heck, I'm in PAL land but even I spotted some areas where I KNEW issues would arise with NTSC. Because you didn't have a thread set aside for feedback, I couldn't post my critique of your guide anywhere, so maybe that's something to think about in the future ...

Anyway, back on-topic, the newbie invasion has well and truly begun. FWIW, I'd just like to publicly thank everyone for their kind words so far - I'm glad that I am not alone in my thoughts/opinions/experiences. Expect another rant or two, or additions to this existing one, over the next month or two. I know of a couple of issues I'd like to make comment on that I initially overlooked

[jimmalenko]

Just a quick not to all (including the mods):

This is the feedback forum, not OT, so can we keep the threadjacks to a bare minimum ?

Thanks

This is my rant, after all

[ZAPPER]

I am willing to bet money, that somewhere, some psychology class is studying this site for extra credit.

Not that my head is screwed on all that well, but there are an awful lot of egos and easily bruised egos around here.

[jimmalenko]

Thanks Cappy

[Capmaster]

Thanks Cappy

My pleasure

[gadgetguy]

I just want to add my compliments, as well.
I've been around for a couple of years and progressed from VCD to DVD thanks in large part to this site. I seldom have to post a question because I can usually find my answer within a few minutes of poking around.
Similarly, I very seldom post responses because I usually don't feel like I can add anything to the responses that have already been given. Having said that, I do try to help when I can because I do want to give back some of what I've learned.
Regardless, whether I'm looking for help, or looking to help others, I always find it fun and interesting, (not to mention educational), to visit here.

[Marvingj]

Great Post!

[GeoFan49]

On Dec 30, 2004 04:14,
jimmalenko wrote

to all my fellow OTPW, I salute you

Hey, what is OTPW?

[canadateck]

off topic post whore

[GeoFan49]

canadateck... thanks! (The first time I read that, I thought you were insulting my post !? LOL. :P