What happened to all the pinned tutorials?

[sjordan2]

???

[southpier]

I'm just wondering why the ads are back. haven't had one in weeks.

[Casey]

They were unpinned. They were pinned for over a year, and people still started new posts to ask about dehydrators, paint strippers, what to use to remove chrome plating, etc., even though the pinned topics were in the exact same categories as the newly posted redundant topics.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Mmmm hmmm. And therein lies the reason that the guys over on the HAMB take a very dim view (they can be pretty harsh, actually) of anybody too lazy or too dim to do their own research BEFORE asking questions that have already been answered in depth. Of course, they don't need to be nice to people who might someday buy their magazine, either.

[Harry P.]

Just proves what I keep saying... people ignore pinned topics. Pinning topics is basically useless.

There is a pinned topic in the very first forum section regarding the forum rules. One of the rules is to post your full name, either as your screen name, under your avatar, or in a signature line.

Guess how many "full name in signature" PMs I've sent? Hundreds. HUNDREDS.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Answering questions sometimes seems pretty useless too. Often the asking party doesn't actually bother to read and comprehend the answer, and continually asks questions that have ALREADY been covered fully in the very same thread. Sigh.

[Mike Kucaba]

Just proves what I keep saying... people ignore pinned topics. Pinning topics is basically useless.

There is a pinned topic in the very first forum section regarding the forum rules. One of the rules is to post your full name, either as your screen name, under your avatar, or in a signature line.

Guess how many "full name in signature" PMs I've sent? Hundreds. HUNDREDS.

There is a simple fix for that and that too has been discussed.

[Lunajammer]

I suspect there would be fewer redundant questions being asked if there was a search function to go to first. Yes, I know that (ironically) there is a pinned thread on how to bypass the forum search function, but isn't it like throwing out the baby with the bath water? You know many handfuls of folks didn't use the pinned threads and that's what's determined they be set loose. But how many did use them, benefited from them and returned to them when needed? You don't know?

[Art Anderson]

Answering questions sometimes seems pretty useless too. Often the asking party doesn't actually bother to read and comprehend the answer, and continually asks questions that have ALREADY been covered fully in the very same thread. Sigh.

Yeah, that gets frustrating at times!

Art

[comp1839]

am i really reading this? at least 5 of you, consider yourself to be "the" answer man. now, i here you complaining about answering questions?

new people come and go. they want to feel they've had a voice in all of this. so yeah, they ask redundant questions. by the way, answers can change.

if answering questions is getting old,.........maybe you're getting too old?

[Guest]

The problem with the pinned topics also was a lot of them had several pages to wade through along with as many different techniques. I don't think many people want to search through twenty pages to find an answer to their question. Most times, it's new or fairly new people who ask questions. Most times, they only require a simple answer, not a full page tutorial. Anyone that doesn't like to answer questions simply don't have to. It's a choice, not a requirement.

[Casey]

The problem with the pinned topics also was a lot of them had several pages to wade through along with as many different techniques. I don't think many people want to search through twenty pages to find an answer to their question. Most times, it's new or fairly new people who ask questions. Most times, they only require a simple answer, not a full page tutorial. Anyone that doesn't like to answer questions simply don't have to. It's a choice, not a requirement.

Here's why it's not so simple. Let's use the food dehydrator topic as our example. How many different ways are there to use a food dehydrator to dry paint? Ten? Fifteen? 27?? I'd say at least a dozen.

When some starts a new post asking how to use a dehydrator to dry paint, odds are good they haven't search for and found any existing topic discussing the same topic, nor read through the existing 13 page topic to read all the replies and see if their question has already been answered. I'm going to guess the answer to 95% of new posts asking about dehydrators can be found in the existing topic, so technically, the new post is very likely unnecessary, since the question has already been answered.

So what happens when that person asks anyway? Do you post a link to the existing 13 page topic as a hint they should read it first? Do you answer the question as if nobody has taken the time to answer that question before? Do you merge it with the existing topic (Skip, do not answer this ) in the hopes the poster will realize s/he should've looked for an existing topic with the answer before starting a new post? Do you delete the post since it's a redundant question, provides no benefit to the forum membership, and has been asked five times previously in an existing, previously pinned topic? Do you answer out of compassion and do it just to do the nice thing, even though it may encourage the poster to start a new post every time instead of seeking out an existing answer before asking her/his next question?

There is no right answer, no single answer which can cover all the bases and satisfy everyone. Sometimes we try different things to determine what works better or best, but with so many people and personalities, it's impossible to find a solution which works for everyone.

There is a simple fix for that and that too has been discussed.

There is a solution, but it's neither simple, nor does it involve understanding, compassion, and making exceptions. I agree with you in principle, but in practice, as they say, it's not that simple.

[Casey]

I do want to add that Skip had a good suggestion, and maybe this is the time and place to discuss it...provided I restate what he said correctly.

I think he suggested an archive section of sorts, where topics like the very long paint stripping, chrome removal, use of dehydrators, etc.-- topics with lots of solutions covering a commonly asked question-- can be stored for future reference. Most other forums I've seen with archived sections have the posts stored as read only, meaning you can't add any new replies, so I'm sure some will have an issue with that aspect, and that's totally understandable.

Maybe having a separate sub-section of read-only topics which have been heavily covered would be a good idea?

[Guest]

I really don't see what the big deal is about people asking questions that have been aswered before.If a person doesn't want to answer a question, they can wall their eyes, click back and move on. Every single person on this forum was a new member at one time. Every single person here has asked a question that has been asked before. No one came here and knew every part of and post on this forum. It's easy (not really) for us to find the information we're after. We've been here for years and know the forum well. A new member doesn't have that luxury. Remember that when you see a new member ask a question because at one time, you were in their position. Would you have wanted someone to answer your question or have them tell you,"go look it up!" the first time you asked a question here? After all, isn't that what the Questions and Answers section is for? Speaking of which, why is this in the Tips and Tutorials section??

[Casey]

Would you have wanted someone to answer your question or have them tell you,"go look it up!" the first time you asked a question here?

I doubt anyone would, but looking for the answer before you ask shows respect for those members who took the time to answer the question when asked previously.

Another forum of which I am a member has a brief but concise set of posting guidelines, which I like a lot. I think it would be helpful to have something very similar to this here:

Things to remember about posting:

1. Check the 'Stickies' in each forum before posting - chances are, your question has already been answered and you won't have to wait for someone to reply with the information you seek.

2. Check out the forums and descriptions - the info you seek is probably already in one and doing this will help you find it.

3. Whenever possible, post a reply to an existing thread vs. starting a new one...it helps keep things organized

4. Before starting a 'new thread', ask yourself:

....a) "Will this contribute to the group?"

.... "Did I search for my answer before posting?"

5. Please stay on topic with your posts. If you want to say something that is not relevant to the post you are reading, this is a good reason to start a new thread. Mods are instructed to monitor for off-topic (OT) posts and get them back on track. Doing this shows respect for the members who posted the original thread - no hijacks please.

6. Have an opinion or got something to say?

....a) Back them up with reasons and facts where appropriate - this will keep the 'flaming' to a minimum

.... Please be respectful of other members when doing so - a variety of opinions is what makes the world go 'round

[Mike Kucaba]

My response was to the Full real name/Real location... Real simple ... Three warnings and your done. Compassion, Compromise and other nonsense is what got this country( and possibly the world) where it's at now.

Couldn't "quote" again,

[Casey]

My response was to the Full real name/Real location... Real simple ...

I caught that and I replied to your specific comment, but we'll just have to disagree on the enforcement.

Political and religious discussion and commentary are off-limits here, too, but some members have it in their sig lines.

[Chief Joseph]

My thought has always been that if nobody asked any questions, there would not be anything out there to search. Most discussion forums are based on questions and answers, and in this new age of "somebody tell me what I need to know right now!" it's just the nature of the beast that people will come here and ask before attempting research. Answering questions isn't a requirement for membership and participation here, but I think the members who go out of their way to answer questions (even the ones that have been asked a dozen times before) are performing a great service for the forum community. I sometimes look in on other forums where questions often go unanswered and ignored, and that seems to me to be very cliquish and juvenile and won't do much to grow the hobby.

[Harry P.]

Speaking of which, why is this in the Tips and Tutorials section??

Because he's asking where the pinned topics in the Tips, Tricks and Tutorial section went.

Seeing as this IS the Tips, Tricks and Tutorials section, I can't think of a better place for him to post his question.

[Mike Kucaba]

Point taken and comments deleted. Like I said....Real Simple

[Guest]

Because he's asking where the pinned topics in the Tips, Tricks and Tutorial section went.

Seeing as this IS the Tips, Tricks and Tutorials section, I can't think of a better place for him to post his question.

It IS NOT a Tip, a Trick or a Tutorial. It IS a question.

I just thought all questions were to be posted in the Questions section of the forum.

Edited January 4, 2014 by plowboy

[Harry P.]

It IS NOT a Tip, a Trick or a Tutorial. It IS a question.

I just thought all questions were to be posted in the Questions section of the forum.

Model building questions and answers belong in the Model Building Question and Answer section.

Maybe you should apply for the job of moderator.

[Skip]

To those who have voiced a dislike for answering questions, consider this. I have found the times I've been called on (at work, hobbies, etc.) to answer a technical question, that my knowledge and understanding of the subject grows with the relating and passing the answer to the other person.

In regards to the pinned subjects. I was a little disappointed to see them gone, I often looked through them when looking for tips or techniques. I also read through the entire Tips, Tricks and Tutorials section now and then. I find I pick up something new nearly every time.

My opinion on repetitive questions is though they may be a pain at times each of us has been therein our grasp of modeling knowledge. So unless there is some sort of subject specific repository where one can go to get their answers, then maybe the newbies and repeat questioners need to be cut some slack.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Is independence a good thing? Are self-reliance, critical thinking and problem-solving worthwhile skills to try to foster?

Encouraging modelers to do their own research before asking questions that have already been answered here repeatedly and in depth also encourages self-reliance, critical thinking and independent thought.

...So unless there is some sort of subject specific repository where one can go to get their answers...

There is. Go to Google in a separate browser window, type in site:modelcarsmag.com, a space, and the the specific subject you're looking for.

Edited January 5, 2014 by Ace-Garageguy

[comp1839]

Is independence a good thing? Are self-reliance, critical thinking and problem-solving worthwhile skills to try to foster?

you bet it is ace. so are asking questions BEFORE you waste a lot of time looking at a bunch irrelevant mumbo jumbo.

if you guys don't want to answer questions, for goodness sake, DON"T! your lack of answering won't change the world. there is no one here who's advice is SOOOO important or so good that not answering will mean a hill of beans to anyone. if any one thinks they have to have ace-garageguy's (or any one else's) advice. they can either request you answer personally or they can send you a PM. then,.........you can CHOOSE to answer or not. just do us all a favor. STOP complaining!!!!!

Edited January 5, 2014 by comp1839