Noob newbie help sorry

[steelerfanatic7]

Maybe i am wrong but i am kind of tired of people apologizing for asking beginners questions in the beginners forum. Seems kinda ridiculous. Isn't that what this section is for? I know some things repeat a lot but i think thats ok for a beginners section because a lot of beginners have the same questions. The search function is there i know but sometimes the answers on there aren't exactly what beginners are looking for. Great section has helped me out a lot but no need to feel bad for asking noob newbie etc. questions in the beginners forum!

 

[Grizzlybrew]

I somewhat agree. Often I search for an answer just to find that all the posts are similar, but not exactly what I am looking for... So, in that case, I post a question that may be very similar to other posts...

BUT...

Asking very basic, generic questions is a waste of space on this forum when the answer is clearly available. Sometimes, I will search through 2-3 pages of search results and in each result, several pages of posts. I'm not only looking for the answer but different people perspective on the topic.

Also, if most beginners would at least scan a book like "How To Brew" by Palmer, a lot!!! of their questions would be answered.

But, in that same vein, I will continue to answer all questions I feel qualified to answer (and some I probably am not )

 

[homebrewdad]

I agree on principle, OP. This is the beginner's forum.

On the other hand, I read this forum quite a bit before I ever posted the first time, because I didn't want to waste time.

Then again, when I had my first explosive fermentation, Iposted here looking for help. Panic changed my perspective, you see...

Regardless, I do try to answer the newbie questions that I feel qualified to answer. That way, I feel better about my own dumb questions.

 

[steelerfanatic7]

I somewhat agree. Often I search for an answer just to find that all the posts are similar, but not exactly what I am looking for... So, in that case, I post a question that may be very similar to other posts...

BUT...

Asking very basic, generic questions is a waste of space on this forum when the answer is clearly available. Sometimes, I will search through 2-3 pages of search results and in each result, several pages of posts. I'm not only looking for the answer but different people perspective on the topic.

Also, if most beginners would at least scan a book like "How To Brew" by Palmer, a lot!!! of their questions would be answered.

But, in that same vein, I will continue to answer all questions I feel qualified to answer (and some I probably am not )

Agree completely!

 

[AllHopAbandon]

A LOT of forums dedicated to other hobbies (games for instance, MMOs in particular) are populated by elitists that take any opportunity to flame beginners (noobs, always used pejoratively) to the GROUND. Maybe the beginners here, who don't know yet how helpful HBT actually is, have had some bad experiences elsewhere.

I know that when I started lurking here a few months ago, I was absolutely stunned by how helpful and patient everyone is. Sometimes someone will be gently reminded of the search function, but I don't think I've ever seen any real elitism here.

 

[TTB-J]

Maybe i am wrong but i am kind of tired of people apologizing for asking beginners questions in the beginners forum. Seems kinda ridiculous. Isn't that what this section is for? I know some things repeat a lot but i think thats ok for a beginners section because a lot of beginners have the same questions. The search function is there i know but sometimes the answers on there aren't exactly what beginners are looking for. Great section has helped me out a lot but no need to feel bad for asking noob newbie etc. questions in the beginners forum!

I think you were drunk when you wrote this. How else could you be a Steeler's fan?

 

[steelerfanatic7]

I was wondering how long it would take for my name to get attention. And yes i know good football when i see it. But no i wasn't drunk when i wrote it.

 

[TheG3RG]

I also use the search forum option quite often... very useful tool.

 

[cimirie]

I see absolutely no problem with a newbie posting any question whatsoever in the beginners forum. And at the same time, I find no reason for anybody to complain when a vet flames said newbie for asking a question that 10 seconds spent on Google would have produced an answer.

It is the minority of questions in this noob forum that hasn't been asked and answered at least a dozen times. Which is fine, but people get frustrated with the lack of personal initiative to find your own answer. We're all here to help each other, but you gotta be prepared to help yourself first.

Happy brewing!

 

[LTownLiquorPig]

I see absolutely no problem with a newbie posting any question whatsoever in the beginners forum. And at the same time, I find no reason for anybody to complain when a vet flames said newbie for asking a question that 10 seconds spent on Google would have produced an answer.

It is the minority of questions in this noob forum that hasn't been asked and answered at least a dozen times. Which is fine, but people get frustrated with the lack of personal initiative to find your own answer. We're all here to help each other, but you gotta be prepared to help yourself first.

Happy brewing!

The trouble with being new at it though, at least for me, is I don't always trust my instincts about the information I get. And I don't always see trust that an answer to a question that might seem similar to my question is going to be the best answer. So I ask. More often than not I hijack a thread and then the thread dies and I'm stuck with no answer.....

 

[rifraf]

I have noticed that a lot of the google answers point to older threads. It seems like this hobby changes quite a bit (secondary vs no secondary, late malt extract etc) so I know I've duplicated some questions to see if anything has changed.

Everyone so far has been incredibly patient and helpful, so thanks everyone!

 

[BeardtreeBrewing]

Being a newer brewer myself I can relate to the silly errors in the first couple brews and the panic associated with it. I humbles me when the more experienced members on here just go ahead and answer the post even tho I'm sure they've answered similar questions countless times before.

Quite honestly, one of the main reasons I absolutely love this hobby is how welcoming the community was. That being said, is a secondary really necessary? I can seem to make up my mind.

 

[cimirie]

I have noticed that a lot of the google answers point to older threads. It seems like this hobby changes quite a bit (secondary vs no secondary, late malt extract etc) so I know I've duplicated some questions to see if anything has changed.

There are few topics that change that quickly. Having said that, posing a question as a "has the thinking around this topic changed" is a very different question than "how do I do this?" if that's what you mean, it's no longer a noob question, and is actually an insightful experienced brewer question.

 

[ak-71]

Sometimes I want to ask something just because I am curious not worried or have a problem and it seems like a waste of people’s time
Example:
I am watching my second batch (3 weeks in) keeping moving yeast at times and producing some occasional bubbles with no SG change or airlock activity (carboy => good seal). My first batch didn't do that (or I didn't notice in a bucket).
I know the answer is "keep it 3 weeks on east", but I still wonder what's going on, do wheat beers finish slower?. It’s not a problem, I’m just curious if it’s normal as I have not done it often enough.

 

[Hugh_Jass]

Meh...I don't mind new-ish brewers asking questions that seem repetitive to more veteran members. If I don't know, it's already been answered, or I simply don't feel like responding, I don't.

There's many others who happily answer those frequently asked questions. I never really understood the whole "use the f'ng search function, noob" mentality. If you don't want to answer, don't. To answer in that manner w/o any helpful advice or any type of answer is simply rude.

Additionally, the search function for non-paying members sucks. Most newer brewers are new to the boards and probably are not privy to the the advanced features. Telling them to search first, especially given the number of threads this board hosts, is a bit ridiculous.

 

[Mutt98]

I had this same thought being a noob myself. But I'm also a teacher and I know how frustrating it can be to answer the same questions day after day. However, i still do it and I don't belittle the kid and tell them to look up the answer somewhere else. It's admirable when experienced brewers hand down advice to us beginners and it furthers the hobby. Ive been reading non stop and my first brew is in the fermenter as we speak. If I have a question, please don't run me off, I've read everything I can (including Palmer) but I might just need some support or affirmation that I'm not screwing up. Thanks again.

 

[Brewchitect]

reading is fun but it can't beat the camaraderie of fellow brewers answering your questions in a conversation/ FORUM type scenario.

 

[tektonjp]

Meh...I don't mind new-ish brewers asking questions that seem repetitive to more veteran members. If I don't know, it's already been answered, or I simply don't feel like responding, I don't.

There's many others who happily answer those frequently asked questions. I never really understood the whole "use the f'ng search function, noob" mentality. If you don't want to answer, don't. To answer in that manner w/o any helpful advice or any type of answer is simply rude.

Additionally, the search function for non-paying members sucks. Most newer brewers are new to the boards and probably are not privy to the the advanced features. Telling them to search first, especially given the number of threads this board hosts, is a bit ridiculous.

Amen. If I'm in a helpful mood, I'll cruise the beginners forum and help if possible. If I'm not, I just don't go there. That is not the place to get snarky.

For me, the real gold in this site is truly found by digging around in the threads. I've learned tons. Quiet thanks to all my elders in the brew community for sharing through the years!

 

[Grizzlybrew]

...That being said, is a secondary really necessary? I can['t] seem to make up my mind.

lol. I don't know if this meant to be funny or sad...

Additionally, the search function for non-paying members sucks. Most newer brewers are new to the boards and probably are not privy to the the advanced features. Telling them to search first, especially given the number of threads this board hosts, is a bit ridiculous.

I'm not sure I noticed a difference in my pre and post premium member days searching for answers. Additionally, one of the reasons I first joined this forum is because my GOOGLE searches ALWAYS included results from this forum. If you're too bothered to search a little for an answer, I could come over and brew the beer for you too. It's easier that way.

But I'm also a teacher and I know how frustrating it can be to answer the same questions day after day. However, i still do it and I don't belittle the kid and tell them to look up the answer somewhere else.

If there are children or even adults on here that lack the capacity to search for answers on their own, I'm not sure if they need to take on a (potentially) technically challenging hobby like homebrewing.

reading is fun but it can't beat the camaraderie of fellow brewers answering your questions in a conversation/ FORUM type scenario.

I do agree. I still remember the first time Denny C replied to one of my posts... he was correcting me in my advice to another brewer (lol) but made me feel great to see his avatar/screenname in the same thread as mine.

One more thing I thought about during my original post - Most of the time, I hit up "unanswered questions" first and rarely look at the flow diagram to see what forum the post has been posted to.

I feel I've been a little aggressive against non-searching newbies here, but rest assured, it takes a very, very basic question to get me to say something other than answering the question and sharing my knowledge and experience.

As someone else mentioned, one of the great things about this hobby is the community, And, it's funny as I think about it now. One of my favorite things to do when I was working at a LHBS, was to talk to new brewers and introduce them to the hobby. For the most part, I try to take that approach here.