Hi Count, hello everyone, Count, I agree that there are the new and unknowing to forums. I usually respond to the WinXP questions as I have become quite familiar with it, I think that means I am part of the problem and not part of the answer. :-( There are those that don't know what is meant by an operating system. :-) I grin but in just the last 25 posts one post has the subject as Win95 and the operating system as Win98. Another has the operating system as Compaq. Yet another in the last 25 simply states I don't know. I certainly wouldn't fault them as they obviously don't know. On the other hand I have seen some post stating, "I know this is the Win9x forum but..." If those post were removed I could completely understand as they knew and understood where to post. I am not sure what the answer is but I, as you, do not wish to see the ignorant ignored or punished. On another note, my dad says "thank you very much", for all the help and time spent with his site. Best Regards to All, Mesich

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Hi Derek, Rac, Max, Justin, Mesich, hi everyone Some more thoughts... as a reaction on the latest response #7 by Mesich. "I think that means I am part of the problem..." I disagree, you are merely trying to help the poster out and the issue is as far as I recall/know not been discussed earlier. As for those not knowing their Operating System, a simple click on the Start button and on the left hand side of the Start menu it usually displays the OS i.e. Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT etc. Right? Maybe those writing: "I know this is the Win9x forum but..." deserve a punishment by Justin, as they do not appear to be ignorant. I'm not pleading for banishment. I don't know what to do with such posts, you got me confused. %-) I'm doing it with real pleasure, going to proceed with what I had in mind for the tree in a few. Justin, in addition to my earlier suggestion of making the Exact OS field a required one prior to actually posting the thread. Maybe a pulldown or dropdown menu with the different OS's meeting the forums on the left could help the posters even more for to select their OS. Greetz, The Count

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Isn't there something to be said, if someone is that stupid (to not know what version of Windows they have), they shouldn't be using a computer? It tells me that those people are too lazy to open the cover of their manuals or get a book from the library or simply ask the salesman, if they purchased new. Or push the Start button, as was suggested. More items to read would never help these people, like drop-down menus, additional instructions, etc; Now that I said that....let me point out that I posted to the wrong forum once. It wasn't a matter of OS confusion. I simply notified Justin and he deleted it - allowing me to post correctly. I think rather than delete their post.... 1)Move it to the proper forum. 2)Post the fact it has been moved. 3)Lock the thread so no one can add comments. Maybe that isn't feasible here? sekirt

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Hello again everyone, Count, As for those not knowing their Operating System, a simple click on the Start button and on the left hand side of the Start menu it usually displays the OS i.e. Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT etc. Right? With the Operating Systems you listed Yes, with WinXP, No. Also, I never thought of looking over there to see the operating system until you mention such. :-) Maybe those writing: "I know this is the Win9x forum but..." deserve a punishment by Justin, as they do not appear to be ignorant. I'm not pleading for banishment. I don't know what to do with such posts, you got me confused. %-) Sorry for the confusion. I am not pleading for banishment either, I however do understand why the post would be deleted if the originator understood they were not following the set forth guidelines. Sekirt, Isn't there something to be said, if someone is that stupid (to not know what version of Windows they have), they shouldn't be using a computer"? I have a very high respect for your knowledge and have read numerous over the years. Would you do myself a favor and think that one over though? :) I think rather than delete their post.... 1)Move it to the proper forum. 2)Post the fact it has been moved. 3)Lock the thread so no one can add comments. Now that sounds more like the Sekirt I know. :~) I hope that nobody takes this post offensive as that is not what was intended. This is a forum and opinions and points of views will and should be different. I learn from these differences everyday. I am glad if nothing else that we can "agree to disagree". If not, what is the point of a forum? Ooops, almost forgot, the new menu you sent Count is perfect. I haven't uploaded it yet but I spoke to my dad about it on the phone. I'm no longer the computer guru in his eyes. :-( Just kidding, but thank you again for everything, especially helping out with the hard times lately. Good Day! Mesich

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Sorry I've been away, a bit off-colour (repairs in hand). Well, I take the point that was made in #6 about the helpers checking the OS (but even we can make mistakes - LOL). I do feel a bit sheepish about using the "offensive option" so I will probably just move to the next post (unlikely to be able to help much on XP anyway). However it is interesting to get Justin's view. I respect the fact that without his work I wouldn't have been here to moan, groan, or help (when possible). Keep up the good work guys & gals, and thanks for the views. Derek

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Hi Derek, hello again everyone, Derek, So you finally made it back from the golf course did ya? Your moaning and such is well deserved. You should be able to moan. The hours you and other regulars spend here each day helping many deserves a little something, even if it's only a little moaning to better the site. P.S. I hope you at least shot PAR. Good Day! Mesich

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Thanks mesich. Right now I've got a bout of something unpleasant but I daresay I'll shake it off very soon. So I'd be shooting multiple bogies if I tried golf just now. Hey, want a laugh, because of the above mentioned I've decided to give this site a rest now and have an "early night" instead - err it's 12:33 am local time. Now that really is something of a record for me. I shall miss the usual sound of the birds tweating outside tonight when the light comes up. It must be a "little bit" serious because I've not had a beer all day - wow, that's bad. Back soon Derek

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OK, I really am off to bed now.... Just thought though, what about those types who (without saying) are discussing something about another computer with a different OS, yet put their own spec in the posting? Amazing Derek

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Hi Derek, Rac, Max, Justin, Mesich, Sekirt, hi everyone "With the Operating Systems you listed Yes, with WinXP, No." Shows how much I do know about WinXP. LOL. "I however do understand why the post would be deleted if the originator understood they were not following the set forth guidelines." Point taken. ;-) "the new menu you sent Count is perfect." Glad to see it meets the needs of your dad and yours. Fortunately I knew you were kidding. Sure, any time! Sorry Sekirt, but I think your first line is a bit rude. :-( "I think rather than delete their post.... 1)Move it to the proper forum. 2)Post the fact it has been moved. 3)Lock the thread so no one can add comments." I do like these suggestions, however I fear that it would be to time consuming for Justin or the moderators of Computing.net. "but even we can make mistakes" Maybe that's why we are called humans. Humans do and are allowed to make mistakes. LOL "However it is interesting to get Justin's view." Well? "Keep up the good work guys', that includes you Justin, '& gals" :-) "I hope that nobody takes this post offensive as that is not what was intended." Greetz, The Count

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Re: the beginning of my previous post..... sorry if it offended anyone. My solution shown at the end of my post reflects a kinder, gentler approach. I simply mimicked an old joke on the net...that claims to have actually happened: ----------- This is a true story from the WordPerfect helpline. The help desk employee featured in this story was fired; however, he/she is currently suing the Word Perfect organization for "Termination without Cause." Actual dialogue of a former WordPerfect Customer Support employee with a caller: "Ridge Hall computer assistant; may I help you?" "Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect." "What sort of trouble?" "Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away." "Went away?" "They disappeared." "Hmm. So what does your screen look like now?" "Nothing." "Nothing?" "It's blank; it won't accept anything when I type." "Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out?" "How do I tell?" "Can you see the C: prompt on the screen?" "What's a sea-prompt?" "Never mind. Can you move the cursor around on the screen?" "There isn't any cursor, I told you, it won't accept anything I type." "Does your monitor have a power indicator?" "What's a monitor?" "It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells you when it's on?" "I don't know." "Well then, look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can you see that?" "Yes, I think so." "Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall." "... ...Yes, it is." "When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one?" "No." "Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable." "... ...Okay, here it is." "Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer." "I can't reach." "Uh huh. Well, can you see if it is?" "No." "Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over?" "Oh, it's not because I don't have the right angle - it's because it's dark." "Dark?" "Yes - the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window." "Well, turn on the office light then." "I can't." "No? Why not?" "Because there's a power outage." "A power... A power outage? Ah, Okay, we've got it licked now. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and packing stuff your computer came in?" "Well, yes, I keep them in the closet." "Good. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you got it. Then take it back to the store you bought it from." "Really? Is it that bad?" "Yes, I'm afraid it is." "Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them?" "Tell them you're too stupid to own a computer." ------------ sekirt

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Hi guys. Can I get a word in here? Removing the post if it is an XP? A little drastic, isn't it? But it is true that if an XP problem is posted in Win9x it probably won't get a really helpful answer, so the only thing I can think of is that people have been to this forum and know the "gang's" all here and when we put our heads together we can tackle just about anything, so they just post their problem here hoping we will take enough of an interest to research their problem and find an answer for them. It's not unreasonable on the seeker's part. They always just seem to demand to be helped immediately, without care for the fact that all the help from this site comes from voluntary sources. I feel that the suggestion of making the CORRECT operating system a (*required field) would do the best good. And making it a required field if it is not filled in, it will not post. I don't know if it is possible but maybe there is a way to use and auto-select posting system. In other words if you post your O/S as 3.1 it will automatically post into the windows3.1 forum and so on. That way if they posted their O/S as XP it would go straight to the WinXP forum. Just a thought. I don't think we will ever stop them from posting here. Funny thing though, the ones from the DOS and Windows3.1 and other forums never jump in here and post. Just XP. Don't they realize that when they upgrade their O/S they also have to upgrade their forum?

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Oh that's a good one sekirt. Sounds like something I would tell someone to do myself.

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Hello again everyone, Terri, I was thinking along the same lines as yourself with the "auto-select posting system". Didn't get to far with it once I began thinking of the other forums such as Securtiy and Virus, Hardware, Programming, ect... Not sure how it could work with those. Does the "upgrade forum" come with the full install version also? :~) Sekirt, Must say that is some story. Good Day! Mesich

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Now that would be a thought. To have a program that runs on your computer dectecting what O/S you are running and automatically setting you up to post on that forum. But only problem with that is you couldn't bounce around as some of us do. I like to frequent the 3.1 forum besides this one. Alot of work to design that program. Wonder if anyone's up for it?

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Have to speak up on this one, first let me say no disrespect intended. But, not everyone is tech oriented, not even the "rookies" such as myself included. When I created the post regarding the irq conflicts, one does not automatically think it is a hardware issue. The reason being it is a configuration issue!!!!!!!!!! One could easily place it in the 98 forum due to this reason. I have to admit a lot of people come to this post and it is one of the best. I have many friends who come to this forum who spend countles hours on top of hours, including myself, reading and absorbing knowledge given so greatly in a forum. Almost anything u need to know or are the least bit curious about, u can find on this forum. But guys, Justin, I have to disagree that "honest mistakes" such as mine regarding the irqs issue is offensive. If I was a tech of 10+ or so years, but I am just getting my feet wet of about a year or so as are many others like me. ****Now on the other hand, what would decipher as offensive is the lude, mean, uncaring sarcastic posters, sometimes which there are many who start fights, arguments, and the like. *****Guys have a heart for the people out there that want to gain knowledge. We are not perfect and do make "honest mistakes". **Now on the other hand posting in an XP forum as opposed to a 98 issue, is still not in the right forum, but this still could be an honest mistake, u may have "an older person" doing this or someone tired working 2 jobs, going to school etc. ***************Now I do think the chronic continual abusers in this area do deserve to be reported as offensive. Lets be real and Professional here!!!!!!!!!!!

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Bottom line professionally, I think the word "offensive" should go to lazy, lude, crude, fight starters on posts and trouble makers, not those willing to learn. My post was an honest mistake, a friend and myself use Win 98, has onboard sound and video, when the irqs acted up on adding the onboard sound and drivers one does consider this a configuration issue and 98SE was the operating system in use!!!!!!!!!!!! Really guys, I have used almost every operating system known to man, ghosted out drives, added drivers, etc. and this I still feel was an honest mistake and no I do not believe I deserved to be told my post was: OFFENSIVE!!!!!!!!!!! Now if my post was about an issue regarding Win XP in the 98 forum then I would say maybe yes, and even then there are people who are still out there trying to learn working 1, 2, 3 jobs and going to school, families, etc. they are not perfect!!!!!!!!!! If this is not a chronic, repetitive issue, sorry but I do agree it is unprofessional. Thanks!!!!!!!

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zena Just to say ('cos I went and started this topic) that I'm still watching and read your views with interest. 'spose I'd just seen soooo many that plonked their XP queries on here I just couldn't believe they were all due to newbies or the odd mistake. Who knows tho. Like I said, even worse when they post about another machine giving the spec for their own - now that's real confusing. Derek

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Still agree that those that should be labelled as "offensive" should live up to the name, professionaly speaking!!!!

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Yes, agree that "offensive" is a bit strong, hence what I said in #11 Derek

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