trends in gear..all you lemmings

Hehe, this thread shud be sticky and anyone who just registered, will have to make sure having read thru everything here, answer few questions, before able to post in the forum. And for any existing members, our status will be freezed/post count reset/rep points reset and go thru the questions related to issues this thread is addressing before we can post again.

We cant the change quality of questions/discussions or culture overnight, but we can try to adapt and go towards a better tomorrow. Like PAP, we have more goot years ahead, in here!
 
theblueark said:
I never diss "stupid" questions. Understandably, everyone is a beginner once. However, when I mention unintelligence, I am referring to the discussion. Consider the following:

Questioner: "wHat is the best amp?!?!? Help me plsssssssss!!!!"
Nice guy: "Maybe you could state what kind of amp you're looking for? Practice? Budget? What kind of music?"
Retard 1: "Get a Marshall MG15 dude, trust me it's the best amp"
Retard 2: "Hi we have stock of MG15, thanks"
Retard 3: "Get a DS1, my 2 cents"
Nice guy: "Erm, the DS1 is a pedal, why would you recommend that as an amp?"
Retard 2: "Hi we have stock of DS1, thanks"
Retard 3: "It works for me"
Questioner: "Hiii dudes tanks for your helpz, i bot the DS1, how come deres' no sound when i plug my guitar in??????"

Nice guy to himself: "Why do I bother."

Having read your exaggerated yet crystal clear example, I am beginning to have a better idea of what the TS is exasperated about. i do concur with blueark and the TS that Soft does have quite a large portion of forumers who are rather lazy and expect to be spoonfed by the weath of information and knowledge from more esteemed forumers. I also agree that some of the questions were not very specific but very superficial and general, which can really be annoying when seen at high frequency.

But very unfortunately, the so-called "tone" or choice of words used in the TS's first post was probably not very tactful or considered to be a little too harsh to be accepted. Therefore, some forumers were offended thus some disagreed with him fervently and the topic side-tracked. The main gist of this thread revived when the TS clarified his statement and thus finally began some intelligent discussion, with theblueark taking the lead, followed closely by arsony, whiteshred, 3rdlogic, pathein etc, with even Mr Soft left an useful note.

But soon, the topic digressed again. It digressed to some very foreign topic that has little of no relevance to the TS original post, and the conversations among some of these forumers appear to be some inside joke or only meant exclusively for those in the so-called inner circle.

Then troll and snuffleupagus wrote something pertaining to the "high and mighty, holier than thou" users.

You see, sometimes, it is not just the so called noobs (or I prefer to call them "pre-pros" in the hope that one day, noobs like myself can become a good player) who have 'degraded' Soft, but also the HAMHTT users whose comments seem condescending and aloft. I believe that when troll and snuffleupagus talked about the HAMTT, they were not refering to the blueark, but some other users.

Oh well, the experienced players blamed the younger ones for the degradation, while the newer ones continue with their so called act of "stupidity" and brainless following of "branded" gears, while the more experienced players talked among themselves, lamenting how much Soft has degraded. My point is: it is myopic to just comment that Soft has degraded as a result of younger users. Perhaps we should extend this to "Soft has degraded due to the change in the mentality of the entire forumers body.

By the way, I do not completely see why the lack of moderators or lack of responsiveness from moderators or inactiveness of moderators can lead to the degradation of Soft. If you do not mind, may you please elaborate.
 
I've been here for a while at least. And I'm a glad, and lucky benefactor of the time of 'intelligent, detail, informative' replies. Namely from people like Daniel, Ark, Randolf, and Subversion. And I profess to have never been a 'lazy noob'.

I remember the time when I brought my guitar to Daniel for some help with it. Or being introduced to Neil Young and the wonders of his tone by Ark, and subsequently getting him to build me a looper. Of which I still use regularly. And the endless other advice and useful information that I've gleaned off this forum from fellow forumites. These are but a few of the many examples of goodwill and sharing existent within the confines of this forum that I've personally experience. And boy, was I impressed.

It's true that many newer members are sorely lacking in forum etiquette. Asking uninformed questions that are undoubtedly tiresome to answer on a constant basis. But that doesn't mean that we have to stop helping them.
Everybody needs directions, and we shall provide. Because in essence, forums are all about sharing.
Threads such as 'Best amp', 'Best pedal', paints a rough picture of the wide range of gear available, and it can be a good starting point for beginners to get acquainted with the variety of products available.

Recently, my interest have been directed towards audio equipment. Specifically, portable amps, headphones amps, DACs, headphones/earphones and tube CD players etc.

It's a completely new field, and it's just like the time when I started out with the guitar. The forum that I turn to for the aforementioned topic is the Jaben forum as well as Head-fi. I spent a great long time looking through the existing threads and have been trying to absorb as much as possible.

And trust me. Those threads on what are the best amps and such were very helpful. Similarly, there are waves or trends with regards to gear on those other forums. And they helped me to determine the various products and such. And it helped me narrow down the amps that I'd like to audition from 100 to maybe 10. And no, I've not wasted a single cent on chasing a trend, so far.

The people there were very obliging with their advice, which are oft very professional and intelligent. And I totally appreciate their help, just like how I really appreciate all the help that I've gotten from the day I first joined SOFT. It once meant something to be a SOFTie, despite the rather feeble connotation. And I still feel proud to be a SOFTie, and I think all of you should too.

I'm sure I've deviated from the original post from the TS, and I apologise. I just felt that I should say something, simply because I've always held this forum close to my heart.
 
Here's a very interesting discussion I chanced upon a few months back on the life cycles of internet communities: xkcd • View topic - The Life-Cycle of a Community on the Internet

You will find posts where people share similar experiences on other forums, and the common topic of the "old guard" and "immature new blood" come up.

Here's an excerpt from one of them: "If there's a massive influx of new members, it can overpower and put off the old guard, as the focus of the forum can shift. While some of the oldtimers will appreciate the new ideas and direction, some of the oldtimers will not and they will leave in protest. It happens. There's nothing you can do to stop it. That's why forums tend to react badly to massive influxes; they don't want to see their old friends go, basically. They don't want to see their hangout turned into something they don't recognize."

We see how that has happened somewhat here too.


Here's a fairly good article of forum moderation: The Forum Moderator's Guide To Life - Parts 1 and 2 [Community]

Maybe the life cycle is a fact, and "degradation" is unavoidable. I actually don't see it so much as a degradation as a cultural shift. As to why I feel moderators should take a more proactive stance, it comes from my experience from other boards and i'm not too sure how to describe it. But consider an extremely oversimplified scenario:

If whenever a person posts repeatedly on subjects not pertaining to the topic of a thread, a moderator posts "please stay on topic". And if after repeated requests and warnings, that person fails to do so, results in a short ban (1 week?). Would he not be dissuaded from doing such? This extends to all caps, personal insults, threats, and other such general forum rules.

Oh here's another very interesting link, a forum on running forums: vBulletin Forum Moderation - vBulletin FAQ Forums
 
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Wah ark, you must be bored out of your skull from studying to be posting so long here muahaha.

I think you're right when you say that the helpful people have dropped out of sight. Can't blame them. After a while, the sheer volume of inane posts just overwhelms. Edder doesn't even bother posting his usual "Google.com" replies anymore! :mrgreen:

While the old adage goes "we were all noobs once", the forum shouldn't encourage a spoonfeeding mentality. I'm sure Edder or any of the "old timers" and knowledgable members would be happy to answer questions that show the asker has done at least some modicum of research before asking the question.

As for moderation, yes some degree of moderation is needed. Moderation in the sense that a chairman of a debate is a moderator; facilitating discussions and making sure the hecklers shut the hell up. Also to make newcomers understand the rules before posting. And to me there is only one rule ... "no stupid questions!"

One thing I hope to see happen (and is slowly happening) is for regular posters to sort of become "deputy" moderators. If someone posts in the wrong section, or a question that has been answered before, these posters will let them know. This is how it should be in a true community, and not leave the "housekeeping" to the moderators all the time.
 
moderator busy playing paintballz
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sayy sayy sayy! gosh tht guy hardd gay -_-

anyway its been really nice reading trough the posts in this thread.
 

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