Perhaps all the "I'm new" posts is more indicative of what beginners want to get out of the site - It seems as though they are looking for more than just answers, but some type of social interaction with fellow newbies as well.
I think this is true. Granted, the suggestion was more of a handholding, kiddy-gloves forum where Beginners, true beginners, can just talk without the unmerciful hammer of "NO N00B! RAWR!". It's pretty obvious that this is the place where real beginners go and help each other, ask questions in a comfortable manner. When they get to the "real world", ie. anywhere outside the "I'm new" forum, then they can get the harsh truth
I think the more advanced you get, the more you just participate in answering questions or asking them.. and on the highest levels you typically ask hard questions that you already have done some research on. These guys aren't there yet.. they want to find common ground with each other. The tough part is dealing with the arrogant know-it-all types though who ask for help and give advice to more experienced folks in the same breath.[/quote]
I agree.
I don't know offhand what a good answer to this is.. but perhaps we need to do something to help the beginners share stuff with each other easier. Hell, maybe we need that everywhere really.[/quote]
Obviously, I'm biased. But I like my idea..
I think what bothers me the most though is the beginner that comes here and gets quickly discouraged because they feel mistreated - even if their behavior is a violation of our faq. It seems as though these guys need more kid gloves in terms of how we welcome them into our community. These are the same folks that grow up and if they remain active go on to help other beginners like they once were. I know as a high school teacher that it isn't necessarily that these are dumb kids - but that they just don't know how to conduct themselves yet or even necessarily have the skills they need to do proper research. Part of teaching beginners involves making them aware of how to solve their own problems in a thoughtful and constructive way.
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Well of course we all (and yes I'm including in this) get a bit frustrated or numb to the " I want to program my great MMORPG HALO 3-D game in HTML in variables! ....So what's a pointer?" However, that just means we need a break and should go to the Lounge or some other forum for awhile before venturing back to the Beginners section.