Hi everyone,
I noticed something that is happening in the forums, especially the "How Do I?". A question is asked, 3 or 4 people answer it..correctly...and then person #5 posts, "You need to PM Forum Fanatic So-And-So , because he/she is an expert on this topic".
I don't claim to know everything. If I don't know the answer to the question, I don't post. I'm sure that most people feel and behave this way. However, if 4 people have already answered and agreed, then telling the poster to consult someone else is really insulting. It's happened to me a couple of times, and I'm seeing it with more and more frequency. I'm concerned that it will eventually stop newer members from posting. If I were a Newbie, I might be intimidated.
I understand that some members have extensive experience on a certain topic, but I'd much rather see " So-And-So may be able to add to the information that has already been posted". Chances are the Forum Fanatics are going to see the post and add to it anyway!
I say this with all due respect to the Forum Fanatics. I love these forums and I'm very interested in the ideas, tips and experience of EVERY member. I know it may seem petty and please understand that I'm not trying to start any trouble. I'm simply making a request that before you post something like that, you stop to consider that just because we haven't been here as long as some, it doesn't mean we don't ALL have something to offer.
Thanks for listening!
Sharon[/i]
Thank you, grama_j, that is very nice of you to say. 
I really hope no one takes what I said the wrong way. I'd just hate to think that some members aren't posting because they don't feel 'good enough'.
Right on Sharon. Thank you for politely posting. I totally agree.
I would also like to add another variation on this. Every question that is asked helps way more people than the one who posted it. So if we all PM one person for something then there are probably hundreds of other people who are missing out on the information too. Or the person who it is suggest to PM will get an inbox full of request and be completely overwelmed.
I believe this is a place for sharing. Maybe instead the topic can be brought to a certain persons attention if someone believes they may be a reall asset to the conversation.
btw Sugarplum, I also noticed this a lot more this week and appreciate a friendly reminder being posted
I agree with you too sugarplum! Another similar peeve is when someone starts thread and then someone chimes in with "I'll pm you with the info" and then the thread becomes everyone asking to be pm'd. Why not just post it in the thread? Just a peeve of mine too.
-Rezzy
I also agree. PMs make everybody else miss out of the details.
It reminds me that I hate it when people announce they have instructions, a recipe or a tip and everybody asks for the poster to e-mail it to them. I have read threads with literally 30 or more "send it to me too!" on it. Why doesn't the person just post the darn instructions, recipe or tip on the thread for everybody to read?
I have asked to be PM'ed for instructions but I'm only doing so if the instructions I used are copied word for word from a book, and as per policy:
- Participants shall not post any material likely to cause offense, that is protected by copyright, trademark or other proprietary right - without the express permission of the owner of such copyright -
Sorry if that sounds too blunt but I just don't want to offend anyone.
I have asked to be PM'ed for instructions but I'm only doing so if the instructions I used are copied word for word from a book, and as per policy:
- Participants shall not post any material likely to cause offense, that is protected by copyright, trademark or other proprietary right - without the express permission of the owner of such copyright -
Sorry if that sounds too blunt but I just don't want to offend anyone.
I have, too!
I agree with you, Sharon! Thank you for voicing it!
I absolutely agree with Sharon, that if a question is well answered, we shouldn't tell people to PM someone who hasn't yet posted. However, on the separate subject of why peple PM instead of posting---
Sometimes, if you have an answer that works for you, but it isn't exactly what everyone else does, or if you just generally march to a slightly different drummer, it feels safer to PM someone about your method than to post for everyone to see and to be told, not always in the nicest way, that your way is stupid or wrong. I'd almost always rather PM (and I suppose people will be offended by this post too......Sigh.......) 
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