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How About Adding Another Formum — Parallax Forums

How About Adding Another Formum

kenwtnkenwtn Posts: 250
edited 2006-03-05 21:10 in General Discussion
···· It may just be me but I believe I have seen others that may not be that educated in electronics yet we are trying to get into this robotic hobby. I am sure others are bored to death by some of the questions we ask yet to us these are big hurdles. So I am suggesting that maybe you all might setup another forum where we can ask basic 101 questions about hooking up the Basic Stamp and not feel that we are imposing on others.
··· What do you think?

Comments

  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2006-03-02 11:40
    While I may seem to know more, it really helps me to answer basic quesitons. I learn a lot via trying to communicate what I know.

    We all ready have the BasicStamp, the Stamps in Class, and the Sandbox. It really is not that formal and newcomers are always welcome. There really are no stupid questions [noparse][[/noparse]sometimes mighty unclear ones though]. Nonetheless, there are thoughtless answers and I myself try to avoid those.

    Don't feel too shy to ask what the difference between a resistor and a capactor is or why diodes only work in one direction.

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    "When all think alike, no one is thinking very much.' - Walter Lippmann (1889-1974)

    ······································································ Warm regards,····· G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse]·黃鶴 ]·in Taiwan
  • kenwtnkenwtn Posts: 250
    edited 2006-03-02 11:46
    I do appreciate individuals that think like you and understand that not all have a strong background in electronics. I was just thinking other may not like or be so understanding.
  • steve_bsteve_b Posts: 1,563
    edited 2006-03-02 15:07
    I'm in other forums of similar technical nature....and they do have "newbie/FAQ" sections with commonly asked questions.
    One forum has been around for so long, they got tired of answering the same question every month and decided to post "stickies" for ppl to read at their leisure.

    Kenwtn, you'll certainly find lots of helpful people here, but the best thing you can do is research as much as you can before posting your question/problem.
    The more detail you provide, the more you can be helped.

    I'm guessing, but as Parallax gets busier supporting all their new cool products, they may find themselves running tired answering everyones question, at which point I can see the forum getting a bit more ordered and structured! They do a great job....but I'm still hoping for a files section, as opposed to having to search through thousands of message posts to find an obscure program post. hint hint! [noparse];)[/noparse]

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    ·

    Steve

    "Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2006-03-02 15:20
    For questions relating to connection to a BASIC Stamp you can use the BASIC Stamp Forum for such questions.· The same follows suit with the other forums.· If it is a general electronics question you can post it in the Sandbox Forum.· That forum is designed for Parallax-related discussion that doesn't fit in any of the other forums.· Remember we have several books available online that teach some basic principles and are available as a free PDF download.· You can find these at the link below.

    http://www.parallax.com/html_pages/edu/curriculum/sic_curriculum.asp

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2006-03-02 16:59
    There is a whole U.S. military self study course on the web that is free too. The NEETS.

    Try http://www.zianet.com/NMAMARS/downloads/neets.htm

    It may be too much now, but keep it in mind as you grow. These government training courses are really geared toward trying to teach efficiently, and it is FREE.

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    "When all think alike, no one is thinking very much.' - Walter Lippmann (1889-1974)

    ······································································ Warm regards,····· G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse]·黃鶴 ]·in Taiwan
  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2006-03-02 19:15

    · I think that maybe there should be a FORUM for people who only want a Reply from the Parallax Folx.


    ·
  • Jon WilliamsJon Williams Posts: 6,491
    edited 2006-03-02 22:12
    Please, no, that is not fair to the hundreds of other participants in the forum who provide valuable feedback to others -- this is a community. For those that want an answer only from Parallax, our phone number to Tech Support is 1-888-99-STAMP.

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    Jon Williams
    Applications Engineer, Parallax
  • PJAllenPJAllen Banned Posts: 5,065
    edited 2006-03-02 23:27
    Chris Savage (Parallax) said...
    If it is a general electronics question you can post it in the Sandbox Forum.
    · I hadn't noticed till today, but the description of that Forum is now: "Topics related to the use of Parallax products but not spedifically (sic)·addressed by an individual forum."
    · I recall that it was formerly an "off-topic" area.
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2006-03-03 04:11
    I think we need a 'I don't know which forum' forum. A lot of lost souls lately.

    Thankfully Parallax has been very tolerent in comparision to other sites. Some are so concerned with 'wasting bandwidth' that they will chop your postings ups, other's just mysteriously delete your message without any notification. And some won't allow anything positive to be said about competative products. No wonder they remain less used.

    Still, the freedom is a responsiblity and try to use it wisely.
    Jon has pointed out that there is a direct Tech Support for one-on-one.

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    "When all think alike, no one is thinking very much.' - Walter Lippmann (1889-1974)

    ······································································ Warm regards,····· G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse]·黃鶴 ]·in Taiwan

    Post Edited (Kramer) : 3/3/2006 9:51:48 AM GMT
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2006-03-03 04:37
    PJ,

    ·· We are simply trying to update the forum descriptions to help people who don't know where to post and to help cut down on off-topic posting.· I have to move posts almost every day.· Some people post in whatever forum they happen to be in.· That's the best way to not get help.· It would also be nice to see some subject lines that describe the problem instead of "Help...", "n00b need help" and "(no subject)".

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com
  • knightofoldcodeknightofoldcode Posts: 233
    edited 2006-03-04 07:50
    PJ Allen said...
    I think that maybe there should be a FORUM for people who only want a Reply from the Parallax Folx.

    When I first came into these forums, I assumed, incorrectly, that the best answers would be from Parallax. This isn't always the case. While Parallax is excellent, they don't always have the best answers. I learned that on my first post here.

    There are many very intelligent people on these forums, that would help out in many ways. I recently saw one of the regular's send a guy a hardware unit at shipping cost, to one of the members, for no ohter reason than to be nice. I don't think they knew each other in any other way, other than through these forums.

    Parallax is excellent, and unrivaled in many ways. Including their forums. [noparse];)[/noparse] They don't have to be the exclusive reply, otherwise they'd have setup something other than a forum for questions. Such a support ticket method. Not to mention, quite a few employee's of Parallax were recruited from the forums, hence they already are very familiar with the hardware, prior to employement at Parallax.

    I do however second the notion of a "files" section, and the notion of a "asked and answered" section.

    Knight.

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  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2006-03-04 22:49
    Knight,

    ·· Thanks...I think...· =)

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com
  • PARPAR Posts: 285
    edited 2006-03-05 05:48
    knightofoldcode said...
    When I first came into these forums, I assumed, incorrectly, that the best answers would be from Parallax. This isn't always the case. While Parallax is excellent, they don't always have the best answers.· ....

    There are many very intelligent people on these forums, that would help out in many ways. ...

    Parallax is excellent, and unrivaled in many ways. Including their forums. [noparse];)[/noparse] They don't have to be the exclusive reply, ....
    I understand what you are saying, but let me come at it from another perspective and offer that you actually assumed _correctly_ ...

    Parallax has an extraordinary business model. This allows Parallax·to indeed·have the best answers. How many companies are able to muster up a consulting force such as you suggest ("of very intelligent people")·for free?!? You are part of Parallax's "best answers".

    Parallax rewards its free consulting force with very reasonably-priced products that entertain and teach, products that let folks solve a broad spectrum of other·problems as well.

    Parallax's exclusivity is its inclusivity. Smart way for Parallax to provide the best answers.

    PAR
    ·
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2006-03-05 18:10
    Besides having a great collection of customers on these forums there are a few points to remember when seeking help where having the general community there for answers in extremely beneficial.· For example, in Tech Support we often get e-mail or calls asking what is the "best way" to go about doing something.

    The "Best Way" we suggest may not be the best way at all.· By asking in a public forum where there are literally thousands of people who may have done this very thing you open yourself up to more possibilities.

    The same can be said for custom code.· We cannot write custom applications for customers, but by posting their progress on these forums you can enlist the assitance of thousands of people and open yourself up to someone who may have used a sensor or part that none of us in the company have used.

    I found these forums (And the Yahoo Groups before) to be extremely beneficial long before I came to Parallax, and even when I didn't have a question, per se, someone would often ask something that I may not have known or thought about and I gained knowledge in that discussion.· Also, I got ideas about doing things in ways I had not thought about.· Generally speaking everyone benefits from having the community for answers and we (Parallax) appreciate the support of the community in this endeavor.


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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Tech Support
    csavage@parallax.com


    Post Edited (Chris Savage (Parallax)) : 3/5/2006 7:57:36 PM GMT
  • Jon WilliamsJon Williams Posts: 6,491
    edited 2006-03-05 19:02
    Good points, Chris. There are many roads that lead to Rome, and likewise many paths the solution of any given problem. By having a [noparse][[/noparse]focused] community, many paths are revealed and we all benefit from the exchange.

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    Jon Williams
    Applications Engineer, Parallax
  • John R.John R. Posts: 1,376
    edited 2006-03-05 21:10
    Jon Williams (Parallax) said...
    having a [noparse][[/noparse]focused] community

    As a relatively new member, I would like to emphasize the "community" aspect of these forums. The users and moderators alike do a great job of making users feel welcome and truely a part of this "community". More than anything, I think that is what separates this from other support sites and forums I've been, and am involved with. This isn't just a collection of forums dealing with related technical issues, it is a community.

    Thanks not just to the folks at Parallax, but the entire community.

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    John R.

    8 + 8 = 10
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