On Sun, 20 Mar 2011 11:42:01 -0700, mike wrote:
Locally, we have about 2800 licensed hams in the county, of which I
would guess about 500 are at least semi-active, 100 regularly attend
various club meetings, 50 bother to build things, and perhaps 4 are
qualified to design anything useful. While it's possible to get some
help with design and construction from ham radio, it really depends on
whom you contact.
Valid point, although I think you exaggerate a bit.
I'm fairly sure about the 2800 hams in Santa Cruz County. The other
numbers are from many years of experience dealing with exactly the
issues that were mentioned. For example, the local electronics dealer
(Santa Cruz Electronics) often sends me customers who need some
expertise beyond what could be provided by the counter sales person,
but not so much that it would require a consulting contract. Much of
the stuff people want designed already exists. Other time, I end up
building some abomination for yet another get rich quick scheme.
Sometimes, I have to ask for help (i.e. I'm a lousy programmer), so I
have a clue as to how many locals are available and able to help. Of
course, since I'm a member of both SCZ County radio clubs, I know how
many of those are hams. My numbers might be off perhaps +/- 25%, but
not much more.
Now, give those same numbers for the denizens of sci.electronics.repair.
Maybe two numbers, with and without the profuse few who insist
on pushing the SNR toward zero.
Well, if you mean topic drift, you're discussing the problem with the
chief culprit. If the original question is boring or of little
interest, I simply change the topic. If the OP wants his question
answered, he can simply rephrase it so that it's more interesting and
less boring.
I'd also like to hear your estimate of the percentage that even
attempt to add USEFUL new information that helps answer the
original question.
That's easy. Just grep through the answers and see how many answers
supply calculations, numbers, references, and specifics. It won't be
many, but if you look hard, you may find some specific answers. URL's
don't count because most people don't explain why the URL should be
read.
In my case, I always try to add something useful to my answers. It
may not answer the original question, but it should be at least
interesting.
Percentages by post will be different than percentage
by author.
True. Quantity is a bad substitute for quality. Just ignore the
quantity of my words and postings.
And the percentage that just want to argue for the sake of arguing,
name calling, backstabbing, "hey look how smart I think I am", etc.
That would be 100%. I doubt that everyone is interested in helping
the OP as much as grandstanding, ego inflation, or some kind of power
trip. It's a futile effort, but it's still commonly practiced. My
motivation varies radically by the day. For example, todays endless
drivel is justified by my procrastinating on working on my income
taxes. Other days, I'm don't have a clue about the original question,
but am sufficiently interested in the topic to do the necessary
research on the topic, and present a passable summary of what I've
found. In rare cases, I may have some experience or knowledge about
the topic, and deign to pontificate about it. Whatever works.
On any subject, it's important to ask someone who knows what he's talking
about.
Not really. I ask very few questions. My last attempt resulted in
demonstrating how I can ignore the obvious by installing several
polarized capacitors backwards.
http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/crud/GX520-bad-caps.jpg
Even so, there were plenty of wrong answers supplied by various people
trying to be helpful. In most cases, I can eliminate the clueless by
simply looking at the writing style. No numbers means no clue. One
line answers means no thinking was involved in crafting the answer.
Pontifications without substantiation means that they're not really
certain about their answer or their abilities. I don't even bother
with RTFM type answers. However, I'm perfectly willing to grovel
through the garbage for an answer and NEVER pass judgment on the
author. The reason dates back to my introduction to usenet, where I
managed to accidentally insult a well known expert, who didn't have
the time or interest to offer more than a general clue.
Incidentally, I've seen more wrong answers by established experts, who
are either too much in a hurry to supply a complete answer, or make
assumptions that the reader may not be able to catch.
Unfortunately, there are precious few of them.
On the contrary. Everyone is an expert on something. Where the
problems start are when they go out of their area of expertise. The
recent discussions on nuclear reactors in various forums is a great
example. Most of those posting are perfectly competent in their areas
of expertise, but rather marginal when discussing nuclear power.
Similarly, the amazing number of climate experts in the global warming
discussion should make one wonder how there can possibly be so many
climate experts in a field that didn't really exist more than perhaps
10 years ago.
Incidentally, ever notice that the more insignificant the question,
the more answers are supplied. Really well written and important
questions, rarely get any attention.
Most get drowned out by the multitude.
At the bottom of every dumpster is a diamond. It's yours if you're
willing to dig through the muck.
Some of them ARE hams.
Sure. However, the typical 10 minute monologue on 80 meters doesn't
offer much of an endorsement.
--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060
http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558