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Chris Russell

Mon Jan 26 2009, 04:50AM

... not Russel!
Registered Member #1 Joined: Thu Jan 26 2006, 12:18AM
Location: Tempe, Arizona
Posts: 1052

I think the disconnect here is that some people consider the current quality of posts here on the forum to be fine. Others wish there was less noise, and more quality content.

It seems to me that the majority of our members fall into the latter group -- myself included. Certainly there's nothing wrong with people coming in with little knowledge or experience, but a will to learn. A lot of people are capable of great things when provided with a little patience and a little guidance. In Amateur Radio circles this is known as "Elmering," and I'm sure it's a component of many hobbies and interests with a high level of self-taught knowledge. One problem is people who come in and aren't willing to learn, and want to tap the site as a personal research service. We've all seen those types of posts, where someone asks for an answer on a platter. I don't think that's a huge problem as of late, but it is something to be aware of.

The big problem, from what I've seen and from the input I've had, is people who breeze in and can't be bothered to take the site seriously. Our requirements are pretty minimal. Read the rules, follow them. Check the netspeak at the door. Write clearly. Try to spell things correctly. Be nice to others. Yet we end up with a lot of new members who think this is no different than the YouTube comment area, and write and act accordingly. These kinds of posts aren't just annoying; they present a poor image of what we're all about. That's why I prefer the mandatory trial period. People aren't impeded in any way from signing up and participating right away, and the majority see nothing more than a note from the moderators once they've reached a certain posting level. People who need to be pointed in the right direction get the guidance they need, and people who don't belong here don't get to stay.

Remember, if membership here is free, it will be valued accordingly. When people earn membership here, not only does it become something of value -- it becomes something worth defending.

Hazmatt_(The Underdog)

Mon Jan 26 2009, 08:00AM

Registered Member #135 Joined: Sat Feb 11 2006, 12:06AM
Location: Anywhere is fine
Posts: 1735

Okay.. well.. maybe make a "sandbox" where new applicants can post their projctects so everyone can see what they're all about, and at the same time the new applicants cannot interfere with the "forum" until they are fully vetted.

If they post nonesense.. the size 12 comes out.

If they have something to say that is coherent then they are welcomed aboard.

Austin

Mon Jan 26 2009, 09:29AM

Registered Member #1169 Joined: Wed Dec 12 2007, 09:16AM
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 251

In all honesty I was and still am a bit intimidated by "you EE guys".

I originally bought Dr. Gigavolt's book to learn how to build a DRSSTC, but I turned to 4hv.org for help when I got stuck! If it was not for 4hv's patience and OPEN forum I honestly don't know if I would have stayed let alone joined. I think most of the memebers are really good about politely telling others to do a bit more research before posting in the forums (guilty as charged).

However since then I have learned a tremendous amount about electronics and Tesla Coils. I would like to consider myself an active and contributing member (a little as it maybe) to the 4hv community.

I am personally thankful that Dr. sparks, Gigavolt, Wirenut, Ultra, Anders M, and Steve Ward (sorry if I forgot anyone) have taken the time to make 4hv.org a welcoming and inviting forum. All have answered trivial (to them anyways) questions and I appreciate their patience.

Without 4hv I would not have the beautiful coil I have today. My girlfriend thinks i'm a genius, my folks think i'm crazy, and my buddies at school think the coil is the coolest F***ing in the world!

THANKS 4HV! and thanks to all the members that have taken time out of their day to help the newbs!

big5824

Mon Jan 26 2009, 04:37PM

Registered Member #1687 Joined: Tue Sept 09 2008, 08:47PM
Location: UK, Darlington
Posts: 240

Im the same as Austin, I started not knowing too much about coilguns, but thanks to this site I built a decent 180j gun with 2% efficiency, and im now working on a 10kj monster, thanks for your help everyone :)

Dr. Drone

Mon Jan 26 2009, 05:14PM

Registered Member #290 Joined: Mon Mar 06 2006, 08:24PM
Location:
Posts: 1673

Chris Cristini

Mon Jan 26 2009, 07:51PM

Registered Member #1749 Joined: Fri Oct 10 2008, 02:04AM
Location: Claremont New Hampshire
Posts: 497

I have only been on this forum for 4 months now and I learned more than I know about the respected subjects and I have definitely improved on my typing not as many typos but still improving I plain on being here for a wile I think Chris is doing a grate job and all I can say is keep it up but it might not mater if i say it I am still a newb in most cases. But no mater what people say I will still be on this forums side rather a test is involved or a section for people like me it will always be my favored site because of the large amount of respectful members and the very small amount of not so nice members.4HV all the way.

Tom540

Mon Jan 26 2009, 10:57PM

Banned on 3/17/2009.
Registered Member #487 Joined: Sun Jul 09 2006, 01:22AM
Location:
Posts: 617

I don't see what the point of a test is really. When I joined i had to state why I wanted to be a member and how I could contribute. Felt like a job interview.
I agree this forum is self governing no need for a test. I like the feedback idea though, but a test?
I don't think it's a good idea to try and hold people back who are coming here trying to learn some of them just need a shove or two to get them to do some of it themselves. We all hate the people who show up and just ask for schematics without any research. At least fill out the damn profile.

Zenador

Mon Jan 26 2009, 11:54PM

Registered Member #1733 Joined: Thu Oct 02 2008, 03:17PM
Location: Hamilton, ON, Canada
Posts: 100

Dr. Spark wrote ...

I see a lot of newbieâ€™s do not give email link, location or pic of themselves on their profile. This to me is someone who does not take this forum seriously, do not plan to be around long. Sort of like a ~ in a weblinkâ€¦! Several people have missed out on me sending all the parts required for their project due to their profile empty.

The following may make me appear to be an ass, or a jerk, or some other name of your choosing. This is not my intent. I think that Dr. Spark is one of the most valuable members of this site. The above quoted comment has irked me, so much that I feel compelled to reply.

To play the devil's advocate, there are valid reasons NOT to put too much information on the net. I have no image of myself in my profile, my email address is hidden intentionally, only my first name is listed, and my location is only generally identified, not specifically pin-pointed to my house.

There are a lot of risks with putting personal information on the public domain. What I look like has no bearing on my technical abilities. I also know a person who had put personal images on public forums, and received the interest of stalkers. This fellow happens to be a fellow motorcycle enthusiast, and will never publically "sign-up" for rides I organize, for fear of this stalker showing up.

For the email address, I have given it to specific people on this forum and my motorcycle forum for reasons of my choosing. If we add the events of last friday, that script kiddie could have easily retrieved all the published email addresses and sold them, flooded mail boxes, or used them for other "evil" purposes.

I'll play a really evil person for the location request. I can assume from your posted images that you have some nice and valuable equipment in your house. I can also assume that you have some money, being able to afford your nice equipment. Your age is posted, and I can derive from that that if you have children, they have most likely moved out, lessening any risk I might incur doing something devious. I also have your picture, so I know what you look like. You can see where this goes...

If you choose not to help those because they are doing their best to mitigate risks in their life, or for other reasons, that is your perogative. I find it unfortunate that people assume that a little privacy translates into something other than that, privacy.

For the record, I have some nice stuff, I have 2 young children, I value my privacy. I also work in I.T; and know the risks with having personal data online. I choose to mitigate some risks. That does not mean that I'm less dedicated to my hobby, or to trying to positivly contribute to this site.

To lambaste the "newbs" or anyone for keeping personal information personal is just incredulous in today's technological time.

Sorry to those I may have offended with this little rant, and no offence was intended to you Dr. Spark, I do sincerely admire your knowledge and work.

Zen

Dr. Drone

Tue Jan 27 2009, 12:48AM

Registered Member #290 Joined: Mon Mar 06 2006, 08:24PM
Location:
Posts: 1673

Myke

Tue Jan 27 2009, 02:46AM

Registered Member #540 Joined: Mon Feb 19 2007, 07:49PM
Location: MIT
Posts: 969

Well, this forum and the old one were doing very well without having a test so I don't think there really is a need for one. I liked this forum a lot even before I was a member because I saw that all the posts stayed on topic without much help from the mods. I also noticed that the mods were on top of things to take care of anything that got out of hand.

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Moderator(s): Chris Russell, Noelle, Alex, Tesladownunder, Dave Marshall, Dave Billington, Bjørn, Steve Conner, Wolfram, Kizmo, Mads Barnkob