I have very quickly learned about the search button, I have already been chased out for not using the search button, so do not ask a question until you search the archives with a fine toothed brush. Do not become hated like me for asking a question, without knowing about the "search button". Good luck all.
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Brian, I am new too, but when I started on the forum I just sat back and watched, and did some investigating on this site before posting questions. To this day I rarely put in questions before researching the best I can firsthand. It was very simple to learn how to use the site as a tool, and it does get old seeing the same questions repeated and repeated. Give it a few months, and you will see the trend. You really didn't have to take it so personally though. It was only meant to direct you into the proper procedures on how to use the site to your advantage without looking "lazy". You are going to have to learn to go with the flow....
If you don't have a thick skin, and can't take a little criticism here, you most certainly don't want to learn and compete, at a show. You will go home crying like a bigger baby. But if you can see past the criticsim through your tears, you will learn and gain much.
that you have been reading this forum for 6 months, and have not seen multiple "use the search button" responses, but I'll take you at your word on that. I initially passed over this post (working backwards), but came back to it after I saw what got you to this point. I consider myself a newcomer here- after about 9 months of using the site. First off- I do not believe you are hated, although your counter- responses don't help that. This site provides a wealth of information- both in the archives and in current postings. This information is freely shared by experts in the field. Can you blame them for not wanting to re-answer a question which has been addressed repeatidly? If you are going to tackle the area of taxidermy- guess what, YOU are going to have to put a lot of effort into it. That's just a plain and simple fact of life. Second, I understand you are new here, but you need to thicken your skin abit. I (in my opinion) see that as the biggest problem on this site! And that then leads to this BS bickering. I don't know how it works in your house- but when I was your age, my folks did not coddle me. If I asked my mother how to spell something- she told me that I knew where the dictionary sits. I didn't take a hissy-fit over it. The point is- you remembered things better that way. That is a good result. Try it.
This part is more general. I realize some people just try to get someone started with their posts, and that is where most of the bickering comes from. Please, save that for your chat rooms. I for one appreciate this site for all the great (and valuable) information it contains.
Anyway, sorry Brian, but if you were looking for a soft shoulder- you didn't find one here. By the way, be glad JOhnC didn't respond to your first post- he probably would have been a bit tougher on you than George was. Good luck, and don't give up on this site yet (but a little humbleness might help).
In your post, you said that I "tried to make an ass" of you. Well, it seems that would have been foolish as you've managed to do a better job of that than I could ever have. I'm hardly a "punk" as I have grandchildren older than you are.
Not that you're capable, or more importantly, WILLING,to understand in the tone of your "question". You came on to a professional site and implied that there was only one of two choices in preserving fish for mounting. That's pretty pompous of a teenager just "beginning" taxidermy. Both assumptions were badly wrong and had YOU, as a beginner, bothered to post your assumption under "Beginner", I might not have wrongly assumed you knew your butt from a whole in the ground. Instead, without bothering to read any of the page Ken has dedicated to everyone who visits this site exactly how it works and what to do before you type, you barged into a room full of almost adults and acted like a punk, yourself.
The taxidermy field is littered with carcasses of people just like you who want an easy way without any contributions. They don't last long and if you plan on running around here, with a chip on your shoulder and pouting about being told something without sugar coating, then you have to go to those OTHER taxidermy sites. Unlike what Cecil implied, I readily admit my errors when discovered. In 46 years of being a taxidermist, I've had too. I'm not telling you to leave. First, it's not my place to tell you that, and second, on the slim chance that you are interested, this is the ONLY taxidermy site where you can FIND answers to all your questions. I do suggest you change your attitude. You're not in the 10th grade where your classmates can tell you how good you are. You're in the real world here, and you have to prove how good you are every day.
I would ask you one question. You imply that you did look in the archives. Did you find a better answer with the detailed and explicit instructions you need for preserving your fish skin? If you didn't, email me and I'll type them for you again. That's not meant in any condescending manner, either. I'd be glad to help you if you're willing to learn and not tell me how dumb I am.
Brian, the good lord gave most of us two but cheeks, two eyes, two ears, and only one mouth. There is a good reason for that. If you set back, watch, and listen, you will learn an awful lot from this site. But, you must first learn who and who not to trust. George may be a little on the abrasive side sometimes, but you will get some of the best advice from him. (yes, some of it may have to retrieved from the archives) You will also learn that Mr. Yox, John C., and a few others also have alot to contribute.
I wish you the best of luck in learning the art of Taxidermy.
Before things get spread around I want to say what kind of person i am. i work hard for everything i have, and at everything i do. I have many different hobbies, and my parents get sick of them all because I have so many. basketball, baseball, taxidermy, hunting, fishing, mushrooming, fish keeping, skateboarding, video games, computers, cars, technology are a few of my interests. I strive to learn everything I can about all of them. I wasnt trying to start any fudes when i came here only to learn. If George or anyone else thinks that they were insulted I'm sorry, they werent, I know that no everyone in this world is nice, and I am definetely no PAMPERED at home or anywhere else. I just dont understand why everyone cant handle themselves in a polite manner. I know I am one of the last people who should be saying that, but you will all see that with a little respect given to me i will give all the respect in the world to all of you. You may want to say back, you have to show respect to gain it Brian! Well I know this, The same thing also reffers to George too right? In our first meeting he didnt show repsect to me therefore we became entangled in a stupid fude. I think that me and George will work things out and that there was a bit of a misunderstanding between us. I just want to let everyone know, I'm not some punk teenager that wants to cause trouble. And dont ever think it! i'm just a little fiesty! Hopefully we can all become friends and show respect to one another. If not, well I think you people are ones who need to open your ears and listen.
Your list of hobbies is admirable. Good, clean fun. Taxidermy is a great one to add to the list. I do believe most the folks (guys and gals) on here love helping others. Just can't be overly sensitive if you get an occasional snarl (I guess my Dad prepared me well in that regard- he's a tough bugger). I don't think anyone referred to you as a punk, or made any negative reference to your age. Hell, if anything, most of us envy your youth- it's not a bad thing. And as far as being fiesty- passion is a great tool, but like all other tools- just need to use it correctly. Stick with the site and taxidermy. I look forward to seeing your future posts. And like Aaron always adds- remember to have fun and enjoy,
Mark
You're all correct. Like Randal said..."GROW A THIVK SKIN" =>if you want to make it through LIFE.<= "Life" is too short to do otherwise...you'll learn the hard way and regret it later on down the line.
~ ETCC
I to am a beginner,When I first came here,I read the posts, saw where it said check the search button out on a few posts. So I did. I have been told once to check the search button a time or two and it didnt hurt my feelings none. Believe me I have read the archives til my eyes crossed. Find something interesting to you print it out.Do some reading in the archives and learn the terms amd definitions of what question you want to ask and I bet with the right wording it will be in there somewhere. These Taxidermists take time from thier busy schedule to give answers to questions that us beginners ask.I have got a wealth of knowlege from theis site by using the search button and its free. I consider myself lucky to have acess to such a site. The info I have gotten from here I could not tell you what I would have had to pay for it to learn.There are some great guys and gals willing to give up the info and help you on this site. Just do some homework before asking a question.Thanks for the Great Site.
Brian, no we don't hate you or many others for asking a question, you can always learn, so can we!
There will always be a few no brainers that want to be pampered, well this is not the place for it.
As mentioned above there are many years of knowledge held in the archives. Which will become one of the best taxidermy achievments in history. Seldom has any new problems come up that has not been answered. But when they do many of us will be the first to set it straight with our years of experience, we do love to help or would never have posted any answers in the past, present or future.
Good luck on learning taxidermy.
Dont be afraid to ask after you have researched your question! Even if you are not clear on something we will help. Please do remember the basics and get the WASCO line of taxidermy manuals for text books.
JOhn C
OK, so you chose to stand your ground and lock horns, no biggie. We preach having thick skin, and we also do. But at that point you had two choices, call us all names and be an idiot, or make your point and move on. I think you did just fine. The guys who spout off and call us names usually find the going kind of rough in here. You made your point. Good luck with your fish mount too.
I think all those ICONS are jest a buncha icons hoo nose what they iz tockin bout...so there.\
~ ETCC