Request for New Shatters Net Forum Index Topic

[Bob Hegwood]

Dear Administrator... Chris, Selden, Jack, Jim?

Would like to request a new Forum Index Topic entitled "Celestia for Rookies."

In my opinion, some of the dumb questions posted on this Forum would have an appropriate place to be perused and digested.

Questions like "How come my orbit line is Red?" are NOT stupid questions when they come from a brand new user of Mr. Laurel's STUNNING program. How is the new guy supposed to KNOW these things unless he asks someone what's going on?

I'd be happy to volunteer time in such a topic, because I have asked some VERY stupid questions on this Forum. It seems, however, that with a little patience, and much researching of Celestia Forum Users web-pages, I have learned a great deal about both Celestia - and our amazing universe.

Just a thought for you scientific wizards who tend to DOMINATE the discussions here. Even us forklift drivers can have a healthy interest in space and the universe in general.

Take care, Bob

[Darkmiss]

Hello Bob, I think this is a good idea
and Chris is the man to help you out with this.

as new users do post questions like these in the bugs forum
when they are not bugs at all.

most members of this forum are very friendly and polite to new users and there questions.

but it might make new users more comfortable, if there was a "New User Questions" forum.

Good call

[Rassilon]

I used to be a forklift driver until I found out I could use a computer...

[JackHiggins]

I used to be a forklift driver until I found out I could use a computer...

Hey, Sean Connery used to be a milkman before he found out he could act...

On the rookies' forum- great idea! Somewhere where the new users can post whatever they need to know - and in the safety of an area where "There ARE no dumb questions...!!"

Might even attract in more people by word of mouth; "Hey have you visited the celestia forum yet? They're really helpful to newbies & get you up & running really quickly..."

Chris, I think you should set this up ASAP!!

[granthutchison]

One disadvantage of a newbie section is that some experienced users routinely avoid looking at posts in that section of a forum, in anticipation that the posts there will be annoying/boring/repetitive. If newbie posts are scattered throughout the forum, then experienced users can't help but fall over them, and will often find themselves motivated to reply. For this reason (among many others!) I think newbies get a better deal here than I've seen in some other fora.

Grant

[JackHiggins]

Well, I always use the "view posts since last visit" option, and I don't usually even look at what forum the particular topics are in...

For this reason (among many others!) I think newbies get a better deal here than I've seen in some other fora.

True!

[Star Lion]

I wish there was a "New Users" forum when I found out about celestia.
My firs question would have been "Where do I sign up for this forum "

[granthutchison]

Well, I always use the "view posts since last visit" option, and I don't usually even look at what forum the particular topics are in...

Me, I visibly perk up if there's something new in "Physics and Astronomy" but heave a weary sigh if there are no new posts except in "Scripting" (no offence intended, you scripting folk ... )

Grant

[Tech Sgt. Chen]

Bob, I'm a new user also. I think I'm missing something here. I've been perusing the forum for a few weeks now and have never witnessed the term

dumb question

until I read your post.

Can you please point me to the URL of the post in question?


Post Script: I'm sincerely thankful for those knowledgeable in their respective fields. After all, they gave us a remarkable program named Celestia. I can't believe such a quality program is offered freely by them!

It's pobably just me, but I sensed a defensive tone in your professional field description. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a forklift driver. Forgive me... I was a Psychology/Sociology minor...


Someone I admire very much once said

A worker is worthy of his wages

.

[Bob Hegwood]

Tech Sgt Chen,

Sorry, I didn't mean to get anyone upset with my terminology. Just in case your'e wondering, *I* am the one who is asking the dumb questions, and yes, I DO feel a bit defensive when talking to people with definite scientific knowledge, and from whom I'm trying to get simple English explanations that I can understand.

I simply thought that a Rookie's Index Topic would be helpful. In such an area, dumb questions would be the norm, and not the exception. I would certainly feel more comfortable when asking about something I've never dealt with before, and I'm fairly certain that other rookies would too.

By the way, one URL is as follows: http://celestiaproject.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3679&start=15

And, you're correct. Almost everyone I've dealt with on this Forum has made an effort to help me understand something. It's not that scientists and professional people really bother me though...

It's only the Psychologists and Sociologists who bother me.

Take care, Bob

[Guest]

Sometimes we forget our roots when we get around all this technology...I for one cant remember half the crap I learned in Physics so I wing it most of the time...

Take a look at some of my orbital information in my addons...grant would be the first to say thier guesswork...

As for sean connery I could imagine seeing Zardoz for the first time and hearing someone blurt out...Hey isnt that the milkman?

[Rassilon]

me ^

[Tech Sgt. Chen]

Bob wrote,
It's only the Psychologists and Sociologists who bother me.

Ooh, touch? Bob (in my best French accent).

I was not angry with your post Bob. My reply was sincere.
I just didn't want you to feel frustrated. Perhaps I took the wrong approach.
Heck, everybody knows more than I do!
You're a good man Bob!!!

Post Script: Nice wit on the close! You're more intelligent than you think! If you check my profile, you'll see that I'm not quite the Psychologist. It was just a prerequisite course!
Post Script/P.S. I don't believe that any questions are dumb! We all have to ask them sooner or later. How do you think seldon, grant and the others became to smart in the first place?

[don]

Howdy Bob,

Dear Administrator... Chris, Selden, Jack, Jim?

I believe Chris is the admin, but I also think he's out right now. So, it may be awhile before he replies.

Would like to request a new Forum Index Topic entitled "Celestia for Rookies."

Personally, I'm kinda "on the fence" about a separate "Beginner's" forum because it's not like the User's forum has hundreds of messages a day or anything <smile>.

Also, there are a LOT of "beginner" questions relating to Textures, Add-Ons, and Scripting -- each of which has it's own forum. If we add a Beginner forum, then a new user might be confused as to where to post a question such as about the way an object looks?

In my opinion, some of the dumb questions posted on this Forum would have an appropriate place to be perused and digested.

There are no "dumb" questions ... only questions. If a question gets asked many times, then it needs to be added to the doumentation (User Guide, FAQ, etc.).

Just some things to think about.

-Don G.

[Bob Hegwood]

Personally, I'm kinda on the fence about a separate Beginner's forum because it's not like the User's forum has hundreds of messages a day or anything <smile>.

Also, there are a LOT of beginner questions relating to Textures, Add-Ons, and Scripting -- each of which has it's own forum. If we add a Beginner forum, then a new user might be confused as to where to post a question such as about the way an object looks

Then a Rookies Area would be the perfect place to ask "Where should I post this question?" Would it not?

Still... This was just an idea. Thanks for the thoughtful reply, Don.

Take care, Bob

[don]

Why Sointanly! Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.

Like I said, I'm still "on the fence" ... could fall either way <grin>.

-Don G.

[Bob Hegwood]

I was not angry with your post Bob. My reply was sincere.
I just didn't want you to feel frustrated. Perhaps I took the wrong approach.

Well, as you have already pointed out... I AM a bit defensive.

Honestly though, I'm just trying to add my two-cents worth to the Forum. I really *do* appreciate the help I've received from people like Selden, Don G., Rassilon, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Higgins, Paul Roberts, etc.

Thanks *very* much to all of you. As someone here once said, Celestia is ADDICTING, and I'm simply hooked. I just have to have my fix every day, and I feel better if I think I have contributed *something.*

Take care, Bob

[Bob Hegwood]

I used to be a forklift driver until I found out I could use a computer...

Now THAT's funny... I used to be a computer expert until I learned that I could drive a forklift.

[Guest]

Bob wrote:

I used to be a computer expert until I learned that I could drive a forklift.

Now that's even funnier!
Are you sure you're new to these forums? You sound like a seasoned Vet to me.

[granthutchison]

... Mr. Hutchison ...

Whoa! Why so formal? I generally answer to "Grant"

Grant