Leaving because of the Noob Apocalypse

[Cobbatron]

Alex... I would hate to see you go, literally I would HATE it.

I have been here for a year and a little over a month now, but when I first got here I made my introduction and guess who was the FIRST person to say hello to me! AlexSpartan177. From then on I knew that this dude would be awesome, he was kind to noobs and always lent a helping hand!

Then the 2010 June apocalypse happened, the site went down for little over 3 weeks, we recovered. But it A) got us more publicity and B) changed everyone. We came back to this new site and thought, "Well, its like the millennium falcon. Its awesome, but time has turned it into a trash can lid (what they actually used to make the falcon!)"

When we first got featured on waypoint, people saw it and we got about 500+ new members, 90% of which said "HAY GUYZ I IZ NEWBS CAN I HAZ UR ARMER FOR 20 DOLLA'S???" and "WHAT AMZ PEPUKARUASUSE? (pepakura)" and my personal favorite "HY I LYKE HALLO CN I TKE UR ARMER AND CAN IT BEE TO MY HITE??? I PAY 20 BUCS!!!" but that 10% said, "hey guys whats up, I'm new, been reading for about 2 months now and am finally ready to start makin some armor. I know the procedure, safety precautions, tools necessary, even how to mold, and how to pronounce Pepakura like a pro." THAT is a member that is good. Now that we have a thing on waypoint every month, more 10 year old n00bs are rolling in and such.

We all know that I do 3d models. Well I am going to show you guys a PM I received from a guy. He asked me to model a GUNGIR helmet, his typing made him look like a 3 year old boy. I didnt have time to answer the PM so I let it sit there for a while, the next day I got this...

I'm just going to assume you didn't give a s*** (in original PM was un-cencored) and ignored the message. Never mind.

I replied, saying that I did read his PM, I was going to work on the GUNGIR, but forgot to reply. When I received this I told him that since he seems to be stuck up, I deleted the GUNGIR file. Then I got this...

What ever floats your boat. I'm not going to kiss your a** for a f***ing (in original PM was un-censored) hobby. Honestly, I'm a little disappointed that you turned out to be a d*** (in original PM was un-cencored). I still really appreciate your work, it's very well done. But, you seem to have entitlement issues.

This message has been untampered with except to censor his potty mouth. This guy had 0 posts, no proof of making ANYTHING, and apparently thinks I have entitlement issues! Hahaha, I laugh at it. I replied telling him his PM was reported and that at this moment I have the upper hand, ending with, "have a wonderful day!"

Also from a different dude, left me a visitor comment "GAY!!!!! U R GAY!!!! GAY GAY GAY LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!" He was banned.

I have gotten many PM's from noobs of all kind, some nasty, some annoying, and some just down right stupid, "Hay cld u mdle the chest frm Reach, I seen one by dude "Rhino" it was stupid, the ODST in ur avatr looks good, u cld mke awesome chst!!" What an idiot

So yes the noob uprising has gotten out of hand, but at this point we can do nothing.

I have realized that this is the longest reply I have ever made on the 405th, so I'm just gonna say...

Rhinoc out, PEACE!!

 

[xhimpei]

Well,firstly - I'm definitely a noob in the community. Just thought I'd chime in and say not all noobs are the begging types with horrendous spelling. I know there's a fair chance that I'll not get round to making my own armour, due to time and money constraints, but after lurking about, and really admiring the community and level of skill from the members, felt I had to join and be part of it. I thought I could contribute to the community before taking from it.

however, I'd hate to think that if and when I come to make some armour, if I needed help people wouldn't be put off answering what may seem to them to be a stupid question just because of a low post count, or I'd missed something in the stickies. There's a load of information on this site, and I'd imagine it could be quite overwhelming to someone who didn't know where to start, or a younger person. Anyway Just thought I'd throw my 2p into here as someone who joined recently.

 

[spartan 087]

I have noticed a lot of noobs on here so I usually come on here once and a while to see what's new and to post on things that are looking good. And since I am making 1 armor and 1 cosplay and going to school my time on here is limited. But there are certain people I do stay in contact with via Facebook and I like posting my progress on there since on here the posts usually get lost in a shuffle of many things. But AlexSpartan177 it will be sad to see you go since you always had good words of encouragement.

 

[AI Blue Fox]

A little trick to not be attacked by noobs that I have used for the past 2 years: tough love. you may see some of my newer posts being more rude then my usual old kind self, but ever since coming back in augest after my few months brake from all that is halo, I knew that there was going to be $h17 hitting the fan. Look at the first thread I made on the site "I am 13 but want armouor anyway" even though I was a little kid who lied about his age (that not being a very good lie anyway) and could hardly spell, adam and the rest of the forum opened their arms. Though I have not finish a complete prop yet, I still look to those who first talked to me like Adam and Ithica. How bout this, from now on direct noobs who keep PMing you to me. I have a...way witrh noobs don't want to lose another good friend on this site to the 11 year olds!

 

[Varsity]

would hate to see you leave. but i agree we need to shutdown the membership for a couple of months.

 

[jimbo only one]

that was beautiful...you sir are no noob, just because you are new and being mentored doesnt make you a noob, you read the stickys, watched the vids, understood the "search read learn, and shut up until it was needed" system, i applaud you for being a model "new member" (i cant bring myself to call you a noob)

Thank you,
As for not being a noob, how about "working learner"?
Also just to let you know, I spent 4 hours yesterday alone watching Ithica's vids on youtube, (I hope my boss doesnt see this).

 

[Roadwarrior]

What could be done is have new members start as a "Lurking" Account witch all they can do is browse the topics and not post or PM.

Then if they want to post and stuff they can "Upgrade" to a Member account by going to a section in their profile that asks "Why do you want to join the 405?" then submitting a forum they type out saying along the lines of, "I would like to start an armour project here on the 405th and would like to post a Work in Progress topic".

Of coarse the text submission could also be placed in the Create Account part too and skip the lurker account.

P.S

The Mod would have to Approve/disapprove the submission.

 

[xBeaver Feaver]

Just my $0.02, but please dont paint all noobs with the same brush. I cant speak for all new members, but Im sure there any many us that have good, honest intentions.

 

[Hickeydog]

Keep in mind that we were all noobs at one point. There are the bad noobs and the good noobs.

I have not idea how well this could be implemented as I have no experience with website design, but here's an interesting thought. What if we assigned each new member a mentor, and the noob can PM the mentor, but not post or PM anyone else. After a week or so of answering questions and talking things over with that noob, the mentor decides (based on the quality of messages) if that noob should be allowed into the noob forum.

I would be happy to help filter out the "DOOD I NEDS HALO ARMMORZ CAN U HEP MEZ OUT PLZ!?!?????" people.

 

[n1njqch1cken]

Keep in mind that we were all noobs at one point. There are the bad noobs and the good noobs.

I have not idea how well this could be implemented as I have no experience with website design, but here's an interesting thought. What if we assigned each new member a mentor, and the noob can PM the mentor, but not post or PM anyone else. After a week or so of answering questions and talking things over with that noob, the mentor decides (based on the quality of messages) if that noob should be allowed into the noob forum.

I would be happy to help filter out the "DOOD I NEDS HALO ARMMORZ CAN U HEP MEZ OUT PLZ!?!?????" people.

when i was a noob, well a bigger noob, nintendude approached me about his noob mentor programme, and a said, "yeah, sounds cool!", so he assigned me a mentor and he was a HUGE help, answering those questions that weren't big enough to create a new thread for and helping me with tips about armour and stuff . now, i haven't worked on my armour for a while because of school, but i have still been learning techniques and doing.... stuff...... in forums, so hopefully that means i'm done with my noob stage, even though my rank says i have been an infantry man for... hmmm... well.... not a long time, but still, not a really short time, so about average. . i really think we need a better ranking up system, so noobs don't find out "OmGZZZ!!! onLY 1o0 poStzz tiLLL RANKzzz UP?!?!?!?!" and spam threads with inappropriate posts.

 

[GunGryphon]

Yes, even though I am a newer member, I would love to put in my three cents to solve this problem.

I agree that the good noobs need to be sifted from the bad ones, the hard part is how to do it.

One method to sort out all "good" noobs and the "Bad" noobs is to have them take a random questionare on the account creation screen. This would require them to comb the fourms and stickies for the answers. That way, the good noobs will know most of the basic answers, and (most) of the lazy noobs will stop right there.

From there, it could be a possible idea to require them to either have their own WIP thread or submit to having their manors/content reviewed before they can post outside the noob fourm. This task could be handled by a set of "Sub Regulators" that are devoted purely to evaluating newer players based on their knowlage, manors, spelling, ect. This would help the good noobs move up in the world and keep the bad ones in their place.

I hope that I can be of some help in solving this issue. Im sorry to hear that this problem has caused so much trouble.
-Gryphon

 

[alix965]

Al, sometimes you gotta go through a lot of static to get to the true signal. There are some new people here that are willing to learn. whether you believe it or not, you are part of the405 th knowledge base...it would be a shame for you to remove yourself from the community becasue of some empty headed dunderheads, which bail at the first sign of some hard work.

I think it's emportant to clarify the difference between NOOB and LOSER. But,like so many posts in this thread have pointed out, your frustration is understandable. No one will second guess your decision, just promise that it will be a 'break' from the forums and not you going away for good.

Be well friend.

 

[XEcUtiONeR]

Another Noob here. I just want to say I'm saddened to hear about you leaving the community Alex. While I am relatively new as a named member, I have been a long time lurker (on and off for a year), soaking in as much knowledge before I decided I'd take the step to joining the community proper, and I can say that I have followed many threads in my attempt to learn as much as possible. And, I can also say I have followed a few of yours mate, including the WETA ODST helmet and your Navy/SEALS thread (Don't know if this is still a go or not, I was just interested as I'm looking to join our Navy on the other side of the pond ) to name a few off the top of my head. It is always a shame when a community like this gets inundated with clueless idiots who want everything on a plate, and I'm sorry to hear your leaving because of it after your contributed so much positivity to this community.
Anyway, all the best in whatever you do.
- X.

 

[Unity]

Alex-

I have been frustrated in recent times by Noobs . I am sad to hear that you are leaving. I Think that people who are newer (no offense to those who are) Need to realize that people who are long time members had a start too. They need to take their time, as they tend to rush things and want everything RIGHT NOW. Remember people, Take your time and start small, because if you dont this ends up hapening. Im sad for our loss on the forums,

Jacob

 

[Jester1014]

Keep in mind that we were all noobs at one point. There are the bad noobs and the good noobs.

I have not idea how well this could be implemented as I have no experience with website design, but here's an interesting thought. What if we assigned each new member a mentor, and the noob can PM the mentor, but not post or PM anyone else. After a week or so of answering questions and talking things over with that noob, the mentor decides (based on the quality of messages) if that noob should be allowed into the noob forum.

I would be happy to help filter out the "DOOD I NEDS HALO ARMMORZ CAN U HEP MEZ OUT PLZ!?!?????" people.

Great minds must think alike. I believe Nintendude has a mentor program set-up. When I start coating my parts for permanent casts, I'll be using my mentor like crazy if he has the patience for me.

Know I know I've had my share of stupid questions, but they were so simple of answers I didn't realize it till my mentor spoke with me. Boy did I feel like a "noob". I went back through and re-read all the NF stickies.

More effort for mentoring would be a great idea.

 

[Skullcandy Girl]

Bummer to see ya go Alex, though I get where you're coming from.

I'm closing this thread, as it could turn counter productive real fast.