ProfJohnL said:
The moderators do have a difficult job at times, and we must remember they are only human, and have lives of their own beyond watching the forum 24/7.
I have always been uncomfortable using the word "newby" it does seem to be belittling when all we are trying to say is "New caravanner"
Even though someone asks a "simple" question and hopes for a simple answer, for whatever the reason the answer may not be a simple as they hoped, and in terms of fault tracing, it often isn't simple.
But as Gafferbill points out there is a skill to imparting the right level of information to maximise the learning potential, but we are handicapped as we don't get to know the current level of understanding of most and especially new posters. So at what level do you set the response?
I too am guilty (possibly more than most) of diving into the technicalities. But also there are the occasions where the some advice given is definitely wrong or misleading and that needs to be corrected, and to show why, the reasoning behind it needs to be explained.
The informative advice that you and every other forum member offer to people who ask technical questions is extremely valuable to this forum Prof. When wrong or misleading advice has been given there's no problem with anyone correcting it, we very much welcome factual information.
There are times however when things depart so far from the original question that it would be best for all concerned for a completely new topic to open, perhaps with url links to and from the original question.
I really dislike removing forum content that someone has taken the time and trouble to post, and I'll explore the possibility of 'moderating' detailed technical threads which have left the original premise, so that further discussion appears in a new topic with no need for any noticeable disturbance to a discussion taking place.
As for the correct level of information, there is no method with which we can or should begin to analyse the intelligence of any forum member, so the simplest direct answer is always the best level to aim for, at least to start off with.
If the O.P. requires further details they will ask for them.
It's the responsibility of those seeking information to verify it's accuracy and to discover if any legal constraints apply, not the responsibility of Haymarket or of other forum members.
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