Posting Protocol

[gregp553]

ought2 from Maine, you nailed it.

[gregp553]

ought2 from Maine, you nailed it.

[Guest Anonymous]

I lurk here because my husband occasionally leaves the page on his computer. I have never posted before but your plaintive cry deserves a response.

You are no doubt aware that there are introductory courses and advanced courses covering the same subject matter. The makeup of this forum obviously covers the gamut of enthusiasts as well as a few people with idle curiosity like me. If you start with that premise, any "newbie" should explain or make clear his/her lack of understanding, rather than make this forum a contact sport called "guess what I am trying to say." Lets face it, not all questions are alike and there should always be a modicum of understanding. Its called civility and manners. On the other hand, rewarding laziness or stupidity is rarely a desirable objective in that it usually leads to more of the same.

My 7 and 8-year olds appreciate the difference between me "doing" their homework versus me "helping" them with their homework. In primary grades, one is taught to use a dictionary or encyclopedia to independently determine an answer. You mentioned brass wool as a case in point. I see nothing wrong with a follow-up question; however, it does not seem unreasonable for someone to use a little initiative to independently search the term.

Understanding and compassion is a two-way street. Your points are valid, and are probably applicable to just about every forum in one form or another. Nevertheless, one should appreciate that many of these so-called "newbie" posts are mixed messages. Some of the avatars and post scripts get fast become boring and do the opposite of engendering good will. Likewise, some not-so-new-newbies evidently love to see their words in print and type/post without any or very little prior thought. Others, for purely selfish motives, resort to chronic pedantics and/or capitalization and only remotely impart wisdom on any given subject.

Of course all of this is easy for me to say, because I recognize that I am rarely correct and prefer to listen. But that is my personality and I accept it.

CP

[Guest Anonymous]

I lurk here because my husband occasionally leaves the page on his computer. I have never posted before but your plaintive cry deserves a response.

You are no doubt aware that there are introductory courses and advanced courses covering the same subject matter. The makeup of this forum obviously covers the gamut of enthusiasts as well as a few people with idle curiosity like me. If you start with that premise, any "newbie" should explain or make clear his/her lack of understanding, rather than make this forum a contact sport called "guess what I am trying to say." Lets face it, not all questions are alike and there should always be a modicum of understanding. Its called civility and manners. On the other hand, rewarding laziness or stupidity is rarely a desirable objective in that it usually leads to more of the same.

My 7 and 8-year olds appreciate the difference between me "doing" their homework versus me "helping" them with their homework. In primary grades, one is taught to use a dictionary or encyclopedia to independently determine an answer. You mentioned brass wool as a case in point. I see nothing wrong with a follow-up question; however, it does not seem unreasonable for someone to use a little initiative to independently search the term.

Understanding and compassion is a two-way street. Your points are valid, and are probably applicable to just about every forum in one form or another. Nevertheless, one should appreciate that many of these so-called "newbie" posts are mixed messages. Some of the avatars and post scripts get fast become boring and do the opposite of engendering good will. Likewise, some not-so-new-newbies evidently love to see their words in print and type/post without any or very little prior thought. Others, for purely selfish motives, resort to chronic pedantics and/or capitalization and only remotely impart wisdom on any given subject.

Of course all of this is easy for me to say, because I recognize that I am rarely correct and prefer to listen. But that is my personality and I accept it.

CP

[asvander]

I check the site out almost every day, and I have only rarely scene overt hostility... but sometimes a little annoyance is obvious. Like someone said, you just have to remember your manners.

If people are interested in what abuse is... just go to some other BMW forums and read some posts. I bought an e36 M3, and those guys are brutal. It seems like one out of every five posts someone is getting torn up. I think this community is a lot more civil... I just try to focus on the 99% good and ignore the rest.

[asvander]

I check the site out almost every day, and I have only rarely scene overt hostility... but sometimes a little annoyance is obvious. Like someone said, you just have to remember your manners.

If people are interested in what abuse is... just go to some other BMW forums and read some posts. I bought an e36 M3, and those guys are brutal. It seems like one out of every five posts someone is getting torn up. I think this community is a lot more civil... I just try to focus on the 99% good and ignore the rest.

[Guest Anonymous]

Well said! Now pass the seafoam! (just kidding)

[Guest Anonymous]

Well said! Now pass the seafoam! (just kidding)

[Otis]

I don't care what y'all say -- I still want the Nova.

PS -- before anyone complains too much about nubie/clueless posts, remember that we presently live an enchanted, Squarepusher-free life. So count your good blessings, folks.

[Otis]

I don't care what y'all say -- I still want the Nova.

PS -- before anyone complains too much about nubie/clueless posts, remember that we presently live an enchanted, Squarepusher-free life. So count your good blessings, folks.

[Pinepig]

Well said! Now pass the seafoam! (just kidding)

Screw that, where do you get the best carpet kit.

[Pinepig]

Well said! Now pass the seafoam! (just kidding)

Screw that, where do you get the best carpet kit.

[Chris_B]

Would you, perhaps, be interested in taking an editorial position on the FAQ staff? A mild filtering of the posts would remove most of the inadvertent hostility and poor grammar, and the advertent arrogance, thereby substantially improving the over-all signal-to-noise level on the forum and improving the experience for everyone.

We need you, Woman. Pls don't go back to lurker status.

[Chris_B]

Would you, perhaps, be interested in taking an editorial position on the FAQ staff? A mild filtering of the posts would remove most of the inadvertent hostility and poor grammar, and the advertent arrogance, thereby substantially improving the over-all signal-to-noise level on the forum and improving the experience for everyone.

We need you, Woman. Pls don't go back to lurker status.

[Guest Anonymous]

Filtration. Do you strive to satisfy the majority? Lowest common denominator? Tyranny of the elite minority? How do you correct the immature?

What do you propose the filterer should do with posts concerning birth announcements for a toy car? http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,57/page,viewtopic/t,300248/highlight,/

Or how about the "laws" of bmw property http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/option,com_forum/Itemid,57/page,viewtopic/t,299829/highlight,/

Maybe someone derives some meaning from them.

There is no easy answer, that is why this group moved from flyswat. Steve does a pretty good job, all things considered (screwdriver in forehead and all).