My Reaction to the Closing 0f "Forum Police Thread

[robert_parker]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

My own experience was that when I first joined the Leica forum, I asked questions about a number of things that were well known to the more experienced forum members and almost always recieved an individual and helpful response, usually from several members, each giving thier own take on how to deal with the issue concerned.

 

This was helpful and friendly, as well as more importantly encouraging to me as someone starting out on the forum.

 

The difference I suppose is the difference between being in a new town and as someone has already said, asking for directions to a well known local landmark. Being shown where it is, or having the location described to you, even a few words about the siginficance of the landmark to the townsfolk, is far more welcoming and friendly than being told that there is a notice board by the town hall you can go and look at (where's the town hall anyway...)

 

Pointing out the existence of another thread on the subject is great too, if it's done in the right spirit.

 

To me I guess the point is if there were hundreds of basic questions per day from a sea of newcomers, some type of triage would make sense however I don't see hundreds of questions of this type gumming up the works right now. I have a feeling that in general an information resource of any type is of more value to experienced members than to new ones.

 

If you're somewhere where folks stop and take the time to help, the more you are encouraged to do better and the more you are likely to stay and post more.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[davidmhol]

Well, I just read the whole original thread - there's ten minutes of my life gone forever......

 

Seriously guys, as a noob (but not to internet forums/fora, or to internet forum moderating) I'm pretty happy in saying that this is a very nicely balanced and moderated site.

[philipus]

Fwiw these are my thoughts (and apologies they're a bit chopped-up as I come late the party).

 

I discovered the closed thread today by chance and wondered why it was closed. Unless there's a reason it seems somewhat draconian to close a legitimate thread. For instance there are many more (and I add "no criticism intended" to this) threads of less substance in the Bar.

 

-Elitism in forums is a real issue that happens in many if not all the forums i have been acquainted with. The best way to fight this is 'if you have nothing to contribute... shut up'.

 

+1, Ronan makes many good points. And I can relate to what Robert Parker wrote, too. As a newbie at here I've found the spirit extraordinarily helpful. I have asked many dumb questions, questions which, as my Leica-related learning curve has (slowly) become flatter, I realise were asked years ago. For instance, the amazing Wiki, which at first impression appears bare, is a wealth of information, in particular because it provides direct links (thoughtfully put there by very kind and informative people) into fascinating discusions on this forum. When I that way found the "LTM users stand up to be counted" thread which James (earleygallery) started years ago, I felt like I had discovered a treasure trove and happily spent a few days going through all 500+ posts.

 

I also agree that it is helpful to provide a link to a relevant thread, or a description of it if one can't remember the title exactly. I will often remember information I have contributed in fora even if I don't remember the exact thread. It's one of these things, akin to "treat others as you would wish to be treated" - when contributing, think whether what you're about to write will give constructive help, ie. would you wish to receive that answer had you asked the question. Easy and common sense (which, perhaps, isn't that common )

 

And the forum search feature/function SUCKS. I have done many searches for topics I know exist, even using the exact title, and come up with garbage. What is the forum running out of disk space?

 

I actually think the search works well, better than many others. I'm quite active over at Apple Discussions and that search function isn't as good, imho. I often find myself googling using site:discussions.apple.com to get relevant results. And - afaik - this forum uses Google Custom Search.

 

Cheerio

philip