Mentor section warning flag?

[Prairiepiss]

Is it me or does the flag at the top of topics in the ask a MENTOR section need to be bigger? It seams lately there has been a flood of non mentors replying to new topics in the ask a MENTOR section? I've seen complaints about the flag in the classified ads section being to large. But it is obviously being seen. Or they wouldn't complain about it. But yet the small one in the ask a MENTOR section doesn't get noticed. Even though its highlighted in red. There have been a few I really wanted to jump in and say something. But I'm not a MENTOR so by the rules I am not to post reply to others topics there.

Kudos to you MENTORS for handling it better then I would.

I'm done now just had to get that off my chest.

[WalkingWolf]

Point taken PP and feedback is always welcome. That section has never been the easiest to deal with and, for the most part, those post come from folks not familiar with the forum (or stillin for that matter) and possibly think they need to ask the folks in-the-know. The mods move these post regularly to the Novice section. The section has remained active due to the fact the when it is needed you will get high level focus on the problem and help will be forthcoming. Keep it up -- you are a valued member with good feedback.

[rad14701]

The Mentor section isn't a perfect solution and it could probably be put to better use than it has been... It's a great place for someone who has done their research to get quasi-hand-holding during a fermentation or a build... And while we do see some of that it could be improved upon... It might even be worthwhile to have several topics not in the Mentor section moved there at times... And I'm sure I'm not the only member who gets requests for one-on-one via PM's... Many times such dialogs would be more beneficial if they were visible to the masses as topics in the Mentor section...

[Prairiepiss]

Don't get me wrong on this. I think it could be a usefull tool. But when I see a topic posted there and click on it to see how the masterminds have responded. To find 4 or 5 responses from non MENTORS some answers are just not up to par. I know I have made some dumb posts. Who hasn't. But I don't do it in the MENTOR section. Because if someone is posting there they want a good clean knowledgeable answer from a MENTOR. And yes some get moved out to the open forums as they should've been there to begin with. But some times new people to HD don't look around be for they ask. You won't ever stop that.

[rad14701]

Prairiepiss, those half baked replies from newer members should be getting deleted and the members receiving a warning when that happens... If you see lingering posts like that notify the Moderator group with a link to the topic... The easiest way to do that is to click on the PM button in the offending post and then add the "Global moderators" to the To...

[Bushman]

I am glad this topic has come back up. Late last year I made the mistake of responding in the mentors section as I believe it was about 5:30 in the morning and I obviously wasn't very observant. No excuses, my problem is I realized my mistake but because it was in the mentors section it would not let me immediately delete it as I can in other sections. This might save some people the embarrassment of making the mistake.

[Braz]

I'll weigh in in support of the original suggestion, which was just to make the mentor section warning flag a little more obvious. I know I have started to type responses in that section before I realized I was in the mentor section. (I click "view active" when I log on and most often don't even know which section I am in at any given time.)

Overall I like the way you guys are handling it, by moving questions out in the open where appropriate.

[rad14701]

Part of this might be honest mistakes... For example, if a member is following an ongoing topic and clicks the colored View first unread post colored box next the the topic title they won't necessarily see the notice at the top of the topic... I have received PM's from several members asking me to delete unintentional posts in the Mentors forum for them...

[rubber duck]

Maybe we could make the flag a little bigger if it would make you guys happy.

If you post there by mistake don't sweat it, if you want it removed just ask a mentor that's online and we can take it down, it's not a big deal.

[squidd]

Is there no way to restrict replies to posts in the Mentor section, to the OP and the Mentors ?

squidd

[rad14701]

Is there no way to restrict replies to posts in the Mentor section, to the OP and the Mentors ?

squidd

No...

[Prairiepiss]

Is there a way? Mite be stupid but. When someone replies in that section for it to go to a confirmation page that says. You are about to post on a mentoring section post. Do you really want to proceed? Yes or no. Kinda like when someone posts while you are trying to post. Just ideas don't really know how this boards software works. Tell you the truth I was just venting a little. I probably shouldn't have. I just have a hard time keeping my mouth shut gets me in trouble sometimes. If you haven't noticed.

[blanikdog]

The problem I see is that people think that the mentors will give the 'best' answer to their question even though it isn't a mentor type question. I've moved a lot of questions from the mentor forum that go along the line of, 'what is the best still?' This is not a mentor question. Mentors are there to help folk who have made some effort themselves to solve a problem and are just seeking some final discussion, not a place for a person with a question that is easily obtainable within the forum. Like a tutor in a university. Nobody would ask a tutor some of the lame questions we see here on occaision. Well, not at the uni I worked at anyway.

The mentors are not to be regarded as primary school teachers which some posters seem to think. I don't believe that the size of the flag would make any difference to the lazy poster who will always believe that their question is more important than anything else in the world.

I think the problem begins with this type of poster. After a few posts a member could read it and respond without realising that it's actually the mentor forum. That's easy to do and isn't a problem.

The problem is the lazy poster who doesn't want to search. They will always be a problem and will always be here. The flag size won't change anything.

[gr8brewer]

I posted there by mistake once. I was using the View Active Topic feature and found my self in the mentor section without realizing it. Only after submitting my post did I see that I was in the mentors section. I then found I could not delete it. I then edited the post to read mods please delete my post.

[likkerluvver]

I posted there by mistake once. I was using the View Active Topic feature and found my self in the mentor section without realizing it. Only after submitting my post did I see that I was in the mentors section. I then found I could not delete it. I then edited the post to read mods please delete my post.

Easily done. - Done it myself once (that I know of). Since then I double check before posting.

A larger warning (same size as "Buyer Beware" in classified ads.) might further help this insomniac's middle-of-the-night postings.

[rad14701]

Is there a way? Mite be stupid but. When someone replies in that section for it to go to a confirmation page that says. You are about to post on a mentoring section post. Do you really want to proceed? Yes or no. Kinda like when someone posts while you are trying to post. Just ideas don't really know how this boards software works. Tell you the truth I was just venting a little. I probably shouldn't have. I just have a hard time keeping my mouth shut gets me in trouble sometimes. If you haven't noticed.

No, this cannot be done... We are at the mercy of working within the limitations of the phpBB forum software... Things sound simple on paper but when your hands are tied by the underlying software, well, you're stuck...

[Prairiepiss]

I didn't think so Rad but it doesn't hurt to put it out there to find out. Thanks for the reply.

[blanikdog]

I posted there by mistake once. I was using the View Active Topic feature and found my self in the mentor section without realizing it. Only after submitting my post did I see that I was in the mentors section. I then found I could not delete it. I then edited the post to read mods please delete my post.

Easily done. - Done it myself once (that I know of). Since then I double check before posting.

A larger warning (same size as "Buyer Beware" in classified ads.) might further help this insomniac's middle-of-the-night postings.

This is easy to do and isn't a problem. After a few posts and it comes into page two you won't see the flag anyway

[Prairiepiss]

Bump

Yes I did post on a mentors section post a while back. With a safety concern that was not noticed. And did so knowingly and apologized for it. But come on.

Please look at the big red highlighted warning at the top. It's not hard to miss? It's not there for nothing. Maybe you should read things highlighted in red? Unless you have a safety concern that needs to be pointed out and the mentors have not. Which more then likely they will.

Please think about what questions you ask there. Would you get a better response posting in the general public area? Is the info already available to you somewhere else in the forums?

That section is for members who want an answer to a question from a mentor. Because they trust to get the correct answer to the question they have from a mentor. They have been chosen to be mentors for a reason. And all are doing a great job. So let them do it.

I will shut up now. Sory for the rant. The Makers Mark is not sitting well this morning.
Maybe I shouldn't be on here so much?
Maybe I'm just an asshole?
Maybe I should just keep my own dumb mouth shut?
Maybe I should just go back to bed?

[LWTCS]

Get some hair of the dog and be happy.

[rtalbigr]

Get some hair of the dog and be happy.

With good home distilled likker hair of the dog is unecessary, well, in my experience.

Big R

[Prairiepiss]

Well I can't exactly carry a mason jar into a bar. I went out to watch a friends band play. I decided what the flip I will try some Makers Mark on the rocks. Never have I had it. Needed to try it once. My mistake I could have gone without ever trying it. Holy bat craptastic. I need to find me a good flask I can take with me and hide.

[MuleKicker]

I havent seen it as a huge issue. If I see a post in the mentor section by a non mentor, I will delete it. Unless it is a very good answer. Then I see it as not a big deal to leave it there. As, that is the true reason for the section. To give strait forward, knolegable answers to the OPs question.

[Prairiepiss]

Well maybe I'm just a jerk. But a rule is a rule. And a big red highlighted warning is a big red highlighted warning. In my book.

[MuleKicker]

Im not saying the rule shouldnt be followed. But, if a non mentor posts a good bit of advice.... I leave it. Maybe We can start black flagging the bastards that offend. Give em a couple week vacation. That will teach 'em!

[Tater]

If post in mentors section doesn't belong post should be moved.If non mentor answers post the reply should be deleted.This should be dealt with by all concerned.

[mash rookie]

Honestly. I have screwed up and answered a couple of times in the mentor section. Either not paying attention or just foolishly opening my mouth. One of the times I realized immediately and tried to delete it. I was not able. I deleted the comment and left an apology.
On another occasion I either did not notice or didn’t try to erase. Sam deleted it and sent me a polite PM. I appreciated that. I know I am not a mentor.

That being said. In other sections there is a problem of reasonably new guys throwing out bad advice. (I hope I am not one of them) Usually something they read and are repeating. Plus the problem of endless banter clouding subject matter.

I always click on post if I see that one of the mentors has posted just to see what our brain trust thinks about a particular subject.

I appreciate that some posts are moved to novice for more response.

I would be happy to see some posts be moved to the mentor section for better technical responses. I will learn more reading what the pros say then having to wade through ten pages of BS

MR