Are we too harsh?

[Diamndzngunz]

I don't think that people are being harsh but more that they are tired of people popping up with the same questions and not putting forth any effort.

BINGO

[leukos]

I'll throw in my two cents:

- Maybe getting rid of the "I want to 5 box on one computer, what software will easily allow me to do that - oh, and I can't spend money on KeyClone" people is a good thing.

- The community could pair new multiboxers with a willing and more experienced mentor. No, I am not volunteering myself - the liability issues with this idea are to great.
- The community could agree that the "New Multiboxer" forums are a safe haven for stupid questions. Anyone that answers a question must do so directly and include a precise answer to the person's question (and no more). This could already be in place, I just haven't read the stickys recently (queue the Homer Simpson D'oh!). Maybe a warning notice on safe haven forums would be enough. (I'm guilty of ignoring this one).
- Get more of the community knowledge into wiki form, there is already a surprisingly large amount there for such a new resource.
- Finagle/beg/borrow steal people into Subject Matter Expert roles for certain aspects of Multiboxing (Warcraft and other games as they come out). Make them keep their Wiki sections up to date. This already appears to be happening.
- Could we somehow get the paperclip to pop up on people's computer and give them a long winded tour of the Wiki and Stickys before letting them in? Could we make them do it five times?

- I still don't get the Prepaid card thing.

[Liquefied]

I feel that more of them are like me, I didn't have the money, the computer(s), or the time.

Once they realize what it takes to box they give up because of one of those things.

[Ughmahedhurtz]

I don't really think we're too harsh. This is no different than your teenage kids coming to ask you how to use a scroll saw. Sure, you can show them how, but they'll be quickly frustrated with the subtle differences and probably give it up anyway. If they do some research first, they'll understand what to expect and will pick it up on their own for the most part.

[Kaynin]

I'll throw in my two cents:

- Maybe getting rid of the "I want to 5 box on one computer, what software will easily allow me to do that - oh, and I can't spend money on KeyClone" people is a good thing.

Though hard to imagine people being able to pay for 5 accounts but not the one payment for keyclone, it is still in everyones right to use freeware options as well. And I don't see any wrong in people like this, really. A basic answer like "Autohotkey, and several other programs." would basicly do the trick. It's up to them to check it out then. xP

Either way, I don't really think this is such a big deal. *shrug*

[Old Dirty Bathtub]

Honestly, I think the type of people who are scared off by a curt response probably wouldn't have lasted long as boxers anyhow. Boxing isn't like pledging to support public radio or promising vote for the Green party. If you don't have the determination to do independent research and experiment on your own, you are never going to get too far as a multiboxer.

Some of the dilettantes may get scared off, but this is only speeding the inevitable.

(Anyhow, y'all are actually really nice.)

[spannah]

Ain't that just what we try to avoid though, Spannah? xP

In a way, but I think most people who have been around for a while know what it takes to multibox. Maybe I sound like an "elitist jerk" but it ain't like they can call up Blizzard and say "hey can you set me up with multi-boxing?". Anyone that is genuinely interested will dedicate the time/resources. Like Liquefied did ...

I feel that more of them are like me, I didn't have the money, the computer(s), or the time.

Once they realize what it takes to box they give up because of one of those things.

The warning is just sort of saying, "hey, this isn't as easy as it seems"

For the little replies I do make, I am likely to include a link to the stickies or somewhere else with additional information.

[Tasty]

Yes you are all way too harsh. You were all so mean to me thats why I gave up trying to box before I even started. Or were you? Guess we'll never know

[Maz]

I think the tone is just fine. You can spot the fuckwits a mile off.

If people descibe in some detail the specific problem they're having, describe what it is they've done to try and solve it, and ask specific questions that they need answers to in order to progress then you know you're not wasting your time.

Of course I'm quite happy to respond to "Keyclone's sending two copies of every character to my alts" with "You have two copies of Keyclone running numb-nuts" because we've all done it and it takes no time at all to type. But I'm disinclined to write chapter and verse about how to get things set up when others have bent over backwards to put that information in the wiki and elsewhere.

[Moxy]

My thought would be to have something on the portal page- a brief explanation for those who don't know- and a warning that getting into multiboxing is time consuming, technically detailed, costly, and just plain sucks. >)

Should probably warn them that I'm an ass as well...