Wow. I have to say -- once again -- that I am flattered. There is no "aw shucks" blush smiley out there I can find. Too bad, it'd be perfect here.
will have to do. I know that nothing I've written is truly groundbreaking, but more of a reference so the others and I need not repeat ourselves tirelessly. I mean, who wants to explain screenshots day in and day out? Thus QA0023. The simple stuff that the common user doesn't know (and who can blame them? Exploring how a PC works is for the daring) can be placed in the QA forum and the information is there. Permanently. That's a great concept IMHO and I wish more computer help sites would implement this idea.
As for the locking of threads: For the record, I did this when I found Mac patrolling the forums yet *again*. I realized I had a slew of QA threads open for posting. I could whine to a Mod every time Mac posted there, but I didn't want to go through that, and I'm sure none of the Mods did, either. I simply asked for them to be locked to protect the threads. The QA threads is for information in its pristine form - pure. This forum is holy ground, my friends.
The thought of that... fool... hijacking them made me bristle.
I too can be contacted if information is wrong, out of date, or if Imageshack decides to be a jerk and stop hosting my pictures, or if you just don't get it. Either way, since I too am now a local Mod, I can re-open my posts and modify them. (Kudos to the Admin for returning and seeing my need) I am always willing to make my posts clearer, more accurate, or illustrate them. As is evident with my CSS thread; 6 revisions total! All in the name of giving the standard poster easy access to correct information.
I don't know what inspired me to begin writing QA threads, but once I started I could not stop. It gives a delicious feeling of accomplishment that I was able to
contribute to the forums and leave a lasting
impression on it. Really, that's all every person on Earth wants, right? When it gets right down to it, what you remember at the end of your life, what really is important to you, is that you made a difference. As a piece of Jr. High literature I will never forget said: "Everyone has something that is theirs and that is important. A garden plowed, a pair of shoes made. It's all special in its own way." I don't remember the title of the book, but those words have stayed with me for a couple of years so far, bubbling back up when it's important to remember it.
I thank you for recognizing my work, a work that is not finished. Yes, QA0027 is in the writing (unless someone takes that number. Then it's QA0028
) and I don't feel that will be the end of it. As usual, it's nothing new and amazing; it's just information that I feel is handy to know and can be referenced. I have touched a small variety of subjects, from games to web design to, recently, hardware work. But who says I have to stick to just that? I am continuing to slowly wear down my keys as I type article after article.
But not all praise can go to me - Hopester Doofus hasn't posted in a while, but I consider him as a sort of role model - he was the person who started the QA forum, brought it to life. He may not have posted a new article in a while, but I look up to him and his wealth of knowledge. And of course, Flame, robpomeroy, and another one IIRC contributed to the continued growth of this forum. Maybe not as many articles, but the content is excellent nonetheless, and I refuse to let them be simply forgotten just because I made a flurry of posts. Raise your soda cups to Hopester, Flame, and robpomeroy!
Well, I've spent nearly 4000 characters on this post, so I will close with this:
Anyone with valuable information, whether you have 1000 posts or if this would be your first post, is more than welcome to add to this forum as well. We don't care if you're new here - feel free to post information, and don't fear correction. Any corrections made are not personal; just making sure the info is what it must be. Because I'd be a fool to say I was never corrected while writing. And I don't see the end of correction, nor do I hope for it. The accuracy of information means more to me than "getting it right the first time". You never will - fact of life.
-Timothy "Dilbert" Bennett