Civility being lost on this forum

Former user wrote on 3/30/2013, 2:15 PM

Maybe I am just being sensitive, but I notice more and more on this forum that answers to some questions, mostly new user questions, are becoming less civil and more accusatory as far as to why someone wants to do something. I know other forums are a lot worse, but this forum is migrating in a direction that I am not comfortable with.

As a result, I say adieu. Good luck and thanks for all of your help.

Dave T2

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Comments

Rory Cooper wrote on 4/2/2013, 3:19 AM

Humility is essential for learning. Humiliation although sounding similar is the opposite of humility, and is a stumbling block for learning.

Asking questions is the easiest way of learning because questions reflect what you already understand even if incorrect and want to know or add to. So biting someone’s head off because they got something wrong is counterproductive.

Often folks will ask something on the forum but with an apology that’s because they are expecting some teeth marks around there necks afterward, and that’s sad. when an old fart bites your head off its more sloppy and slimy than sharp and painful and that’s how I have managed to last this long on this wonderful forum.

The education system worldwide is a pathetic joke. This forum folks is one of the last bastions for real education.

_Lenny_ wrote on 4/2/2013, 10:54 AM

Rory, I agree that asking questions is necessary; one that that particularly irks me is when respondents insist that users "SEARCH BEFORE ASKING!"

Unless you know what to search for - unless you know the terminology - searching is often futile. Asking becomes a necessity, and only the experience and skill of the more knowledgeable here can decipher the language of the inexperienced.

I'd love to learn Linux, but the terminology is mindnumbingly obscure; there is no way a search would help me. The problem is really that I don't know how to ask the question I need an answer to.

So, when there are questions posted to which some of the more "arrogant" here would reply RTFM, I think about how I feel when lost in Linux Land, and try to offer a guiding hand.

John_Cline wrote on 4/2/2013, 1:19 PM

I have been participating in this forum less and less lately, perhaps it's subconscious. The tone of the forum has changed, there are a lot more discussions about crashes and bugs. I'm not participating because I'm not experiencing these problems so I have nothing constructive to say. I participated much more when it was about using the Vegas software. However, I still check the forum daily.

The tone of the forum has been constantly changing since I first joined over ten years ago. You think today's forum is less civil? Were you not around during the BillyBoy days? :)

FilmingPhotoGuy wrote on 4/2/2013, 1:53 PM

Actually I forbid DaveT2 to leave. He has learnt so much here over the years and now he leaves before we have a chance to learn from him. Damn, that not fair.

I have taught myself not to feed the trolls and refuse to worship those holier than thou gurus. This is OUR forum not THIERS. I paid the licenses and have a right to be here no matter how dumb my question is. I have always received a lot of help here when I needed timely advice and am grateful for that. You soon learn who the oligarchs are and ignore them.

So Dave don't be bullied out.

Craig

Laurence wrote on 4/2/2013, 3:43 PM

>I'm not participating because I'm not experiencing these problems so I have nothing constructive to say. I participated much more when it was about using the Vegas software

Today was a little worse than usual crash-wise for me. Maybe eight crashes so far. I don't participate in these stability discussions much anymore because there isn't much positive to glean from them unfortunately. I must admit that I will experience a rush of frustration related adrenaline when V13 is released without the many stability issues of V12 and V11, or the black frames or replaced footage problems being addressed that go back at least to V10. Very soon all these "never completely finished" versions will have added V12 as it too is orphaned and the remaining bugs never fixed.

I would be very happy to pay for a V13 version that dropped GPU support as well as all the new features since V9 except for compatibility with the newest DSLR video formats.

I too miss the days of positive discussion of the ways to solve various problems in Vegas, but not nearly as much as I miss being able to work with only the occasional crash.

Duncan H wrote on 4/2/2013, 3:51 PM

Hi John Cline,

I was around during Billy Boy and Blinky's time. I miss them both - for different reasons. I seem to remember that they both actually had knowledge of Vegas and they certainly contributed alot. I actually enjoyed most of the repartee, although I can imagine it wasn't always great fun being on the receiving end of a barb or two. Certainly added colour and a sense of drama to the forum. Ahh, the good ol' days.....

diverG wrote on 4/2/2013, 4:06 PM

I can sympathise with questions from those new to VP. If you are not sure of the terminology searching a manual does not always provide immediate results. Many years ago I had to get to grips with Pascal and later C++. Asking questions was a nightmare. One of the best pieces of advice given was to carefully explain the problem to ‘teddy’. It clarified the problems which invariably cleared themselves. It also made it easier to pose the problem logically.
This forum is a wonderful source of knowledge and all questions should be answered courteously.

@ DaveT2: Please stay I've learnt a lot from your replies.

Butch Moore wrote on 4/2/2013, 6:24 PM

The continued development of Sony Vegas is directly related to sales. Each day, a small number of users quit using Vegas for one reason or another. The reason may be retirement, moving to different software, sheer boredom and even death. Yes, there is a natural attrition associated with the use of any product and our NLE is no different.

It is in everyone's best interest to welcome with kind hearts and open minds anyone who seeks help on this forum, especially new users. I've asked a dumb question or two in my time. But at that moment, I needed help and usually have been blessed with the assistance of a forum member.

I get tickled, as I read between the lines, when assumptions are made. Because a user doesn't understand frame rates, interlacing or other complexities of videography, it should not be a measure of their ability to be an important contributor to the forum.

I’ve been in this business since 1996. Before that, 23 years as a broadcaster. Our small company supports three full-time and two part-time employees. We each have the opportunity to travel the world (Brazil next month) and do what we love to do. But honestly, I have to look to tell you what kind of cameras we have! I’m not stupid…it’s just not part of the information necessary for me to accomplish my job. I’ve developed workflows for nearly everything we do. But, when a workflow fails, THAT’s when you’ll find me seeking answers on the forum.

I’ve only encountered one negative comment directed toward me since I joined in 2007. That person is no longer around…’nuff said.

I have noticed that members don’t laugh as much as they used to! Although we’re supposed to only talk about Vegas and related topics…I enjoy a good laugh now and then.

This forum is my most valuable resource. Many thanks to everyone who has ever got my butt out of a mess. I, for one, am not going anywhere!