Forum tech level Splitting

Might much of what you properly note be the (predictable) result of "launchpads" and "booster packs?"  Such was not an entirely, "unanticipated consequence."  Marketing creates unrealistic expectations - too often defies reality. (i.e. Understatement of training/experience/desire and effort)  Many college classes - quite properly - have "prerequisites" - to avoid/reduce any such "mismatch" - skills/readiness to the new task...  Not so the case - this hallowed ground!

Broad net catches many species - not just those targeted/hoped for...

To (perhaps) better Sell your idea Roberto - can you point/link to any other (ideally somewhat similar) forum - which enforces such, "qualification testing?"  If so - has it worked?  (and of course who judged - and how?)

While your idea has much merit - might a "faster/easier" (and less draconian) implementation result from forum "officials" enforcing the forum's long existing, "sticky, written, rules/regulations?"  A simple, stylized - "Post is not in compliance w/forum rules/regs - please note & follow, "sticky post x!"  Nothing beyond that - posters will thus comply - or depart.  (and if they depart - what (really) has been lost?)

Too often we, "reap what we sow."  Rules/laws exist (often) for good reason.  Bending (or ignoring) the sound forum rules is the real problem - as I see it...  By responding to miscast or far from MCU-based topics - does not this vendor, "tacitly encourage" such forum misuse?  Enforcing rules for the "many" is not being cruel to the "few!"

"Weak forum rule enforcement" is not a new occurrence - if not corrected will only expand - further dilute this valued, "best in class" forum space.  Should simple correction (perhaps as suggested here) continue to be avoided?

If "on the books" forum rule enforcement - cannot/will not be corrected - adding complexity is unlikely to succeed!

cb1_mobile said:

Broad net catches many species - not just those targeted/hoped for...

 Sigh.. did you think we are promoted to dead still as John Lennon said on "yellow brick road" "too old to rock and roll, too young to die"?

Roberto Romano said:

too old to rock and roll

Iirc - famed Brit rock band promised to, "quit @ 60!"  At last check - they're beyond that - still, "going strong." 

Focused, intense mental activity may delay the inevitable... (not in their case - but perhaps in ours...)

Hello cb1, Roberto

Point duly noted. I would need to discuss this as well with TI forum teams since it does cluster the forum (including TIVA).

Do note that for most forum new joinees, a uC means they can control a lot of data acquisitions and sensors assimilation device and would want to be doing display and audios as output. But when something does not work, then may be uC is doing it wrong is where almost all begin with and would then go up the learning curve.

What we need to look out for (based on threads)

1. "I want a free code" and sell my stuff...

2. Incomplete information that comes out with every post. We still ask...

I do hope my discussions gives the forum a more meaningful drive (if not division)

Regards

Amit

Amit Ashara said:

I do hope my discussions gives the forum a more meaningful drive (if not division)

 Hi Amit, sorry word can  sound sarcastic but also you  are suffering our same pain in an equal sharing. See if this can help you on a TI product on different channel:

http://beagleboard.org/Community/Forums

 Thank a lot for all kind of support you and all other are profusing free or pay'd time to community.

@ Amit,

You do a really great job here - I've stated that publicly many times.  And - as my earlier post today emphasized - the, "above/beyond normal MCU-based" Tech Support has existed prior to your arrival. (note - I've been here since early LMI forum days)

As someone here oft states, "devil is in the detail!"  Is it correct/proper/efficient for an MCU-based forum to provide instruction in basic data sheet comprehension - especially when the data just tangentially relates to your MCU?  If that door is opened (as it has, often - these past few days) then how much support is enough?  (10 back-forths, 20, 50?)  Usually (but not always) the user's lack of knowledge/experience telegraphs early.  And then you - or another - must delve deep - often far outside/away from the poster's "original/advertised, MCU-centric"  issue.  (i.e. "smokescreen!")   And - in this long, ever-expanding process - the original MCU-focus is substantially muddied and/or lost. 

Does the purchase of a 5 USD MCU - or sub 20 USD Launchpad - entitle the poster to, unlimited tech support?  Forever?  Would any business person (of sound mind) agree to such?  Even worse - is this anywhere near the proper way to "teach" basic electronics/programming?  (i.e. via disjointed, "hit or miss" - poorly formed poster questions?)

In an earlier tech firm I started - and succeeded with - we had similar - repeating - tech issues.  And my only means of survival was to, "Stylize the answers to the most frequent issues."  In this manner - I'd not spend each of my (then) 60+ hour work-weeks, "on the phone w/clients."  I'd suspect similar methods would work well here, too.  Note that Roberto made the effort to post a valued MCU comparison - highlighting certain key differences -  between your newest MCUs.

I was taught long ago never to criticize without providing some (ideally a superior) alternative.  Trust that I've done that - repeatedly I sounded the alarm re: "PF0/PD7 defaulting to NMI" - yet the factory's "poorly highlighted, ineffective warnings" continue virtually unchanged - and (predictably) are still missed by so many!  (is "uncaring" still a sin?)

Should this forum expand to include, "Basic electronics/programming 101?"  I doubt that was any MCU forum's founding intent - allowing that to happen here often dilutes your/others valued, MCU-centric contributions. 

In closing - surely you've noted the (too) high percentage of new posters - requesting assistance for a subject you've very recently solved right here!   Clearly they've made little (often no) effort to seek & search!  Thus your skilled/valued effort becomes (too often) a, "One Time Only" (single - or too few) user benefit. 

Surely newer MCUs "lurk" - your firm's "drawing board."  And they are unlikely to be simple, intuitive, quick to grasp.  Yet - if we continue to allow the forum to devolve into, "basic electronics/programming 101" how will you find the time to properly explain these new devices - as they arrive?  (quite clearly - you cannot!)

That is why a stylized forum answer-set - backed up by solid/consistent forum rules/regulation enforcement - and a stronger MCU emphasis -  jumps out as a, "markedly superior, forum management alternative."

cb1_mobile said:

That is why a stylized forum answer-set - backed up by solid/consistent forum rules/regulation enforcement - jumps out at me/my group as a, "markedly, superior alternative."

 I was tempted to hit verified to your and Amit answer bot fully agree, I prefer leave more open to readers this to collect more opinion, Andy, OCY, Igor, all top contributor.

 Thank a lot to all contributing to our knowledge and confortable community.

@ Roberto,

You Sir - served as founder/ring-leader - this, "forum improvement" soapbox. 

You/I have been here a long time - really do try to assist - keep this unique space as good as it can be!  And just today you went, "out of your way" to assist/advise others (again) - simply great - true forum spirit...

Believe the ideas presented are generally sound - and worked far above/beyond our expectations.

@Roberto.

Alternatively, you can post this here at Community Feedback.

http://e2e.ti.com/group/helpcentral/f/default.aspx

You, have a good proposal for splitting the forum into two, beginner and advanced. I see that you and cb1 are agreeing to this idea. But, I don't like it, and I disagree.

Roberto Romano said:

Beginner where we are prepared to solve also no knowledge at any level but avoid talk in a high level tech.

Imposing rules like this is like choking and not good, not productive. This tech forum is setup so people can learn, teach each other.

So, don't talk "high level stuff" at beginner level. The beginner guy would want to get high level advice from advanced people like you. From a beginner point of view, these high level tech replies are like amazing.

Avoiding talk of high level tech for beginner forum member, is like belittling a person. 

Roberto Romano said:

How to select also avoiding increasing spammer too?

This is unavoidable in all public forum. You, can just ignore this and let other forum members or forum moderators deal with this. Also, there is the "Report this post as abusive" button. You, can just report this as spam. If not you then there are 300,000+ more forum members who can. TI can ban the spammer from ever posting again at TI E2E.

Roberto Romano said:

Advanced with a some form of moderator/employee admission, a noob can pass exam later or be promoted by someone to more level.

Oh come on. Someone needs to "Pass an exam" to get to the next level. That beginner guy might be smarter than you. That person might just be acting dumb.

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

I think for beginner, it is important to know the forum guidelines and rules. Also, to convey their message properly. They can find those here below. At Tiva Forum there is also a sticky post "Information to provide when asking for help" that can be a guide to beginners at the Tiva Forum.

http://e2e.ti.com/group/helpcentral/default.aspx

-kel

One writes, "At Tiva Forum there is also a sticky post "Information to provide when asking for help..."

Indeed that's true - but how often is it observed?  Ans: "Rarely - if at all - it's been proven patently ineffective!"

And - if the cops don't/won't, "pull us over for speeding" aren't we likely (in fact encouraged) to drive even faster?  Cops here are, "Amit & cohorts" - and rarely is that "sticky" thrown back at the rushed/inconsiderate/ill-defining posters!

Like a certain country's "immigration laws" - if not enforced - laws (or "stickys") are unlikely to improve a situation.  As I earlier stated - several (improper) future forum posts emblazoned (only) with, "Post is NOT in Compliance w/Forum Rules!" have a great chance of correcting,  "forum rules, non-compliance!"

Unstated (but for this reporter) is, "how much, non-MCU directed tech support, is enough?"  (i.e. 10 back/forth, 20, 50?)  If we're to teach basic electronics - why not electronics primarily for sailboats?   (my interest)

Enforcement of the existing rules will surely capture the immediate attention of those, "lazy, too rushed, or uncaring!"  Or - we simply (continue) to surrender to those - the group most unlikely - to develop volume Sales for this vendor...

ARM MCUs are complex enough that often - even highly experienced/motivated engineers/programmers - misstep & stumble.  Would not the time/effort - presently devoted to the "rule-breakers" (due to lack of forum rule enforcement) - be far more productive if targeted to deeper & better explanations of the more complex issues - abundant w/in these "so neat" new MCUs?

Markel Robregado said:

Oh come on. Someone needs to "Pass an exam" to get to the next level. That beginner guy might be smarter than you. That person might just be acting dumb.

 Markel what I read from your post is near unbelievable too...

 Never can educate a people to how to use a tool if you get on the middle of an advanced game... In my case I don't enter game due to lack of beginner level or I get bored and I go away soon.

 Never can say to a people "here is a router machine", try yourself cave the metal.. It can break expensive tools and bless him and you too.

 You never can learn to drive a car if you where put on middle of high congested truck highway, I think you where RIP in a few attempt to learn...

 So an educational entry level to learn how to post and where important question can be moved where appropriate can limit information spreading over the noise....

 I also think beginner can be more comfortable on a learning level room than in middle of something out of his/her level.

 You don't like exam to pass level.. We can call Forum Driving Licence to avoid collision on bus activity ;) Is better this way? And take care not turn right nor left take just the right direction here is one way no turn till end of lane with river on both sides...

 Is better to teach learn respect rule? If you drive too fast or are not able to drive is your fault not river side washing you.

 Or is better give you in a large parking area with some lines where you can safely learn how to control steering and other control?

 I am not sure you can know the difference from Dumb Clever Smart and Ignorant... Last one you like or not apply forever to all US, we can learn something to cover some area from that word but never eliminate ...

 the preceding is not a question of how one behave and can be measured to a scale from QI rules...

 Smart one behave as Dumb something is wrong and this unclever/unskilled is not so acceptable to rule of community too. SO education is in front of all these rule and dumb or smart is no concern but a negative quality for smart.

 The forum I pointed to is splitted, Level expert is not for me, I can partecipate but I am not interested to develop nothing in that direction so Beginner is  for me and I can get help and leave too.  Why use the other I don't need when my level of usage is simple user as I am on PC?

 Beginner level is more usable to learn basic usage then move myself to where I find more ADVANCED information I cannot fully understand if I start to a far away high level....

 In some forum I know about how to do but I am newbye too.. So in TIRTOS I am learning but level in some post is too high for me.. Why?

@Roberto.

You, can have several people to agree to separate beginner from advanced and also have an exam to get to the next level. But, I disagree.

I disagree, because somehow you are suggesting to limit people from learning.

I am a member of E2E when TI acquired Luminary Micro many years ago. I don't have any background with ARM microcontrollers. But, I do have experience in R&D with other RISC microcontrollers.

Back then, many years ago that I will say I am noob in ARM microcontrollers, I would spend many hours just reading all the posts at E2E. I get amazed how, these people at E2E provide very intelligent replies. Besides the amazement, I learn a lot from these posts. Actually, I have so many noob questions that I want to ask. But, I was a little bit afraid to post these questions. Because, I think that these noob questions will not be replied by these high level engineers. When, someone did reply back at my questions, I felt a little bit good. When someone told me I was wrong at E2E, I felt good also that someone who is high level, corrected me and provided me good advice.

I am also saying to be considerate of these noob's. Because, they probably think of high level E2E members as stars, like Michael Jordan, or someone like Steve Jobs.

(cb1 was already a member of the forum back then)

The thing is, I did not discern in all those discussions which are beginner and which are advanced. Because, since I was noob, everything in the forum and learning ARM microcontroller is advanced to me.

Besides the forum, resources at TI provides good guidance to learn these ARM microcontrollers. Nowadays, there are now laboratory workshops, that are good for beginners.

For me, the learning room of a beginner is not at E2E forum. But, at their own workstations with all the resources taken at TI for their learning. Back then at E2E forum, there were no separation of beginner and advanced and also the need of exam to get to the next level. What was needed is just my drive to learn, and all the resources from TI and elsewhere in the internet.

These noob questions might seem to be noise to high level engineers. But, for me helping noob up to high level engineers at E2E is like, I contribute to saving the world. Sounds corny, but, since members of E2E are all over the world, I somehow think that way. Plus, I also get to have a TI E2E Mug. See, below. If I remember corrrectly I also have helped some TI employees at E2E forum.

http://e2e.ti.com/support/microcontrollers/tiva_arm/f/908/t/333581.aspx

I agree with cb1 that Tiva Forum is now currently lacking improvement also enforcement of rules. In the past several TI Engineers frequent the Tiva Forum that provides good guidance to forum members and also adds sticky post to the forum. But, now they seldom post or reply at Tiva forum.

I think that TI should improve orienting new forum members of E2E guidelines and rules. There are lots of post at Tiva forum in which I would post a link to that "Information to provide when asking for help..." sticky.

Roberto, I know that your idea's intention is for the benefit of the forum. But, that is a little bit harsh for me. Since, I came from noob level. Although, I have reached "Guru" at E2E, I am still low level compared to you or cb1.

We are talking about Tiva Forum. Comparing MPS430 forum to Tiva forum, Tiva Forum is much more peaceful and less noise. I guess that is because of more volume of posts at MSP430 forum, due to the number of MSP430 launchpad owners. I even remember one post at MSP430 forum with bad words.

-kel

Markel Robregado said:

even remember one post at MSP430 forum with bad words.

!xyzqw%!  There, never let it be said that this forum is w/out bad/harsh language!

Enforcement, enforcement, enforcement!  (even "wired" cb1 grows tired - so obvious - so easy...)

Devoting some 30 "back/forth" for a "first/only time ever - highly unlikely to succeed app. (i.e. 24 bit ADC - which we learn now is "unpowered!") escapes any sense of reason!   Who benefits from this?  Clearly this "miscarriage" of forum justice results from "near non-existent" forum rule enforcement!

Helping the few (single individual - w/esoteric "one-off"App) should not negatively impact the many!  And so clearly it does - and should cease!  (i.e. just what is the status of the multiply requested, "clear/expanded explanation - of the new MCU's uDMA operation?)   Will we instead advise poster to, "power" his ADC?

Enforcement is the answer - and a crisp, clear method to communicate such has already been provided!

cb1_mobile said:

even remember one post at MSP430 forum with bad words.

!xyzqw%!  There, never let it be said that this forum is w/out bad/harsh language!

Enforcement, enforcement, enforcement!  (even "wired" cb1 grows tired - so obvious - so easy...)

[/quote]

 I remember the kid saying syncronous motor designed to run @ 3KRPM has no trouble to run @6KRPM, his golden motor can do, he see on internet  the gasoline motor of his brother running at 12Kpm...

 I am tired to answer also where an HI tech background required to know about inertia energy and mass dynamic. So a kid got here asking about InstaSpin...  It is time to stop this, I am using a tool to I think market 1 million pieces and I wish talk to an engineer not street man or presunctive kid!

 So I am developing a project where at worst can sell 1K TIVA processor, 10K MSP, 200 C2000-Delfino plus 200 OMAP. a lot of other driver and power supply on startup..

 I wish multiply that number by 10 or 100 than waste time!

 My last mid project sold 200K unit MSP on one production lot.

 So is productive waste my time answer some kid has a 5cent toy and never produce a lot?

 When I need help, if this is the purpose of E2E E-> Engineer??? If this convert in an Arduino like forum.. If this is the direction of future believe me TI has to close and we say <<Sorry TI this is time not to deal your product!>> we can choose freescale, altera dspcore or other. Maybe we don't like  a street man reading about our project and give free help develop a nuclear reactor bar controller nor give free DSP knowledge to who say to me filter require, 1 2 3 then knife cut tha hair and where are missed part you don't know.. <But I developed i wish i desire i want...... ANd I clearly see this has just a surface of paint scratched here and there!

 I own lab and knowledge, I wish as other tech people support production, we can do support young engineer too.. But not waste time and resource..

 SO I think I got a good moral support, I think I quit this useless forum to give my time to learn German better or just talk someone I like or betterplay music and  read a good book noquestion of language or topic.

Roberto Romano said:

So is productive waste my time answer some kid has a 5cent toy and never produce a lot?

Simple solution: don't waste your time, don't answer kid who builds a toy that will never be manufactured in quantities more than 1. - Answer only those questions which you think are worth of your precious time. It does not take much (time) to see which post comes from experienced engineer and which one - from beginner.

Ilmars said:

It does not take much (time) to see which post comes from experienced engineer and which one - from beginner.

 IImars, TIVA is still in an early phase and I wish discover every issue can has in advance of production if possible so I try'd dig in the plethora of helpless question to try got information , here the term ISSUE is just used from user issue of not able to do it or understand...

 So please help us write a STRONG guidelines to get near immediate point to a useless question. Between them we still discovered real problem and non beginner too...

 A clean up is more better.

Anyway, as an effort to better inform forum members to "not post useless questions" or "to provide more details in their post", I have setup my signature, with helpful links. I also add links to "JTAG Communication Failures" and a "post regarding NMI pins". See, my new signature.

@Kel,

Just how long do you believe your "signature rich" post will, "ride high" - this active forum.  Couple of days - it will rotate down the post que - and be lost!

Can we, "inmates" properly, "Run this asylum?"  Not too likely.

Vendor must first tweak (i.e. better clarify, likely expand) forum rules/regulations - and then: Enforce, enforce, enforce.

This post - like all others - will soon rotate into oblivion. 

A "real solution" is required - singular posts have long proven "bandaids at best" - they are ineffective...

Roberto Romano said:

So please help us write a STRONG guidelines to get near immediate point to a useless question.

I see what you mean. This is fundamental problem of whole internet - in public forums user decides where and what to post. Also humans tend to blame everything but themselves, their problems usually are "advanced", thou 99% of problems usually are "user error".

I doubt that splitting forum into many will somehow solve "low quality of content"  problem. Inexperienced beginner could still write into wrong forum or spam into all of them.

Moderatorial would help but it's expensive and it means to break "e2e" idea/approach as such. For example if I see that my post is waiting for approval for some time - I usually give-up and never come back. Moderated forums could simply dry out and lose all the users including experienced ones.

Other option would be voting system. Forum users with rating points above average have option to (positively) vote for threads/posts, such way adding one more dimension for search queries.

Ilmars said:

Other option would be voting system. Forum users with rating points above average have option to (positively) vote for threads/posts, such way adding one more dimension for search queries.

 Ilmars, I see we are close again some some form of welcome test is necessary to then dispatch. I am sure it is a different exam admission form and all forum is dropped to low level also on special area where no beginner have sense to exist too. TI idea is great but need some form of splitting like classroom level on school. I disagree Markel position, I can teach noob but I need to be informed who they are I cannot do a lesson about Z transform to one is not able to do some simple addition. Nor explain complex FIR or IIR theory when someone is missing knowledge too. Nor we can teach J density current distribution in a conductive plane nor EMF to who at least know voltage are imprinting on a battery cell metal can and wish use a 24Bit ADC. Nor who say rotor can rotate at arbitrary speed and don't know....

 Every forum has his flea...

 I please you continue this way, I am proud of your answer too, I disappoint someone but I need respect other too and ourselves all and Knowledge increase than reduce.

Ilmars said:

Moderatorial would help but it's expensive and it means to break "e2e" idea/approach as such. For example if I see that my post is waiting for approval for some time - I usually give-up and never come back. Moderated forums could simply dry out and lose all the users including experienced ones.

 I experienced this too, I suppose, (TI people need confirm) this appear when you post in external than forum,

Tiva™ ARM® Microcontrollers » Tiva™ C Series ARM® Microcontrollers Forum

 Posting here wait approve            Posting here is immediately dispatched.

 Cheer

Find llmars recent arrival here of good value.  Many well thought & presented points - thanks for that.

He makes very inventive point re: "break of "e2e" idea/approach!"  And indeed - thoughtful/considered as I try to be - that escaped me.

Another claim, "moderation is expensive" may deserve further analysis - is presented here w/out justification/proof!  May I ask the expense of - instead - providing near 30 "back-forths" between vendor's key forum responder and an (obvious) neophyte user - seeking to launch a 24 bit ADC - which we only learn later - is unpowered!  Such was not free!  And while that illustrates an "extreme case" - it was far from alone.  (we were recently asked here to guide the creation of a nanosecond-capable pulse generator - from an MCU confined to (barely) 80MHz.)  and that - downhill...

I'm bit experienced - can usually "gauge" the skill/depth of poster (and his issue) w/in 10-15 seconds.  When the post proves "unqualified" - simply Red Stamp it as, Not in Conformance w/Forum Rules/Regs!  That will surely command attention - has not been tried - and appears to have merit as it forces offending poster to read, think and spend "bit more time" in post composition.  (clearly as you, Roberto and this reporter - most always - do...)

By the constant "acceptance" of woefully thought/prepared posts - vendor here (and elsewhere) tacitly encourages far more!  (i.e. monkey see - monkey do)  (apologies to those more thoughtful/aware simians)

Note that, "Learning to better Sell your issue/question" yields benefits far beyond, just this space.  Smart posters should quickly see the benefits which attach to some, "thought, care, and detail" when posting...  And - I bet - many posts result from simple, "laziness" - do they not?  Faced with read/review of forum rules - posters may choose (God forbid) to RTFM - and answer their own bloody question...

Markel Robregado said:

Anyway, as an effort to better inform forum members to "not post useless questions" or "to provide more details in their post", I have setup my signature, with helpful links. I also add links to "JTAG Communication Failures" and a "post regarding NMI pins". See, my new signature.

 So sorry Markel, this is your time, PLEASE read question in full and before answer as "see this or that example" analyze text and issue..

 From last thread I am really afraid see Petrei too got fooled by poster long text.

 [From CB rant: Hide issue changing description] or similar...

 This is why reading a long long text it missed the problem.. If that problem was in a C classroom area I bet 100US$ Petrei immediately fired POINTER than got weakened by..

 So... Markel I reject your point of view and I wait more propositive session.

 Otherwise stay sure I can get where you live to exam you instead of my pupils ;)

Hi,

I think stack exchange has a similar policy - Not in Conformance w/Forum Rules/Regs - and there some two or three supervisors votes for blocking any reply to that thread. Here Amit may be entitled to do that.

I do not know why on other sections of e2e there is not such thing - I mean on MSP430 I could not see too much explanations. Maybe depends also on each of us to stop teaching the user step by step. Maybe the Cortex-Mx is a little bit more difficult to approach/learn so a dedicated section "learning" will be useful if the company's policy is to provide such help. Such section will be useful for those doing  their "homework". But of coarse, the question rises -why their teachers cannot provide them the needed help. 

In general, I use to blame the advertising "do such thing in a half an hour" -  maybe a demo can be done in such short of time, the rest of work/reading(s) are ignored. 

The last part - is the user manuals/texbooks - in general the Cortex-Mx is not well covered - only two or three notable titles, and these may not easily be available on all the globe. (when I started with Stellaris I was puzzled by the SPI writing - not clearly understand how to do it. But reading the SPI module from another brand, triggered the right approach. That forced me to begin reading the forum and learn from other's experience - cb1, slandrum, Andy Neil).

Regards.

Petrei

There are several issues here and I fear we are conflating them

1. Expansion of launchpads and similar
2. Off topic questions
3. ILL posed questions (sorry for the caps, in lower case it looks like a roman 3)

There do appear to be more of 1 occuring.  When we are just dealing with an occaisional evaluation board everyone has the same interest.  When launchpads and similar emerge as a product in there own right there is a difference of interest between those interested in the micro and those interested in the board.  While there is overlap it may make sense to split off the launchpads into a separate group to avoid overwhelming those interested in mainly the micro with 'noise' .

There are and will always be those questions that fit in 2.  Sometimes it is because it is not clear at the start where the issue is but often it is just because this becomes a convenient place to ask.  Not a problem at low volume but at higher volume it becomes a burden.

Item 3 covers a lot of ground.  It can be from someone familiar with software who has little or no idea that hardware can even effect operation.  It can be I changed something and now it doesn't work, why?

Items 2 and 3 are what people are lashing out at I think but item 1 lowers the irritation threshold.  Item 2 can be policed somewhat.  Item 3 is harder.  Sometimes the person just needs to know what information is required since they've found themselves in a hole and lost track of the forest for the trees.  Sometimes data is withheld just to avoid overloading the readers until there is an indication they can use it (an attitude I appreciate).  Generally this becomes a matter of group culture, the group gets what it accepts.  There can and probably should be enforcement for the extreme cases.

One thing this group appears to not only allow but encourage is a practice that many other groups simply do not tolerate.  That is the providing of large quantities of source code with the plea of please tell me what's wrong.  Part of that comes from the focus on TIVAWare.  Personally I will ignore any large quatity of code when a problem description is given. 

I'm not seeing a huge need for enforcement yet but you do want to start before you are getting multiple pages a day of single line why doesn't my program run posts. A little gentle nudge early will be more effective than draconian clean outs later.

That's enough of my own noise contribution.

Robert

Petrei said:

In general, I use to blame the advertising "do such thing in a half an hour" -  maybe a demo can be done in such short of time, the rest of work/reading(s) are ignored. 

We are starting to develop a tribe in embedded that expects to work mostly/solely with prebuilt bricks.  I don't know how large a proportion it encompases but it does appear to be becoming a significant voice.  It is no longer restricted to high end systems like VME and NI

Robert

@Petrei. From my convesations with Amit, he mentioned that he cannot make a post a sticky post. So, I think he is not currently Tiva Forum Moderator.

@Roberto. If you want to see many beginner posts, go to MSP430 forum. There is one particular forum member there that stands out.

I think the problem nowadays at Tiva forum is the lack of prescence of TI Engineers who frequent the Tiva Forum. When Tiva forum, was just starting there were lots of participation of TI Engineers. I think some of those are the Tiva Forum owners. Nowadays, there is mostly Amit. But, he is not Tiva Forum moderator.

As informed by a TI Engineer, anyone can use the "Report Abuse Button", for any issues. The report will be addressed accordingly.

With regards, to training materials for beginner, TI does not lack of it. A beginner who has gone thoroughly at laboratory workshop, can be considered above beginner level already

I have seen most beginner post at Tiva Forum and here some cases and causes

1. Lack of relevant information in post

Causes:
a. Just recently joined at E2E and did read the the Forum Guideline from the link below and Forum Sticky Posts.

http://e2e.ti.com/group/helpcentral/default.aspx

In some posts like this, once I reminded them of the Guidelines, they don't repeat the same mistake again.

b. Anxious to ask question, due to urgency or whatever reasons.

2. Tiva Launchpad Workshop questions.

Causes:
a. Upgrade of Software Package that has changes including preprocessor defines.
b. Tiva Launchpad video tutorial not updated. Since, Tivaware Package has been updated for Tiva Launchpad, the video tutorial has not been effective.

3. CCS or other IDE Questions

4. Lacking in Technical Knowledge in Programming, Embedded Hardware, Electronics, Digital Electronics and so on. This is something outside the TI scope. In this case, just reccomend to read a book, tutorial, or search in the internet about these.

For beginner who has no idea overall, It will be good idea to reccomend to go through the training materials, like laboratory workshop.

Sometimes, I will just post a link to that App note or document link and not provide more explanation. This is to teach the beginner to learn by themselves.

The beginner has been addressed by TI, with training materials and laboratory workshop. Since this has been addressed, Why the need for a separate forum for beginner?

Maybe, because it is irritating to see these posts for high level Tiva Forum Members.

Even, if you have a system that limits a beginner from learning advanced topics of Tiva microcontroller, It won't work. Because, you can't stop a person from doing what a person wants to do.

If you have forum for advanced at Tiva Forum, these will probably the only members below.

cb1, Roberto Romano, Petrei, Amit Ashara, and some others. (maybe I can join also)

Since, most of you don't ask help at Tiva Forum, that would be like being in a desert. (desert - a barren area of land)

(Pardon my reply, its 2:30 AM where I am and very sleepy)

Robert Adsett said:

I'm not seeing a huge need for enforcement yet but you do want to start before you are getting multiple pages a day of single line why doesn't my program run posts. A little gentle nudge early will be more effective than draconian clean outs later.

That's enough of my own noise contribution.

 Hi Robert, Thank for another opinion, your pleasant noise I think is a grateful sound to (near) all us.

 Thank a lot for great contribution too.

Markel Robregado said:

@Roberto. If you want to see many beginner posts, go to MSP430 forum. There is one particular forum member there that stands out.

 I also read and sometimes answer to MSP430, I don't answer to all and I just select where I see something I never seen.

 MSP is less dispersive than TIVA, it was as someone here wrote maybe we stopped solve step by step but we need enforce every part of this forums, I find noise everywhere.

 About early hour I don't know why you are so late, I can do something when I am free.

 Now is time to walk.. See you