The most helpful Usenet newsgroup . . .

.. . . that I've found is comp.cad.solidworks.

Just bragging on you guys. I posted the same message about estimating
engineering time for machine design projects on six other newsgroups,
and guess where I got the most answers AND the most helpful answers.

Newsgroups I included, and where one would expect to find people who
would be happy to reply, as well as helpful replies:

sci.engr (no replies)
sci.engr.control (2 replies by the same person)
sci.engr.manufacturing (no replies)
sci.engr.mech (2 replies)
alt.mechanical.engineering (no replies)
comp.cad.pro-engineer (no replies -- potential respondants too busy
dealing with arrogant tech support to answer)

The replies that I did get in those other groups weren't really helpful,
save perhaps for one (only slightly helpful). Offhand I'd have to say
the comparison with comp.cad.solidworks (7 different respondents with 14
different responses, most of which were at least somewhat helpful) shows
a level of professionalism unparalleled in those other groups.

So -- cheers to a bunch of highly professional people . . . YOU.

Best regards to all,
Mark 'Sporky' Stapleton
Charlotte, NC, USA

 

Sup Sporkman!!

If you haven't already tried it - Try www.eng-tips.com

Regards,
Scott

 

what really worries me is that this many people listen to late night radio
and don't talk about it openly...

 

eng-tips is very nice, however I see some problems with the SolidWorks
forum:
1) it is too "non-commercial". Every time I say "I have an add-in that does
this" or "I can do it for you" I get spanked
2) most topics duplicate with those here, but few people regularly follow
both engtips and comp.cad.solidworks, resulting in spliting the community in
2

In fact I didn't really understand the advantages of engtips compared to the
newsgroup...

 

100% agree.
This forum is required reading for me, although I have not posted much.
usually I find the answer by searching back through the ng.

I find reading it a constant source of elightenment for all things solidworks
-and quite a few other left field topics as well

Being down at the other end of the world we do not have the huge user base
to lean on - its great to be able to tap into the top side!

Thanks all.

 

Have you read the rules??

You cannot sale commerical goods there. If you have something for free or if
you know of a company selling something that you know will work help
somebody out, then it can be posted. You can't post it if your trying to
sell your services.

Rule 11 Explains this -

If you wish to sell a product or services, look into purchasing targeted ad
banner space or a targeted email list from Tecumseh Group
(advertising"AT"tecumsehgroup.com or call 1-800-9X4-7800). Do not try to
sell directly in the fora. These types of posts will generally be red
flagged.

This is why you get red flagged!!

There are a total of 19 rules that have been setup by those of the Round
Table at eng-tips.com. If you decide to read the FAQ the link at eng-tips is
faq731-376 look that FAQ up and read thru the rules. The rules are there to
keep the reader on the subject at hand and not to deal with spammers,
salesmen and your off the wall do-it-yourself person. See the rules for
futher details.

www.emg-tips.com has lots of information and FAQ's you don't have to sift
through all the subjects to find what you are looking for all the time. Like
you do with this NG. There are many benefits, but if your a salesman then I
guess it isn't the Forum for you.

There is also a www.tek-tips.com that might help all of you as well.
(Computer hardware and Software (OS, VB, etc...) forum)

Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP

 

The link should have been www.eng-tips.com not "emg-tips.com"

 

And may I add that the residents of this group are the most
attractive, and well dressed, of any of those other NG's

 

Scott,
I had a message removed and got a terse email for announcing a user
conference on Eng-Tips. I called to see what the problem was and was told
the message was "flagged" by a user as innapropriate. That would be fine
except I wasn't even given a chance explain - that ain't good. I "flagged"
myself the next day and won't go back.

Richard

 

At least we think so.
;->

 

That was considered Advertisement I guess. Sorry about that, but can you
rule out good informative information just because of that reason alone?

Regards,
Scott

 

I had a message removed and got a terse email for announcing a

Two "flags" in one week? That ain't bad. 8~)

That's not a very "lively" group. If the one fella that fields most of the
questions ever finds full time work the rest of us are gonna be in big
trouble. 8~)

Got to agree this group has more traffic, more diversified, interesting
(even for a non-user) topics and supportive users than the average.

goodayall .....
===============================

 

Are you impling that I'm using this as free exposure?

I think the subject line is "The most helpful Usenet newsgroup . . ." So I
put my 2cents worth. If you don't like it... tough! If you don't like it
make your own damn NG.

I like eng-tips.com I find it better than this NG. This one
(comp.cad.solidworks) is bit busier, but sometimes it's not as busy as
eng-tips. If you guys would just have followed the rules then you wouldn't
have gotten red-flagged. I can't believe people that are so eager for SW
information don't use all the NG to their advantage. I spend time in all the
NG that I'm aware of. Having that much information is useful for anyone. If
you boycott it then it's more your lose then mine. Unless you all, know it
all? I'm sure some of think that... It's in your posts that you post.

So you don't think I have any contribution to the conversations here?
Huh....? Go figure!

 

I apologize Dale! I thought your post was pointed to me directly since it
was located directly below me in the NG tree.

I don't mind Philippe's plugs either. I was just saying that eng-tips has
rules and advertising isn't one of them. Some people may not like that in a
NG, but I do. I don't like having to sift through good information and
advertisements. I get enough of that when I watch TV, reading my Snail mail
or answering the phone anymore.

Thanks Dale for that tid bit, but I don't think so. I have seen some super
ideas from you in this NG. I don't reply as often as I used to just
because... but I do read this NG often. You give lots of good information,
that's very useful to people and users. If you haven't joined eng-tips.com
already you should! You would make a good addition to the other power users
there in the SW forum. I would most certainly welcome you there.

Best Regards Dale,
Scott

 

One word. TiVo.



Jim S.

 

Now, that's a useful tip! Ain't this newsgroup great!

Jerry Steiger
Tripod Data Systems
"take the garbage out, dear"

 

Sure I read the rules. I understood that you shouldn't post things like
"MyCompany announces the release of MyProduct v.2004.3 which costs $$$", and
I think it is an acceptable policy.
Now when someone has a problem and "you know of a company selling something
that you know will work ", why does it make a difference that you precisely
work in that company ?

My post was just to say that eng-tips and comp.cad.solidworks are mainly
discussing the same topics, while IMHO the rule about advertising actually
splits the community in 2.

Then I had a long sleep while you all had a fight about this ;-)

Besides, I think eadvertisment is prettly low on this ng. Does it really
hurt?

 

http://www.wideopenwest.com/~sw/sw/

Dan