HELP!!! I'M A NOOB!!! HELP! HELP! HELP! -- Yeah, you're a noob alright... haha

[SkittleLinux18]

I can't even begin to explain how annoyed I get with thread titles such as:

Noob here, please help!
Noob having problem in linux
Help! I'm a noob!!
New to linux, internet problem
MAJOR PROBLEM!! PLEZ HELP, I'M A NOOB!!!

I don't get upset about there being noobs. I am all for people getting to know linux. And I love to help anyone I can. My help is usually very limited as I am still new, myself (that's why I love the Coffee Lounge!! I can post and post all I want and it doesn't look like I am doing it just to run up my post count, yet I still get to chat Linux!).

The reasons I can't stand them include:

A) First and foremost, I don't know if their threads deal with the same problem I have. See, when I have a problem, I like to see if there are other threads that addressed the same problem so I can read my way to a solution. It saves me time and is Forum-Etiquette.

B) When I do a search to find similar problems I am having, and I see 150 treads with titles like the ones heretofore mentioned, I am not going to waste my time reading every single one! So then I have to post a thread when there are probably 3 before it that solved the stinking problem. And so now I look like an 244 (shift characters) to everybody else.

C) Google Search Engine can't match my "pclinuxos wireless internet encryption problem" to all the threads entitled "noob here, problem with linux" that have the solution in them!

D) They give a title like those and then go off about three different problems that should be in other sections. Or having nothing to do with the section the thread is in. And by the time I've figured that out, I've already read half the stinking post.

E) Thread titles are all CAPS. OMGh, as Strong Bad says, "Isn't that breaking like every internet rule in existence?" We get it! We know you have a problem. You wouldn't be here if you didn't!! So just post normally.

There are others, but they're petty compared to those five. I do have an exception to this pet-peeve: say you're a Noob all you want in your thread title, just state the specific problem as best you can, as well. If you clicked on my name to view all threads I have posted, you will know the exact problems I have had just by reading the titles. Well, the coffee lounge may not have quite as specific. But this place is different. I feel like I can be who I want in here.

[elija]

Thread title = "NOOB NEEDS HELP"

I always want to answer "See a shrink"

[bigtomrodney]

It's a delicate situation. I'd like nothing better than to ignore the thread or point out how useless the title is, but it's usually a first time post. People quickly pick up board etiquette after hanging around a while and I rather not frighten them off before they get that far.

But yeah it does frustrate me.

[devils casper]

Yes, Useless/irrelevant titles frustrate me a lot and I always edit those irrelevant titles whenever I find any.
I was going to edit title of this thread too.

[fingal]

I know what you mean, but I suppose a lot of people aren't used to online Forums. The idea of netiquette appeals to me.

[elija]

ROFL. It must be the only I'm a NOOB thread with an accurate title

[Freston]

Quick *nix Guru Needs H3lp Plz!!!!!!!!

[Manchunian]

I always look at these (well, this one got my attention, didn't it!)! When I see a title like that it makes me think, "oh, here's someone who's really new and clueless." I remember all too well what that's like. But, yes, it doesn't take a lot of imagination to work out what the titles are for, and why they have to be clear.

[stinkoman]

i think it would be intersting to censor the word noob. or newb or whatever, then it would show up as **** or replace it with 'new user' it would confuse the poster a lot. hahaha im only half evil i swear

[SkittleLinux18]

HAHAHAHAHAHA! i just saw my one exception to this pet-peeve. In the OpenSuSE forum, there is a thread title, "Complete newbie having trouble with SuSE uninstall."

That is more like it!