Upon further reflection, perhaps there isn't really time being wasted. Perhaps that time we're "wasting" replying to trolls is how we gain our experience.

In principle, I agree.

However, in practice, it really sucks to see an extremely well-written and detailed answer the size of a A4 beautifully formatted and laid out when it doesn't correspond to the question; not the written question but the real question. That is wasteful.

So rule number one when answering a question: Make sure that there is a question in the first place, and that you are answering the right question - that is: it corresponds to the question that the Original Poster intends to ask.

Yes, I also think that we are definitely not wasting our time if we embark on a quest to find a better question, ask for clarification, etc.

I like that kind of interaction.

I tend to believe the good intentions of the OP. Because often what appears to be a sucky question - even a trollish one - could be a genuine question just waiting to get out. ;)

The topic from which this topic was spawned I have a growing suspicion that the OP did (accidentally) get an answer to his question and has left the topic already. Not sure, though.

-> http://www.gamedev.net/topic/667809-best-program-for-beginners/#entry5224864

really a little of all of them, I'll take a look at this link and let you know If i have any other questions.

The irony of that is that he might or might not have gotten his question - whatever it is - answered already (in post number 3) - who knows?

There isn't really a need to rescue people from anything here.

Live and let live.

Are you suggesting that we should just let things run it's course and not bother?

I don't work that. I'm sorry. :)

I am saying that you are being way too cynical.

I am doing this because I genuinely care about both the topic (game development) and the community (how we interact with other people).

If I didn't, I wouldn't have been an active member of various on-line communities for as long as I have.

I am sorry that you see me as being manipulative and out to control this forum / bossing you around.

I am not. This is ridiculous.

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I do believe that every community - including this one - needs community oriented people who are not afraid of speaking their mind.

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Is GDNet is full of grumpy old industry veterans that want things to be the way they always have been, or is there some kind of initiation rite that I need to pass?

Some rules that I didn't read?

I am picturing a scene where I enter a local pub in some remote Appalachian mountain village and everybody just stare at me in distrust (a stranger!).

Tried to find an image but failed (search for "a man walks into a pub" and you know what I mean.. )

Considering that I joined this community in 2005 I am not exactly a new guy although I can't shake off that feeling.

It's just that there has been a remarkable decline in users all around. Ogre3d forum is silent, Devmaster.net is almost dead, and here at GDNet I can actually manage to read most, if not all, of the posts. And I happened to get out of lurk mode very recently because it seemed like a good idea to stop concentrating on the Ogre community (it's rather silent at the moment)..

I even joined the OSG community (and I feel like I am cheating on Ogre.. :p)

That well meaning person walking into the pub has actually lived in the village for 10 years, but haven't visited the pub until this moment.

Look. I just want to share my thoughts. To learn more. If other people get something out it, cool. If not, cool.

In real life I am an introvert, pretty much.

Not really on-line.. How do think I managed to write 21K posts on ogre3d/forums ?

I seem to be running a brute-force algorithm..

But, good points. I appreciate it.

I am of the belief that the regular influx of idealistic newbies with unrealistic expectations asking vague questions is actually something that sustains this site.

Yes, we kind of miss those sobs over at the Ogre community as well. They do lively up the place, don't they?

I'll end off my contributing to this thread by saying that I'm finding that in life over all that the whole "best intentions" thing is something of a pain in the ass. Just as you've had best intentions voicing your thoughts for improving the site others (including me) have had best intentions trying to make suggestions how to approach people. There's some kind of cliche about some kind of paved road that's probably applicable.

I am not sure what you mean, to be honest.
You did not mean that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions, now, did you?

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(( Said in a jovial voice ))
Thank you for dropping the hint like a ton of bricks with as much subtlety as a slap in the face, Kseh.
((No, you're cool. I am just messing around with idioms))
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