Giving advice to newbie's

[jotay]

Hey Folks I have been back to hitting the site often again and it seems like we have a great group around here now, which is good to see.
I just wanted to make one small suggestion/comment.
I tend to read and sometimes chime in on topics from newbies or folks thinking about purchasing bp's and I have notice 99% of the info is great stuff and everyone is very helpful but sometimes some posts come off a little harsh/brash when letting folks know or trying to lead folks into doing the correct/right things. My only concern with this is we don't want to tick off or put the newbies on the defensive and have them just bail off the site because some folks are a little stern w/ advice. I just want to see that they hang around a learn the proper way to care for the animal rather then leave in a huff and maybe never get the "right" advice and then the animal would be the one who suffers.
Just a little food for thought when posting to newbies.

This was by no means intended to offended anyone and I hope that is not how it's taken

[jglass38]

The question is, is the advice stern or is it just not given in a warm and fuzzy enough manner for some? Its very hard to ascertain tone through an email or message board post. Do you have any examples of something I (or someone else) said that may have sounded stern to you? Thanks!

[jotay]

Yes I know it is hard to ascertain tone thru posts, that would be the very reason for my post, make sense?
I am not getting into examples or calling out posts which seem harsh, that wasn't the reason for my post. It was so we all maybe sometimes remember to be a little more kinder/gentle when posting for newbies.
I know I remember first coming on here and reading all the posts and everyone seeming so much more advance and knowing than myself and it can for some be a bit intimidating. And then you ask for advice and some you get back is a little stern and abrupt it can chase some away.
And since we all have the animals best interest at heart I just wouldn't want to lose these folks and they go off and get bad advice and it hurts the animal.
That's all not trying to start a major debate thread, just trying to be helpful

[jglass38]

Speaking for myself, I will do my best to come across warmer with new users. I am at work when I post a lot of the time and sometimes I just have the time to type in a quick answer and then I'm off to something else.

[jotay]

I think your posts are very good

I hope folks don't misunderstand me, I just really think alot of this website, it and the folks on here have helped me so much and have been fun and great web friends. I just want others to stay and learn, share and enjoy

[frankykeno]

I think this is a good topic and appreciate your concern and wisdom Jotay.


I do know I've been guilty of terseness or assumptions with newcomers and am working on being more careful to not have my message lost or over-ridden by a choice of words. Sometimes we can't mollycoddle folks nor should we on certain issues, but you're point that we need to be aware of our post's tone and message when dealing with a newcomer is a good one.

What is it carpenters say....measure twice...cut once...maybe it's type once....backspace or edit twice for forums lol.

Finding a balance between our own passion, the newcomers lack of knowledge or knowledge gained from poor sources, mixed in with the total lack of the typed word conveying real emotion, well it surely can be a recipe for misunderstanding can't it.

Thanks again Jotay for bringing this topic up.


~~Jo~~

[JLC]

I second Jo's words! This is an excellent reminder of why we're the best newbie-friendly site on the Internet!

[daniel1983]

I always try to sound friendly.....but sometimes it just does not sound that way when read.....

....and I definately try to express alot of forum emotion with

....if something I say EVER comes off as sounding 'unfriendly' shoot me a PM...I will ad a few more smilies