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Prepare Yourselfs for the influx of Newbies!
- Thread starter TBR
- Start date
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Doctor Q said:
Does this fall under the general category of the pot calling the kettle black, or is there another idiom for this?
Oh, and btw, I don't mind newbies at all...but what's the deal with newbies who also seem to be new to saying things that are even vaguely comprehensible? It's not just the 'leet speak...there seem to be a lot of newbies who come who want help with something, and getting them to explain what their actual problem is in sentences of more than three words is like pulling teeth....
Here are some theories (with no evidence about which might be the case):mkrishnan said:what's the deal with newbies who also seem to be new to saying things that are even vaguely comprehensible? It's not just the 'leet speak...there seem to be a lot of newbies who come who want help with something, and getting them to explain what their actual problem is in sentences of more than three words is like pulling teeth....
1. They are new to forums (and possibly very young) and haven't gotten the hang of asking for help by providing enough detail. Like phoning somebody and saying "Got a minute?" and then "Can I ask you a question?" and then "A question about my new iPod?" etc. The other person can't help until they get to the details, but they use this interactive, incremental way of asking.
2. They aren't good writers or good typists. Typing is hard, so they don't type much.
3. They aren't native English speakers/writers but are trying to ask in English.
4. They don't realize how many different problems computer users deal with, so they think if they ask a general question they will learn all there is to know from the answers they get.
5. They are clumsy and keep clicking the "Submit Reply" button before they get the chance to finish their posts.
6. Early April Fool's pranks.
Doctor Q said:6. Early April Fool's pranks.
My, you're a cunning linguist, Mr. Bond. Yes, those are all very good explanations. I should be patient and understanding. Well, the first five are good at any rate. I find #6 slightly suspicious....
I guess hmmm...I just feel that there are a lot of new people who come, and forget that MacRumors is not exactly AppleCare, and post five word problem descriptions with "please respond ASAP!" at the end...
Non-native speakers I can understand, but civility isn't exactly the unique province of English-language speakers. In fact.... 
That would have been fun to see. He did mention something about it being too bad Keira wasn't comfortable showing off her bod in a new movie in that one thread. We know what he meant, but it came out as sounding kinda dirty. Thought maybe someone else was posting under his name (or too much egg nog). Funny stuff. Cuz you know some people just deserve a good going off on.Doctor Q said:
As for the newbies, I find I have far fewer questions from people after I switch them. Goes from tons of q's about spyware and viruses and BSODs to how do you... oh, nm I got it. This is cool!. Even people who know nothing about computers seem to pick it up pretty quick. Sometimes it's even easier for the newbs than for us seasoned PC pros.
But when they do have a stupid question, I always say there are no stupid questions... only stupid people.
You be surprised how many times that still gets a smile.Edit: considering the date on that post was April 1st, I'm thinking Q and/or WD were just having fun with us. Thought it seemed fishy.
Doctor Q said:
Doctor Q, you really had me very concerned there for a few minutes. It took me a while to figure out what had happened. Then I realized the date. I just have to remember the if I wasn't well liked no one would really want to kid me like this.
Thank you my good friends.
More people to the Apple and MR family all the better.
Welcome to all the New Comers.
note: we were all new comers once even though we have computed on the Apple/Mac OS platform for years and MR.
Welcome to all the New Comers.
note: we were all new comers once even though we have computed on the Apple/Mac OS platform for years and MR.
wdlove said:Doctor Q, you really had me very concerned there for a few minutes. It took me a while to figure out what had happened. Then I realized the date. I just have to remember the if I wasn't well liked no one would really want to kid me like this.
Thank you my good friends.
You got it wdlove - whether you realize it or not, you do indeed have a lot of respect on these forums. I was surprised to see that one post of yours which Doctor Q quoted, but found it quite amusing afterwards.