that the forums aren't very useful anymore.  3 or 4 years ago when I was new to WifS, I could come to the forums, ask a question, get a helpful answer, and be better off for having asked the question.  Now the first piece of advice I give new players of the game is to stay away from posting questions in the forums, since their questions are often times only going to be met with sarcasm, insults, and ridicule.  It's like a child asking why they shouldn't touch a hot stove and getting a bunch of responses like, "What an idiot!!!  What do you think is going to happen if you touch it!  You're so stupid, n00b!!"

I know, I know, it's a public forum, you can say whatever you want.  And if you don't like it, don't read them.  It's just unfortunate that it's become more like the Jim Rome show where it's more about the "Jungle" and the "Clones" who hurl insults at each other and less about what's actually relevant.  There's certainly a place for it, and just like the Jim Rome show, I now come to the forums for entertainment, just not for useful information.  But I guess that is what you get by having it be "public."

Im pretty sure you ask a sensible question 99% of the people on the boards will give you an answer that is relevant and helpful. Every question ive always asked Mike for example will get a productive response if asked in the correct manner. And a better tip if you want a more detailed response is use a sitemail.

You can always sitemail a mentor if you're uncomfortable using the forums.  But I've never had a issue getting an answer to a question.  I would still recommend using them.

For instance this -

http://www.whatifsports.com/forums/Posts.aspx?TopicID=425698&TopicsTimeframe=30

could easily have gotten responses you describe, but it didn't.  (no offense at all towards shamu at all)  The responses given were helpful, and he now has a better understanding of the game.

The problem, if there is one, is that far too often the thread gets sidetracked.   That's often because there are about 500 ways to build a team.   So, when someone says "Never use a pitcher with control under 70", you get differing opinions.   And they often turn into RSFs.  

Quite honestly, since there are 500 ways to build a team, "never" is a very strong word.   So you probably deserve a beatdown unless "never" actually applies.

Beyond that, some of the questions are really, really dumb.   I tend to leave those alone so I don't know how those threads turn out.  But they probably get what they deserve.

Further to Mike's point... I actually advised a n00b recently to be weary of anyone who is too sure, or offers advise that is 100% the only way to do it... because it means they probably don't know any better.

As the saying goes, I know enough to know what I don't know.

Posted by iain on 9/21/2010 12:00:00 PM (view original):
Further to Mike's point... I actually advised a n00b recently to be weary of anyone who is too sure, or offers advise that is 100% the only way to do it... because it means they probably don't know any better.

As the saying goes, I know enough to know what I don't know.

This is actually underrated.

One of the partners at my old firm gave a lecture about how people suck at thinking.  One of the example is that experts in most fields have the worst grasp on the error bars of their opinions.  One of the examples was that a study said that if a doctor says he's 90% certain that you have the flu, he's right 50% of the time.

Questions generally get answered, quickly and accurately.

It's suggestions/ideas that usually cause threads to get derailed, especially if they're about one of the well-known "hot-button" topics, or if it's an idea/suggestion that is either not well thought out, or just plain bad.

A lot of threads start out like this: "Hey gang, get a load of my great idea. Isn't it great?" And the rest of us are all like, "Eh, it's really not such a great idea. And here's why." Then the first guy comes back and is all like, "(Sniff) You guys are dicks." This cycle continues, based on the first guy's level of interest in defending his original point.

Occasionally, an allegedly great idea stands up to scrutiny and can be fine-tuned into something even better. Think of it like peer review for nimrods.

I've asked a few questions on the forum and I've gotten great answers within 4 hours.  It's been very helpful.

Exactly. General topics ("should cash be allowed in trades") turn into religious wars. On the other hand I've found that the more specific my question the more likely I am to get a good answer from the community.

Phrase your question well, don't whine and always wear thick skin. Often times it's not what you ask, but how you ask it.

Posted by mickpb on 9/21/2010 4:50:00 PM (view original):
Phrase your question well, don't whine and always wear thick skin. Often times it's not what you ask, but how you ask it.

I'll agree with the first two.

Any specific question will get answered within the hour... maybe less.

Open-ended or strategy-related questions lend themselves to fights.

Example: 

NEWBIE: Can someone tell me how to rebuild a team?

CSHERWOOD: Dump your aging large contract players and rebuild through INT FA and DRAFT.

MIKET23:  Whatever Tankerwood, you dont know sh*t, thats why I had to get you kicked out of my world for tanking..

CSHERWOOD: FU buddy sometimes you have to drop down to 12M salary and 20 wins to build a good team.

MIKET23:  Oh yeah,  I once took a 20 win team with a 40M salary and dropped 120M into the FA market and won 62 games the next season..  I went from 50 games out of the playoffs to  20 games out...

.......