Guidelines

What kinds of questions can I ask here?

This community is for Heathkit® customers and enthusiast, partners and programmers. You can ask questions about:

  • Heathkit® products you own,
  • how to configure or customize your Heathkit,
  • what's the best way to use your Heathkit for a specific use,
  • how to repair or modify your kit for your own needs,
  • specific questions about Heathkit services and products.

Before you ask - please make sure to search for a similar question. You can search questions by their title or tags. It’s also OK to answer your own question.

Please avoid asking questions that are too subjective and argumentative or not relevant to this community.

What should I avoid in my questions?

Please be kind to everyone here.

You should only ask practical, answerable questions based on actual problems that you face. Chatty, open-ended questions diminish the usefulness of this site and push other questions off the front page.

This is a family-friendly site. To prevent your question from being flagged and possibly removed, do not post …

  • comments that are ad hominem (about, especially an attack on, another person).
  • statements disrespectful to other participants.
  • obscene or offensive language.
  • a rant disguised as a question.
  • a scold disguised as an answer.

If you would like to participate in an extended discussion or ancorous debate, then you should not be asking here but on public news mailing lists. But, if your motivation is “I would like others to explain ______ to me,” or you are helping build a library of Heathkit-related expertise that will help others in the future, then you're in the right place.

What should I avoid in my answers?

ALWAYS BE HELPFUL AND KIND.

Answers should not add or expand questions. Instead either edit the question (if you have enough points), add a comment, or start a new question.

Answers should not comment other answers. Instead add a comment on (under) the other answer you're responding to.

Answers shouldn't just point to other questions. Instead add a comment indicating "Possible duplicate of...". However, it's fine to include links to other questions or answers providing relevant additional information.

Answers shouldn't just provide a link a solution. Instead provide the solution description text in your answer, even if it's just a copy/paste. Links are welcome, but should complementary to answer, referring sources or additional reading.

Answers should not start debates. This community Q&A is not a discussion group. Please avoid holding debates in your answers. They they tend to dilute the essence of questions and answers. For brief discussions please use commenting facility.

How do "points" work?

When a question or answer is upvoted, the user who posted them will gain some points, which are called "karma points". These points serve as a rough measure of the community trust to him/her. Various moderation tasks are gradually assigned to the users based on those points.

For example, if you ask an interesting question or give a helpful answer, your input will be upvoted. On the other hand if the answer is misleading - it will be downvoted. Each vote in favor will generate 10 points, each vote against will subtract 10 points. There is a limit of 200 points that can be accumulated for a question or answer per day. The table below explains reputation point requirements for each type of moderation task.

1 upvote, add comments
10 downvote
30 insert text link, upload files
50 insert clickable link, answer own question immediately
75 retag, edit wiki questions and answers
100 flag offensive, close own questions
200 answer/comment by email
300 edit any post, view offensive flags
500 accept any answer (after 1 week)
750 delete any comment
900 lock posts
1000 delete any question or answer

Why can some other people edit my questions/answers?

The goal of this site is create a relevant knowledge base that would answer questions related to Heathkit® products.

Highly experienced members of this site therefore are permitted to edit questions and answers like wiki pages, in order to improve the overall quality of the knowledge base content. Such privileges are granted based on user karma level: you will be able to do the same once your karma gets high enough. Note that this is a privately-owned site for the benefit of Heathkit and its customers. Editing, posting, and access are privileges that may be withdrawn at any time, particularly for not observing the rules for respectful participation.

If this approach is not for you, please respect this community and use public news groups instead. Thanks.

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About This Forum

This community is for owners and enthusiasts of Heathkit® products and services. You can get help here with your new or vintage Heathkit® equipment.

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