I think you all are missing the point, I am not wanting non-plumbers here; I just think that you are chasing away some potentially quailified candidates by not having somewhere that actually states what is expected from new members.
I absolutely love most of the replies to DIY'ers, I get a lot of laughs.
You are 100% right on target, but as you are seeing, you're shoveling schitt against the tide. Your concern has always been my biggest problem with this site too. It amazes me how petty a bunch of bad azz tradesmen can be sometimes, like a little old lady wagging her finger at kids walking on her lawn, while they turn around and tell others that they need to have a thick skin! It looks like you were unfortunate to come on right after the change in formats so "the prime directive" wasn't as obvious, but regardless, you still see the bigger picture. Everyone has different motives for being here, and some do not want to give out too much information. It will only take a few posts to determine if they are involved in the trade or if they are bullschitting.
What kills me about the DIYers is that some guys are so quick to fall over themselves to nag, that they miss out on the opportunity for some real fun. Some are slowly catching on, but it's taken a while. I love nothing better than the idea of posting what seems like a serious reply sending some dope out of his way to find a supply house that isn't next to the mall, to go in and ask for a pipe stretcher or some such thing. But oh, no, we need to point out the "rules", while other rules are broken all the time, or at least pushed to the limits.
I get that it takes balls and nerve to join and very seldom post or contribute for years even, only to come on and ask for help, but who am I to judge or even care about someone elses's motives? I don't have time to bother worrying about that. I am free to reply if I can help, or not, but what is missed is that others may also have the same problem, now or in the future and can learn from the replies. Either you want to help give back to the trade and your fellow plumbers or you don't.
Most guys have more experience than me, so my ability to contribute is limited, but IMO the opportunities are even more limited just because the very guys of which you speak who are just behind me do give up after getting some unforgiving backlash, so I don't even get the opportunity to help guide them through what are still recent experiences for me, that a lot of guys have apparently long since forgotten. I loved to learn from my grandfather, but just because he walked 5 miles to school and 10 back every day, up hill both ways, barefoot through the snow even in July doesn't mean that I have to. Yeah, he wanted me to experience some hardship to give me a good work ethic and what not, and to learn how to appreciate how I have it, but he also didn't wish any more difficulties on me than necessary, and certainly wasn't resentful or envious that I had some things easier than he did. He was actually glad for me! And guess what, I respected and learned from his experience all the more, instead of brushing him off as a miserable old crank.
So enough of my rant. I have some ideas for posts to get shot down!