Suggestion to all of the gurus answering n00b questions

[miroslav]

You know, back when I used to walk to school in the snow uphill both ways...

That was you?
I use to pass you everyday walking downhill, both ways.

If I had a question I had to open up my battered copy of the Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook and read words off of paper!

My copy has been within arm's reach for years.

It's funny how these days when there is SO MUCH INFO all over the Interwebs (granted, not all good), and you can keyword answers in like.....0.5 seconds...that some people will come around asking the most dumbest, simplest questions "out loud", when they can get the answers on their own.
I mean..."what's an XLR"....what's a ground loop"..."what's the difference between dB and dBFS"...etc, etc, etc....this shit has been answered like a million times. Google any of them and you will get at least 10 pages of links...
....it's not that hard.

Yeah, back in the early days of "home-rec"....I wish we had Google.
I remember going to the local libraries thinking I would find volumes of current info on audio recording... ...and all they had were maybe 1-2 books that some lab-coat wrote back in the '50s.
I literally devoured every trade rag and piece of hard-copy I could find, just so I had something to ponder. If I had questions about what I was reading....I had to dig further. No one around to answer questions other than musicians like myself who were also a bit into the more "techy" audio stuff.
Most of what I learned was through trial-n-error in the early days...but I never had so much fun recording like I did in those days.

"Tune in next week, same time for another trip down memory lane....."

 

[Chili]

I remember when I "discovered" that Yamaha book. I couldn't believe something like existed. It had all the answers... except for how to actually make my noise sound like music.

 

[grimtraveller]

The case for the prosecution !

Too often it seems of late that respondents tell people to take the equivalent of a semester of Audio Engineering

That is sometimes the case. I think it reflects, however, a frustration of knowing that sometimes the info required by the OP is already there and is already put better than the responder can, but the responder still wants to help. The responder can, I guess, take the view 'well, I've got nothing to add here so I won't get involved' but then there's the risk of questions that end up with no replies at all. There's loads of "no replies" in HR.

But yes, the answer to one question should definitely not be a class of audio engineering.

Like somebody pointed out right at the start of this thread, that really depends on the question. On the other hand, things can be taken to the other extreme of just answering "yes" or "no" which is equally frustrating.

I assume that when someone is asking me a specific question, they want me to help them distill the vast amount of information available so that they don't have to wade through a half a day's worth of web pages to find an answer that will move them beyond whatever is holding up their creative process.

That may or may not be a correct assumption.
Unless someone sits alongside a person with a problem to show them the way out, then the questioner is going to have to read something and there's no guarantee that your simple distilled answer is going to be what they want either.

I suppose I could use it as an opportunity to show them in glaring spotlight, how little they know and by extension, how much I know - but I prefer to just try and help them over the hurdle so that they can get on with whatever they are wanting to do.

I think on many forums you will get people who consciously or otherwise do this, who forget that they were once no0Bs {or is that N0obzzz} and like to show how much they know while putting others down. A good read through the HR archives will throw up plenty of those.

I'm willing to bet that most of the time, they don't want the scientific explanation. They want someone who understands to put it into terms that they can understand.

Manuals have that element to them. Sometimes, they are written in a way that is really hard to fathom so in those kind of instances it makes sense if one can get an explanation in fairly plain English, rather than the "Russian translated to Japanese translated to English" manualese.

Writing a half-assed novel isn't likely going to be helpful as I'm pretty certain they can find the novel version elsewhere fairly easily.

In a way though, that's democracy. If you don't get what you want here, look for it elsewhere. Many have looked for it elsewhere, not found it, but found it at HR. And the vice is also versa.

Forums are paradoxically all things to all people yet can't be everything to everyone.

 

[grimtraveller]

The defence rests.

Suggestion to all of the gurus answering n00b questions.

Just answer the question.

Over the last 3 weeks, there have been 15 Newbie questions that have had no replies whatsoever and a whole load more that peter out after the initial responder asks for a little back up info, only for the OP never to appear again. By referring to some responders as "gurus", you're kind of setting out your stall, which I think is pretty negative and unnecessarilly sarcastic. The picture painted by your OP is somewhat unbalanced.

It's wonderful that you want others to learn, and that you suggest stickies or other websites that have helped you, but first and foremost just answer the question.

If you know anything at all about human beings, you'll recognize that different people answer questions in different ways. You can't dictate how someone must answer a question. We are not identical production line toffees that all taste the same. That's why God designed children to be a fusion of a male and a female of vastly differing characters and life paths. Differences between human beings are among the first things any baby anywhere takes in.
Secondly, there comes a point when many simply will not bother to tell someone something when the information has been written down numerous times and exists in a fairly distilled form that they can take their time with. There's only a few people here that write encyclopaedic, "War and peace" length posts .
When my kids ask me the meaning of a word, sometimes I'll tell them. Most of the time I'll say "look it up in the dictionary". Am I being a crumcake Dad by pointing them to where they can find the answer ? Am I truly scarring them for life ?

Asking for help should not necessitate an hour of required reading.

What if, by just answering the question, as you put it, one gives a thorough and detailed answer that takes an hour to get through ?
I do agree that short simple answers are preferable. But preferable is not always best.
This topic is full of too many variables to be straightforwardly black and white. For instance, because different people see different sides, they'll give different shades of answers {depending on the question} which in turn spark others to make related points.......

 

[CrowsofFritz]

Like somebody pointed out right at the start of this thread, that really depends on the question. On the other hand, things can be taken to the other extreme of just answering "yes" or "no" which is equally frustrating.
That may or may not be a correct assumption.

I'm not justifying a "yes" or a "no," but I'm having a hard time asking myself a question that would require a semesters worth of audio engineering class. Has anyone else here taken a class? They fill you to the brim with information! It's a shame I've forgotten much of it. Perhaps I'll return to my notebook some day.

 

[grimtraveller]

I'm not justifying a "yes" or a "no," but I'm having a hard time asking myself a question that would require a semesters worth of audio engineering class.

In general I agree with you and in general that rarely happens here. Wheelie made it seem like it's de rigeur at HR. When Wheelie spoke of a semester of audio classes, he was just being sarcastic. It's his little shorthand for "much in depth {and probably complicated} reading".


But let me give you a quick example. Somebody writes in asking what thickness of foam they should use on their wall for soundproofing. One could simply reply "No amount of foam is going to soundproof your room" and leave it at that. But what does that tell the OP ? Why the heck should they just accept that statement that might simply be opinion ? An explanation about the difference between room treatment and soundproofing is in order. An explanation about bass waves, high frequency waves, corners, transmission loss etc comes into the equation. But all the OP wanted to know was what thickness of foam would be good for soundproofing. Telling them 'none' technically and pedantically answers the question. But in the real scheme of things, it doesn't, at all.

 

[CrowsofFritz]

Ahh, I see what you're saying.


Yeah, I agree with that. I really only give a yes or a no when the question was set up in such a way and when there is little reason to give external information.

For instance, "can I use this condenser mic with said audio interface?"

"Yes, just press the 48v button, which stands for phantom power (the voltage needed to power the mic) and you're good to go.

 

[RAMI]

But let me give you a quick example. Somebody writes in asking what thickness of foam they should use on their wall for soundproofing. One could simply reply "No amount of foam is going to soundproof your room" and leave it at that. But what does that tell the OP ? Why the heck should they just accept that statement that might simply be opinion ? An explanation about the difference between room treatment and soundproofing is in order. An explanation about bass waves, high frequency waves, corners, transmission loss etc comes into the equation. But all the OP wanted to know was what thickness of foam would be good for soundproofing. Telling them 'none' technically and pedantically answers the question. But in the real scheme of things, it doesn't, at all.

....and then that answer can branch off into someone (probably me) saying that foam is actually useless for room treatment, too. Without explaining why, that statement would most likely be taken as a snobby and possibly un-informed response. But if you try and explain why foam is useless, you get people accusing you of the same thing this ridiculous thread is about.

I'd say that at least 75% of the time "just answering the question" is either impossible or not helpful at all.

 

[wheelema]

Remind me to smack myself upside my head with a 2x4 the next time I get another bright idea.

 

[jonny deep]

Remind me to smack myself upside my head with a 2x4 the next time I get another bright idea.

Just do it now - save time.

 

[Supercreep]

OP is wrong. There are few simple answers to simple questions.

This is a great forum for people at all skill levels to learn from each other. Those who care to write in detail and at length to explain should be appreciated more and scolded less.

 

[lasagne]

Remind me to smack myself upside my head with a 2x4 the next time I get another bright idea.

But then it'll never happen

 

[funkygas]

As a Noob, I appreciate ANY help people are happy to give - and all for free! I appreciate that people with years more experience and skill than myself are happy to share their wisdom with someone that is not in their league.

BUT, I think that Noobs also need to use some common sense:

1) SEARCH first. Search the forums and/google before asking the same questions over and over again which have already been answered!
2) READ THE MANUAL.

For all the non-noobs:

1) Please be patient. Quite often us Noobs don't actually how to ask the correct question for the problem we have.
2) Just because we ask a dumb/repeated question doesn't always mean we haven't read the manual. We just don't understand it. Yet.
2) You were all Noobs once also!

 

[nsureit]

I am grateful for links to other resources. I can think of few questions that can be adequately answered in a four sentence post. Why not refer someone to another well researched and articulated article on a website...?

 

[ecc83]

I am grateful for links to other resources. I can think of few questions that can be adequately answered in a four sentence post. Why not refer someone to another well researched and articulated article on a website...?

Links are fine. I could for instance give you routes to several worthy,wordy treatise on "balanced lines" but I am sure I could sort out a question about balanced kit in four sentences to the level and satisfaction of the average noob?

Maybe I come from a more gentlemanly era? (more Mr Godfrey than Mr Paxman!)* but I find the terse, one or two word replies just plain rude. I mean, why bother to go on a forum if you are not prepared to engage with the people there?

In the limit a forum could be just a clearing house, a way station for information. Not somewhere I ever want to be.

*Or maybe just a rambling BOF!

Dave.

 

[moresound]

Mighty gentlemanly of you, Dave.

 

[CrowsofFritz]

Links are fine. I could for instance give you routes to several worthy,wordy treatise on "balanced lines" but I am sure I could sort out a question about balanced kit in four sentences to the level and satisfaction of the average noob?

Maybe I come from a more gentlemanly era? (more Mr Godfrey than Mr Paxman!)* but I find the terse, one or two word replies just plain rude. I mean, why bother to go on a forum if you are not prepared to engage with the people there?

In the limit a forum could be just a clearing house, a way station for information. Not somewhere I ever want to be.

*Or maybe just a rambling BOF!

Dave.

Do you find EVERY one/two/three word replies rude? Some questions calls for them. Extra info could be added but is not specific to the question.

 

[RAMI]

Do you find EVERY one/two/three word replies rude?

No.







(you see?)

 

[Lt. Bob]

I think EVERYone here is nuts to be honest.
There ARE no rules about how much or little to reply.
It means nothing.
When I ask a question I use the replies I like and ignore the ones I don't.
Just like in real life where some people are chatterboxes and some are very terse and have little to say, people post in all sorts of different ways.
This idea that you simply have to respond in one particular way is just dumb as hell.
It's clear just in this very thread that there is absolutely no consensus whatsoever on what constitutes an appropriate length of answer to someone.
People need to quit with the idea that, "I'm gonna ask a question and you have to answer it in the form I prefer or you're insulting me."
If someone just gives you links and you want a more hands-on answer just skip that one and keep scrolling down 'till someone answers the way you want.

 

[RAMI]

I think EVERYone here is nuts to be honest.
There ARE no rules about how much or little to reply.
It means nothing.
When I ask a question I use the replies I like and ignore the ones I don't.
Just like in real life where some people are chatterboxes and some are very terse and have little to say, people post in all sorts of different ways.
This idea that you simply have to respond in one particular way is just dumb as hell.
It's clear just in this very thread that there is absolutely no consensus whatsoever on what constitutes an appropriate length of answer to someone.
People need to quit with the idea that, "I'm gonna ask a question and you have to answer it in the form I prefer or you're insulting me."
If someone just gives you links and you want a more hands-on answer just skip that one and keep scrolling down 'till someone answers the way you want.

Close this thread now.