Behavior on a forum. I rant against the ranters, or don't "doucherant" the noob

I had fun with this.  I had asked a question on a forum for satellite TV users, and got a scathing reply from some douchebag who didn't even realize I had asked a question, but rather thought I was making some technical assertion for my ego's sake, so he felt he had to put me in my place with a " we already know that" and "newbs always say what they know without reading...".  I had read the entire thread, had come across two completely contradictory posts, and was asking which one was correct.  Anyway, I decided to mess with the fragile forum-junkie for a bit.  The reason I decided to blog it was that I was so amused with myself and my utter brilliance with the hastily crafted response.  You already know that I am "aprilia1k" everywhere I go:

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Originally Posted by subeluvr I agree, but it's not too much to expect anyone looking for help to read back at least the last two or three pages in a long thread to see what the current info is because in many cases the answer to their question is in those last pages. Let's not forget that these are self-help forums and not do it for me forums...

Aren't they just called "forums"? ;-)

Or, perhaps "support forums?". I Really don't mean to be argumentative, but I am not seeing any mention of "self-help" OR "help me" in the naming. Just think the nomenclature is not necessarily universal. My point was clearly conceding that reading a little first is a good idea, but the venomous chastising (whether you think it is "deservedly" dispensed or not ) is never warranted. It's negative, infantile and rude. No need to say it again (do i need the last word or do you? etc...). I don't disagree with you about proper usage of such a thread; it's a courtesy to pre-read a bit to be sure. I am sure there are cases, as you say, where the answer is a page or two back. 

When I read this thread, I see a huge amount of chastisement, and these scoldings rarely ever ANSWER or ILLUMINATE, as though for punishment the offender must "keep reading" or seek elsewhere. If you're honest, you know I'm right. Go back and read it. All of that content just further obfuscates, hides the information a "NOOB" is looking for. And it explains why so many people start off their post with "I apologize if this question is stupid or has already been answered...". People shouldn't have to start off their posts in this manner. If, instead, the knowledgeable amongst us (not meaning myself) behaved like Rich and simply answered, helped - then the thread would be FULL of answers and illuminating info, instead of peppered with them, interspersed with the policing of the few upon the many.

It is clear that you are trying, and somewhat successfully for sure, to calm and soothe the "ogre" ;-), and I applaud you for that. Think that's likely why you posted this last one, to say "we understand', and yeah - kudos for that. Still, hope there's room for discouraging rudeness and perhaps for change. I stress this as being perhaps the most important point of all, on my part - while your "prickly but cool EE" is my "ogre under the bridge" within the forum, it bears remembering that, if he learns to lighten up, adjust the frown towards more of a smile with time, and to cut everyone a whole lot of slack - well, he will LIVE LONGER, be less-stressed and more healthy. That's not speculation, that's a fact.

Mods: I apologize if you think it's disruptive; I hope you see a little entertainment as well as a pertinent reminder for some serious-minded folks to enjoy themselves a little and to try being a little more courteous and friendly.

I apologize for the apparent "beating-of-the-deceased-equine", sincerely. But I think it's important to effect a shift in this unhelpful and discouraging behavior. People are afraid to post here. They start their posts with "I apologize" to try to avoid flames.

Speaking of which, I just got a private flame from the "ogre under the bridge" as I've decided to call him. You know who he is, he says he's an "EE" and at least half of his posts are attacks without any subsequent informative content. He says I "have nothing to show in public against (his) knowledge and experience". He just doesn't get it. It's not a contest. I also am not "out to get him" or compete. I am talking about rude behavior that discourages newcomers from even participating. I have analyzed the thread and there are _very_ few queries that had already been answered recently, if at all. There are numerous posts berating people though. If, like Rich, a person just simply sighed and "answered again", then the thread would be full of answers - and there would be fewer offensive NOOBs for the ogres to deal with.

My original post here was a question, stating (correctly and undeniably) that there was contradictory info regarding FS used by HR's... , and asking what was really correct please?

 He read it partially, didn't glean that there was a question, and thought I was asserting some technical info perhaps to inflate my ego or something, and - threatened by this - he posted an insulting reply that "everybody knows that" and "newbs always do this", paraphrased. It was very revealing in terms of the fragile ego and what-not, but it was also rude, unproductive and unjustified. He has never apologized to anyone on any threads I've perused, and is often, as was the case with me, outright mistaken about what was said or asked, or intended, cuz he's made it where it's impossible to tip-toe without hitting one of his toes. ;-) 

SMILE. I WANT YA TO LIVE LONGER, HONEST BROTHER.

Said equine thoroughly thrashed and buried. No more justifications. Wrong or Right, I'm asking for a little civility to future "NOOBS" (short for "NOt OBSessed with satellite forums) ;-) Just kidding, really."