I'd still love the admins to add the plugin that shows the country of origin's flag above location.

The "issue posters" that seem to be the topic of this thread are one group that never fill out their location. The other group that never fills out their location are those that think the will make a bazillion bucks if only we solve one tiny (impossible) problem for them.

I've given up on even considering going to the lengths that some of our better posters here do, showing waveforms, schematic options, etc, until the member asking the question somehow shows an ability to learn and do a bit of independent research (cross-posting on other forums with the same question doesn't count in that last criterion, it counts negative).

If a member has an idea and a desire/ability to learn, I'll hold his hand in PMs until he gets up and going with the goal. If they want a packaged answer because <insert any of thousands of excuses here>, I don't add much input, unless they show signs of promise.

The flag thing helps understand if they may be using an online translator, when they may be on, and most importantly, which parts they can get ahold of. It should be next to username. The current location tag can be filled with whatever the member wants, which opens the path to misleading as well, it has happened before... "If you thought I wasn't in the US, I figured you wouldn't help"... The nation flag by IP helps that (if implemented... PLEASE!!!???).

The rest of my post would simply consist of repeating Retched above.

On that note, can anybody tell me how to make my soundcard into a 1Ghz scope and logic analyzer for under $50? I've seen screen shots, so I KNOW one of you evil americans has the secret!!!

Enforcing the display of the users' country of origin would be a step too far, in my opinion. This seems likely to expose people from many nations to blind prejudice, which is not at all what I had in mind. I think that it is quite reasonable to want to minimize the amount of personal information we put on public display. Personally, I do not like the idea of displaying my location in every message posted. I am British, by the way, it's not something I am ashamed of, but neither do I feel the need to wave the Union Jack at every opportunity.

On the other hand, I can imagine that the some contributors might wish to avoid corresponding with people from nations they are in conflict with, whether on grounds of security, or as part of a general policy of not aiding one's enemies. If this is the case, would it not be simpler to just block access from these regions? I have a vague idea that there might be legal issues here, but must admit to being most ignorant of such matters.

As to your signal analyser request, unfortunately I do not think that it will be possible for me to help you for only fifty dollars. Due no doubt to an international conspiracy of manufacturers, electronic equipment is more costly here than it is in the US. If, however, you would like to send me a cheque for £100 I will see what can be done.

 

On the other hand, I can imagine that the some contributors might wish to avoid corresponding with people from nations they are in conflict with, whether on grounds of security, or as part of a general policy of not aiding one's enemies.

Time zones would blur such national identities.

If this is the case, would it not be simpler to just block access from these regions? I have a vague idea that there might be legal issues here, but must admit to being most ignorant of such matters.

Legal issues apart, there are at least two parties to every conflict. Which one would you block? How would you decide?

John

 

As someone said before; it's hard to suggest a component if the person asking for help is in a foreign country that has limited access to worldwide commerce.

I don't like the idea of helping someone, by spending MY time collecting data at a web site, only to find that 'they can't purchase from there" because...etc. etc.

So yes, having location would be better. Some people will help a few times and see it is a frustrating waste of their time with certain posters because they are somewhere that has no access to common internet stores and so will stop offering help at all.

 

I might be going a bit too far, but I dread the time the forum is forced to cut off communication to middle east users due to it being hosted on american ground.

 

I don't think that will happen from the American side. If the poster's country blocks access, that is another matter. However, that will probably be done on a much broader basis than for a single forum. It may be tough on those posters, but they have made the decision to live under those governments.

I think it would be a serious mistake to move the servers just because some countries may object to them being in the US. Once someone capitulates to that threat, there would be no end to the politicization.

John

 

who start this forum?does it need to pay for server fee? who offord it?I want to know

 

I disagree with that last post vehemently. This site is not political, and it should not be political. If an individual can not handle this concept that is what banning is for. Those who can handle it are welcomed. This is first and foremost a science site, and science doesn't have boundaries.

 

I disagree with that last post vehemently. This site is not political, and it should not be political. If an individual can not handle this concept that is what banning is for. Those who can handle it are welcomed. This is first and foremost a science site, and science doesn't have boundaries.

I am not clear what folks are talking about,I agree with you this point

 

I disagree with that last post vehemently. This site is not political, and it should not be political. If an individual can not handle this concept that is what banning is for. Those who can handle it are welcomed. This is first and foremost a science site, and science doesn't have boundaries.

OK, got that, consider the matter closed on my part - no more politics. I seriously don't want to cause offence, so I have deleted my last post. Sorry.

 

I disagree with that last post vehemently. This site is not political, and it should not be political. If an individual can not handle this concept that is what banning is for. Those who can handle it are welcomed. This is first and foremost a science site, and science doesn't have boundaries.

Might clearer to which post you disagree, if you referred to posts by their number.

John

 

You get out of this place, pretty much what you put in to it.

Come here looking for easy answers, or to cheat on homework and mostly you fail.

Not always true. The cheaters in my class (eons ago) all got the best grades and the best job offers. They would cheat on every test and ended up graduating at the top of the class. They weren't stupid they knew the subject matter as well or almost as well as anyone else but cheating gave them an edge.

Funny though, the top student turned down the top job offer, probably because he preferred smoking dope than going to work.

 

who start this forum?does it need to pay for server fee? who offord it?I want to know

jrap and Dave pay for and run the forum with their own funds. They get supplementary income from the Google Ads, so click on them now and again to help support the server!

I run a few myself, and the costs are over $100 /month per server if you want high bandwidth and reliability.

State or Federal governments basically have nothing to do with forums or even companies in the way that the government is a major facet on everything in many other countries. Here, it is just people wanting to help out people. Mods do not get paid, members do not receive "incentives" to show up and help people. It's just a thing with our culture.

 

Here, it is just people wanting to help out people. Mods do not get paid, members do not receive "incentives" to show up and help people. It's just a thing with our culture.

I still can't decide if its good or bad. It is definitely confusing to some people from certain other cultures.

America is occupied by the most evil of all humans to ever exist, yet as a nation gives more of its wealth to charity than any other nation. I guess some of us missed the "let's be evil" memo mailing.

 

Interesting observation is that none of the 'senior' members take responsibility for stringing a thread into 'nowhere' land. I'm FAR from ideal, but I have discovered the single most valuable tool, which is of course, listening.

I listen for two things, most importantly, the speakers ability to communicate a prolem, and secondly, the problem itself. I will typically use questions about the later, to evaluate the former. If I determine that the speaker is not qualified to present the problem, I will move to a different resource. On the web, that usually means discontinuing the thread or offering the speaker resources to consider.

I see often where help is offered repeatedly to a poster who couldn't absorb the basics.

I believe the larger injustice is when help is offered and the OP disappears without feedback. That's where education is lost. And I'm not sure that us westerners aren't guilty of that. Rather than flying flags, maybe a private email to the poster requesting follow through to their thread.

 

.......................................................

 

But often it is not an answer. It is a question to get more information from the OP.

It is rude not to post a thank thank you but even more rude to ignore a question from someone trying to help.