Let's help the newcomers

ka3jjz · #1 (**permalink**) 08-12-2012, 12:58 PM

In the last several months, I've seen lots of messages relating to 'I just got this Uniden DMA scanner (insert model) and I don't know how to use it'.

It's gotten to the point where it became a bit repetitive, so I coded the following article. It takes a newcomer right from nothing and pretty much gives them most all the stuff they need to get started, including the all important link to the Easier to Read manual homepage.

Program your DMA Scanner - The RadioReference Wiki

Feel free to add stuff that I didn't...Mike

W2NJS · #2 (**permalink**) 08-12-2012, 8:55 PM

Which is all well and good, but I quickly run out of patience with people who apparently don't know how to use Google or our Wiki to find their missing manuals, programming instructions, etc. They appear to be totally helpless. God helps those who help themselves.

But hey, that's just me.

W8RMH · #3 (**permalink**) 08-12-2012, 11:20 PM

As much as I love the forums I think they make people lazy.

Some find it easier to just "ask a question" instead of doing any real research.

That is why, instead of trying to answer their question, I try to direct them to a Wiki page.

Hopefully then they will discover the additional resources that are available.

JoeyC · #4 (**permalink**) 08-13-2012, 3:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W8RMH

That is why, instead of trying to answer their question, I try to direct them to a Wiki page.

Hopefully then they will discover the additional resources that are available.

Better be careful with that. I attempted to teach someone to use the tools of the site and was given an infraction for not coddling.

loumaag · #5 (**permalink**) 08-13-2012, 7:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeyC

Better be careful with that. I attempted to teach someone to use the tools of the site and was given an infraction for not coddling.

Umm, no.
Joey, you were given the infraction, since you bring it up, for giving a snarky answer to a brand new user in the New User/Getting Started forum. The guy had been here for 4 days and you replied to his 7th post by telling him to search for the answer to his question. There is no leeway given to abusing folks in the new user forum.

In general, if you aren't prepared to give a helpful answer at the same time as pointing the way to tools here, then just move on.

cronst10 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-13-2012, 8:36 AM

MIke, is it possible when a new user join's RR an email to this subject is sent to him, just a suggestion.

cdknapp · #7 (**permalink**) 08-13-2012, 9:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cronst10

MIke, is it possible when a new user join's RR an email to this subject is sent to him, just a suggestion.

That is an excellent idea! Maybe fine tune a welcome wiki with a bunch of lnks to different areas addressing how the site works overall, then branch off into FAQ's, where to find answers to these questions. While there are times that some folks can become annoying, we must remember that not everyone is as advanced as we are; even us with more experience can get caught with a question that makes us have to go back to the books! Monitoring has become (and continues to every day) much, much different that it was even just a couple of years ago that what it used to be. Between what scanner must/can do today up to the radio systems themselves.... it's a whole different ball game. It's no longer going to The 'Shack and getting a new crystal to plug in. I believe the return on this investment with the new folks is that it makes us think at times, and only furthers our knowledge overall. We ALL had to start someplace, and this is a place that can all continue to learn from.

ka3jjz · #8 (**permalink**) 08-13-2012, 5:36 PM

It's certainly possible - and this would be a Lindsay thing - and we do have a Scanning 101 set of articles already in the wiki.

We have, on the other hand, seen numerous folks not read the welcome instructions Lindsay sends, and end up causing a bit of a headache because of it. Nothing we can do about that, unfortunately. I haven't seen the welcome stuff he sends, but if he doesn't mention all the various environments and features of the site, he's almost certainly doing himself a disservice.

Really the only way to learn about this site is to become something of a lurker at first - check out all the various areas and read. A lot of folks just want to jump in, and while that's laudable, there's an awful lot of concepts and terminology - as there is in any technical hobby, and scanning is no exception - that can overwhelm you pretty quickly. Hence (to bring the discussion back to the original topic) the article I wrote for the folks that bought Uniden DMA scanners.

If someone were to write similar articles for the GRE/RS Object Oriented Scanners, I suspect they'd be fairly popular with the newcomer crowd. How many times have we seen a similar question asked about these scanners, too?

Mike

Fuzy_GSXR1000 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-13-2012, 6:55 PM

I use Wiki till I'm blue in the face epically now that I want to become a amatuer operator!!

ka3jjz · #10 (**permalink**) 11-24-2012, 8:48 PM

It seems we see a number of 'how do I program this thing' questions when someone who's new gets an Uniden DMA or GRE/RS object oriented scanner, so...

We now have 2 articles that outline all the things a newcomer would likely need to know if s/he got a new scanner for the holidays (lucky stiff!). This includes links to the Easier to Read manuals, trunking, software, USB cables and a lot more...

Program your DMA Scanner - The RadioReference Wiki

Getting Started with your GRE/RS Object Oriented Scanner - The RadioReference Wiki

Feel free to add or correct things or topics as needed, and please point newcomers to the right article.

Mike

k3cfc · #11 (**permalink**) 11-24-2012, 9:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W2NJS

Which is all well and good, but I quickly run out of patience with people who apparently don't know how to use Google or our Wiki to find their missing manuals, programming instructions, etc. They appear to be totally helpless. God helps those who help themselves.

But hey, that's just me.

No it's not just you it's the truth. what pi$$es me off is someone will ask a question and get an answer then try to justify why they should be above the law and be able to do something illegal because they love to what ever.

ka3jjz · #12 (**permalink**) 11-25-2012, 7:04 AM

There's entirely too much of a tendency to just tell a newcomer 'check the wiki' when they will have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

Our wiki is the largest one of its kind in the world - but that comes at something of a price tag. At well over 6000 pages, navigation - especially to a newcomer - is a bit daunting to say the least. While the logical gateway structure does a fair job of isolating topics, even that might be a bit overwhelming.

So instead of just saying 'check the wiki', give the newcomer the URL of the article(s) that s/he should read.. Remember you were a newcomer once, too.

What about Google and similar search engines? It can take several days for these engines to catch up with the numerous changes that the wiki undergoes every day (just look at the change logs). This is especially true of new articles. Therefore, using a search engine is not necessarily the best way to find a topic.

Mike

loumaag · #13 (**permalink**) 11-25-2012, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ka3jjz

...Our wiki is the largest one of its kind in the world - but that comes at something of a price tag. At well over 6000 pages, navigation - especially to a newcomer - is a bit daunting to say the least....

To be honest, it is dauting to me and I can hardly be considered newcomer.

rafdav · #14 (**permalink**) 11-25-2012, 4:40 PM

that the Home Page can be redesigned that would have a tab that's directed to a new member? The tab would take them to the pages you've described and other relevant pages. This way, when they log in, they can see a big blue tab just for them and their questions. Just a thought from me.
(where the "Home", "Databases", and other tabs are)

ka3jjz · #15 (**permalink**) 11-25-2012, 4:56 PM

There already is - on the right, it says quite clearly 'Links for Newcomers'. Of course, those links can stand some updating - and since it is the main page, only W9RXR, Bezking and Lindsay has the rights to modify it.

Still if you have some suggestions to add to that area, by all means let them know...Mike

gr8rcall · #16 (**permalink**) 11-25-2012, 6:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ka3jjz

There's entirely too much of a tendency to just tell a newcomer 'check the wiki' when they will have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

Our wiki is the largest one of its kind in the world - but that comes at something of a price tag. At well over 6000 pages, navigation - especially to a newcomer - is a bit daunting to say the least. While the logical gateway structure does a fair job of isolating topics, even that might be a bit overwhelming.

So instead of just saying 'check the wiki', give the newcomer the URL of the article(s) that s/he should read.. Remember you were a newcomer once, too.

What about Google and similar search engines? It can take several days for these engines to catch up with the numerous changes that the wiki undergoes every day (just look at the change logs). This is especially true of new articles. Therefore, using a search engine is not necessarily the best way to find a topic.

Mike

Thats EXACTLY what I do. I have a standard list of links that I give to folks.
They are:
The "Program Your Scanner Guide" (for their model, of course)
The "Easier to read manual" (if available)
The Wiki page for that scanner
The database page for their county, and any TRS pages that they wish to monitor
The state and/or respective Scanner Manufacturer forum
Their county Wiki page.

If any of the above are not Identified, or mentioned in the Initial Post, I usually ask in a nice way:
Where they live (County or City, and State)
What scanner do they have
What are they interested in hearing

Lastly (Not exactly a link) my own experience and/or advice! Personal input seems to be the best help for new people!

Hope this helps everyone!

saraRqp · #17 (**permalink**) 11-26-2012, 4:39 AM

This will save a lot of time.

4436time · #18 (**permalink**) 11-26-2012, 1:28 PM

...provide dummy/test .996 / .500 files people can upload to their scanners containing the various system types (incl. scanlists) in order to put together all the concepts you've just thrown at them. In some cases it might just be easier to give them a file, and they'll either pick it up through trial and error, if so inclined, or they'll never understand it simply because they're only interested in the monitoring aspect of it...or, of course, a little of both.

4436time · #19 (**permalink**) 11-26-2012, 8:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ka3jjz

Program your DMA Scanner - The RadioReference Wiki

Getting Started with your GRE/RS Object Oriented Scanner - The RadioReference Wiki

6. Lastly you need data. If you purchase a premium subscription you can download data from our database. Alternately you can go to your state's forum and ask for a file. Be specific as to what software you are using, as not all formats are compatible with one another.

Seems you have it covered as long as others have/are willing to share files. Still may not hurt to post a few.