why is there no I'm a newbe sitcky in the forum or safety sticky

[kecked]

Would it not make sense to have a sticky for new people to look at that covers the basics and includes safety information. As projector costs drop more people are going to start getting into this field/hobby and I think like ham radio it is up to us to police these people and get them on the right track. If we fail to take up this shield we ALL are going to face the consequences of these people doing stupid things and getting hurt and hurting others. That will mean new draconian regulations for us all and a chock hold on the ability to even get parts. I suggest we put together a simple faq for this purpose and post it as a main forum topic item.

[Galvonaut]

Sensible thinking kecked.

It would be great to have a basic safety overview a brief introduction to what happens when you buy cheap lasers and maybe advice on laws pertaining to laser shows and audience scanning.

I'm sure all of the information is already on the forum - it probably just needs condensing and compiling.

Keith

[colouredmirrorball]

*Points to Wiki*

Maybe it can be expanded with basic things like Laser safety 101, a list of DACs, software, how to start, projector basics, ...

[dsli_jon]

Would it not make sense to have a sticky for new people to look at that covers the basics and includes safety information. ....

<cue 'Hallelujah' music> ...
http://www.photonlexicon.com/wiki/in...fety_Overviews

..but, yes, it would be great, for example, if there was a way to 'force-feed' this to new-joiners, ie: Upon sign-up, you are 'forced' to go-thru those safety-awareness sections, and acknowledge that you've read it in a PM to Spec, or a 'click here' (which is logged, etc..).. Then, Spec 'opens the floodgates of population inversion' / membership..

..Even if people say 'screw this, it's MY freedom, MY eyeballs', yada yada, and 'skip to the end' / click the 'Yes, I've read it / will not be an asshat / pure-spammer Make me a member', etc, well.. At least, then, by virtue of having-had to 'pass thru that portal', they are now a) Aware there ARE 'regs' / safety-considerations, that are 'important enough' to be (at least attempted..) force-fed, and b) Aware that there *is* a resource, right here in PL, that is a really-good 'step-stool', for safety-awareness.. Then, (hopefully..) when they are done being an asshat they might actually come-back, and read it / use it / add-to it / encourage others-to, etc, etc..

..And yes, the intent was / is to be 'All about All-this krazy-kraft', not 'just safety'.. The more 'complete' / broad we-all make it, the more it can serve that multi-purpose.. So, ie: in theory, when some 'n00b' comes-in, all OMGGIMMEALLOFWHATIWANTTOKNOWRIGHTNOWNOWNOW!!! / demanding that we all 'spoonfeed' him / her, well.. we can, at least, first say '..Use the Wiki, Luke..'

..in Theory..
j

[TechJunkie]

Problem with forced reading is you'll turn away 99% of curious potentially new members. Also the average n00b doesnt want to read bricks of tests on safety, ect, when checking out the forum.

What this forum has going for it is its hard. This is not a typical n00b friendly forum. There is very little banter, and more information that you could read in a year. This turns the uncommitted away. Speaking just for myself, I've been into lasers for 5 years, and this place boggles my mind. Its not that I'm stupid, its just so much info to process. Since day one I've been reading, and have not gotten that far.

I wouldnt worry about it. Idiots are still going to buy cheap Chinese projectors with, or without this forum. You cant force them to learn, they have to figure it out on there own. You can only help them along, and you guys are already doing a great job at that.

[The_Doctor]

I agree about the forced reading bit. Can lead a horse to water, but can't force it to drink, etc... But we can make it want to.

Sam Goldwasser got it right on the FAQ. First impressions of that were always a bit like a theatre. There were the stark safety warnings, like the ones on the stage fire curtain, and also an immediate direction to the program, a menu of extremely interesting things to follow up, complete with pictures that left no doubt as to the beauty and power. The forum already provides the menu so we don't need to do anything there. Some stark warnings and a sticky thread about laser safety should be posted very prominently because compared to the Laser FAQ, or a theatre, there is no equivalently intense reminder to keep people vigilant here. I think there should be because the risk is growing, not reducing, as more powerful, cheaper lasers end up in more pointers, show devices, laser harps, etc. There's no risk of scaring people off, danger and beauty and strength have always been primal fascinations, not repellants. So the only other thing is pictures, but for that Spec would be choosing between saving bandwidth by restricting viewing access to members only, or opening the galleries to full public view, which may be the case already. Besides, people who get this far looking for lasers are probably already convinced about how good they look.

Anything else stickied should probably be wikied. I think that was the intent anyway.

EDIT: Sam is also a good showman. His style in the FAQ makes it a lot more fun that it might otherwise be. If anyone gets to write a big sticky firecurtain thread on safety they need to bear that in mind. It's probably not an easy balance to get right, but do it well, and it might make a huge difference on laser safety attitudes worldwide, especially when it comes down to safety in club shows. If it's good enough to actually entertain the average clubber while not diluting the safety detail, then like the fire curtain in a theatre, it keeps everyone safer while not causing panic or confusion. I don't think that when I was taken to theatres as a kid, I ever saw a fire curtain that was entertaining, but they entertained me... Little things please little minds, I guess, but it did make me curious, and that's what has to happen here too.

[AnthonyGarcia]

I feel like it is good the way that it is right now. When I decided to come here and get started, I personally too the initiative to read up on the basics, and ask for the resources that I needed. Many of you laserists were more than happy to help me out and link me to places where I should read. I think we should have a quick read for n00bs about safety basics (im sure dsli_jon would love to create one) but the new guys should show the interest and ask questions.

[AnthonyGarcia]

A list of DACs and Software and hardware would be SUPER helpful. I had to talk around and ask for a few days before I got enough options to choose

[TechJunkie]

A list of DACs and Software and hardware would be SUPER helpful. I had to talk around and ask for a few days before I got enough options to choose

Like most other technical forums members want you to read, and ask questions later. Thats how people learn. They also have to know what you want, and your price range to recommend what you need. Also we get special deals from time to time thats not published on the open forum. So a list of what is available is not practical. We are not a one stop laser shop. A buyer in any case must always do their own homework before spending their money. Its the same here.

[norty303]

Whilst I was looking for the fast track when i first joined (I started a 'Where's the n00b basics' thread when i joined...) I can say in hindsight that you get so much more out of doing it 'the hard way', even if that includes spending money unwisely.
Although I might've spent money differently, I can say that every bit of money spent helped to further what I know.
I also think that the safety stuff is all there, it pretty much got me to a distinction in my LVR exam, even though it may not be presented concisely and easily consumable. In my opinion this is good, as it stops people coming here, reading that, and then going away thinking they know everything.
Also, there is no one 'correct way' of doing things, and I developed my own way of doing things from the array of threads here.