New user/Forums idea

[JoeyC]

With all the redundant questions asked in forums and threads started asking basic questions that appear daily, I think a good feature for the site would be that when a user first registers, their forum access is limited to READ-ONLY (if thats possible).

In order to gain ability to post, the site would prompt the user to review features of the site and the wiki for basic information, then posting access could be granted once the user demonstrates (by way of a simple online quiz) that they:

• Know there is a database on the site with most of the freq/system and talkgroup info already available for self use.
• Recognize that information that has already been (or being) discussed is available by using the SEARCH function.
• Understand forum etiquette.

and possibly others...


This MIGHT eliminate some of the newbie-type threads that go:

• Can someone give me the freq for Timbuktoo, Ohio police?
• What scanner can I use to listen to my PD if they are using PROVOICE?
• What good software is out there to program my 246?
• What is the best scanner to hear Arlington FD?
• Will my PRO-2051 work after rebanding?
• My police are on 460 mHz, will my scanner pick them up after rebanding?

etc etc...

Ok gentlemen, (and ladies), let the criticism and bashing begin...

 

[NINN27]

even if this was put into use... i doubt it will stop the questions... somebody (somewhere) will ask...

best to just let them ask and point them in the direction of the correct information

 

[RyltnVFD]

• My police are on 460 mHz, will my scanner pick them up after rebanding?

Wow, that one cracked me up!

 

[brucewarming]

I see what your saying with new persons posting questions that get you shaking your head. I don't see a probation period as being a answer, and most people seem to have good forum experience, with just a few that don't use some common sense.
My other hobby is metal detecting and on those forums it's the same. The hobby is getting high tech and I for one have questions that may seem simple to others, but like you say, some of those questions are just way to basic.
I won't bash someone, just wish they did some of there own home work.

 

[bassmkenk2508]

I say there should a "sticky note" in each forum called "READ ME FIRST!" with the guidelines on forum questions and topics for that forum. The same basic things talked about before.
Or maybe an introduction page for a user when he/she first signs up.

 

[Dubbin]

I say there should a "sticky note" in each forum called "READ ME FIRST!" with the guidelines on forum questions and topics for that forum. The same basic things talked about before.
Or maybe an introduction page for a user when he/she first signs up.

LOL they have those in almost every forum that I belong to and you still get the same questions over and over again.

 

[John_M]

Bad idea. Like I said in the other thread there is no such thing as a dumb question. This forum is not just for the guys who have 20 years of experience in communications. When I first joined I had people saying that this question had come up before do we have to rehash this? The answer is yes. If somebody doesn't understand something then let he/she ask the question. How are the new people supposed to learn? By going through dozens of threads and hoping they can find the answer? Of course new people will ask questions that have already been answered but has the question been answered to them? No.

 

[JoeyC]

Bad idea. blah blah...

There's an old chinese proverb, goes something like this:

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

Educate don't placate.

 

[Dubbin]

There's an old chinese proverb, goes something like this:

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

Yes but they didnt have fast food back then.