I have to say, in support of several expressed opinions in this thread:
I came, I lurked, I reg'd when I had something to contribute, and finally, when I couldn't FIND an answer to something I wanted to know, I asked. But I did have half my answer because I did search first. I'm housebroken, you see. I had the foresight to research what might potentially be necessary for me to know, before I needed to know it. I lurked. Maybe you aren't the type to plan ahead and now you are in need. If so, work on changing that aspect of your character. You'll keep coming back again and again with problems, if you don't realize now that you must include learning as part of your online commerce arsenal. Think ahead and learn to plan for option b and option c.
I do have a slightly different perspective than HWGA (not by much). Although his approach to the common questioner is well deserved, my approach suits my own personality better that his would suit me. Just the same as his suits him just fine, and probably better for him than if he tried my approach. A hell of a guy, really.
I'll answer a question. No prob. But if it's all over the forum already, I give a brief answer and maybe paste links. The reason I am willing to answer when perhaps I could just say "go search"? Because sometimes when I do my own searches, I get too many answers and many just fluff. Sometimes *I* find that I simply can't digest all the crap and/or obsolete info just to get one small nugget of value. I consider that maybe somebody really does need a quick and dirty fact, not a whole coarse in theory or whatever. Also, for me, typing a quick reply is sometimes less keystrokes than it takes to tell them to go search <grin>. In addition to that, I get to choose the victims of my long-windedness. Ask yozalo about that. Or if you have the guts, ask me to PM you an answer about something. My PM count is higher than my Post count. Believe it. Much higher.
FAQ section would be appropriate for forum related FAQs and should not include
stealth guide FAQs. The guide speaks quite well for itself. Thank the man for that. He did a good job putting it all together.
If you don't have the
stealth guide, get it. Use it later if you don't have the time right now. But get it and use it. Considering that you are here because you have been selling and for whatever reason need to get back to selling, it would be clear that you intend to profit. So spend a couple of coins for the Guide. It's more than worth it. Be willing to pay for the valuable information, just the same as you expect to be paid for your valuable goods.
My best answer to anyone with a question: If you have the time to search, then do it. If you have the time to browse, it would be to your benefit to do so. If you really need an answer fast, ask HWGA (just to amuse me), then ask me to PM you (again, just to amuse me). Then follow it up with some browsing and searching. You can't learn too much. The more you know, the better off you are. Try not to be annoying.
Remember who you are. Remember where you are. You are a guest at Aspkin's party pad of pleasure. You come here seeking something of value from people who possess what you seek. Be decent. Demanding data now now now is not going to make you very many friends. Acting poorly if you get an answer you don't like, well that's immature. Real info that is unfortunate to learn is still better than having smoke blown up your giggie. If you get bad news, deal with it. And thank whoever gave you the facts. If your mechanic says you need a new alternator, it sucks. But aren't you glad when the new alternator is installed? Aren't you glad there was a mechanic to take your money and give you the alternator? Keep it real. Be ready to return something valuable some day. When it's your turn to spill the beans, do a good job.
Some answers won't always come quickly. Believe it or not, we don't LIVE here. We don't HAVE all the answers. You may have to wait until somebody smart actually logs in and sees your question through all the other new questions. Or wait until somebody nice but not so smart, like me, logs in and take what you get... What we don't know, we are often willing to help figure out. I love a mystery. I love a tough puzzle. Tell me strange stories and ask me obscure questions.
Anything and everything is worth as much as you are willing to invest or willing to pay for. My advice is free and may only be worth about that much. You get what you pay for... BECAUSE what works for me might be completely useless to you. Everyone's problem is unique, even if it is similar to another person's problem. So each solution will also be unique and probably similar to another solution. If you aren't willing to convey all aspects of your problem, you won't get a complete answer. I realize quite well that some things can not be revealed. Most of us do. But if you must hold something back, you must realize that maybe we can't give good info because key elements have to be withheld...
Not everyone here is from the same country. Some answers will be different for different people because they are in a different place. You can bite your tongue, if you see something you think is completely opposite from what you believe YOU know. Check their flag first. Don't spout off too soon and regret your comments afterward.
Don't pretend to know something just to impress somebody. Your bad answer could ruin somebody. One minor detail could mean the difference of somebody keeping thousands of dollars or losing it. For real. If you tell me something and I trust you, then later it costs me big stash, you won't be my hero. If you do know something useful and you happen to be new, share with confidence. You might end up being my hero.
What worked last month or yesterday might not work today or next week. If you read something that looks a bit off, keep that in mind. Like the weather in Michigan - if you don't like it, wait 5 minutes for it to change.
Wear your tinfoil hat sometimes. Bring a sense of humor. Don't bring matches and gasoline.
In closing, I confess that this may be the strangest post to a FAQ section. But I think it fits well enough. Best advice is to read as much as you can, and ask questions when appropriate to the circumstance. Give back more than you take.
