Greetings, and thanks for checking this message FIRST, I didn't mean to shout, but, this might help you.!!!

First, before you start off by posting a message and asking your particular question(s), It might be a good idea to take some time and read the questions and the answers that are already here!! I believe you will often be pleasently surprised to find that your question has already been asked, and answered--perhaps, several times over. You will also find a wealth of information that can help you in many aspects of you RC experience. After all, that is what you came here for isn't it?

I have only been here for a short while, but in that short time, I have seen it happen all too often, and way too many times. Someone find this wonderful resource of information that has a bunch of great people, who really enjoy helping newcomers. Then, without even looking first, they jump right in asking questions. I see new member after new member asking the same question(s) that have already been answered time and time again and again.

For instance, in the short time I have been here, I have seen the question, "Do I really need an instructor," asked at least 12 times in the last week (as of the date of this posting). There have been dozens of really good answers to each of these questions. One person in particular has been especially helpful, and various other members have jumped in to help out as well. Unfortunately, after the 12th time, this particular member has obviously gotten tired of repeating himself, and on the baker's dozen, he sarcastically gave the answer all of them were actually hoping for in the first place. but in accuality it was really the wrong answer.

Unfortunately, there is not a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) that remains at the top of the list in this (the beginners) section. On the upside, there are a dozen pages of questions (aka threads) to go through before you will exhaust the possible questions that have already been asked--and answered! The downside is, for all too many people the large number of threads, appears to be information overload. Instead of reading what is already here, they treat RCU like they would the local convience store. Some new members want to walk right in, ask for what they want as quickly as possible, and get back to what they were doing.

Many people believe, there are no stupid questions. Some other people believe, a stupid question warrants a stupid answer. Most of the RCU members fall somewhere betwen these two extremes. So do yourself and the other members a favor, and at least try to find your question(s) first. If you find you require something that isn't specifically addressed, or have additional question, then by all means post a new thread. But please look through the current threads and give it a try, before you jump in with same old questions that have been answered so many times before. You may also find yourself enjoying answers to questions you haven't thought of yet.

To make it easier and faster to find the particular subjects you are looking for, RCU has a great internal search. http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/search.asp?appid=

Enjoy!

Definition: Ignorance is not knowing any better, stupidity, is knowing better, but doing it anyway!

If you have a complaint, or personal viewpoint, PLEASE, feel free to send me a PM (private message) so we don't cloud the issue here. Thanks in advance.

There is some very good advice here, and I would like to add one more comment.

Watch out for the "2 Month Experts". I have seen several cases where somebody new comes here asking the most basic beginners questions like:

I just found out about this hobby, where can I get a plane? How much do they cost? What type of fuel do they use? Etc.

And then 2 months (or so) later, they are handing out the advice like they've been doing it forever. In many cases it's not harmful, like if you ask a general question that would have a standard answer, but I have seen a few examples where the advice is not good, and even dangerous.

So, how do you avoid them? Just read a few posts, after a while you will start to get a feel for which members give good advice, and which are blowing smoke.

Minnflyer,

Thats one of the funniest true statements I've seen here to date.

However I would also include the single plane experts. These are the people who have only actually flown one plane and believe that they are now qualified to compare it to other types of planes. This comparision usually start out with something like... Well I haven't actually flown that particular plane but... XYZ plane is better because...

Then you go look up the specs on the two planes and find out that our resident "expert" is comparing his lt-40 to a Rc-10[:-]

Even if you try to search, you sometimes don't come up with anything. I just started to build a Donald 4 Seaplane. So I searched the forums for, Donald 4 Seaplane, Donald 4 Electric etc, and couldn't find anything. So I posted a question. A guy answered me back, very nicely, to try searching for just "Donald". I did so & whala. But you would think since I had Donald in my search criteria I would have found the same threads, but didn't. I guess what I'm saying is, give us a break. Some of us DO try & search, and research on our own. But after all these forums ARE for asking questions and getting help. Most of us ask questions because we want to be safe, minimize agrivation and LEARN. I'm new to planes, and pretty much heli's (7 months w/ helis). Yes I have seen many times the same questions asked over & over & over in the heli furum, whats a good first heli, what radio should I buy, whats the best gyro? etc. So maybe there should be a FAQ for each basic forum. The problem with that is everyone has their own opinion. One of the Best things I saw on this forum is "where to get what you need" that has helped me more than twice I guess there is no real answer but like the guy said above, just don't reply, treat it as spam in your email box. All in all there are many nice people out there willing to help. And its a great forum. I've met some of the nicest people in this hobby, and hope to continue to do so. PS I don't take any offense to goneflyin's post. It does make sense, and will help, for a while, until we get tired of seeing it at the top everyday
Just my .02 1/2
Joe

Welcome all to the airplane beginners forum. Good advice already above. MinnFlyer said it best with the 2 month expert. While some of the most experienced modelers use the appropriate forums for their discussions some still drop by here. Rest assured someone will be able to answer your beginning questions if not already answered in other threads. Do a general search with specifics and if you don't get your information make the search less specific. Scroll through the forum and you will find useful information you probably didn't even think to ask.

EXCAP232

This is the beginner forum is it not? That's why I came here to ask my novice questions. If you don't want to help then don't reply!!!!!

What I hate is when someone new to RCU revives a year old thread to provide answers to a question thats already been answered and the problem resolved.

On the same hand, a select few experienced RCU members think they are RC gods and reply with shrewed comments to make themselves feel bigger and it usually results in aggrivtiation and a thread full of arguments. All in all, this is a great site to learn. Too bad some people have to be arsholes. But, this is representitive of the real world I guess.

I have learned a tremendous amount of info on here and think it is a wonderful site.

Wings,

You are right, and all questions deserve a good answer. This is one reason why we do things like post FAQ's and write "How To" columns in the RCU Magazine.

Here's a typical analogy: A beginner asks a simple question that requires a detailed answer. Then someone takes the time to give a detailed answer.

A week later, someone else askes the same question. And gets a good answer.

A week later, someone else askes the same question. And gets a shorter answer.

A week later, someone else askes the same question. And gets an even shorter answer.

A week later, someone else askes the same question. And gets a bad answer because people are tired of answering the same question over and over.

I have seen this first hand, and every time I see it happening again, I get a new subject for a "How To" column.

Check the RCU Magazine, and select "How To's". There's tons of good info there.

I would say that time-in-hobby is an insufficient litmus test for judging the worthiness of advice (not that you're claiming that), although it is one factor that can be usefully considered.

My own litmus test goes like this:
* is the poster functionally literate?
* how is the poster's material generally regarded in the forum?
* does the post welcome corrections/additions, or does s/he seem to be vested in being "right" all the time?
* does the poster have a commercial interest in the topic?
* can the poster discern nuance, or is everything black/white and Us/Them?
* does the poster seem to care about newbies, and the hobby in general?
* is the poster willing to share his own mistakes for the benefit of others?

Bonus points for having a personal homepage with pics so I can see who I'm learning from. :-)

I remember suggesting to the RC Admin folks during the lead up to the new site if we couldn't have a beginner tutorial. Not on how to build, break in engines, or anything R/C related, but one on how to use the site to your benefit. I was one of those that when I began, had problems finding answers that I sought. Everyone that was already here have been a great help, even some on this thread, and I thank you for it. However, it seems to me that when you register you should be directed to a page that has much of how to do's on this site. If there is one now, I am not aware of it...and I never did get a response to the original suggestion. Funny as it sounds there should be a forum on beginners on forums, not just beginners in R/C.

<<Edited to remove ideas>>

sorry for the opinions []
maybe the mods should have closed this thread if you didn't want others input.

This is like Dé-jä vu all over again.[:@]

Thank you to those of you who supported my attempt to make better use of the resource available on RCU. My original intention was to encourage new users to take advantage of the good questions and answers that are already available, and reduce the amount of frustration on the part of those who try to assist new members! It is unfortunate that there are a few people that feel the need to inflict a negative impact on good intentions. Others choose to ignore them entirely. While still others choose to pick apart and question the advice of well established modelers (aka, moderators). These kinds of people are a true testament that "Some people live and learn; others just live."

To those of you who continue to try and help new members, and are able to keep your frustration level in check...I commend you! I hope you continue to be strengthened by everyone you help. For those of you who are not, I may see you around in the other forums.

To the moderators, I hope the status of this thread will be changed so it will fade away as well :-). It certainly has not accomplished what I had hoped for! At least I can say I tried :-). Thanks for your help, and good luck!!!

It is even worse when dangerous or unwarranted advice is given by a "two year + expert"




[:-]

goneflyn, it needs to be said, and has been above, that in spite of a few negative inputs, often asked questions, two week/month/year experts, a few r/soles, etc., this is still a great place to get advice and assistance. Sure, there will be a little one upmanship occasionally, a little arrogance, etc., but those of us who are keen to get into the hobby can weigh it all up and make our own decisions. Generally the wheat can be sorted from the chaff without great difficulty.

I understand entirely that some of those giving the good advice get somewhat frustrated by seeing the same old questions from a new member, but as I saw elsewhere, sometimes typing in a single word or combination of words doesn't always give you what you're after. Sometimes it needs the key word in isolation and the result depends on the search engine/mechanism of the site.

I hope those guys giving the good advice don't get too frustrated or to the point of not giving their advice or negative advice. Perhaps a compromise on their parts would be to refer the questioner to a previous post/thread rather than going through it all again, or as MinnFlyer suggests, direct them to the How To's pages.

Also, there is a wealth of knowledge here on other related/unrelated subjects such as computers!! There are quite a few aces in that department ready to give good advice. I've made the acquaintance of people with similar interests in other fields, and it's great to be able to exchange information and photographs.

Let me say in conclusion, this is the greatest resource available for the aspiring RC enthusiast. I just love coming here and reading a while when I have nothing to do. I spend a lot of time in hotel rooms in my job, and having rcunvierse available to me has increased my knowledge enormously.

Wings or for that matter anyone,

Could you please point me to a post where I provided anyone with dangerous advice???????????????

Unwarrented is more of a relative term IMHO However, I'd also be interested in seeing an example of this also!!!!

I have allways taken the time to provide as detailed answer to anyone's question as possible and while I'm not looking for a thank you I would be interested to hear any opinion or comment anyone has. I've been involved in the hobby for the almost 20 years and have never once refused to help a fellow modeler either here or in person!!!!

Crashem's a good guy. Definetly not amongst the 'good old boys' clan!!

Brian

OOPS!!!!

Its kind of funny to me how this keeps happening. Crash posts a good informative post, and people start rippin into him. This happens on RCU a lot. Is it that the people ripping don't really get it, or do they really think they are doing a service to the rest by starting arguments. It isn't just this thread, it is a lot of them.

I think people not only need to do a little searching to help find answers to their question that has been answered many times, but if they ask and don't get the answer they are looking for, they need to just deal with it instead of making some smart alec remark.

We had one guy in the heli section that kept asking what heli he shoud get. When he didn't get the answer he wanted, he started directing guys to answer his way, when that didn't work, he got hostile toward people.

Basically stated for members new and old, if you can't post something constructive and helpful, don't post it. You don't like people talking like that to you, don't do it to others.

Flyboy I agree with you 100%.



I can't speak for others, but this is precisely why I don't care for Crashem. He's probably a great pilot and a lot could be learned from him. But after reading a couple of his very rude and sarcastic (not constructive) posts, I'd rather not deal with him. Maybe I am taking it too personal, but I like to get advice from people who enjoy helping, not giving snide remarks all the time because they've been in the hobby 20 + years and know more than everyone else.

Wings,

There used to be a list of good trainers on the beginner's section. I thought that was a good idea.

EVERYONE!!!! Must try to remember that tone of voice etc... Is damn hard to figure out in typed messages. Relax guys,

WOW Seems like most the answers to the questions are opinions. A 10 inch prop is smaller then a 11 inch prop. this is a fact. But to ask what prop to use on a towers .46 well either one will work. but to ask which one is better that is an opinion. and should remain as such, just because one guy prefers a 10 and another a 11 does not mean either one is wrong. This is why we have forums, for discussion, not to judge anyones personality and not to bash the other guy if he does it deferent.

My old landlord way back was a retired Col. from the air force pure *ss ho** but he would give you the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it. only problem he had was every time he opened his mouth orders came out. Thats why we called him the general. Point is, upon meeting this guy you would dislike him but after a while you would realize he had a heart of gold he just came on the wrong way. People that like to give advice in these forums are willing to help. Not everyone has the right answer,many are opinions, but to start to pry into the way someone "styles" there replies is veering away from the topic. no one wants to hear about how they were offended or anyone offend someone else. and I cant find an end to my mindless babble so I will quit now.

ive been building 6 years going on 7 and been flying for one. lead me to a thread where i give poor advice that would result in damage to somthing.

second. maybe it would be good to make a very detailed post on such things as covering that are asked very frequently and make them sticky so that they stay on top of the first page??


im figuring that this is similar in style to the post mentioned several times

can you really blame him? its been adressed 50 times not to mention the 2 threads on it that are on the top 10 on the first page as of the date of this post!

i personaly fell out of my chair laughing. i like helping people but i too get sick of answering the same questions over and over again. im gonna make a list of links to threads that address these frequent issues so i can link in the thread and be done!

back to the first thing. i chalange some one to find somthing that would be hazardus. i freely admit to having lacking knowlage in many RC plane related areas however, the areas i do have experiance in i am VERY good at. I frequently admit my mistakes and share my screw ups with anyone who wants to learn from them (I.E. under beginers here somewhere, i have a post in respons to somthign where i freely state that i glued my whole hand to the wing sheeting of my LT-25.

i trully dont mean to "rip into him" as was stated earlier however, i think that this 2 month generalization is only slightly correct since at 2 months i had a very good understanding of many key aspects (such as how the plane works... thats kinda important eh?) and the 2 year thing is assinin... after 6 years, i doubt theres a plane out therei can't build (NOTE i did not say fly!) and i feel that i can offer muc hadvice on many things even if i havent built that exact plane. most manufacturers use very similar construction from plane to plane so if you have built one then you have some idea of how the other one builds. if you wanna say im wrong here be my guest.
note also taht i still cant cover as well as many of the fine plaens i see on RCU but i can build and build i do. so to say that some one who has been in the hoby for 2 months should not be listend to due to their lack of experiance is incorrect and somewhat insultin if you were that person since you may spend every waking hour of those 2 months learning to build, cover and fly. and who knows, there may be people out there who are more mechanicly inclined than any of us, who after 2 months can out build, cover and fly any one of us!

ive actualy stoped even reading threads where i know that there going to be about questions answered a million times and maybe if some more people do that then it may click in some ones mind that it would be faster to use that little white tct box that sayd search... or maybe im just another one of those arsholes noted above but atleast im not wasting my time. if it is truly a question that has not been stated to the point of causing some members seizures then i am more than happy to answer it. i believe that the original post was a very good one suporting a very good idea to solve a very real and painful problem however, i also believe that the posts folowiong (not all but most) were not needed and added little to this toic if anything ecxept causing several people (myself included) to wear their keyboards down a little more than they already were and powt novels like this.

on another topic, MinnFlyer im assuming that you know every person on this forum since you stated that you seem to have a knowlage for the validity of every emmber here. that or you assume that the rest uf us can mentaly keep track of who is and is not a valid source or good and reliable information with new members signing up every day. there are a select few people who i know have good advise and the rest i assume do based on common sence and what i already know. (i.e. the guy who says that he funs gasoline in his glow engine and it works great is a moron i come to this conclusion based on my knowlage on un modified glow engines and the compresion ratios needed to get gasoline to spontaniously combust (there is a reason after all that deisle engines use deisle and not gasoline).

and once again i believe that i set a new world record for the longest run on/ group of run ons.

thats it, im done ranting.

1,280 words of wisdom from me to you.

-balsa-