What Are the Best and Worst Aspects of Physics Forums?

  • Thread starter Drakkith
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In summary: There's a place for those discussions, and there's a place for substantive political discussion. Unfortunately, a lot of political discussions on PF try to sneak in under the banner of "just saying." This isn't good for the site or for the discussions themselves.The best thing about Physics Forums is the incredible range of conversations that can be found here. From physics through the entire STEM disciplines, there's something for everyone. The worst thing about Physics Forums is the occasional myopic/thoughtless post. The mods work their a$$es to keep problems from metastasizing.
  • #1
Drakkith
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So, tell us what you think is the best and worst thing about Physics Forums. I'll start.

Best: From the most basic question, to the most advanced math, someone here can explain it in a way that makes sense as long as you are willing to learn.

Worst: From the most basic question, to the most advanced math, someone will try to explain it to you in a way that makes absolutely no sense.

2nd Best: Danger and his tennis court comment.
 
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  • #2
Best: I would never had dreamt that so many extremely intelligent and highly educated people here on PF would actually spend all this time (for free!) to explain all this wonderful things to an little avocado like me.

(And yes, I must do something about that 'contribution status'... :blushing:)

Worst: I can’t get anything done anymore! PF is much more interesting than the rest of my miserable life...(:smile:) And worst of all is the "Food Thread" that never seems to end! (:biggrin:)
 
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  • #3
Best: A place to learn the subjects, critical thinking, what's happening at the bleeding edge, from a very very clever, witty collection of people, willing to give up their time to do this for the love of it. Wonderful.

Worst: It's addictive, and I don't have enough time to read/post here (but that's not PFs fault I guess).
 
  • #4
Best: EVERYTHING ABOUT PF! :-p

Worst: It's absolutely addictive.
 
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  • #5
Best: Its existence.
Worst: Those people who do not frequent PF.
 
  • #6
Best: the will and persistence of the crew here.

Worst: chicks don't post enough of their pics in the Members Photo Section.
 
  • #7
The Best Thing:
It was started by hearts of gold. Maintained by golden hearts.

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-
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Worst thing:
It is occationally attacked by the heartless lo because of the above they get it through the heart.
 
  • #8
Worst: when nobody answers your question. I mean everybody is either cluless or maybe doesn't feel like helping...
and what's worse than worst is when somebody misleads you:confused:
 
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  • #9
Worst: Too much emotions in the Politics section.
 
  • #10
Best: The staggering intellect on these forums.
Worst: That this intellect disappears when I log off.

Hah ha, sorry.

Okay, seriously, the worst is: trolls (though they seem to be dealt with swiftly).
 
  • #11
Best: Intellect and the chance to have a range of conversations from physics through the all things STEM and more.

Worst: People who think they've discovered <INSERT HORSE**** NOTION> and instead of just talking or asking, they proselytize their nonsense until they're banned.

Second Best: How quickly those knuckleheads go "bye-bye"
 
  • #12
The best: People are eager and interested in answering your questions. And obviously they are extremely intellectual. The forum always has something new and interesting to dwelve into. People are generally nice, funny, and there aren't as many cocky freaks who think they know everything as I thought. It's also very addictive. The worst: Some people don't seem to be very open minded. Some people have this straight line of thought and that is all that they believe. Some people don't listen to you when you use a colloqial manner of speaking. Which I think is kind of discriminatory, but I see where they are coming from. I also feel like, there should be a place for free discussion on theories and such, where you don't have to be extremely knowledgeble to contribute - I think just having a good understanding of it is good enough to enter a discussion. Maybe I'm just jealous I don't get to share my opinion, or just jealous I'm not smart enough to quote quantum physics books.(I greatly admire people who can. :] And would love to learn about it without the confusing language.)

Also, more people should play chess. Zee second best:
Yo mama thread. Seriously people, that stuff is hilarious.
 
  • #13
best: its nice to be here
worst: chat is not on every day!
 
  • #14
Best: Me
Worst: Only one Me.
 
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  • #15
Pengwuino said:
Best: Me
Worst: Only one Me.

:smile: I can feel your pain :smile:
 
  • #16
Pengwuino said:
Best: Me
Worst: Only one Me.

LMAO!

Best: So many intelligent people who frequent the board and chat with everyone in a friendly way.

Worst: Good discussions getting shut down by the man!
 
  • #17
Best- the steady stream of thoughtful (and thought-provoking) questions and the rapid expert responses. Rarely a week goes by when I don't learn something new. Also, the professionalism of the moderators- without them, PF would quickly turn into sci.physics.

Worst- the occasional myopic/thoughtless post. The mods work their a$$es to keep problems from metastasizing.
 
  • #18
Best: Swift dispatchment of crackpotism.

Worst:Political discussions that try to disguise themselves as "just saying" general discussion.
 
  • #19
Chi Meson said:
Best: Swift dispatchment of crackpotism.

Worst:Political discussions that try to disguise themselves as "just saying" general discussion.

Heh... alternate worst: "Crackpots."
 
  • #20
Chi Meson said:
Worst:Political discussions that try to disguise themselves as "just saying" general discussion.

The problem is that not all political discussion qualify for discussion in the political forum. Some only qualify for GD.
 
  • #21
Ivan Seeking said:
The problem is that not all political discussion qualify for discussion in the political forum. Some only qualify for GD.

I have rarely seen any formal political discussion; most of them are GD level IMO like Obama sucks and Bush is an idiot or deteriorate to GD level in few moments.
 
  • #22
I will throw my two cents in since everyone else has, hehe...

The best thing are the intelligent people who provide thoughtful answers or thought provoking questions when it is obvious there are no firm answers, such is the way of science, and IMHO the way it should be.

The worst thing is getting to experience first hand, troll like behavior, bizarre totally out there behavior and people who have an ax to grind. Their fate is sealed in short order by the great mentors on this forum. Cheers, you all deserve credit. Without you PF would not exist.

Rhody...

P.S. If I could only improve my writing style to be more pithy like V_50's, that would be superb.
 
  • #23
The best thing about PF? The awesome members I get to talk to.

The worst thing about PF? That I don't get to talk to these members as often as I'd like.
 
  • #24
Worst: when you type in a detailed response and PF says "Naaaaw, you're not posting that! Here, log yourself in and try again!" Grrrrrrrrrr!
 
  • #25
I'd agree with what others have posted here, so instead of duplicating it I'm throwing a few more out there.

Best: The rules don't allow text speak (require a good standard of English).

Worst: People in the homework section don't name threads based on content ("URGENT HELP NEEDED - ASSIGNMENT DUE TOMORROW"). Plus they use text speak.
 
  • #26
jarednjames said:
Worst: People in the homework section don't name threads based on content ("URGENT HELP NEEDED - ASSIGNMENT DUE TOMORROW"). Plus they use text speak.
Don't forget the huge, colored, obnoxious font. And then the insults because they waited an hour and no one gave them the answer and now they will fail their entire course. :-p
 
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  • #27
Evo said:
Don't forget the huge, colored, obnoxious font. And then the insults because they waited an hour and no one gave them the answer and now they will fail their entire course. :-p

Perhaps there should be a "General Guidelines" sticky at the top of the homework forum, giving specific guidelines which must be followed (basically covering all of the above and any others deemed appropriate).

Other suggestions:
Use the template, don't delete it / don't just type everything above it and leave it below blank.
Show your attempt (I know it's a site rule but perhaps it's something that needs to be more obvious).

I actually enjoy answering questions there, but find I get a tad annoyed, especially when people don't show effort and then complain when you ask for it.
 
  • #28
Best: the awesome collective knowledge of responders and their tirelessness

Worst: posts with incomplete (or no) clear request and/or posts that contain only part of the relevant information
 
  • #29
Best part: Amazing member with gigantic brains
Worst part: That guy, ╔(σ_σ)╝, sucks.
 
  • #30
hotvette said:
Best: the awesome collective knowledge of responders and their tirelessness

Worst: posts with incomplete (or no) clear request and/or posts that contain only part of the relevant information

re bolded: I agree completely with what you then, but, of course! You see what I mean? Clearly Einstein was wrong and... yeah...
 
  • #31
jarednjames said:
Use the template, don't delete it / don't just type everything above it and leave it below blank.
Show your attempt (I know it's a site rule but perhaps it's something that needs to be more obvious).

It is not working :( Try to start a thread outside of Homework & Coursework Questions section. In most cases you will see a red, bold message "Do NOT post homework! Homework questions go here". Yet we (Mentors) delete/move several HW messages posted in wrong forums a day.

I like the idea of adding information about topic titles to the rules. It will be ignored as many other rules are, but at least I will have no problems deleting these threads :devil:
 
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  • #32
Best thing ? Other people. Worst thing ? Other People.
 
  • #33
DanP said:
Best thing ? Other people. Worst thing ? Other People.

That's my exact opinion of the Air Force lol. The people make and break this place.
 
  • #34
Best thing: smilies! :smile: :cry: :cool: :confused: :zzz: :redface: :frown: :bugeye: :eek: :rolleyes: :shy: :!) :mad: o:) :-p

Worst thing: pictures that are too wide
 
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  • #35
tiny-tim said:
Best thing: smilies! :smile: :cry: :cool: :confused: :zzz: :redface: :frown: :bugeye: :eek: :rolleyes: :shy: :!) :mad: o:) :-p

Worst thing: pictures that are too wide

You should have included an example of said pictures...lol.
 

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