A new role for our moderators
Background:
One of our members, Lightfire, is quite young. I suspect there are some others in his age group too. Lightfire is obviously inquisitive, bright, and he has asked some probing questions. His question on whether to switch the positive or negative line of a DC circuit comes to mind as an example.
He has also gone into areas of obvious danger. In the third post of his very first thread (http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showpost.php?p=283491&postcount=3) he asked,
In the end, he asked,
http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showpost.php?p=345455&postcount=24
http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showpost.php?p=346180&postcount=1
The comments are innocous enough until this question about submerging the
battery in a river:
http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showpost.php?p=346232&postcount=7
Bill Marsden added an appropriate caution, but who knows where that
discussion will eventually end?
http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showpost.php?p=346255&postcount=8
Comments:
1) Participaton of young members has a positive impact on the forum and should be encouraged. I find it quite gratifying to see the successes of Magnet18, for one. I am sure there are several others.
2) We have adopted safety guidelines, and our leaders are in the process of evaluationg new guidelines related to high voltage.
3) There is a class of question, such as, "will this kill me if I do it" or, "will it explode" that seems to fall outside any reasonable safety policy for a site that also needs to remain interesting for older and/or more experienced members. Such questions are usually quite obvious and are not limited to just the two examples.
Suggestion:
When questions from very young members as described in Comment #3 occur, the Moderators should take control. Other members should be discouraged from answering, and the thread should be locked early on.
There may be other and better options. I don't know what options the Moderators may have, but if there were a way to limit the thread to only the OP, Moderators, and moderator-reviewed posts by others, I think that would be preferrable to putting the entire weight of responsibility for responding on the Moderators.
John
Background:
One of our members, Lightfire, is quite young. I suspect there are some others in his age group too. Lightfire is obviously inquisitive, bright, and he has asked some probing questions. His question on whether to switch the positive or negative line of a DC circuit comes to mind as an example.
He has also gone into areas of obvious danger. In the third post of his very first thread (http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showpost.php?p=283491&postcount=3) he asked,
Another thread, "Wattage,Voltage," led to quite a discussion: http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showpost.php?p=344987&postcount=1A florescent bulb will work (voltage is about 220 to 240)? But, if I will touch the wire (wire of my generator) it might I grounded?
In the end, he asked,
To which a member replied:Lightfire said:OK, guys, for example, my two fingers got touched the two terminals of a 240 volts line. :O: 000____0000... What would happen? Is it possible for me to die quickly because my body will short-circuit?
DDDDDDDDDD
http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showpost.php?p=345455&postcount=24
And finally there is a current thread about lead-acid batteries:Briefly touching 240v (or even 120v) AC terminals with your fingers is extremely unpleasant. Most folks will jump or jerk, just like touching a hot stove. It's not likely fatal for most people most of the time - I've done it and am here to tell of it.
http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showpost.php?p=346180&postcount=1
The comments are innocous enough until this question about submerging the
battery in a river:
http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showpost.php?p=346232&postcount=7
Bill Marsden added an appropriate caution, but who knows where that
discussion will eventually end?
http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showpost.php?p=346255&postcount=8
Comments:
1) Participaton of young members has a positive impact on the forum and should be encouraged. I find it quite gratifying to see the successes of Magnet18, for one. I am sure there are several others.
2) We have adopted safety guidelines, and our leaders are in the process of evaluationg new guidelines related to high voltage.
3) There is a class of question, such as, "will this kill me if I do it" or, "will it explode" that seems to fall outside any reasonable safety policy for a site that also needs to remain interesting for older and/or more experienced members. Such questions are usually quite obvious and are not limited to just the two examples.
Suggestion:
When questions from very young members as described in Comment #3 occur, the Moderators should take control. Other members should be discouraged from answering, and the thread should be locked early on.
There may be other and better options. I don't know what options the Moderators may have, but if there were a way to limit the thread to only the OP, Moderators, and moderator-reviewed posts by others, I think that would be preferrable to putting the entire weight of responsibility for responding on the Moderators.
John
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