Advise on asking questions about anything

I hear you, Gerry. There’s some that need or want help, then there are others that want you to hold their hand the entire step of the way. I know they are smart enough to figure it out on their own, they are just being lazy. I’m far from being a lazy person so I don’t have the patience for laziness.

The other thing folks need to think about on forum assistance and advice given, we don’t get to see the “deer in the headlights look” like we would if explaining to someone in person. I recently gave very detailed and thorough instructions to someone face to face on how to frame out for a new add on window. The whole time “splainin’” step by step I got the uh huh uh huh and nodding off the head like he was understanding every detail I gave him. But I knew better as I could see it in his face with mouth wide open that he wasn’t getting it. Two days later he’s asking again for me to start over “because there was too much background noise when I explained it the first time”.
Yeahhhhhh…..

So this is what we don’t see, when advising on a forum.

Anymore what I do when I assist someone, I give them tasks to do as part of the instructional advice I give, so if they call on me again I first ask them if they did what I told them to do first. The goal was to get you to learn by making mistakes, and also to feel good about yourself as you were able to figure things out.

Dedicating tasks will tell me if the person is a true go getter wanting to learn, or if they just want me to hold their hand the entire time.
Yeah Augie, uh huh uh huh. Would you explain that again? :ROFLMAO: 🤪
 
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Yup ... for some the question comes as they unknowingly sit on the precipice of a huge rabbit hole they have no idea of ... Thus, a simple question lacking a simple anwser in many such cases.
This is the thing and I think a little bit of compassion is the way to go. Until you've really dived in it's hard to know what you know and what you don't know. I understand exhaustion from seeing the same basic intro questions over and over again, but I've never regretted being kind to somebody who was confused or excited about something that I had expertise in.

It is exhausting though when people don't make the effort to educate themselves and take advantage of resources that are out there so I understand people getting tired
 
I would say some advice should be given on ANSWERING questions as well. Too many times, I've seen a well meaning person spout complete BS and of course a newbie wont know who is who on a forum. Granted, it's not as prevalent here on AGN, but it's happened. Differences of opinion are one thing, but outright BS is quite another.

To the original point, I've mentioned before about my foray into building a laser and joining a forum to try to learn and not knowing what to even ask. I tried to research, but there was just so much involved, I didnt even know where to start and I lacked any knowledge to even know how to begin with questions. So I have a little more empathy for some. I think it's easy to see who is making the effort and who isnt. Still, at a minimum, for us to be good ambassadors to the hobby, helping someone out and possibly hooking them and growing our community is more preferable to just telling them to research on their own.
 
Think! What I mean is this: think before asking, and make it easier for people to give you a better answer by "thinking" about what you really want to know.
What air gun, what scope, what power, what, what, and what. Not a good way to ask something.
The More information someone gives,the better response or answer you will get.
If you do not know anything, you may be better off doing some homework on your own to better grasp the subject you're asking about.
Being lazy is like not aiming; how the heck are you going to hit your target if you do not take aim? Your target is to get the best information you can about what you want to know, right?:unsure:
Well sure, but that always doesn’t happen due to the variation in our abilities. If the question is not asked to your satisfaction just don’t reply with a smart a$$ remark as many do. Don’t waste the space on this forum with disrespectful remarks.
 
Some folk are trying to respectfully qualify 10 quality posts. Every so often this topic comes up as waves of new members abound. This cycle has been and is going to continue.
This had been me lately. I like to read the forums and would like to be able to purchase a couple air guns out of the classifieds and most questions I have, have already been asked.
 
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Think! What I mean is this: think before asking, and make it easier for people to give you a better answer by "thinking" about what you really want to know.
What air gun, what scope, what power, what, what, and what. Not a good way to ask something.
The More information someone gives,the better response or answer you will get.
If you do not know anything, you may be better off doing some homework on your own to better grasp the subject you're asking about.
Being lazy is like not aiming; how the heck are you going to hit your target if you do not take aim? Your target is to get the best information you can about what you want to know, right?:unsure:
How many people are like me and are relatively new here and there are things in the classifieds we would like to purchase but can't because we have to have 10 posts and 98% of the things we have questions about have already been asked 40 times? It kind of makes our ability to grow into a "full" member. I get why it's good to have some kind of "initiation" to weed out bots and people who just "take up space". I am normally quiet and reserved and much rather just search and find it myself on here as there is a plethora of information, but I also have money burning a hole in my pocket and I would rather purchase pre-owned items because I am still new enough to air guns that I want to get my hands on whatever I can to find my personal preferences.
 
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That is likely one of the greater beefs in my book as well .... Give a technical & context rich anwser and then crickets from the OP who was asking for help.
Good thing for Thick Skin and knowing you tried to help.
Gee, I would have to go back and read through my posts but I hope I haven’t been rude here and ghosted anyone. I always search before asking but at work the “thank you” emails just makes for another email. I get that it’s the social grease but like on a Zoom meeting I quickly become aware that I should only interject if I have more than filler.
I appreciate all the great information I’ve found here and check back every night. Thanks to you all for contributing to this wonderful resource!
 
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Gee, I would have to go back and read through my posts but I hope I haven’t been rude here and ghosted anyone. I always search before asking but at work the “thank you” emails just makes for another email. I get that it’s the social grease but like on a Zoom meeting I quickly become aware that I should only interject if I have more than filler.
I appreciate all the great information I’ve found here and check back every night. Thanks to you all for contributing to this wonderful resource!
Don't worry. The odds are that most people here are borderline senile. They don't remember answering your question.
 
I was new once but signing on here meant I was simply new to AGN. I had already owned and shot PCPs, spring pistons, giss pistols and a rifle, multipump pneumatics, CO 2, .... Lots of fun and was looking for a gas piston rifle or four. Got them thanks to you guys. Have made repairs, thanks again. And sorry Michael for having a bad attitude. PTSD hasn't helped me any, that and being a grumpy old man. Be Well Brothers, Bandito.