Think about this for a minute and see if you can understand my point.
Say that you want to learn a trade that is potentially hazardous, like a demolition expert on a bomb squad.
Off to school you go, only when you get there, you find that there are no teachers, just a big stack of books on the subject and 1 mean old grumpy Librarian. Now to get the book on the subject you want, you must ask TFSE...ooops, I mean librarian, but because she so mean, you are only allowed to ask 1 or 2 words pertaining to your subject. She then will give you a list of every stinkin book in the library that contains that word. It doesnt matter to her if the book is even about that word or if it is simply spoken out of context in a casual sentence. The word is in that book somewhere, therefore it's on your list. And here's an interesting twist. The books that you are given aren't written by a teacher, they are written by anyone who happens to walk in the door and has an opinion on the matter, so that info you worked so hard to find, may not even be correct. But if it's not right, you'll figure it out when the bomb explodes. What's that you say? You have a problem, but because you don't know what is exactly wrong, you can't figure out what words to tell the librarian? Well, you can ask your fellow students for help, and some may help, but most will just give you a hard time, make you feel stupid, or otherwise discourage you from asking any other silly questions. Damn you for not knowing the answer to a subject you have little or no experience on! You should know the answer before you ask the question! Try ESP or tarot cards next time! Just don't bug them! There are only 2 wires on the bomb you are defusing..you have a 50-50 chance!
Probably wouldn't be many showing up for the 2nd day on the job, think of all the new job oppurtunities a school system like this would create!
All I am saying is it doesn't seem that hard or to just give the person a link to the subject, a word or two to try in TFSE, or (gasp) the answer! Especially when the wrong action could result in bodily harm or lost $$$ in a failure or accident. People shouldnt be made to feel stupid for asking a question, IMHO. It might prevent them from asking an important question that might have saved thier lives! It's not like these chemicals we deal with are safe or stable, nor the equipment failsafe. One would think that a NEWBIE forum might contain a NEWBIE question or two for Christ's sake. The only person who is forced to read these posts is the moderators anyways. So whats the harm in letting a newbee ask questions and letting others respond if they wish?
I found the Hive in a random search and have used it's info to better my understanding of this stuff. I'm not a chemist...didnt even take it in school, so I dont always know what I am looking for, nor do I have the background to tell who is right and who is just blowing smoke out thier ass. I have gained some great knowledge, but at the expense of a few failed experiments because the info wasnt clear or correct. Would have been nice to been able to ask a few questions to validate the info rather than dump $$ down the drain, or end up with this scar on my leg that will be there till they stick me in the ground.
Just try and remember what it was like to not know shit, and lighten up a little....Life's too short, but it can be very very looong if you make a bad decision and end up blind, incarcerated, or lose an arm in a lab explosion
Peace....sorry about the rant.....I'm done, gonna let this thread die now....just think about it