CyberDruid

As a former n00b I can tell you the best help I received is from those that now have accumulated massive Reps, multiple flames and are mostly advanced into the hierarchy of the Forum now--they actually bothered to read and understand my incessant posts and reply to them with thoughtful answers and useful links to previous posts similar to my n00bish ones or other resources such as FAQs and URLs.

It is no coincidence that these early helpers and posters of useful information are now our Directors and Moderators--the character of this forum is and always will be a byproduct of the character of our members--those of us who have some knowledge to share must lead by example if Overclock.net is to remain a solid community. Taking the time to read all the posts of a given thread before replying is a start. Refraining from hostile and derisive comments should go without saying. Taking the time to craft a well thought out reponse is important. Snap answers and terse replies may provide useful data, but there is no need to rush through the process.

Understanding a question is the key to properly answering it.

While still a n00b to this forum I also received a lot of useless posts from n00bs and other members that have now faded into obscurity. This Forum is designed and moderated to reward those that truly aid us all in our endeavour to eek performance from our PCs, while allowing the dross of flamers and rep-hungry posters to languish and dissipate into the ether.

Useful posts to n00bish questions require understanding the n00b point of view and directing the n00b to the resources that will slake their thirst for essential knowledge. Simply saying "read the FAQ" is hardly enough--a n00b might not even know which fact answers the question at hand. Link them to their resource--whether a case at Xoxide, or a Mobo from NewEgg, or a pertinent and specific FAQ or guide or post--a shortcut to the resource is going to do the n00b more good than a colorful desciption. Please refrain from the condescending "this has already been posted in such and such a thread" type of help that only disrespects and alienates a potential member of our constantly expanding community.

Discourteous posts that only point up their n00bish ways not only hurt their feelings, but hurt the candor and general character of this forum. We are the forum--our example leads those newcomers to our community to also post thoughtful, courteous replies and questions. By example we can direct these n00bs to leave their sarcasm, flippancy, and hostility out of posts.

Skooling n00bs is fine on the battlefield of the server, but here on the Forum we are all about helping, not skooling. As senior members we refrain from superflous posts that stray from the thread. Likewise we re-direct the energy back onto the specific thread by quoting the original question, or current thread-related question.

It may require a little extra browsing or research, but hunting up links for a n00b is the best way to provide the knowledge required. Although there is nothing wrong, IMHO, with disagreement between our "local experts" we should go out of our way to clarify the discussion rather than enflame it with contradictory posts. Veering from the thread topic to pursue fine points of a disagreement way provide satisfaction to the "experts" while confusing the n00b who asked the original question.

Demanding proof is a legitimate way of dispelling erroneous posts on a thread, but how that proof is demanded need not be hostile or inflammatory. Debunking common misconceptions is part of what we must do to ensure that this Forum reamins the premier overclocking resource that it has become. Likewise a little effort to maintain some semblance of grammar and spelling will help others that are later directed to your archived posts.

Not everyone who posts here is familiar with BB type forums and may not realise the vast resources of archival posts, FAQs and Guides, or even know how to post a screenshot. A little patience will soon be rewarded by an intelligible response from the n00b.

Basically, the best way to be of assistance to this forum and all of its new members is by really wanting to help before posting. Posting just to exhibit your superior intellect, experience, or depth of knowledge is vain and eventually will alienate you from the bulk of the community. Take full advantage of the vast amount of information already archived as well as your own personal knowledge regarding the topic at hand. Complements when due are excellent form.

It is my sincere hope that this will be of some help to those "local experts" in dealing with the endless onslaught of obviously n00bish questions.

laboitenoire

Nice one. REP for you.

CyberDruid

Yeah--I hope that helps keep our forum a fun place for all the n00bs!

__________________
Current Project: CalligaCab: TV stand/bookshelf/PC-case

GigaHertz

as a noob I just want to say...Wow, very well spoken! and you're right, a link does always help better than the "read the FAQ section" answer I see way to often, and again I do seem to get better answers from someone who has a massive rep compared to someone who just wants to show they are smarter than you, (which doesnt mean they are) And one more thing...just to add something to your comments, remember to use simple language, we noobs dont always understand the GHz, MB, Mobo, and other abbreviations and gibberish languages the world of computers use.
Thanks for the help!

__________________
---On the 8th Day, God Overclocked---

CyberDruid

So true--or else you would no longer be a n00b...

__________________
Current Project: CalligaCab: TV stand/bookshelf/PC-case

sniperscope

Rep + mate, good stuff

rottenotto

This is a FAQ that EVERY Forum could benefit from.Thanks for helping us park our egos at the door when we enter. Excellent job!!!

CyberDruid

I need to read this FAQ! LOL

FlaKing

Very well said. Thanks Druid.

__________________

For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
Of my darling, my darling, my life and my bride,
In the sepulchre there by the sea,
In her tomb by the sounding sea.