[rlcline76]

I just want to start by saying that most people here are super friendly and helpful. I have gotten many answers to many minor league questions and it really helps to feel like I am part of some community since I am stuck out in the middle of nowhere with a bunch of clowns on a good day! We need to make sure that we extend that helpfulness to new members who have questions that seem obvious to us but not necessarily to them. On occasion I am reading comments by members starting with the tone of "Did you ever stop to think...?" Sometimes these statements are made well after the fact that they would do any good at the present. Believe it or not, quite a few people in the forum have a good idea that they had already done something wrong and are trying to fix it, that is why they are here. Personally, I know many things that I have done which was not the intelligent route and have punished myself more severely than anyone here could ever dish out safely behind their computer desk.

Instead of just telling someone where they went wrong, add your 2 cents on how you would correct it. None of us would be here if we knew it all.

Becky

[jvharding]

Hi Becky

I agree there are times when I notice a question that goes un answered and I just wait to see if someone else will pick it up only to see that 12 Hours or day goes by with out a reply. IMO some of us stop to think then forget to start again! I try to answer everyones questions to the best of my knowledge so that someone will not have to suffer the trials and errors that I have made. This hobby means alot to me and to read a post of someone that has sold there system and has given up makes me feel like I failed that person. I hope that I am not guilty of stopping to think?

[glampka]

Hi guys,
Like jv, I try to make sure that all posts are answered. Sometimes I just don't have the knowledge so that's where I have to hand off to others who might have more experience than I do. We're here for 1 reason - to help circulate as much information as possible so that hopefully someone will not have to go through the same mistakes we may have made. It's best that the "attitude" be left somewhere else. Granted it can be a little frustrating to have to answer the same "newbie" questions repeatedly but that's only an indication that the hobby is growing. It's up to all of us to help out where we can. I must admit it did get a bit hairy around here last week but I'm glad to see that things have returned to the usual level of insanity.

[rlcline76]

JV & Gary, I do not want you two on the defense. You two are extremely helpful. I only comment on posts here and there, and not because I am an expert on those threads, but because I may have goofed up in that area myself. Its a community service in my 12 Step Program. I am still figuring out the rest. We could almost use a sticky on ich or a sticky on water quality & cycling. Pretty soon we could have a sticky for everything. I don't know, I just catch "the attitude" in certain threads and it becomes increasingly difficult for me not to respond to those posts when they are made. I just don't want new members thinking they have to start all over when they can work on rectifying the problem at hand, or just stop asking questions.

[lynnvangsnes]

Yep, I agree with all of the above. I have seen some responses that are snippy. You know what I mean. If newbies get those kinds of responses, they may go refrain from asking, or go elsewhere.

[orestes19832003]

I'm a newby here and i just want to say thanks to u guys i've been on many other sites that the people acted like they were know it alls. you guys have been very nice and answered my questions even the stupid ones lol. I agree with u guys though i myself have left several places because of people like that.