Divide "Test Equipment" into sub-sections ? Yay or Nay ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2014, 07:18:07 am
content: I believe we are all aware that the "Test Equipment" is one of the most crowded area in this forum, hence launching this poll to see whats your opinion & thinking. Hopefully this poll can be a factor for "The Managements".There are always pros & cons when it times to divide a big major section into smaller pieces, or just leave it as is like now. Also for Yes voters, this also raised the subject on what kind of sub-sections needed, maybe like DMM, Scope, Misc and etc. (this is just an example subject to review & evaluation)I'm leaving the discussions/arguments/debates like the pros vs cons, or the needed sub-sections choices to the forum.This poll settings :-> Max vote 1 per user.-> Allowed vote change.-> Only show resultAFTERyou voted.

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 08, 2014, 07:23:31 am
content: How do you see the division being done? By equipment type, manufacturer, other?

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2014, 07:35:24 am
content: Quote from: GeoffS on April 08, 2014, 07:23:31 amMe ? Voted Yes obviously.Currently what I see is the traffics in there are divided into big chunk of these types :Multimeter, this covers from vintage analog up to bench type DMM.Scope, this covers from analog up to many-many dollars scope."Others" , honestly, I'm not very sure about this. Either we don't need it, as we leave these grow in the Test Equipment main area like now, or we need to divide it further.Fully aware of dividing it too many also will have negative impacts, such as divided attentions and exposures for viewers or forum participants, and probably Mods hate it too.

author: nowlan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2014, 07:55:30 am
content: I would of expected:1. reviews2. questions (repair/opinion/advice)We already have "Other Equipment & Products" catch all.So i vote no.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2014, 08:01:44 am
content: Well we have Beginners, Projects Designs & Technical stuff, Test Equipment and lastly General Chat all with some big post numbers and arguably all could be sub-sectioned.I find the tools we have enough to keep tabs on the things that interest me.Show unread, show replies and recent posts work well enough.There is possibly merit to a division of TE, put your 2c in.I have yet to vote, as I wish for this debate to evolve and issues I have not thought of to be revealed.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2014, 08:16:46 am
content: Quote from: tautech on April 08, 2014, 08:01:44 am+1, thanks, thats what I really eager to hear as well.When it comes to "Electronics Test & Measurement" subject, it has special place in EEVBlog, don't you agree ?I mean compared to other electronic portals/forums out there, although not the only subject, its my believe that it has the "real" weight that represents EEVBlog forum, IMHO.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2014, 08:38:13 am
content: Quote from: BravoV on April 08, 2014, 08:16:46 amExactly.Also the reason that some manufacturers are members.The view numbers on some threads are staggering, even if a thread is not your cup of tea, we all have much to learn from the collective wisdom of the forum.

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 08, 2014, 09:46:21 am
content: The section is very broad, everything from reviews of new high end kit to repairing old or vintage and how to use equipment. I dont think a good idea to have sections for makes though, you'll end up with a list as long as your armmaybe three sections:-GeneralRepairs & TeardownsReviews

author: electronics man
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2014, 05:50:35 pm
content: Quote from: dexters_lab on April 08, 2014, 09:46:21 amThose are Good, the thing I don't like about the test equipment section is all the big threads, some are interesting but they are a a bit overwhelming if you haven't been following them since the start eg "sniffing the rigols internal i2c bus"

author: TMM
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2014, 03:06:15 pm
content: If anything is going to be divided, i say make a 'repairs' subforum (for anything, not just test equipment) on the main page.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 09, 2014, 09:13:39 pm
content: Quote from: TMM on April 09, 2014, 03:06:15 pm+1

author: SArepairman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2014, 04:37:07 am
content: the only fair way would be by frequency.where will the digital signal analyzer go? the distortion meter? the 7 ghz power meter?i think separating the forum would diminish discussion, do you want all the RF people to sit in their own little corner ? I prefer insights that occur when cooperation between different electrical professionals occurs. We should not try to cage any people up.I don't even like the idea of a repair forum, many people might have valuable insight related to repairs but if its in a specialized forum they might think "oh, i don't have enough experience to deal with that"it should only be done if the traffic gets seriously unmanageable.i feel that segregation is a fine line to retardation, as in retardation of growth, not mental retardation.people will just avoid certain sections. I don't go into the FPGA/MCU forum ever, for instance.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2014, 04:44:07 am
content: Quote from: TMM on April 09, 2014, 03:06:15 pmI think that's a winner.

author: nowlan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2014, 01:34:47 pm
content: I think those really long threads would be better served by a wiki of sorts.No way am I reading 100s of pages. Just put relevant facts in the wiki.FAQ might reduce repeat questions.

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2014, 10:11:06 pm
content: My view on this is probably not going to be that popular but I think the best place for a test equipment forum is 'not here' but on the website of each manufacturer of the test equipment or for a forum dedicated to that make of test equipment if the maker is out of business. These places already exist.To press my point further, if you go on pretty much any other EE forum there won't be a test equipment forum. Because hobby electronics is rarely about test equipment (TE) unless one falls into the 'TE fanatic' or 'TE collector' category.However, I guess the TE section is here to stay so my suggestion would be to make it more balanced with the rest of the forum. The technical level of the blog tutorials and also the projects forum is usually at beginner/student level yet on the TE section the (over) emphasis on the importance/worship of calibration and high end DMMs and $$$ scopes and buying new PSUs and $$$ function generators to make a home 'lab' is laughable.

author: What_NZ
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2014, 06:01:21 am
content: Hi,Yes, I would like an area in the Forum for repairs.An area where people can ask for help to repair something or show something they have repaired and what was faulty.Maybe just divided into Test Equipment and Other products.

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2014, 07:41:24 am
content: Quote from: G0HZU on April 11, 2014, 10:11:06 pmbut Dave is, and this is his forum

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 28, 2014, 09:29:06 am
content: Quote from: nowlan on April 08, 2014, 07:55:30 amI would have thought would be the best way, if it has to be done.Teardowns would be be another category.The reason to do it this way instead of my test gear type, is that I think if you are interested in test gear, then you are interested in pretty much all test gear.But you might only be interested in teardowns, reviews, questions etc.This isn't the first time this poll has been done, and it's always been in favor of leaving it as-is.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 28, 2014, 09:35:27 am
content: Quote from: G0HZU on April 11, 2014, 10:11:06 pmThen that would be why the test equipment section of this forum is so popular! It is equally popular with beginner questions and projects and technical.And almost by definition, everyone here is a "hobbyist" (even if they are pros as well).By far the most number of email and messages I get from people is about test gear.QuoteWhy laugh at other people's interests?What is wrong with their interest in this stuff?They areenthusiastsElectronics is no different to any other hobby in this respect.If you think there is an "overemphasis" in that section, then do your part by contributing. The forum, and each section of it is what you make of it.

author: Rasz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2014, 10:44:47 am
content: Iv seen at least one phpBB forum with 'merged subforums'http://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/forum12.htmlJust over the Subject (Tematy) line there is another one:"[-] Ogólne AVR Arduino PIC ARM Pozosta?e Uk?ady programowalne Pocz?tkuj?cy"then in place of message icon (second row) you have name of a subforum particular post belongs toThis way you can have One main section that incorporates posts from all the subsections, and by simply clicking on subforum names you narrow down/filter only posts from that particular subject.subforums circled in red on the attached picture

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2014, 10:50:15 am
content: Quote from: What_NZ on June 28, 2014, 06:01:21 amDave's done his bit in trying to put this thread to bed.But you have little meaningful discussion as yet, just revived an old thread.Lets see:Quoteor:QuoteToss of the coin IMO, however an addition/edit to the board descriptioncoulddirect "repair help" to that board.That would assist those of us that actively seek to assist those withgear.Maybe something like this?Projects, Designs, and Technical StuffShow off your projects or other stuff you are working on. Talk about designs or ideas, ask technical questions,seek repair helpand share technical information. This is the big catch-all thread for anything electronic.This sort of thing comes up from time to time, so users are seeking an answer.Is this the chance to put it to bed once and for all?

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2014, 10:51:49 am
content: QuoteI'm laughing at theimbalance of the forumI would suggest that the vast majority of forum users don't need anything like the capabilities of the new Rigol/Agilent/Fluke test gear that is sniffed and worshipped on the forum.However, what isn't quite so funny is the fallout from this... You end up with newbies thinking they need to buy new/nearly new scopes/PSUs/FGs/analysers/DMMs/Cal gear just to get a foot on the ladder. You also get timenuts and voltnuts telling newbies to use an Rb or GPSDO to calibrate the counter in a DMM or to calibrate a scope timebase.As the technical content in the EEVBLOG videos appears to be mainly aimed at beginners then the forum appears very unbalanced in this respect.

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2014, 11:07:33 am
content: Quote from: What_NZ on June 28, 2014, 06:01:21 amI would agree that a dedicated repair section would be useful because it would operate slower. i.e. interesting repair threads wouldn't get buried by the daily traffic about high end DMMs/scopes and so the thread from the person asking for help will be seen for longer.

author: sync
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2014, 11:21:51 am
content: Quote from: G0HZU on June 28, 2014, 10:51:49 amI found EEVblog and the forum when I was search for information about buying my first DSO. IMHO the test gear stuff in the forum is important.QuoteI see your point. Some of the recommendations are absurd.QuoteLike doing simple repair jobs with a 500MHz DSO, differential probes, FLIR and powering simple projects with a $400 programmable PSU...

author: jancumps
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 28, 2014, 11:34:38 am
content: Quote from: G0HZU on June 28, 2014, 10:51:49 amIt is the result of what we all post.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 29, 2014, 01:35:30 pm
content: Quote from: G0HZU on June 28, 2014, 10:51:49 amThe forum is whatyoumake of it!If you think there is an "imbalance" of stuff, then get in there and create whatever content you think will help "balance that out".If you think that beginners are getting the wrong impression, then get in there and set them straight when they come around asking questions. (I think the forum already does a fine job of this BTW)

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 29, 2014, 01:46:37 pm
content: Quote from: sync on June 28, 2014, 11:21:51 amIME I rarely see a really "absurd" recommendation for gear when beginners come asking questions.Got any examples?Did you take them to task when you saw these "absurd" recommendations? If not, why not?Forums aren't and cannot be perfect, it is a collections of individuals with often very diverse opinions, experiences, backgrounds, and hence advice.QuoteWhy are people still crying about this?Ever considered that there might be positives to this?A beginner is realistically not going to go out and buy a 500MHz $10K scope to do basic stuff because they saw me use it in a video. They probably don't even know what 500MHz means.Instead they might check out the price, go woah, and then ask on the forum what's really needed. To me, that's a good thing, they are learning.I'd rather them do that than simply go out and blindly buy a DS1052E because they saw me use it in a video.What's wrong with using a proper and safe high voltage differential probe designed for exactly that task?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 29, 2014, 02:19:09 pm
content: Quote from: G0HZU on June 28, 2014, 10:51:49 amThe majority of my audience (and forum users) are graduate industry professionals. Beginning hobbyists only account for less than 15% of the audience.

author: sync
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2014, 07:06:17 pm
content: Quote from: EEVblog on June 29, 2014, 01:46:37 pmThis is the thread G0HZU talked about:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/frequency-standard-ideas/QuoteOther members already did this. This forum works.On another forum I saw only recommendation for Flukes for an absolute beginner DMMQuoteThis was a comment to G0HZU about his statement that the forum is "imbalanced" but not your videos regarding the equipment overkill. Don't get me wrong. I don't have any problems about the gear you are using. It's your scope, DMM, PSU. No need to use something cheaper because it's good enough.I'm using 5.5 digits DMMs to adjust the voltage of my lab PSUs. It's an absolute overkill. But there is nothing wrong with it. Using my handheld DMM is more laborious.

author: xwarp
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2014, 11:40:18 pm
content: In my opinion, I'd divide the test equipment forum in the these categories:The latest and greatest. (to include reviews of new equipment and some stickies for those repetitive "what scope/meter" should I buy?" questions)Teardown and Repair. (test equipment specific)Usage.ETA:I JUST noticed that there is a "Repair" section, but maybe call that "Other than test equipment electronic repair."

author: TMM
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2014, 03:00:53 pm
content: Quote from: xwarp on June 30, 2014, 11:40:18 pmwhy? how is repairing test equipment any different than repairing non-test equipment?Also, mad props to whoever took the time to move 417 existing threads into the repair subforum

author: Sebastian
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2014, 03:54:19 pm
content: I would split it into Questions or Beginners and everything else as is now.