Whatever Happened to the Old Chief Delphi?

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by IndySam

Learn to listen to all comments, good and bad. It will make you a better Engineer.

I respect that suggestion as I know it from my engineering classes. Note that I never mentioned not being able to take negative comments, though. They just need to actually be constructive. By "bad" comments, I think of a comment about a design that states something obvious (or something that's already been mentioned by the OP) and gets repeated over and over (or as Katie put it- hoopla) I know I've added my share of hoopla in the past.

I like what's written in bold:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...58&postcount=6

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

I know I've added my share of hoopla in the past.

The fact that you've grown to the point of recognizing your that early comments you made may have been "hoopla" is a testament to why we need to be wary of some of the things happening here as expressed in your previous post. How will the next group of CDers be inspired to improve their CAD skills (topic of choice)? How will aspiring CADers get hooked into this shadow network if the posts from these experts recede deeper and deeper into the archives?

Another overlooked benefit of posting designs here is that they are beneficial even for those of us who have no aspirations to be CAD experts or designers. I open almost every CAD drawing I see pop into CD-Media despite having CAD skills that could be described as poor. I do this because I never know when these threads will spawn ideas, or when knowledge gained in these threads will be applicable to something my team is doing, even if it's completely unrelated.

I'm not suggesting that everyone should post every idea they sketch out on here, some members here are clearly very prolific designers and if they posted every last idea they came up with we'd be buried in content. What I am suggesting is that people should not hesitate to post ideas they think are particularly interesting, not just for their own benefit, but for the benefit of those who are now where you once were.

I understand that some of the comments you may receive on a post may not be helpful, but be honest with yourself, how much time do you really spend filtering those comments out? Those comments are posted by students that are likely eager to try and contribute, students that are truly excited about what they are doing; although the comments may be obnoxious at times (believe me, I know that feeling) we must remind ourselves that our goal is to encourage these students so they remain excited. "Obvious" comments are not the reason that we should stop posting ideas here on CD, they are the reason we must continue or increase our efforts to share our knowledge with the CD community.

[Andy Baker]

Originally Posted by rc_cola1323

CD has really helped me learn a lot about robots and helped me keep CAD'n.

I don't think I post/upload a ton of CAD anymore, not that I stopped doing it or I want to hide the drawings of 17 year old. Just I'd rather just IM or ask people directly instead of starting a discussion.

I would love to see CD start buzzing with more machined parts and CAD.

-RC

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

I hope I'm not going too far in saying this: a lot of students are afraid to post designs here on CD (and even some adults) because of the lack of discretion others give while posting comments/suggestions/feedback about a design.

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

It takes a lot of courage to post your work in CD, no doubt about it.

This is just a thought. I totally respect your post, Akash. I'd like to see CD start buzzing, too, RC.

Jane

I truly want CD to continue to be a place where students and engineers can still post designs and ideas. Like Scott (Indysam) says, receiving critique is tough, but it is required process in continuous improvement.

RC and Akash... what you guys are experiencing is a transition of roles. For a few years, you have been the guys who have posted designs on here, and then you get feedback. Some feedback is good, some is not so good. Now, you have gained experience and expertise, and your designs are getting very good. You see some people with less experience than you critique your design and these critiques are not as helpful. Therefore, your desire to show designs here is less. However... what is happening is that more and more people are LEARNING FROM YOU.

As you look up to folks like Adam, JVN, and others, people are now looking up to you for inspiration. They may not tell you that you inspire them... but you do.

So, keep doing what you are doing. People appreciate what you do. I love seeing your passion in design and your willingness to post things for the world to see. I am sure that three are many other people, coast to coast, who also appreciate your work.

As for the few negative comments that may come out once in a while, I say we fight that with more positive comments. It's easy to drown out the naysayers with a nice helping of encouragement. Feel free to poke me once in a while for assistance in helping drown out negativity. I often get too busy, with my head buried into a project, that I don't pay attention to some things that I need to.

Sincerely,
Andy Baker

[rsisk]

I design software for a living. Part of that design process is to run multiple design reviews where I bring in my peers, representatives from each dept. in the company, as well as customer/partners. In other words people who have a stake in the software being developed.

There is nothing like sitting in front of a group of people ripping apart your design. Or having to explain over and over again why you design things the way you did. It can be frustrating and humiliating.

Kind of like posting a design on CD.

But in the end somethings happen:

First, the other stakeholders learn from the discussion and have a good appreciation for what is being developed. Education has occurred.

Second, my design gets a thorough analysis by people that use the software and may see things differently than I did, probably pointing out legit flaws or short comings. Designs are improved.

Third, I get better at defending my design decisions. Definitely a valuable skill, especially when you are trying to convince the engineers they need to write the software in a particular way. More education has occurred.

And ultimately, I am the designer, so I get to decide what I do with the feedback. Some makes it into the software, and some gets ignored. But in the end the world is a better place for having done the design review.

So keep posting your ideas to the CD thrashing machine and make use of the positives and learn from the negatives.

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by EricH

I don’t like saying this, and I’m not quite sure how, but I think someone has to say it now, before the build season gets here.
Over the past 6 months or so, Chief Delphi has become increasingly negative in tone. This is disturbing on a number of levels.

6 months huh? That's about the last time I posted heavily on this site (April).
Don't make me come back & whip all of you back into shape people!

Let's hear less talk of change, & more actual change for the better!
Starting now... and... GO!

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

6 months huh? That's about the last time I posted heavily on this site (April).

You heard him folks, this is Elgin's fault.

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by Andrew Schreiber

You heard him folks, this is Elgin's fault.

Ahahahaha! Yeah, all my fault because I left. My bad people!

[J93Wagner]

Whoever posted this thread is right, it can be hard at times to make sure you think twice before posting. I committed offense and I didn't realize it until someone else pointed out how bad it sounds to someone else.

[JohnBoucher]

We've lost the feeling that we are all of the same FIRST family. Family members fight and disagree, but we are still family.

When was the last time you posted in the birthday thread? Check it out. Only a few people posting.

We're family. Start acting like it or no game hint for you!!!

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by JohnBoucher

We're family. Start acting like it or no game hint for you!!!

Can I hold you to this? If so I am going to start acting like a jerk! (I for one would like to keep my December free from game hint threads)

[JaneYoung]

I think that we are dealing with the results of the impact of social networks and groups forming either formally or informally. Social networks are making inroads into the social fibers of our cultures. They can enhance communications in some areas and destroy communications in other areas. They can be a useful tool or a destructive one. Bottom line, individuals make up communities in our schools, our towns, our cities, our countries. Individuals also make up communities in social networks and in forums such as Chief Delphi. How much, how little, and how well thought out the contributions made by the individuals are, determines the strength of the fibers that make up our communities and our cultures.

It is that simple. It's that technology thing again, and the wisdom that should accompany it.

[Taylor]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

I think that we are dealing with the results of the impact of social networks and groups forming either formally or informally. Social networks are making inroads into the social fibers of our cultures. They can enhance communications in some areas and destroy communications in other areas. They can be a useful tool or a destructive one. Bottom line, individuals make up communities in our schools, our towns, our cities, our countries. Individuals also make up communities in social networks and in forums such as Chief Delphi. How much, how little, and how well thought out the contributions made by the individuals are, determines the strength of the fibers that make up our communities and our cultures.

It is that simple. It's that technology thing again, and the wisdom that should accompany it.

Which is exactly why CD is so popular! It is so refreshing to come to a public forum that is not filled with vulgarities, "FIRSTIES!!1!", "+1 tbh" and all the other bullplop that fills the Interwebs. People generally post well-thought-out ideas, concerns, suggestions, and topics here, often take the time to proofread and check spelling & grammar, and we end up with a forum bursting with passion. Whether it's discussion of the new game hint, control system, or a really cool transparent drive train, the people that use CD are not only academically inclined, but care deeply about issues discussed here.
Unfortunately, sometimes this passion manifests itself in negative ways (but not nearly as harshly as one would find at a random Internet forum) and we should be aware of that - make sure our messages are clear, and if negativity is encountered, be sure not to take it personally; use it as a learning tool.