[MFDnNC]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

Interesting observation. I tend to see what you describe mostly in the malware removal forum, and I can understand that since the same removal tools tend to be recommended often (which makes sense). I also see this some in the networking forum when people are asked to run commands to get configuration information that is needed to help troubleshoot.

Do you see the trend you describe elsewhere too?

Peace...

Of course keeping people from posting in malware because they were not PC to posters who could not follow simple directions might have something to do with it!

Since I was prohibited from posting to HiJack logs I've seen the increase in unanswered logs - WOW!

[Elvandil]

Originally Posted by telecom69

Its not very often that someone with an experience level of advanced asks so many questions they are the ones who usually do all the answering .....

The problem is and always will be too many members with too many questions and not enough helpers ......

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by MFDnNC

Of course keeping people from posting in malware because they were not PC to posters who could not follow simple directions might have something to do with it!

Well, I can certainly understand having "people skills" when dealing with those in need. I can DEFINITELY understand getting frustrated with those who can't or won't follow simple instructions but I think it's more important to maintain an environment where people feel comfortable in seeking assistance here without fear of getting slammed or "yelled at". I haven't ready any of your posts in that forum so I have absolutely NO idea about your past history here but I can definitely see this forum developing a rep for being "hostile" if those who simply don't know or who are a bit intimidated when it comes to computers are made to feel stupid or something.

When I've run into people who were not willing or able to provide the info I requested, I simply leave their issue to someone else to deal with.

Peace...

[telecom69]

Originally Posted by MFDnNC

Since I was prohibited from posting to HiJack logs I've seen the increase in unanswered logs - WOW!

You have hit the "nail on the head" there, before that rule came into force,the helpers were queueing up to help, nowadays so many knowledgeable helpers,who do not need to be told they are qualified are now relegated to sitting on the sidelines unable to help

[Elvandil]

Originally Posted by telecom69

You have hit the "nail on the head" there, before that rule came into force,the helpers were queueing up to help, nowadays so many knowledgeable helpers,who do not need to be told they are qualified are now relegated to sitting on the sidelines unable to help

Apparently I'm not aware of what you're referring to. If you feel comfortable about it, I'd appreciate some elaboration on what changed and how.

[telecom69]

Not exactly sure when the ruling came about,(memory is not what it used to be) but about 2 or maybe 3 years back lots of members were suddenly stopped posting to the security forums until they attended some sort of online university who would decide if they were capable of answering security questions correctly and safely ....what exactly caused this I do not know,and I dont disagree with it in a way,but I do know a lot of people didnt want the hassle of going through months of being told how to answer questions when they had been doing it for years with no problems,especially if they were "getting on" in years.....nowadays you need a gold shield to be able to answer and there are simply not enough of those around to cope with the very high volume of posters with hijack log problems,they can only do so much,and that is the reason so many log questions do not get answered

[DoubleHelix]

Why hasn't someone automated the processing of HJT logs yet? It seems a bit silly to volley answers back and forth between two people on a message board responding to program-generated logs. When will we make that big step forward into the technology of the future?

[telecom69]

Quite agree DoubleHelix , something along the lines of automation was tried a few years ago (not on this site) on the net, but it was not foolproof,not seen it about lately,presume it was dropped .....

[PCcruncher]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

Interesting observation. I tend to see what you describe mostly in the malware removal forum, and I can understand that since the same removal tools tend to be recommended often (which makes sense). I also see this some in the networking forum when people are asked to run commands to get configuration information that is needed to help troubleshoot.

Do you see the trend you describe elsewhere too?

Peace...

A lot of what you see are "canned speeches" for things like downloading HJT. It beats typing the same thing out and greatly helps the helpers. Of course, they are customized if needed for the specific user, like a form or template.

[PCcruncher]

Originally Posted by DoubleHelix

Why hasn't someone automated the processing of HJT logs yet? It seems a bit silly to volley answers back and forth between two people on a message board responding to program-generated logs. When will we make that big step forward into the technology of the future?

Originally Posted by telecom69

Quite agree DoubleHelix , something along the lines of automation was tried a few years ago (not on this site) on the net, but it was not foolproof,not seen it about lately,presume it was dropped .....

Unfortunately, it is not exactly that simple.....There are still auto-analyzers for HJT logs but at best they give you an idea of what is on your machine and are not fool proof. There are still problems and questions that a computer would be unable to answer.

[1002richards]

Here's an example of one in the Malware forum that has no need to be there:

http://forums.techguy.org/malware-re...est-place.html

If people post in the malware forum when they don't need to they are limiting the possible helpers from hundreds to a very few.

Richard.

[telecom69]

Originally Posted by 1002richards

Here's an example of one in the Malware forum that has no need to be there:

http://forums.techguy.org/malware-re...est-place.html

If people post in the malware forum when they don't need to they are limiting the possible helpers from hundreds to a very few.

Richard.

Totally agree with you,and the normal everyday users cannot accesss that forum to give a link for downloading .....

[TechGuy]

We really encourage people to take the online classes (which are free) and become approved to work on HJT logs. We were having too much trouble with people who were very eager to help, but were giving incorrect advice on using the malware removal tools. I'd rather have us give good, safe instructions slowly than incomplete and poor instructions to everyone. (I'm not speaking of anyone in this thread specifically -- it would be great if you would all get approved. We sure need it!)

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by TechGuy

We really encourage people to take the online classes (which are free) and become approved to work on HJT logs. We were having too much trouble with people who were very eager to help, but were giving incorrect advice on using the malware removal tools. I'd rather have us give good, safe instructions slowly than incomplete and poor instructions to everyone. (I'm not speaking of anyone in this thread specifically -- it would be great if you would all get approved. We sure need it!)

Sounds reasonable. Are there document standards or policies on participating in the malware removal forum? Are there specific online classes people must take, etc?

Peace...

[JohnWill]

You have to ask yourself, if you were a person with a malware issue, which would you rather have.

1. A quick response that totally destroys your installation about 40% of the time.
   
2. A slower response from people that have demonstrated they are qualified to work malware issues that is very unlikely to make the problem worse.

I think most people would pick #2.

I don't work security logs because I'm not certified. Do I think I could do them? Probably, and I handle lots of these issues locally. OTOH, I respect what the security folks are trying to accomplish with the certification process, and I understand the reasons for the restrictions.