It’s nice of you to attempt to stand up for newcomers. It’s sad that most newcomers don’t read the rules. While I would like to treat each and every person properly, there are simply too many new people to give each and every one individual attention. It’s expected that users behave like adults, but when most don’t even know the conditions they’ve agreed to, there is no other option but to scold like a child, because rule-breaking behavior risks more than themselves. It risks others. Many of the false tips that circulate the forums is a result of the rumors not being cut off fast enough.
I’m fully aware that a great many people have never been on a forum before, which is part of why it gets treated like a gymnasium or playground rather than a classroom. I’m fully aware that the language barrier, societal differences, cultural differences, technological differences, age differences and so, so many other demographics make it tricky to interact without stepping on toes.
The golden rule applies. But it’s plain impossible to uphold when the inmates run the asylum.
It’s completely possible to learn from other’s mistakes, but many people weren’t here to witness that mistake and lesson, and thus make the mistake themselves, and thus the cycle continues. If the mistakes are pointed out in private, then no one learns them, other than the offender.
Part of the reason for a forum is for pooled knowledge. The point of a classroom is to teach many people all at once. The knowledge is already here. The next ten ‘first post’ you see, check their read time. I’d be willing to bet that none would have a read time over an hour.
Asking for guidance is one thing. Demanding direct and individual attention is completely different. Private tutors are expensive in the real world. I get nothing for the hours I spend on the forum, attempting to help. Just how slowly should I explain something to one person, when there are 100 other children on the playground saying that climbing on the roof is fine and it’s okay to poke the wasp nest because they can be stung twice before there’re any consequences?