In general

[Donald Malm]

I don't care to reveal how many years I have been doing this sort of stuff,
but it's a lot.

When I was reluctantly drawn into the Microsoft world because of my clients'
needs, I was warned to avoid using the newsgroups - mainly because most of
what I would see would be egos and very little information.

Recently I found a need for some information and could find no answer at
Microsoft.com. Finally, I was drawn into the NG web. My first exposure was
very friendly, favorable and helpful. Total problem solving in less that an
hour.

Aha! My prior experts were wrong!. So I thought. Because of the favorable
experience, I started using the newsgroups more. I cannot begin to describe
the rudeness and boorish egos that most of the messages reveal. There were
still a few decent folks with answers in their responses. But I cannot
believe how many of you are sitting at your computers with nothing better to
do than to take pot-shots at people who simply do not know how to do one
thing. One hole in the knowledge bank of a person does not make them an
idiot. But it sure shows a lack of class to assume that to be true.

 

[Kevin3NF]

Dear Donald,

I frequent the Microsoft NGs for Access, SQL Server and one Visio group. I
have never noticed any of the things you are complaining about.

But I cannot believe how many of you are sitting at your computers with nothing better to
do than to take pot-shots at people who simply do not know how to do one
thing.

This was uncalled for. Most of the people here are extremely helpful and
giving of their time and talents to help those in need.

Please, if you have nothing nice to say...don't post anything.

--
Kevin Hill
President
3NF Consulting

www.3nf-inc.com/Newsgroups

 

[Jay]

I've been using newsgroups for about two years now both contributing and
receiving answers. I have found more answers to my questions in newsgroups
than I have anywhere on the web.

I agree that there are a few arrogant people out there who lack the patience
of assisting others with less knowledge than them. But, sometimes people are
impatient because the poster does not take the time to research the answer
themselves before asking someone else to solve their problem. People sit on
newsgroups all day long helping people with their problems for free. I'm
sure it gets frustrating for them when someone posts a question that is
easily answered on the web or was just answered an hour ago in that
newsgroup.

There's a few things you can do to make your experience a better one while
using newsgroups:
1. Make sure you're not asking a stupid question. Research the Internet
before posting your question. If you can not find the answer, search the
newsgroup you are in and see if someone else already asked that same
question. Maybe it was answered.
2. Don't feed the trolls. Learn how to ignore the posts and replies of
offensive people. In fact, why don't you just killfile them (block their
posts and replies so you don't have to read them).
3. Don't be a troll. Posting to a newsgroup with full intentions of
offending people and picking fights (like you did here) is not going to make
you feel better. Chances are, someone is going to reply to your post with a
much more offending post and you're just going to be more pissed off.
4. Mask your email address somehow. Maybe add some extra letters to it and
instruct people to remove those letters when emailing you. This will cut
down the amount of spam you receive.

The best and most experienced information comes from these newsgroups. It's
worth it to ignore the crap that goes on to get the answers you are looking
for. And usually you can learn how to do new things while browsing.

- J

 

[Bob O`Bob]

I cannot begin to describe
the rudeness and boorish egos that most of the messages reveal. There were
still a few decent folks with answers in their responses. But I cannot
believe how many of you are sitting at your computers with nothing better to
do than to take pot-shots at people who simply do not know how to do one
thing. One hole in the knowledge bank of a person does not make them an
idiot. But it sure shows a lack of class to assume that to be true.

And with this posting, you have taken the first step toward BECOMING
exactly that which you decry. Please turn back.



Bob