treatment of ""noobs"

[Timosity]

I think the term RTFM should never be used, there are more subtle ways to hint to people to use the manual. The way I prefer to do it is to give an answer first, to get the person on the right track (and sometimes that is just enough) and politely suggest if they need any more help, what to look for in the manual, and if it doesn't help just ask for more help.

I know it can get frustrating when people ask the same questions all the time but that doesn't excuse a RTFM just because you're pissed off, If you find yourself typing RTFM just take a step back and think before posting. Someone else will probably come up with a more friendly way to phrase it.

As MrColossal mentioned about TK,

TK, I know you like to help people and do a good job generally, but I notice too many RTFM, but you're not the only one guilty of it, I have seen it from a few others, I'd say just take a leaf out of Scorpiorus's book and don't let frustration let you down.

just remember people are at all sorts of different levels of understanding and sometimes things need to be described a little easier, just cause you know what you mean doesn't mean someone else will. And language barriers may be the cause on some occasions.

but in general I think most people are quite friendly, even TK

[n00bie]

I'm a n00b and I need a hug.

[myrdlebp]

  Well, I'm not the only one that feels like Noob! What has happened to manners and maybe a little understanding of what others are trying to LEARN! See, these old folk had to learn how to do math with a pencil and paper, not a calculater or computer, which means that maybe they have a great big start on you, but you will learn that when YOU become THAT age and your kids are doing Who Knows What! signed,40-tude(still)

[Nacho]

I am going to write my feelings about newbies, which does not necesarilly implies that everybody feels the same as I do:

I allways feel quite insecure with newbies... I fear that they become something like Jodo.

I feel quite disturbed when a newbie starts to post compulsivelly... If his/her art is good, I have the feeling that he won´t be here long (Moresco/Xadhoom)).

If his art is not the best, I fear that he will remain here a lot, not taking in consideration my advise to go on working with CorelBryce (a program which the newbie domines), and keeps posting his 2-d art, which is crap, IMHO.

A n00b who don´t take into consideration to finish a game, but preffers to produce 5 or 6 at the same time.

A n00b whose first answer to my response to his demmand of C+C was: "Ok Farlander,  "

(I think many of you know who I am talking about   )

Eeer... I think I´m out of topic, now.

BTW, most of the times the n00bies are cool, I like to be surprised by new artists.  

Well... This has been a confession of my feelings, but I don´t think that the AGS community is rude in its welcomes. I post this because I think that many of the veterans (More than a year of membership?) feel the same, but, as Andail said, it is one of the kindests on the net, IMHO.

[Gemmalah]

When i was a n00b nobody said really nasty things to my questions. but i admit just typing RTFM does not help, maybe an explination of where to look. For example i'm looking for something like playing flics, and i look under cutscenes ( have already done that) get confused and ask the board, i would be nice if someone said there was that option.

For example that is, some people don't think of the right words for what they are thinking of , just a rough discription, (or like me they can't spell the word they are thinking of).

It is good for n00bs to show off their artwork, gives them a boost of confidence knowing they can show it to people, if one persons artwork annoys you, tell them what is wrong or ignore them, simple.

and yes  some can be over ambitious, too many ideas and not enough time, if they wish to plan out loads of games let them do it, i know someone who is a real great programmer, not a n00b can work out complicated things but can never finishes a game, because they go onto the next game. But what can i say i only had one good idea in my life. (and that was what to have for lunch)

[AGA]

Too me there's a clear distinction between newbie and n00b. A n00b is someone who asks stupid questions, posts far too often, and generally makes a fool of themselves. A newbie is just someone who's new... Unless someone acts like a real n00b, there's no reason to treat them badly. If you're fed up with the same questions being asked repeatedly (and to be fair, how the hell are they supposed to know that the same question gets asked twice a week?), just stop visiting the tech forums. Either be nice or just don't go there at all.

[Darth Mandarb]

I like RTFM ... but only 'cause my old man used to have a shirt that said that and he thought we (the kids) didn't know what it meant.  Ahhh the memories.

But Gemmalah makes a point.  A reply to a question that simply says, "RTFM STFU n00b!!" isn't in the slightest helpful.  But perhaps, "RTFM  Read chapter 2, section B and you'll find what you need!"  Something like that would be far better.

I also agree with AGA about the new guys who just mindlessly post again and again just to boost their post count.  That's annoying.

Or those that can't grasp the concept of the 'Edit' feature and have 2 or 3 posts in a row in the same thread.

But I think it's fun to watch the new guys morph into non-n00bs.  See them adjust to the way these forums work and flow.  Some take longer than others!

Personally ... I love helping the new people out.  Makes me all warm and fuzzy

Cheers,
])]v[

[shbaz]

The funniest thing, is if you say STFU and RTFM to a genuine, 100% pure n00b, they're gonna reply:

thanx, but whta deos tat mean? XOXO  

[MrColossal]

Man Farlander... I can't believe you're gonna talk about Lorena like that! What if she finds out?!

[evenwolf]

Ahem, as the winner of Everyone's Favorite Newbie 2001, I feel inclined to give my opinion on the matter.  Actually was it '01 or '02?


Here's my advice for those new to AGS:
1.  Find a couple of respected people to get in good with (ie: Helm, Colossal) You can pretty much tie your name to these people through the AGS whiteboard, if you want.  I insist, do NOT go to IRC to make friends. Those people are all either bots or AGS mongering whores!
2.  Post on the forums as if you're opinions matter, whether or not they actually do.  Pretend as if every forum poster should already know who you are (as if you've posted here or on another forum for ages), while still being considerate.
3. Let atleast two people play a demo of your game, as your witnesses, and then never work on the game ever again! The suspense will give you an edge!

Congrats, now you're an established member of AGS forums!

[Ali]

I don't consider myself a proper member of the AGS community and won't until I finish the game I'm making, and maybe have some people play it.

All the same I want to say that most people on the forum are friendly, thoughtful, funny and helpful, or at least one of those four things. There are a few unpleasant new people and a few old people who are unpleasant to them.

That's the way it goes, most of the AGS community is as fuzzy as the underbelly of a bush-baby.

Thankyou, and goodnight.

[Nacho]

Man Farlander... I can't believe you're gonna talk about Lorena like that! What if she finds out?!

Lol! Yes... But she hasn´t posted compulsevely has she?  

Well... the most important points of my post are:

1) Most of the times newbies surprise me in the positive manner.

2) AGS is friendly in its welcomes.

[Domino]

I still consider myself a "Noob" in this forum, but i have to say that everybody has been really cool. I don't think there was an instance where i had a problem with anybody or anybody having a problem with me.

I'm hoping to become a permanent part of this community, and i check these forums every single day. It's addicting, and i like to see whats going on.

This has to be the friendliest forum that i've ever been a part of. There are other message boards out there, where no matter what you say, you get some smart ass taking shots at you. But here is totally different, and i have no complaints.  But the treatment of noobs here has been, shall i call 'World Class'.

Thank you.

Shawn  

[shbaz]

Generally, I think the class of the forum (lack of flamers, n00bs) depends on the topic. These people are usually not the brightest apples in the barrel, regardless of how good they toss insults at people for no reason. That being said, there are a few here, but not a ton, because AGS is too hard for them to use, I think. I only arrived at this conclusion because I've been a regular at another forum for 3 years and NEVER seen a ONE flame.. because it's about building your own Vacuum Tube Powered Guitar Amplifier. The annoying people who end up in technical places usually leave after they realize there's no chance of them understanding the forum topic. They are the heaviest in places where they can talk about things they understand, like water, and britney spears.

Realize I'm not talking about people who are new, but rather, people who are annoying and/or stupid.

[Robert Eric]

* Robert Eric holds back laughter

[myrdlebp]

Hummm, got lotza info from that. I now know that a "newbie" is, well, new. As to where a "n00bie" is one who is, "making the game".; trying to get ideas off of others that have more knowlege, am I close? And after this can we put some "cream & sugar" on this topic?        and I am getting  better at my stupid "avatar" thingy!    applause! PLEASE!

[Robert Eric]

Ahem, as the winner of Everyone's Favorite Newbie 2001, I feel inclined to give my opinion on the matter.  Actually was it '01 or '02?


Here's my advice for those new to AGS:
1.  Find a couple of respected people to get in good with (ie: Helm, Colossal) You can pretty much tie your name to these people through the AGS whiteboard, if you want.  I insist, do NOT go to IRC to make friends. Those people are all either bots or AGS mongering whores!

AGS mongering whores?  How dare you.  N00b!  wtf lol RTFM

Edit: One small thing...I haven't used AGS in years.