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Silly Sausage

What with all the recent 'hostility' with DIYers, some Trainee/Apprentices' are getting tarred with the same brush with some of their early postings. Probably guilty of this myself.

Is there some way to encourage the 'youngsters' to add some profile info so they don't get treated as DIY merchants?
 
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I agree. While we do get DIYers who clearly are a danger to themselves and need to "get an electrician in", too many people with some knowledge are being shouted down. If everyone joining or posting had to tick one box from a list and the status shown with their other info alongside their postings it would give some clue as to what level to pitch replies. The existing status phrase, apart from Electricians Arms Member, sponsor, etc., really only indicates number of posts rather than level of knowledge.

Something like:
Householder (not intending to get hands-on);
Inexperienced DIYer;
Experienced DIYer/Technical Background;
Trainee Electrician;
Practising Electricain;
Retired Electrician;

Although not foolproof (someone can claim to be something he isn't) I think it would be helpful.
Is it possible to add this feature?
 
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Something needs to happen.

I was reading a thread the other night where a chap was asking for feedback from previously qualified domestic installers and it turned into a slagging match from established memebers on here.
I find it very dissapointing and I think the moderators need to toughen up on this.
 
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I've already suggested an Apprentice/Trainee forum!! Ideal for those that are training, helping each other out, and any experienced sparks who go there will know their status and can help out with the queries posted... We certainly need something along those lines here!!....
 
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One thing that annoys me is:

I employed an electrician to do XXXX
You employed the electrician, no doubt on price not recommendation.
You haven’t contacted the electrician, you haven’t contacted the electricians trade body.
You come on here wanting bullets made for you.

I won’t make bullets for some fool to fire, because to will come down to “I was told on Electrician Forum”
 
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There's no point tinkering round the edges of the problem. Anyone who isn't a qualified electrician should be given a ten year jail sentence for asking a reasonable question, ranging up to life for a daft and/or dangerous question.

Apprentices or people training should be made to clean the forum once a week, and spend half an hour each morning putting all the toys back into the pram from the night before.

Alternatively, we could all just stick to the 'if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything' approach to new forum members. There's no need to bust a blood vessel everytime someone posts something daft or contentious.
 
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I agree with Engineer54 there should be 2 seperate section Tainees and DIYers and on all posts they should declare where they are in regards to understanding and qualification so that people get a better idea.

O yes and a sticky saying you need to give as much information as possible and some pictures would be nice and also the big bugbear if you write in text speak then you will not get a reply to your post because if you are to lazy to explain your problem in a clear manner then I for one will not reply.
 
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O yS & a sticky saying U nEd 2 GIV az much info az posebL & som pix wud b nIs & also d big bugbear f U wrte n txt spk thN U wiL not git a rply 2 yor post cuz f U R 2 lazy 2 explain yor prob n a clr maNR thN I 4 1 wiL not rply.

Sorry OldTimer, I couldn’t resist it.
 
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Why not identify the said people with a yellow star. and maybe put up a segregated area called the ghetto?, this is an open forum where people come to discuss things. It's the god complex posters on here who spoil it for everyone, If I give info and it's wrong then thats my problem, I dont understand people on here GOD complex and all shooting everyone else down, tell you now if your as good as you think you are you would'nt be posting on here all day.


Kind Regards Alex :wink_smile:
 
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Alex Powers said:
Why not identify the said people with a yellow star. and maybe put up a segregated area called the ghetto?
Click to expand...

Ooh! Alex, that is a bit harsh!

I honestly don't think that was the intention at all, it was to stop trainees from being shot to ribbons for asking basic questions and the like on the open forum.

If anything, it was to help the people who were asking the questions, so that the answers could be tailored to suit their status as a trainee.
 
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spark 68 said:
Ooh! Alex, that is a bit harsh!I honestly don't think that was the intention at all, it was to stop trainees from being shot to ribbons for asking basic questions and the like.If anything, it was to help the people who were asking the questions, so that the answers could be tailored to sut their status as a trainee.
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WHat is a basic question though?
 
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spark 68 said:
Ooh! Alex, that is a bit harsh!

I honestly don't think that was the intention at all, it was to stop trainees from being shot to ribbons for asking basic questions and the like.

If anything, it was to help the people who were asking the questions, so that the answers could be tailored to suit their status as a trainee.
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LOl, ok my humour has always been my problem......

But what qualifies the posters to post response's, are Di's or no 2391 banned etc, if people feel like the forum doesnt suit them why dont they go start one with a difference where people ask questions and they are the only one's who answer?
 
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LOl, ok my humour has always been my problem......
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I took no offence mate, I just thought it was a bit harsh lol..

But what qualifies the posters to post response's, are Di's or no 2391 banned etc
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Iam both a registered DI, and have 2391, so which corner of the camp should I stand in ?, only joking BTW lol

I did not advocate splitting the forum into more sections, but I could see the validity of the idea for the reasons given by others with far more knowledge than I.

I don't think Iam best placed to give anyone Advice in this context, a lecturer Iam not, beside I still learn things from Tony, E54 and Widdler etal.:wink_smile:
 
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spark 68 said:
it was to stop trainees from being shot to ribbons for asking basic questions and the like on the open forum.
Click to expand...

Why is anyone getting "shot to ribbons"? Sure most questions can be answered by looking back through old posts, some questions just need thinking about before posting, and some questions really are just daft. None of which justifies the keyboard warrior mentality, or the way people are replied to on occaision.

I can guarantee that the attitude displayed in some replies would only get one outcome if they were face to face. I suppose some of it is down to poor parenting, some will be insecurity, some will be a p1ssing contest, and some people are just door handles.
 
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Why is anyone getting "shot to ribbons"?
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Not by me they are not!, if I don't have anything good or constructive to say, then I don't post simple as, If I feel I can help someone then I will.

There has been threads on here which have bordered on bullying, is what the originators of this thread were alluding to.
 
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I wasn't aiming my comments at you, or anyone else in particular. I was aiming them at the type of threads you've accurately described as bullying. My point being that rather than split the forum in to more and more splinter and special interest sections making it increasingly difficult to navigate, some people should put as much thought into their replies as they recommend others do before asking questions.

Don't treat the symptoms, cure the disease.
 
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I agree with you to some extent imago, but where do you draw the line between a gentle-ish ribbing and as you also rightly point out where it turns into a bullying or peeing competition ?

I think what Widdler and E54 (they can speak for themselves) were saying was, if everyone knew the person who was asking something basic, was a trainee, they could offer sensible (text book?) replies, instead of the thread degenerating into chaos, and people being intimidated.

See my post #22, about where I stand.
 
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I see what you're saying, but I don't see what difference a poster's qualifications or lack of them make to asking a basic question. If you feel minded to do so, answer the question. If you don't, leave it and move on. It's not a difficult thing really, and most people manage it most of the time.

As to where the line is drawn, if you wouldn't say it to someone in that way in the real world, don't do it on a forum. A bit of banter and mickey taking is to be expected on a site, and so it should be on a trade related forum. Going too far is not tolerated on site, and nor should it be on a forum.
 
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If you feel minded to do so, answer the question. If you don't, leave it and move on.


As to where the line is drawn, if you wouldn't say it to someone in that way in the real world, don't do it on a forum. A bit of banter and mickey taking is to be expected on a site, and so it should be on a trade related forum. Going too far is not tolerated on site, and nor should it be on a forum.
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This exactly how I see it, I always treat everyone the way I would expect to be treated, both on here, and in the real world.

I have been on sites where apprentices have been treat like dirt, not by me I hasten to add, I always found I got more respect, and they were a lot more helpful if you treat them with respect, as it is a two way street.
 
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Engineer54 said:
I've already suggested an Apprentice/Trainee forum!! Ideal for those that are training, helping each other out, and any experienced sparks who go there will know their status and can help out with the queries posted... We certainly need something along those lines here!!....
Click to expand...

I think it's a cracking idea, I emailed Phil the moderator about it a few weeks ago, keeps everything In one place, not open to prying eyes of the general public and will maybe stop re-posting. I have found this site and absolute life saver at times and the members are spot on, giving advice and just enough info for you to get the ball rolling...and I feel not so much of a time waster now I can add to posts here and there...
But yes Engineer 54 good idea...
 
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Only had a quick read through all this, but with that and other recent threads, my conclusion is...
If newbies are serious about joining the forum and want help, they should give some profile information so everyone can make their own mind up if they're genuine (eg not DIY)

People who hide in complete anonymity on forums generally get the grief.
 
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Maybe each of us should put our status (qualifications and experience) in our signatures...

I like to have a go at answering people's questions on here, might be a bit sad, but i like a chance to get the books out and do the calcs just to further my own knowledge, but I wouldn't want anyone to take what I said as 100% truth.

If I had "trainee/apprentice" at the bottom of my post, it would be clear to others that I was a person of some experience and knowledge, but not someone to be relied on completely...

In fact, I think that's such a good idea, I'm going to do it now :)
 
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DNS1 said:
Maybe each of us should put our status (qualifications and experience) in our signatures...

If I had "trainee/apprentice" at the bottom of my post, it would be clear to others that I was a person of some experience and knowledge
Click to expand...

The simplest ideas are always the best!

Implementing it, that's the mods problem.
 
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