DBSTalk Forum banner
Cancel

Forum Postings comment

1431 Views 11 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  phrelin, 
R
Guys,

Please take this as a constructive comment but I have noticed that many postings here are way over the heads of newbies like me. I am struggling mightily to learn from all the incredibly knowledgeable posters here but some of the posts are just too arcane to make any sense.

Here is a recent post: "One remark - for DP/DPP LNBF EVEN tpns has LOF2 [14350 MHz] which more prone for the drift."

I think this has something to do with even transponder channels and the fact that they may have more drift than odd transponder channels but I not even sure of that. A post like this has way too many acronyms in it for newbies to understand, in my opinion.

I would like to be able to learn enough to contribute to this forum at some point but learning is hard when you don't understand what you are reading. It is entirely possible that I'm dumb as a rock in which case pay no attention to this post.

Are there any books or online resources you can recommend for learning some of these terms or basic theory? If so, please post them.

Thanks - and let the flaming begin!
Save
Like
Status
Not open for further replies.
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
EXTACAMO
In the information pages(top left hand side) there is an acronym section. And you could always ask if you don't know. Most members if not all would be happy to answer your question. Remember what the teacher always said. "The only stupid question is one not asked." :)
Save
Like
C
I just focus on the fact that there are lots of installers and techs here who will always know more about the satellites and how they work than I will. Subsequently, I try to lend a hand about DVR operation when it's about a DVR I own.

If you want to learn more, just ask in the particular thread you quoted. Most of the posters are terrific about helping others!
Save
Like
Stewart Vernon
To be frank, I really don't like overuse of acronyms either... and that includes when I know what they mean. It's not just the newbies that get confused either, I see long-timers misuse acronyms from time to time adding to the confusion.

Whenever possible I try to just spell things out.
Save
Like
James Long
In general I agree with spelling things out for newbees ... but when you get into the more technical discussions I would not expect a lot of "dumbing down" and spelling out ... often the non-acronym version isn't any more clear unless you already know the topic. (The only way to add full clarity for newbies would be to lower the entire discussion to a level that would likely annoy those who know the topic.)

A happy medium can be found ... if you find yourself in a thread where it is too thick GOOGLE or ask for a translation! That's how those of us who don't have a degree in electronics figured it out.

BTW: "for DP/DPP LNBF EVEN tpns has LOF2 [14350 MHz] which more prone for the drift." could be written "for DishPRO or DishPROPlus Low noise, block down converter enabled feedhorns EVEN transponders use a 14350 MHz local oscillator frequency which is more prone for drift." (Which probably isn't a 100% right expansion.)

If you don't know what a DP/DPP LNBF is the rest is probably a bit blurry anyways. :D

A good rule of thumb is to introduce an acronym when it is used ... especially when addressing newbees, similar to the way it is done in contracts and legal documents. For example:
"E* (EchoStar/DISH Network) now has over 13 million subscribers. E* claims over 100 HD channels."

Doing that just taught someone what E* meant ... although using E* and D* is falling out of favor.
See less See more
Save
Like
BobaBird
The EKB glossary (that's EchoStar Knowledge Base ;)) can help with a lot of E* abbreviations.
Save
Like
Nick
Good post!

Rogerz, You're not alone in wondering about some of the more obscure acronyms and technical terminology. You have a lot of company in the clueless department. Just by hanging out here, and through a mysterious process I like to think of as technical 'osmosis', you will learn over time.

Also, don't hesitate to ask questions. We were all once where you are now, and most will be more than happy to answer your questions.

Good luck!
Save
Like
phrelin
If it isn't confusing enough to have to refer to the EKB glossary, I never really was an internet chat user so sometimes I also have to refer to the Glossary of Internet slang at Wikipedia when I finally realize that an acronym isn't technical.

When you're old it feels like you live in a world of confusion.:confused:
Save
Like
levibluewa
TWC = The Weather Channel, or
TWC = Time - Warner Cable, any others :)
Save
Like
Grandude
HDMe said:
To be frank, I really don't like overuse of acronyms either... and that includes when I know what they mean. It's not just the newbies that get confused either, I see long-timers misuse acronyms from time to time adding to the confusion.

Whenever possible I try to just spell things out.
Click to expand...
I agree completely. My biggest problem is the acronym HD. Every time I see it my brain says hard drive even tho I know it means High Def in this forum. This is a result of more than 20 years in computers where HD always meant Hard Drive.

I'll get over it eventually, I hope.:grin:
Save
Like
Stewart Vernon
Grandude said:
I agree completely. My biggest problem is the acronym HD. Every time I see it my brain says hard drive even tho I know it means High Def in this forum. This is a result of more than 20 years in computers where HD always meant Hard Drive.

I'll get over it eventually, I hope.:grin:
Click to expand...
I come from the slightly older school where "HD" more commonly meant High Density... as in the difference between capacities of floppy diskettes. Single density, double density, and high density... so I never used it as an abbreviation for hard drive. I've settled into using it for High Definition in forums like this where it generally makes sense to assume... so from time to time I violate my own concept of spelling things out.
Save
Like
phrelin
HDMe said:
I come from the slightly older school where "HD" more commonly meant High Density... as in the difference between capacities of floppy diskettes. Single density, double density, and high density... so I never used it as an abbreviation for hard drive.
Click to expand...
We must have been in the same school.:)
Save
Like
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
Status
Not open for further replies.
DBSTalk Forum
A forum community dedicated to digital bit streaming enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about programming, content, and reception, home theaters, displays, models, styles, satellites, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
DIRECTV General Discussion DIRECTV HD DVR/Receiver Discussion DIRECTV Programming General DISH™ Discussion DIRECTV Installation/MDU Discussion
Top