I wonder what the reason for these types of forums are.
I very often see people respond to question with something like "Try Google". This defeats the whole purpose of a forum. We are here to use our collective knowledge to learn and provide others with information. The reason we post questions here is so that we don't have to "Try Google". I just don't understand some of the smart remarks I see towards some of the posts. If you don't have an answer or something constructive to add to the thread don't post on it.
Since I posted the "smart remark" along with the answer to one of your questions, actually I answered both but who is counting, I will reply.
First after you have been on this forum or any other you will begin to see the same questions asked over and over. If people that are new to the forums would search the forums before posting the same question yet again the members that have been around a while would likely respond differently.
Also I and I am sure many others see a lot of students that post homework questions. How will people ever learn if all they have to do is post to a forum? And this goes for more than just students.
You wrote, "We are here to use our collective knowledge to learn and provide others with information." And I partially agree. But the purpose of a forum is not to re-document well known information.
If your question contained a little more of what you had done or why you were stuck in addition to the question I probably would not have added my "smart remark." If you would have said, 'I am working a case where the DHCPDomain Reg Key is not returning the expected results. I have looked at this source and that source and it just does not match what I am finding." That would have been quite a bit different than asking, "If I have a website such as XXXXX.com in this key what exactly does that mean."
Since I posted the "smart remark" along with the answer to one of your questions, actually I answered both but who is counting, I will reply.
First after you have been on this forum or any other you will begin to see the same questions asked over and over. If people that are new to the forums would search the forums before posting the same question yet again the members that have been around a while would likely respond differently.
Also I and I am sure many others see a lot of students that post homework questions. How will people ever learn if all they have to do is post to a forum? And this goes for more than just students.
You wrote, "We are here to use our collective knowledge to learn and provide others with information." And I partially agree. But the purpose of a forum is not to re-document well known information.
If your question contained a little more of what you had done or why you were stuck in addition to the question I probably would not have added my "smart remark." If you would have said, 'I am working a case where the DHCPDomain Reg Key is not returning the expected results. I have looked at this source and that source and it just does not match what I am finding." That would have been quite a bit different than asking, "If I have a website such as XXXXX.com in this key what exactly does that mean."
Agreed. This first thing I do when I have a question is search for it. Then, if I don't find an answer, I perform some test. If, at that point, I still have not figured it out I will post a question. With this in mind, how often has anyone here seen me ask for advice?
I'm not saying that we shouldn't ask for advice but let's try using our brains first otherwise we'll end up with a generation of computer examiners that are fully dependent on their peers.
Your point is taken. It is just a turn off when I am pointed to a Google page that I had just been at not 5 minutes before posting the question.
It is just a turn off when I am pointed to a Google page that I had just been at not 5 minutes before posting the question.
Which would have been very helpful to know while crafting a response.
I guess I figured it would be assumed.
I guess I figured it would be assumed.
Stick around and read some questions for a while, then in a year re-read this thread and have a little personal chuckle.
I'm always glad to see a discussion like this one. I do get my "personal chuckle" from it. lol
Thomas G. Taylor
Forensic Scientist - Computers
National Forensics Lab
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Ashland, OR
I haven't read the post referred to by the OP but I'd like to make a broader point.
I fully agree that spoon feeding answers, especially those related to academic assignments, is not what we're about here. It's always appreciated when people make an effort to do their own research and mention those efforts when they're stuck and looking for help.
With that said, there is a tendency - as there is in many forums - for some members to post particularly unhelpful and sarcastic remarks if they're irked by the way a question is phrased. Now, there are many issues at play here - some cultural, some personal, some just related to people getting out of bed on the wrong side on a particular day - but this is an issue which was raised more than once in the recent survey and it's clear that some members, especially those new to the field, feel reluctant to post because they're concerned about the welcome they will receive.
My personal feeling is that this is probably less of a problem than in some other forums but I am concerned that it's an issue which a number of people felt it worth commenting on. Since then I've been going through a few older forum topics and I have to say that some of us could indeed show a modicum more tact, patience and restraint. Without wishing to overstate the case, any comments which belittle another forum member (through whatever means) are wholly unacceptable. The purpose of these forums is indeed to help people by allowing the exchange of information but they also serve to encourage interest and stimulate debate. Comments which serve to stifle discussion are not welcome - dare I suggest that sometimes a dignified silence is more appropriate?
None of the above is directed at any of the posters in this thread, I just thought I'd take the opportunity to mention something which has been on my mind and seemed relevant.
Jamie
I agree jamie. When it comes to academic question all must do the legwork to learn. But I think a lot of people look at your forum as a resource of experience in specific items related to computer forensics. As we know no one person can know all aspect of forensics nor should they attempt to do so. That fact is the reason these types of things are so helpful.