Rtfm

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I want to address something that bugs me. It happens on a lot of forums. Here's the scenario. A new member posts a question. It doesn't matter what it is or how stupid it may sound. He then gets the standard RTFM response from the same guys that always do it. I have a thick enough skin where it doesn't bother me if someone does it to me but it irks me when it is done to someone else.This will drive away new guys because no one likes to be made to feel small. I guess the older guys forget what it was like when you were a noob and clueless. I remember when I didn't even know how to search for a post but really most of the time I didn't know what to search for or the right questions to ask. Plus reading through pages and pages of info that might be obsolete anyway is tough. Things change. Sometimes a new guy may be lurking or new memebers have a new approach...what a waste of space to give an answer like that. I have been to ViperPits.org and the guys there have infinite patience with noobs and they do not tolerate RTFM responses AT ALL. This is wise because everyone does sooner or later and the noobs get the idea pretty quick anyway.
You wiseguys that give those kinds of answers, while it will make you feel important and omnipotent with your superior knowledge about all things related to IL2, in everyone elses eyes it makes you look petty and mean. That is a good way to drive people away or not contribute. Maybe that is what you really want. If so, that is pretty shortsighted. I use ViperPits as an example because even though I am a lurker there, the vibe is all about a community of people sharing ideas and it never degenerates into flaming or fights. It is not tolerated. Be patient. It's not that hard to do. Restrain yourself and before you post your response, ask yourself if it is an answer you would want to get.