Traits...

[oldhermit]

I've been visiting VirtualDr for quite awhile, even before registering as a member. Far from being an expert, I do have some opportunities to add some little tidbit to an already well covered post. But for the most part, my answers could just as well be left out since they are never complete, and may very well be inappr… er, WRONG!.

The main reason for my visits being to watch for a particular solution to a problem, I will browse the forums for interesting posts. So, as a regular visitor, it's easy to observe some of the little characteristics that set VirtualDr apart while it works its magic for so many in need of an answer. This receiving sufficient attention in the past, there is one other little aspect that, well. shall we say, most would rather overlook rather than cause any waves by mentioning them. And that would be some of the little traits that are common to VirtuualDr, but not necessarily found in other forums. Not all of them, anyway.

Realizing that others may have their own thoughts about what I am about to present, please don't convict me of being a complainer, because I'm not. I find the VirtualDr forums to be most enjoyable in its ability to continually produce useful info amid a good sense of public relations. The threads are even better than average in regard to being readable. Even though an informational site, some posts are still quite refreshing, especially when the issue is not being forced, and some humor occurs in a natural flow while the thread develops. After all, the idea of entertainers giving answers here does not fit at all, but some threads are just refreshing this way. The ones I don't like to see of course, are those that attempt to belittle another just because their thinking is not quite up to par. I have yet to see anyone who has submitted an accepted answer 100% of the time. So yes indeed, we can say that VirtualDr has something for everyone.

Having a working career that never involved computing in any way, I always said that anyone who cannot look at their own shortcomings without gaining some constructive insight, probably isn't worth knowing. So, how about with the cyber-experts?

After a few occurrences, certain traits begin to stand out. For instance, we can thank the membership of VirtualDr for perfecting the art of flaming thru the use of a happy face.

Just as unique is the better acceptance of a member's criticism if he uses the word "Not" in saying something to the effect: "I'm NOT saying you are wrong, but…" and then proceeds to completely annihilate another members integrity and previous answer. Any other style would of course, cause the thread to be terminated previous to when it usually is.

Each thread being a request for information, we sometimes see a member answering another member's comment instead of addressing the question that was actually posted.

Or the suggestion to use something else rather than provide an answer.

On the same token, I can't see any necessity in stating a viewpoint more than once in the same thread. Some members seem to vie for recognition, competing to be the most influential. It is my understanding that all problems will be resolved, and VirtualDr really has shown a high record of success without the need of such tactics.. It's all in writing.

Illegal posts are appropriately sidelined, but some questionable posts seem to pass undetected under the close scrutiny of our moderators (and influential members). Some illegaliities may not be so easily identified, requiring mention of such before a moderator finally sees reason to remove or close the thread. Action is probably determined by the number of complaints.

There are other examples of deception, most of them being concocted as a workaround in an effort to accomplish what the rules clearly stipulate, should not be done. For instance, placing a link to a website and then stating to the effect: "Ya'll come see me…" is justifiably canned as spam. Members are apparently warned when references to their own websites are used in their answers, especially if the site conflicts with VirtualDr. However, spamming still seems to be tolerated when the URL of the site is used in connection with a question that happens to be a legitimate request for help. Ingenious!

Clics have always been a part of VirtualDr, at one time having several, now there are few. Clicees typically only read and answer posts and comments from those within the clic, ignoring perfectly legitimate answers from outsiders. I have seen it where other clicsters have not been able to give a suitable answer, but yet the legitimate answer remains sitting there, completely ignored. Doesn't matter. They are here to talk with their friends.

Need a quick answer for someone else in your clic? Simple! Just PM everybody for the answer, and then post it. Works wonderfully, and is entirely covert. Well, almost.

We also have the crusaders who continually suggest new forums or rule changes under the guise of being for the betterment of VirtualDr. In some cases, the suggestions may actually have some basis, but I would think there is a measure of egotism involved just to affect a change. As ideas are produced to help influence the change, we may eventually see that some of those ideas turned out to be in fact, false. As members stand aghast that admin has actually agreed to make the change, I can only suspect that this occurs after some influential communication at a level that possibly even the mods never see (nor care to see).

And finally, if you want to show others your influence at VirtualDr, just post your complaint in the Feedback forum. The more influence you have, the more comments received.

VirtualDr has the answers, so enjoy!