Some Thoughts On “Data Mining”

[John Beaman]

We have all experienced “data mining” cookies getting on our computers and having to get rid of them. It is frustrating. However, there is another type of “data miner”. This is the person who makes many posts, always asking for information on things, but almost never gives back.



Those of us who have been messing around with researching the Luftwaffe and Allied AFs for some time, have managed to collect a lot of good information. None of us, I think, mind sharing what we have collected with others. In return, we often need a similar favor ourselves. The Internet has been an especially fantastic tool for this sharing of information.



However, this cannot be a one-way street. I appreciate that often, younger members of this forum do not have the books, resources and especially money to go after expensive books. However, there are libraries. Does any country of a poster not have libraries? Most countries even have the “inter-library loan” whereby your facility can borrow a book from another library. I advise trying these. I also advise, when asking many questions, to state what you have done thus far in your quest. Also, be responsive to requests for information that you could share.



As a moderator of this forum, I do not want to stifle anyone’s quest for knowledge, especially our younger members, but be reasonable in what you ask. If you ask for too much, you may not get any response and that will frustrate you even more. If no one answers your post, don’t make another request: take a hint.