The Bottom line folks

Discussion in 'other anti-virus software' started by trjam, Aug 3, 2009.

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  1. dw426

    dw426 Registered Member

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    There's no community feeling fading away, this forum is meant for asking for help and suggestions of products. The problem is egos and other nonsense getting in the way, you simply can't hardly have a suggestion thread without someone popping in and derailing it with their "expertise" and/or "perfect, bulletproof, my way or the highway setup".

    JudgeDee: How well I remember the occasional developer scraps :) Those were fun on one hand, but so sad on the other. Here were professional people that were SUPPOSED to be here providing support and/or checking up on overall satisfaction with their products, and "epeen" contests would break out.

    SSJ: Yes, opinions are fine, and yes, people have a right to them. But, you know good and well enough as I do that those opinions don't have to involve chest puffing and insults. There's an old bit of advice that many not just here, but everywhere would do good to heed: You can think it, but you don't HAVE to say it.
     
  2. Saraceno

    Saraceno Registered Member

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    I agree there is a bit of 'my way or the highway' going on.

    Slightly off-topic, what I think could add to this forum would be one thread, called the 'rant thread' in the general forum as a sticky. Sometimes people have something to say, don't want to start a new thread, but want to get something off their mind (rather than direct a comment towards another user).

    Kind of like the 'where in the world' thread, where people are providing something about themselves, only it would be one thread about anything. Gets people communicating on a personal level all in the one thread. eg. comment on how work is going, other staff, something that went on through the day, upcoming weekend, anything at all.

    One I know that's on a popular forum, once it gets too long (eg. 250+ pages), it's closed and a new one created. Keeps the 'chit-chat' in the one thread, and allows the other threads to stay focussed on topic.

    I don't know, maybe it's just me, but it can be difficult for some to stay focussed on many topics of a similar subject, so rather than some members feeling like they have nothing to add to the forum for the day, they might just want to say to others who have similar interests, 'hey, anyone seen film XYZ? I thought it was one of the best films I've seen.'

    /end rant. ;)
     
  3. Martijn2

    Martijn2 Registered Member

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    I think it's because novice users come here for help and decide to stay around. While this is not per se a problem it lately ends up in a lot of A vs B threads (for example). But this is something inevitable.

    Those were great! Fierce arguments between different software developers.
     
  4. Pleonasm

    Pleonasm Registered Member

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    SSj100, this perspective seems reasonable to me.

    Provided that threads and posts are authored professionally and with decorum (and most fit these criteria), I prefer a democratic approach in which the occasional “poor post” is tolerated so as to enhance participation from a broader collection of forum members. Additionally, as evidenced in this thread, it is clear that different forum members like/dislike different types of topics and presentation styles. Diversity is fine and, in my opinion, should be encouraged. If a reader is not interested in a specific thread or the posts of one or more forum members, then the simple solution is to skip those entries.
     
  5. Zimzi

    Zimzi Registered Member

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    I hope you will not get me wrong (happy to read your posts on the forum and I think that are very useful) but I do not agree. When I got first computer, more than ten years ago, I was poor student. Old and used computer I received as a gift, the money for dial-up would hardly collected, but, of course, I did not have the money to pay for the software. If I wanted to legally use software, I had to choose for freeware. So, I am very grateful and loyal to companies (Avira, Alwil, Grisoft etc) that offered free antimalware protection.

    Today I have three desktop computers and notebook, VISA card and can spend several hundred dollars from time to time on a variety of protection software, but has not always been so. I can pay any security software, but many people in the world can not and therefore, for me, the use of PC software is not the same as buying "carton of juice" in the shop.
     
  6. Ade 1

    Ade 1 Registered Member

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    Interesting thread. Not sure how long I've been reading these forums but I always used to come here to learn about what security software was out there and people's experience of using it as well as information relating to new versions just being released or upcoming releases.

    Over time I've used a wide range of security apps and although I was happy with the current app I was using, there would always be a thread or post that made me think twice about using it. Does the member have a valid reason for posting that the product I'm using sucks? All of a sudden, seeds of doubt are sown in my mind and I then start thinking maybe they have a point and start looking elsewhere.

    But as time has gone on, I've become disillusioned with this forum. As previously stated, there are members who just seem to post crap about a product without any reason or evidence. An example of this is that I have settled to use KIS 2010 for a number of reasons. Firstly, it works very well on my system. I've had no issues with it at all and am confident of the protection that it provides. Secondly, I get a free 1 year 3 user license from my bank for using their online service so this enables me to use it on my home pc, my laptop and also give a license to my brother to use on his pc. Then, just now, I'm having a look through new threads/posts on this forum which I do on a daily basis and I come across this post.........

    "i dont use eset, just having a laugh at you..
    and btw kaspersky is a bloated mess of BSOD buggy trash, so i would be sure to take an image/snapshot of your system before you install it"

    :mad:

    Maybe I'm taking things to heart and getting wound up for all the wrong reasons but posts such as this, and there seems to be them everyday, gets me to think should I really be coming here anymore? Only time will tell!
     
  7. Wildest

    Wildest Registered Member

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    There is a thread here, "What is your security setup these days?".

    It reminds me of a car show, with each entrant displaying their custom-designed rig.
    Each rig is capable of going from 0-60 in world class time, but what is most interesting is how people can pull together unique combinations of components and be competitive.

    I will admit that I am a security fanatic and like seeing reports of compatibilites of different products.
    Maybe since no security solution is perfect for everyone I am insecure about the possibility that my current setup may not be perfect for me.

    What is so wrong in being proud of one's customized security setup? o_O
     
  8. bigc73542

    bigc73542 Retired Moderator

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    I have been on the forum quite a while and my take on the situation is that in the past when someone ask for help and one or two members were helping them it was respected and left for them to help. But at present I have seen someone ask for help and seven or eight members will all post their ideas in the same thread and most of the time with conflicting solutions and it just overwhelms the party asking for help. I do love this forum as it has always been here to offer assistance when it was needed. But I see it getting harder for someone to actually get individual help without all of the well meaning other members shotgunning numerous different solutions just overloading the poor guy. I think the forum is doing a good job and there are some very helpful members here but I would love to see some of the qualities return from several years ago. Until and if it happens I know I won't get into the "I can help you better than that guy formula" so I just read the posts and try to keep a low profile and stay out of trouble. But I am always here.

    Love you all, and will be reading your posts and learning a few things along the way.

    bigc
     
  9. RejZoR

    RejZoR Lurker

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    Why is that confusing? More ideas, more possible ways of solving the issue. If one doesn't work, try next. Or you just try to sort them on your own.
    What happens if you get just one possible solution (which doesn't work) and nothing else? It's very high probability that no one will answer to that since someone already posted something as an answer. The user will wait for a whikle and then just give up.
     
  10. Wildest

    Wildest Registered Member

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    Yes, it is a problem if the knowledgeable veterans are retreating into the shadows because of the difficulty being heard above all of the background noise.

    Personally I find the rush to post "I agree" comments somewhat smothering as well.
     
  11. Kees1958

    Kees1958 Registered Member

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    Says BIGc :D
     
  12. Wildest

    Wildest Registered Member

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    No one can hope to remain significantly relevant in this technology without learning new things every day.
     
  13. blacknight

    blacknight Registered Member

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    Well, I'm comparatively new here in Wilders, from September 2007. What I can say is that when I came in the Forum the technical level of the 3Ds and of the posts in the 3D was higher as now is, and the content often more interesting.

    I see that many of the excellent users that I read in the past are again here, but a lot of topics now are for a normal forum for newbies, or useless and endless flames as " Comodo is the best or the devil ? " :D :D . I believe that this is only a physiological phase as many forums live in their life, but it's a pity: CastleCops is died, we have only Wilders now... :)
     
  14. trjam

    trjam Registered Member

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    this thread was created with no ill thoughts on anyone here. I commend the site folks for allowing what I think it some very truthful and eye opening statements. Sometimes we have to open the windows to the house to let fresh air in, because we never realize just how stale the air has become. The fresh air, is all the new members or ones that have yet to post for whatever reason. The stale air were folks like me, theatrical but limited in knowledge.

    I see a change in just how some posts are more informative and the respect others are showing for people taking the time to actually answer their question and help. Someone said people come and go, and that is true, but without new fresh air coming in and participating, we will just become stale again. And remember, stale air, can renew itself with some nudging.;)
     
  15. dholiday

    dholiday Registered Member

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    I agree with bigc and that is why I am hesitant to request assitance.
     
  16. rodzilla

    rodzilla Registered Member

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    Moderators need to constantly remind us peasants who has The Power!
     
  17. blacknight

    blacknight Registered Member

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    It's a gag ? Do you have any experience as Mod or Forum Admin ? I have. And I believe that the Admins and the Mods in Wilders work fine and very balanced. :)
     
  18. rodzilla

    rodzilla Registered Member

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    No ... I'm just a newbie computer user.
     
  19. twl845

    twl845 Registered Member

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    I also agree that sometimes you need a few answers to your question to finally figure out how to proceed. The only time it might be a problem is when a non techie asks for help and can't work it out from reading conflicting posts of help. As for me, I'd rather get too many offers of help than not get any responses any day. :)
     
  20. Paul Wilders

    Paul Wilders Administrator

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    Good old Rod! Good to see you around after all this time :thumb: Hope you're doing fine and visit us more often.

    For those interested: don't let Rod fool you - he has been involved in setting up the Official ESET Support Forums over here and his nick name is feared all over the web for his fierce and to the point contributions.

    end of interruption
     
  21. icr

    icr Registered Member

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    @ Paul Wilders
    You have very nice signature (01110010 01100101 01100111 01100001 01110010 01100100 01110011 00100000 01110000 01100001 01110101 01101100)
    sorry for being off topic
     
  22. Toby75

    Toby75 Registered Member

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    At this time ask yourselves WWMD?

    What would Mele do? :argh:
     
  23. mrfargoreed

    mrfargoreed Registered Member

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    Although I'm relatively new compared to most, I visit Wilders on a daily basis, often several times, and have learnt so much about security through this excellent forum than anywhere else. I have learnt much from several of the posters in this thread alone.

    I do get frustrated when I see a post asking which product is best without any reason behind asking. I roll my eyes and think 'here goes another thread of people just posting what their favourite product is for a couple of pages', which really doesn't help the original poster.

    But, I do feel that some responsibility has to go down to the original poster of that question. Don't just ask what is the best AV - ask why it is the best. Don't just ask 'Which browser should I use?' - ask why.

    Perhaps people should be encouraged to ask better questions originally (and I have seen experienced members encourage this) but perhaps, also, the thread shouldn't turn into a product promotion, either.

    I have learnt that the 'best' products don't always work on my setup. My current setup may not be the 'best', but I know that it's as secure as I can get it without becoming totally obsessive, and I have to thank mcuh of the advice I have received from people on this forum. I am now able to feel comfortable with my machine, which is really what most of us want at the end of the day isn't it?

    Sure, I love new and exciting products as much as anyone else, but I am also often baffled by the amount of reverence that some firewalls/AVs seem to get. I have been guilty of it myself, praising a product like a preacher at times, but I also realised I was not so much preaching as bragging, 'I've got this product and you haven't'. This is not helpful to anyone, so now I keep my mouth shut and try not to behave like a plank.

    Some of you guys are so knowledgeable it actually astounds me - I would love to have the type of technical minds you have, so when I see short and sharp replies on threads, although I understand you must get frustrated at times, perhaps those of us less uninformed as yourselves should be educated and taught a little more. I get angry when a new member hasn't even bothered to search for an answer. I get angry when a someone posts a simple 'Which one is better?' without looking themselves and expecting you guys to do their work for them, but this forum is a great place to learn and I, like many, would be lost without it.
     
  24. Joeythedude

    Joeythedude Registered Member

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    +1 to the last comment
     
  25. StevieO

    StevieO Registered Member

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    011100100110010101100111011000010111001001100100011100110010000001010011011101000110010101110110011010010110010101001111

    :D
     
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