A Plea For Help (from You)

tigerbangs · 01-02-2006, 12:46 PM

Several of us who answer questions for others here on this forum seem to answer the same questions repeatedly, and that's fine, as many situations differ, but, we repeatedly have to ask for basic information in order to make suggestions. We don't know what you need unless you give us the make and model of your equipment, including your existing antenna equipment if you have any, and YOUR ZIP CODE! Every location has it's own issues with reception, and without providing the correct specific information, your answer can be only of a very general nature, and may often ignore local issues that we may be able to research and diagnose. So PLEASE, when you write in, give us that information. Don't come to an antenna forum and tell us that you can't or won't put up an antenna because of your wife, girlfriend, landlord, HOA, or Siamese cat: you are going to get the same answer each time: "It might work, it might not" If you are serious about getting OTA HDTV, be open to suggestions, and be forthcoming with your information: all we want to do is help!

jim5506 · 01-02-2006, 01:36 PM

Somebody make this a BIG RED STICKY with a BOW on TOP!!

I like the edit TB!

**Cass** · 01-02-2006, 02:15 PM

Now a big sticky!!

cheers

SONALIS · 01-02-2006, 06:36 PM

Thank You!

Justin · 01-02-2006, 08:34 PM

I don't know where to post this so I will try here...

I agree 100% with the concern about posters not providing enough info, but this problem is site-wide, not just the OTA area. I think there should be a new category added at the top of the home page with a very prominent "new posters please read this first before you do anything else" type of heading, and then put a number of the various overview and general HD topic stickies from different categories in there. There are posts throughout the site where the original poster has obviously not tried to search for previous answers, or doesn't provide enough basic information, or hasn't read some of the general threads first, etc. One of the entries should tell folks what they should (must?) put in their profile and signature to get a quick and accurate response (and if mine are missing something necessary please tell me and I will add it!).

I find this site very interesting and informative, but there really is a tremendous amount of repetition that I think could be reduced with some kind of prominent getting-started area at the top.

IMHO of course.

RSawdey · 01-02-2006, 09:42 PM

Works better in your profile than your sig... if in your sig then any search on any of your hardware will turn up all your irrelevant posts...

jim5506 · 01-02-2006, 09:47 PM

Maybe someone could change the title of this thread to something like ""READ THIS BEFORE YOU ASK QUESTIONS!!"

**rbinck** · 01-10-2006, 04:51 PM

While I agree with the spirit of this thread and I agree that many members ask questions about all sorts of subjects without giving us the basic information, the idea that repetition is a problem seems to be another matter.

Many forums scold new posters for asking questions that has come up before, requesting they either read the entire forum before asking a question or use the search tool to find as much as possible before asking their question. If everyone were to do that, the activity of this forum would be far less as newbies would just lurk until their question was answered. By them not asking the question will remove a possible new wrinkle to be put forward.

While I do agree that it is a great idea to tutor newbies on the issue of giving us enough information to allow for a knowledgable answer, I don't think the redundant information is necessarily a bad thing.

maicaw · 01-10-2006, 05:17 PM

I posted this link sometime back in the gossip area - it's quite long but relevant (programming jargon excepted

) and worth reading clear through IMO How To Ask Questions The Smart Way by Eric Steven Raymond

qwertshadow · 01-17-2006, 01:05 PM

please don't shout ! It's rude and childish ! If you don't want to answer questions from others, go read a book or something, and don't whine about it !

sl7vk · 01-17-2006, 01:16 PM

I tend to agree with post #10. If it aggravates you to this point, maybe it's best that you not log in for a little while, and take a break.
You're starting to sound like a disgruntled postal worker, not someone that posts for pleasure.

tigerbangs · 01-17-2006, 01:57 PM

Excuse me, Gentlemen, but I posted that for ALL the guys who answer questions, not just myself. There is NO WAY that anyone can answer most of the questions posted here without the information requested. And if I want to shout, that is my own DAMNED BUSINESS! I answer many of the questions here, and I am sick and tired of getting questions like "why does my picture suck?" GROW UP!

oblioman · 04-20-2006, 04:36 PM

Why does your picture suck? Just messing with ya TB!!! On a lighter note,,I went to get gas for my lawnmower today,,had a 2 gallon can and asked the clerk at the KwiK-Stop for $5 worth of gas. He looked at me,,,,farted,,,and asked for his $5.

redsoxfan · 04-28-2006, 09:04 AM

I guess I'm used to it -- so I wouldn't yell and shout.

I work in customer support for a major software company (on a somewhat esoteric and complicated product) and when someone sends a problem to me the typical things are "something doesn't work" and they don't tell you what, or if measurement numbers "don't look right", then we have to resolve the issues further and ask for more info.

So, please don't get upset with folks over a frustration "my wife won't let me put up an antenna so..." or "I don't want to spend the money on cable"... etc.

Just ask further questions and probe. The important thing is to ask the right questions.

If I just spent $1500-4000 on an HDTV and it doesn't work for me, I'd be a little resentful, as well....

grayhulk12@yah · 10-23-2006, 05:41 PM

Hi Everyone !!!!
Need some help.I'm buying a new HDTV and would like to know which is best for a indoor application.You see I live in a apartment which is on the first floor or ground level and my landlord won't let me put up a outdoor antenna so I'm stuck in using a indoor antenna so could you recommend a good antenna and if I need a amplifier for it and please can I get the model numbers or manufactures of both antennas and amplifiers? My location is Cicero IL.60804 Any suggestion will be greatly appreiated !!!!
Grayhulk

01-02-2006, 01:36 PM	#2
jim5506 Yellow Submarine Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,612	Somebody make this a BIG RED STICKY with a BOW on TOP!! I like the edit TB! Last edited by jim5506; 01-02-2006 at 01:38 PM.

01-02-2006, 08:34 PM	#5
Justin High-Def Newbie Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Keller, TX 76248 Age: 69 Posts: 221	I don't know where to post this so I will try here... I agree 100% with the concern about posters not providing enough info, but this problem is site-wide, not just the OTA area. I think there should be a new category added at the top of the home page with a very prominent "new posters please read this first before you do anything else" type of heading, and then put a number of the various overview and general HD topic stickies from different categories in there. There are posts throughout the site where the original poster has obviously not tried to search for previous answers, or doesn't provide enough basic information, or hasn't read some of the general threads first, etc. One of the entries should tell folks what they should (must?) put in their profile and signature to get a quick and accurate response (and if mine are missing something necessary please tell me and I will add it!). I find this site very interesting and informative, but there really is a tremendous amount of repetition that I think could be reduced with some kind of prominent getting-started area at the top. IMHO of course. __________________ Justin Verizon FiOS TV and Internet Motorola QIP6416 DVR Sony KDL-V40XBR1 LCD Sony SLV-D360P DVD/VCR

01-10-2006, 04:51 PM	#8
rbinck Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 12,978	While I agree with the spirit of this thread and I agree that many members ask questions about all sorts of subjects without giving us the basic information, the idea that repetition is a problem seems to be another matter. Many forums scold new posters for asking questions that has come up before, requesting they either read the entire forum before asking a question or use the search tool to find as much as possible before asking their question. If everyone were to do that, the activity of this forum would be far less as newbies would just lurk until their question was answered. By them not asking the question will remove a possible new wrinkle to be put forward. While I do agree that it is a great idea to tutor newbies on the issue of giving us enough information to allow for a knowledgable answer, I don't think the redundant information is necessarily a bad thing. __________________ www.highdefinitionblog.com www.BlogOfHawaii.com

01-10-2006, 05:17 PM	#9
maicaw Crabtree's Bludgeon Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,001	I posted this link sometime back in the gossip area - it's quite long but relevant (programming jargon excepted ) and worth reading clear through IMO How To Ask Questions The Smart Way by Eric Steven Raymond __________________ --------------signature ------- My HDTV equipment is certified organic - mostly plastic No genetically modified electrons or photons are used in it's operation RocketMan -- Tambourine Man -- Lucy {userName=1},{P/w=1} Last edited by maicaw; 01-10-2006 at 05:23 PM.

01-17-2006, 01:57 PM	#12
tigerbangs Antenna Maven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Springfield, MA Age: 55 Posts: 2,148	Excuse me, Gentlemen, but I posted that for ALL the guys who answer questions, not just myself. There is NO WAY that anyone can answer most of the questions posted here without the information requested. And if I want to shout, that is my own DAMNED BUSINESS! I answer many of the questions here, and I am sick and tired of getting questions like "why does my picture suck?" GROW UP! __________________ Real men don't use indoor antennas; neither do real women!

01-02-2006, 12:46 PM	#1
tigerbangs Antenna Maven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Springfield, MA Age: 55 Posts: 2,148	A Plea For Help (from You) Several of us who answer questions for others here on this forum seem to answer the same questions repeatedly, and that's fine, as many situations differ, but, we repeatedly have to ask for basic information in order to make suggestions. We don't know what you need unless you give us the make and model of your equipment, including your existing antenna equipment if you have any, and YOUR ZIP CODE! Every location has it's own issues with reception, and without providing the correct specific information, your answer can be only of a very general nature, and may often ignore local issues that we may be able to research and diagnose. So PLEASE, when you write in, give us that information. Don't come to an antenna forum and tell us that you can't or won't put up an antenna because of your wife, girlfriend, landlord, HOA, or Siamese cat: you are going to get the same answer each time: "It might work, it might not" If you are serious about getting OTA HDTV, be open to suggestions, and be forthcoming with your information: all we want to do is help! __________________ Real men don't use indoor antennas; neither do real women! Last edited by tigerbangs; 01-02-2006 at 12:57 PM.

01-02-2006, 02:15 PM	#3
Cass Administrator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Colorado Springs & Denver Posts: 1,131	Now a big sticky!! cheers

01-02-2006, 06:36 PM	#4
SONALIS Panny 50 7UY Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NY/NJ Area Posts: 199	Thank You!

01-02-2006, 09:42 PM	#6
RSawdey Mr. Wizard Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ferndale, Michigan Age: 62 Posts: 5,981	Works better in your profile than your sig... if in your sig then any search on any of your hardware will turn up all your irrelevant posts...

01-02-2006, 09:47 PM	#7
jim5506 Yellow Submarine Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,612	Maybe someone could change the title of this thread to something like ""READ THIS BEFORE YOU ASK QUESTIONS!!"

01-17-2006, 01:05 PM	#10
qwertshadow How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 18	wrong use of caps please don't shout ! It's rude and childish ! If you don't want to answer questions from others, go read a book or something, and don't whine about it !

01-17-2006, 01:16 PM	#11
sl7vk Panasonic Plasma Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 603	I tend to agree with post #10. If it aggravates you to this point, maybe it's best that you not log in for a little while, and take a break. You're starting to sound like a disgruntled postal worker, not someone that posts for pleasure.

04-20-2006, 04:36 PM	#13
oblioman Possum Tipper at large. Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Someville TN Posts: 5,607	Why does your picture suck? Just messing with ya TB!!! On a lighter note,,I went to get gas for my lawnmower today,,had a 2 gallon can and asked the clerk at the KwiK-Stop for $5 worth of gas. He looked at me,,,,farted,,,and asked for his $5.

04-28-2006, 09:04 AM	#14
redsoxfan A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 10	I guess I'm used to it -- so I wouldn't yell and shout. I work in customer support for a major software company (on a somewhat esoteric and complicated product) and when someone sends a problem to me the typical things are "something doesn't work" and they don't tell you what, or if measurement numbers "don't look right", then we have to resolve the issues further and ask for more info. So, please don't get upset with folks over a frustration "my wife won't let me put up an antenna so..." or "I don't want to spend the money on cable"... etc. Just ask further questions and probe. The important thing is to ask the right questions. If I just spent $1500-4000 on an HDTV and it doesn't work for me, I'd be a little resentful, as well.... Last edited by redsoxfan; 04-28-2006 at 09:11 AM.

10-23-2006, 05:41 PM	#15
grayhulk12@yah What is HD? Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2	need help for a indoor antenna Hi Everyone !!!! Need some help.I'm buying a new HDTV and would like to know which is best for a indoor application.You see I live in a apartment which is on the first floor or ground level and my landlord won't let me put up a outdoor antenna so I'm stuck in using a indoor antenna so could you recommend a good antenna and if I need a amplifier for it and please can I get the model numbers or manufactures of both antennas and amplifiers? My location is Cicero IL.60804 Any suggestion will be greatly appreiated !!!! Grayhulk

Similar Threads to A Plea For Help (from You)
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Newbie in Meridian ID needs help!	Riverhouse	Local HDTV Info and Reception	10	12-02-2008 07:27 AM
Girl, 15, Faces Child Porn Charges for Nude Cell Phone Pictures of Herself	GLOW	No Topic Forum	22	11-28-2008 03:00 PM
HD horizontal banding(?) driving me nuts. Help!	mr_hat	The High Definition Lounge	6	11-11-2006 10:16 PM
Antenna Problem - Please Help!	rbinck	Local HDTV Info and Reception	6	07-13-2006 07:48 PM
Need help in WI	TroyBoy33	Local HDTV Info and Reception	8	01-31-2006 01:31 PM