Not a vet at M4C, not a total FNG either … but I am a refugee from TOS.
Trend lately seems to have A LOT of new user, first post, been-there-done-that posts.
What forearm…
Carbine vs. Mid …
Cheap Red Dot …
etc.
I would like to suggest that mods take to eliminating these new threads immediately to help cut the static.
Alternatively, I think the forum software can be set to disallow new threads for those under a certain number, say 25, of posts. This might get users to better glean the natures of M4C.
Maybe it is just that it is Tuesday AM and due to a major supply malfunction I am on “Backup Coffee.” And that isn’t good!
Not allowed to start a new thread unless poster has reached a minimum # of posts? Might be a good idea. Seems we have had an uptick of barfcom-like types lately.
I’m sure alot of people start off as an ARFcom type, but will learn quickly. Those that keep on asking may not last all that long. Conservatively, 90% of what I know about firearms comes from M4C. I was just lucky enough to stumble upon M4c first vs. ARFcom. Its not like the old days were your first involvement with weapons was always physical. Alot of people are getting into this hobby by browsing the internet and checking out forums. Some are just unlucky enough to hit ArFcom first. As long as there are people willing to answer the question, I see no problem with new people asking questions.
I’d rather see new users ask questions here and get well reasoned information than ask them elsewhere and get rampant fanboy responses. (You know the ones - no matter the question the answer is LaRue, or Spike’s, or Troy, or…)
Or are you suggesting new users and/or new AR shooters aren’t worthy of M4C? Or is it basic hardware questions that are rubbing you wrong?
Yes, it would be nice if all new users took the time to read up on what they’re asking first - but we all had to start somewhere. vB’s search “capabilities” probably contributes to the issue, I know it does at the very large vB based music forum I co-moderate.
It would be great if it was manditory to peruse the knowledge base threads stickied in the tech forum and the search engine was better. There should be a sticky on how to use google’s site search feature here, I’ve been able to find info quickly even with short, commonly used word queries using google.
I agree with some of what you are saying. The problem (as I see it) is that the search function within VB is weak at best. So noobs get frustrated that they cannot find the info they are looking for and ask the question.
The EE forum gets about 1 Billion requests as too why they cannot post “I’ll take it” in a WTS thread. So imagine if noobs couldn’t start a thread for 25 post. They would flood threads about other topics with “why can’t I start a thread” or e-mail the mods and staff with the same question.
such is the curse of any public forum that rapidly gains popularity from the wealth of good info easily available to all. Pretty much any tech forum goes through these growing pains. It takes discipline from long time members to avoid clicking on the newbie posts if they don’t feel like answering the same question 1000x times and a lot of effort from the mods to make sure errornet rumor mills and bad info is squashed. I find my ignore list is getting longer and longer.
I do appreciate the effort the mods put in to keep this place mostly free of riff raff and zippygaloos.
This is my goal for our members too. I would much rather see a situation “handled” by our responsible membership using well reasoned answers and a high signal content.
Many times, our best moderation is no formal moderation at all. The membership handles the thread and spins it favorably for a good output of ideas and content. To me, that’s how an ideal forum would run.
That being said, if I see a thread about C-More sights, and someone trying to extol their virtues for a main carbine, I’ll be looking more closely if the thread continues round and round. None of us are shy with the lock or infraction system, I assure you.
We were all noobs at one point. It is important to help others to stop the bad info that is out there and get them on the right track. But I have seen several threads recently where people who clearly have little or no understanding of things are answering questions like they are an authority. This kind of thing really needs to be controlled somehow. Just my .02.
I wonder if a lot of newbie questions that are repetitive is a sign that we need to tweak our FAQ/Stickied posts?
How about a FADQ? (Frequently Asked Dumb Questions) Lightheartedly dispose of some C-more type questions. I am very interested now in illumination, and I know if I went to candlegeeksforum and started asking questions I know I’d sound like a torch wielding caveman.
