What Would You Say To The Newer Members Of CD - 2nd Edition

[JaneYoung]

Hello all:

There has been an increase in posts, threads, membership over the past few weeks in CD and it will continue for a while. Last June, Ken Leung started a thread like this:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=47752

I thought it might be helpful for us to read some of the posts in this thread and to add to in this new thread. Ken's was created during Off-Season so I thought it might be better to start a new one.

Please do take the time to read some of the posts in the thread, they are filled with thought and wisdom regarding how we can best offer information, advice, and present our views. What would you like to say to help the newer members?
Jane

[EricH]

I'm going to say the same thing as I did last time, but I'm also going to add a few things.

What I said last time:

Originally Posted by EricH

I've been thinking about this a bit myself, and came up with a list:

Watch spelling, grammar, and leet. Having the occasional misspelling, particularly on a hard word, is fine, but it's a lot easier to read a post if you don't have to deal with spelling and grammar issues. There is a spell check, which can help you with a lot of these issues. Leet can make a post unreadable without a translator. Dave Lavery has a quote in Spotlights that goes something to the effect of "bad grammar, spelling mistakes, and leet are not professional". (This is not a direct quote, as I don't remember the exact wording and Dave can write things like this better than me.)

On posting questions in the right place: first, do a search to figure out where similar threads are placed. This will also help you determine if there is an active thread addressing the topic (particularly in some forums, such as Rules/Strategy), and help deflect the dreaded "search before you post!". Second, look at the forum list (click the CD icon in the top left) and see which forum is the appropriate one, then see if it has subforums that are even more appropriate. Figure out where it needs to go, and then start the thread. If there are two places or more, put it in what you think is the most appropriate.

Answering questions the right way: First off, read the entire thread. You may gain insight into what others think on the matter. Second, think about your response. Third, be respectful. Nobody wants to see "I think your idea is stupid, don't do it!" when all they want to know is if a new drive idea is likely to work, even if it is a bad idea. A better way to respond to this situation is "I'm not sure this would work because XX and YY. Have you considered option ZZ?" or "It might work, however, you might consider AA." This is known as constructive criticism, and is a much better way. Fourth, preview the post to see what it will look like. The post composition window is not all that big! Fifth, don't just say something like "yeah, what he said!" Try to offer a different view, if possible.

Now, these are ways to help newer members avoid people complaining. This does not mean that they should be ignored! Instead, it may make the difference in the impression a first-timer makes.

New material:
Be yourself! Let us know a bit about you through what and how you post.

Be clear. If we can't understand what you are asking, we don't stand a chance of helping you. If we can understand, we may or may not be able to help, depending on what you ask. (We here is collective--many may not know about the nuances of C. Others may not know what 80-20 aluminum is, but can tell you all about C.)

If someone suggests a way to improve, follow it. If you can't understand why the suggestion is made, private message (PM) that person and ask for clarification, and I'm sure he or she will be happy to explain.

[Mike Schroeder]

The one thing i would say is this


Don't ever take anything Dave Lavery says seriously he is just playing with your minds

[Beth Sweet]

Originally Posted by "Big Mike"

The one thing i would say is this


Don't ever take anything Dave Lavery says seriously he is just playing with your minds

Are you kidding me? I know for a fact that last night when he was talking about the balloons that he was telling the truth...

Main thing newbies? DON'T GET INTIMIDATED! Honestly, we're not that scary. Remember that you are not just representing your team, you're also representing yourself. Be concious and aware to speak and act in ways that will reflect well on your team.

But honestly, this program is here for fun guys, so have fun with it! Get into it and learn as much as you can! If I can learn about how a motor makes a wheel move, trust me, FIRST can teach anyone anything.

[Billfred]

When I was in AFJROTC back in high school, the instructor would occasionally tell students to "speak clearly and distinctly." I'd apply the same wisdom here; the more details you can give clearly, the more likely you are to successfully get help. Generally, that involves a paragraph or two; one-line questions generally will result in some easy questions before we can get to the real core of the question.

(oh, and don't bump posts)

[efoote868]

Use the "add to reputation" feature with discretion. If the post makes a new, good point, go ahead and give a positive rep. If you do not agree with an opinion, do not give negative reps.

Be wary of flames, and recognize them for what they are.

Last, Search before you start a new thread. Chances are someone has already asked your question, and there will be answers in that old, dead thread.

[Cory]

Once build starts--

Read the manual.

Maybe even read it a second time. Hit ctrl-f and search the pdf file for a keyword pertaining to your question. Odds are it's already in there.

If you don't do the above, expect people to tell you to read the darn manual when you ask what the diameter of a poof ball is, or how tall your robot can be.

[Trent B]

Originally Posted by Cory

<snip> Hit ctrl-f and search the pdf file for a keyword pertaining to your question. Odds are it's already in there.<snip>

Little rewording of this.

Keywords not keyword as in the plural form.

I might call something 1x1 aluminum another person make call it extruded aluminum tubing another make call it square aluminum tubing. Same applies to the manual, while it defines at the beginning and continues to use constant terminology for parts of the field, it may use a different word than you would to describe an illegal action in a rule.

Think no running by the pool vs no jogging/sprinting/speed walking by the pool.

[Bill Moore]

Originally Posted by efoote868

Use the "add to reputation" feature with discretion. If the post makes a new, good point, go ahead and give a positive rep. If you do not agree with an opinion, do not give negative reps.

Be wary of flames, and recognize them for what they are.

In the same vein, don't take your reputation score too seriously. I sometimes see new folks with very few posts have significant negative rep. Usually it is because their wording of a post strikes others as being presented in a negative or discouraging tone. Don't leave CD if you feel that you were only misunderstood. Stay here and discuss your post (non-argumentatively) to see how it was misunderstood. If your intention is to be a respected contributing member of these forums, your positive rep will quickly overshadow your negative rep.

We have had many discussions, especially during the playing season, where diverging viewpoints are presented. Sometimes we come to agreement, sometimes not, but we strive to maintain personal respect for each other while we present our views. It is proper to have a disagreement, but it is improper to be disrespectful.

[Schnabel]

Originally Posted by dlavery

Setting Big Mike's comments aside (and if you have to think about the above post for more than four seconds, there is a problem), this entire thread should be required reading for every new user.

-dave

Originally Posted by dlavery

I really like Big Mike.


-dave

Press edit before you post a second time in within a matter of 24 hours. This keeps the threads a little bit cleaner.

Listen to Big Mike when he talks about Dave too!

Smilies are fun but they do get a little annoying! Just don't put too many of them in one post.

EDIT:There is a five smilies limit. :sad smilie:

[JaneYoung]

I did not know that, thank you Eric!

[BBnum3]

This has been said before but: Double check and read over your post before you send it so that it means exactly what you want it to. From personal experience I know that this is extremely important.

[Conor Ryan]

In my Meteorology class today, we were talking about seasonal patterns worldwide, some places get no rain for 9 months of the year, and then the rain doesn't seem to stop for the other 3 months. It's the same thing in FIRST, and on Chiefdelphi too, except we get "rain" almost all year long, the "floods" only come for a few months. Anyway, welcome new members, it's an unwritten rule here that you act the way you want to be treated, act the way you would while working on the robot, and thirdly, have fun.
Remember, it's just a game
Don't take first too seriously, remember you must be a student to be on the team (mentors are there to help and teach). So make sure you work as hard at your school work as you do on your robot (it'll pay off, big time).

Remember, there is no such thing as a stupid question (some are just better than others).

When the Time comes, don't forget to RTFM (Read The First Manual)

It's time for me to go out and dance in the rain, have fun.

ps- Their just dots.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Conor Ryan

When the Time comes, don't forget to RTFM (Read The First Manual)

I thought it was read the FULL manual--as in cover to cover, multiple times, by the end of Week 1, and review for the next 5 weeks...

[dlavery]

Originally Posted by "Big Mike"

The one thing i would say is this

Don't ever take anything Dave Lavery says seriously he is just playing with your minds

I really like Big Mike.


-dave