What's Bothering You? (The thread about what is bothering you.)

[beehatch]

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a dumdum

[baldgye]

people who ignore demik's obvious ****posts because they wanna suck his ****

any other person, all of you would throw a ****ing hissy fit

You'd rather people joined in?

[nubbinator]

people who ignore demik's obvious ****posts because they wanna suck his ****

any other person, all of you would throw a ****ing hissy fit

You'd rather people joined in?

[beehatch]

people who ignore demik's obvious ****posts because they wanna suck his ****

any other person, all of you would throw a ****ing hissy fit

You'd rather people joined in?

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 :-*

[baldgye]

.

[mason]

I'm stupid and set my alarm for 7 am on Sunday instead of Saturday and my brother stormed into my room at 7:50 telling me that it's time to go take the ACT that starts at 8!!!! 

[beehatch]

.

reported

[baldgye]

.

reported

It's better to just randomly throw a hissy fit and complain about something rather than report someone, imo...

[jerue]

Feeling kinda lazy today  i should be cleaning my room but don't wanna.

At least I get to go back to Carowinds for their halloween event (Scarowinds) tonight. Looking forward to riding Fury 325 again all lit up

I guess maybe I am not so bothered. And that bothers me.

[beehatch]

.

reported

It's better to just randomly throw a hissy fit and complain about something rather than report someone, imo...

I was joking, but weow.

[ttzhou]

I'm stupid and set my alarm for 7 am on Sunday instead of Saturday and my brother stormed into my room at 7:50 telling me that it's time to go take the ACT that starts at 8!!!! 

7 am is still a bit late for an 8 am exam, IMO 

[bcredbottle]

Noticeable increase in the amount of fighting on GH for the past couple weeks.

Every day I see a new thread decay into (passive-)aggressive insults.

The worst thing is, at least half of the rude posts are from longtime(ish) users/regular posters.

[njbair]

Noticeable increase in the amount of fighting on GH for the past couple weeks.

Every day I see a new thread decay into (passive-)aggressive insults.

The worst thing is, at least half of the rude posts are from longtime(ish) users/regular posters.

I've noticed the same thing. I think it's nothing new, we're just getting into the deep threads that we missed when we were new here.

[whmeltonjr]

Noticeable increase in the amount of fighting on GH for the past couple weeks.

Every day I see a new thread decay into (passive-)aggressive insults.

The worst thing is, at least half of the rude posts are from longtime(ish) users/regular posters.

I've been apart of many online forums (golf/photography related) and I think that geekhack has been my least pleasant experience so far for this reason.

[fanpeople]

Noticeable increase in the amount of fighting on GH for the past couple weeks.

Every day I see a new thread decay into (passive-)aggressive insults.

The worst thing is, at least half of the rude posts are from longtime(ish) users/regular posters.

I've been apart of many online forums (golf/photography related) and I think that geekhack has been my least pleasant experience so far for this reason.

"Stormfront was not the forum I was expecting, I expected weather discussion and was interested in the storm and friend told me it was about weather and I should have been suspect when he grinned telling me I was greeted by vile cringe worthy racism instead of information and discussion on the lightning, storms, tornado and the The Day After Tomorrow movie." Adolf, Gamespot.

[Remenition]

Don't know where to post this but I've been feeling so damn lonely lately. My social life has gone to **** and the only thing I can look forward to over the weekend is finding the time to go on a run and take a trip to the gym. I really hate life right now. Don't think that my social life will recover from my depression last year, I was so very cold to many of the people that loved and cared about me, and now in turn I receive the same. I seriously just want to get out of high school already. I know the real world is better than this :/

[E3E]

Noticeable increase in the amount of fighting on GH for the past couple weeks.

Every day I see a new thread decay into (passive-)aggressive insults.

The worst thing is, at least half of the rude posts are from longtime(ish) users/regular posters.

In my short time at GeekHack, I have definitely seen some close-minded mentalities and some clique-ish and passive-aggressive behavior, but that's typical for any online forum/community, I guess. Though I will admit, I sort of feel and see a lot more issues here than in other communities I've been a part of. It might be because of what this community is based around, but I don't know. DT seems comparatively relaxed compared to GH. I still enjoy GH. I'm usually a bit of a loner though. I don't often feel drawn to communities nor do I feel like I fit in. The latter aspect is definitely just a matter of perception though.

Every community has its drama. I haven't been following much on Deskthority enough to know too deeply how it is there. Reddit (/r/MK) can be both laidback, acidic, and host to a lot of pissing matches for karma, so it's not that much better. GH is pretty okay.

[inanis]

Don't know where to post this but I've been feeling so damn lonely lately. My social life has gone to **** and the only thing I can look forward to over the weekend is finding the time to go on a run and take a trip to the gym. I really hate life right now. Don't think that my social life will recover from my depression last year, I was so very cold to many of the people that loved and cared about me, and now in turn I receive the same. I seriously just want to get out of high school already. I know the real world is better than this :/

As Buffy the Vampire Slayer would say, High School is hell. I don't know if it is comforting or not, buy many of us went through a simliar thing (at least I did). For me, things got way better post-high school. Just be honest with yourself. If you feel like you did wrong with someone, apologize. Who knows maybe you will get one of those relationships back. Just try to stay positive. It will get better.

[Remenition]

Don't know where to post this but I've been feeling so damn lonely lately. My social life has gone to **** and the only thing I can look forward to over the weekend is finding the time to go on a run and take a trip to the gym. I really hate life right now. Don't think that my social life will recover from my depression last year, I was so very cold to many of the people that loved and cared about me, and now in turn I receive the same. I seriously just want to get out of high school already. I know the real world is better than this :/

As Buffy the Vampire Slayer would say, High School is hell. I don't know if it is comforting or not, buy many of us went through a simliar thing (at least I did). For me, things got way better post-high school. Just be honest with yourself. If you feel like you did wrong with someone, apologize. Who knows maybe you will get one of those relationships back. Just try to stay positive. It will get better.

Thanks man, means a lot. I went to a summer program and met a bunch of awesome new people this summer, and it just made me realize how close-minded and cliquey my school is. The people are just truly terrible in this privileged suburban neighborhood. But I'll just use that as motivation to get into a bomb-ass college, I know that's what my sister did and she ended up in Princeton  ) Jokes on those kids.

[bcredbottle]

[quote author=Remenition link=topic=50202.msg1906159#msg1906159 date=144572005here to post this but I've been feeling so damn lonely lately. My social life has gone to **** and the only thing I can look forward to over the weekend is finding the time to go on a run and take a trip to the gym. I really hate life right now. Don't think that my social life will recover from my depression last year, I was so very cold to many of the people that loved and cared about me, and now in turn I receive the same. I seriously just want to get out of high school already. I know the real world is better than this :/
[/quote]

It sounda like there's some hurt people who want to know that you still care about them. Maybe showing that you still do w/ some caring or thoughtful gestures would help

[heedpantsnow]

Don't know where to post this but I've been feeling so damn lonely lately. My social life has gone to **** and the only thing I can look forward to over the weekend is finding the time to go on a run and take a trip to the gym. I really hate life right now. Don't think that my social life will recover from my depression last year, I was so very cold to many of the people that loved and cared about me, and now in turn I receive the same. I seriously just want to get out of high school already. I know the real world is better than this :/

As Buffy the Vampire Slayer would say, High School is hell. I don't know if it is comforting or not, buy many of us went through a simliar thing (at least I did). For me, things got way better post-high school. Just be honest with yourself. If you feel like you did wrong with someone, apologize. Who knows maybe you will get one of those relationships back. Just try to stay positive. It will get better.

Thanks man, means a lot. I went to a summer program and met a bunch of awesome new people this summer, and it just made me realize how close-minded and cliquey my school is. The people are just truly terrible in this privileged suburban neighborhood. But I'll just use that as motivation to get into a bomb-ass college, I know that's what my sister did and she ended up in Princeton  ) Jokes on those kids.

Man my high school experience was awful as well; back then I'm not sure depression was even something people noticed/diagnosed but I might have been in that state too.

Don't worry about it too much.  Make amends, like inanis said, and move on.  Decide who you want to keep in touch with, those friendships will be valuable later in life when you need people who have known you for a really long time.  And everyone else, screw 'em.  You don't need them and won't. 

[trizkut]

Don't know where to post this but I've been feeling so damn lonely lately. My social life has gone to **** and the only thing I can look forward to over the weekend is finding the time to go on a run and take a trip to the gym. I really hate life right now. Don't think that my social life will recover from my depression last year, I was so very cold to many of the people that loved and cared about me, and now in turn I receive the same. I seriously just want to get out of high school already. I know the real world is better than this :/

As Buffy the Vampire Slayer would say, High School is hell. I don't know if it is comforting or not, buy many of us went through a simliar thing (at least I did). For me, things got way better post-high school. Just be honest with yourself. If you feel like you did wrong with someone, apologize. Who knows maybe you will get one of those relationships back. Just try to stay positive. It will get better.

Thanks man, means a lot. I went to a summer program and met a bunch of awesome new people this summer, and it just made me realize how close-minded and cliquey my school is. The people are just truly terrible in this privileged suburban neighborhood. But I'll just use that as motivation to get into a bomb-ass college, I know that's what my sister did and she ended up in Princeton  ) Jokes on those kids.

You're young.  I haven't talked to more than 1 or 2 people from high school in the past 5-6 years.  Most of those relationships tend to crumble due to lack of proximity and realizing that you would rather be friends with people with similar interests anyways.

[SpAmRaY]

Waiting in line at olive garden sucks.

[Michael]

olive garden sucks.

ftfy 

[Tym]

olive garden sucks.

ftfy 

I'm stateside on Tuesday, you recommend not eating at an olive garden? I want to try it because I can't imagine what to expect, like I have this vision of an outside place decorated in plastic vines but I really can't guess what they serve :3 I do hear it's all microwaved though.

[SpAmRaY]

olive garden sucks.

ftfy 

Free $50 gift card says I'll tolerate it.

[whmeltonjr]

olive garden sucks.

ftfy 

I'm stateside on Tuesday, you recommend not eating at an olive garden? I want to try it because I can't imagine what to expect, like I have this vision of an outside place decorated in plastic vines but I really can't guess what they serve :3 I do hear it's all microwaved though.

Don't waste your time. I can't recall a time I've been to Olive Garden and thought I got my money's worth. Heck, I don't remember the last time I went that I had to pay.

[Michael]

olive garden sucks.

ftfy 

I'm stateside on Tuesday, you recommend not eating at an olive garden? I want to try it because I can't imagine what to expect, like I have this vision of an outside place decorated in plastic vines but I really can't guess what they serve :3 I do hear it's all microwaved though.

I think it's more of me being a real Italian, and knowing what real Italian food is. Olive Garden is not real Italian food


But depending on where you are going, I could recommend some places

[E3E]

olive garden sucks.

ftfy 

I'm stateside on Tuesday, you recommend not eating at an olive garden? I want to try it because I can't imagine what to expect, like I have this vision of an outside place decorated in plastic vines but I really can't guess what they serve :3 I do hear it's all microwaved though.

Don't waste your time. I can't recall a time I've been to Olive Garden and thought I got my money's worth. Heck, I don't remember the last time I went that I had to pay.

While I have always enjoyed eating at Olive Garden the times I've gone with friends and family, I have also always heard bad things about how they handle their food and that it isn't always super fresh. Heresay, I dunno. I've heard it from a guy that's heard it from a guy who worked there, and then from another person elsewhere who has worked there. Seems like a common practice, but I can't speak to how the food is kept, like if it's just served out of a pot that remains heated or if prepared bowls/dishes and all that are just left in a heated area as opposed to being served when ordered.

[Tym]

olive garden sucks.

ftfy 

I'm stateside on Tuesday, you recommend not eating at an olive garden? I want to try it because I can't imagine what to expect, like I have this vision of an outside place decorated in plastic vines but I really can't guess what they serve :3 I do hear it's all microwaved though.

I think it's more of me being a real Italian, and knowing what real Italian food is. Olive Garden is not real Italian food


But depending on where you are going, I could recommend some places

NYC, Imma see me some Empire State buildings and some of them big green ladies you lot always talk about

Sadly I don't think NYC and sin city are particularly close together, so I don't think you can come visit me

[whmeltonjr]

olive garden sucks.

ftfy 

I'm stateside on Tuesday, you recommend not eating at an olive garden? I want to try it because I can't imagine what to expect, like I have this vision of an outside place decorated in plastic vines but I really can't guess what they serve :3 I do hear it's all microwaved though.

Don't waste your time. I can't recall a time I've been to Olive Garden and thought I got my money's worth. Heck, I don't remember the last time I went that I had to pay.

While I have always enjoyed eating at Olive Garden the times I've gone with friends and family, I have also always heard bad things about how they handle their food and that it isn't always super fresh. Heresay, I dunno. I've heard it from a guy that's heard it from a guy who worked there, and then from another person elsewhere who has worked there. Seems like a common practice, but I can't speak to how the food is kept, like if it's just served out of a pot that remains heated or if prepared bowls/dishes and all that are just left in a heated area as opposed to being served when ordered.

I've never heard anything bad about food handling personally, I just don't think the food is that great, and I would definitely agree that it doesn't come across as fresh food. I've had too much real Italian food I guess. I tend to shy away from most national "chain" restaurants though (Red Lobster, Joe's Crabshack, etc.).

[njbair]

olive garden sucks.

ftfy 

I'm stateside on Tuesday, you recommend not eating at an olive garden? I want to try it because I can't imagine what to expect, like I have this vision of an outside place decorated in plastic vines but I really can't guess what they serve :3 I do hear it's all microwaved though.

I think it's more of me being a real Italian, and knowing what real Italian food is. Olive Garden is not real Italian food


But depending on where you are going, I could recommend some places

IME, everyone who's Italian says they know real Italian, then you eat over their house and their mom makes Italian differently than the Italian mom's cooking you had the week before, and both are different from the week before that.

It's almost as if Italy is a large country with a diverse culinary culture, made even more so by multi-generational American influence.

Except for Bro. I'm sure his mom makes the One True Lasagna (tm).

P.S. my grandma was 100% Italian and Cleveland has a great Little Italy district, so I very much enjoy Italian food.

[baldgye]

olive garden sucks.

ftfy 

I'm stateside on Tuesday, you recommend not eating at an olive garden? I want to try it because I can't imagine what to expect, like I have this vision of an outside place decorated in plastic vines but I really can't guess what they serve :3 I do hear it's all microwaved though.

I think it's more of me being a real Italian, and knowing what real Italian food is. Olive Garden is not real Italian food


But depending on where you are going, I could recommend some places

Molto interessante...

[HoffmanMyster]

Noticeable increase in the amount of fighting on GH for the past couple weeks.

Every day I see a new thread decay into (passive-)aggressive insults.

The worst thing is, at least half of the rude posts are from longtime(ish) users/regular posters.

I've been apart of many online forums (golf/photography related) and I think that geekhack has been my least pleasant experience so far for this reason.

  It saddens me to hear this. It's interesting too, because I've heard plenty of people say the exact opposite.  :-/  I hope your experience improves, and you end up having a good time here. Feel free to PM me with any specific concerns you have, especially if it's a shortcoming on the moderation side.

[whmeltonjr]

Noticeable increase in the amount of fighting on GH for the past couple weeks.

Every day I see a new thread decay into (passive-)aggressive insults.

The worst thing is, at least half of the rude posts are from longtime(ish) users/regular posters.

I've been apart of many online forums (golf/photography related) and I think that geekhack has been my least pleasant experience so far for this reason.

  It saddens me to hear this. It's interesting too, because I've heard plenty of people say the exact opposite.  :-/  I hope your experience improves, and you end up having a good time here. Feel free to PM me with any specific concerns you have, especially if it's a shortcoming on the moderation side.

I haven't had a terrible time or anything, but I've definitely shied away from sharing my opinion on a few occasions. I will say this, I have greatly appreciated reading your posts. You are always so friendly and helpful.

[calvinhousecat]

Don't know where to post this but I've been feeling so damn lonely lately. My social life has gone to **** and the only thing I can look forward to over the weekend is finding the time to go on a run and take a trip to the gym. I really hate life right now. Don't think that my social life will recover from my depression last year, I was so very cold to many of the people that loved and cared about me, and now in turn I receive the same. I seriously just want to get out of high school already. I know the real world is better than this :/

As Buffy the Vampire Slayer would say, High School is hell. I don't know if it is comforting or not, buy many of us went through a simliar thing (at least I did). For me, things got way better post-high school. Just be honest with yourself. If you feel like you did wrong with someone, apologize. Who knows maybe you will get one of those relationships back. Just try to stay positive. It will get better.

Thanks man, means a lot. I went to a summer program and met a bunch of awesome new people this summer, and it just made me realize how close-minded and cliquey my school is. The people are just truly terrible in this privileged suburban neighborhood. But I'll just use that as motivation to get into a bomb-ass college, I know that's what my sister did and she ended up in Princeton  ) Jokes on those kids.

Man your situation is really similar to one of my bestfriend's girlfriend. Shes use to live in the same location as you and she would always tell us how she was very different than her peers from high school. She liked playing video games, dancing, etc while a lot of her classmates just partied, fought, and a couple got teen pregnancies. She's then moved to California to stay with us and shes really chill and seems to be having a better social life in SoCal.
Pretty much she was just fed up of the town she lived in and the community she was apart of which overall affect her mood drastically. 

Try hard and get those good grades so you get to go to a kickass school or perhaps go to a trade school if you like in a new area away from Long Island. Hopefully that can cheer ya up.

[rowdy]

I don't have that much spare time on the weekends to fritter away on fruitless exercises like this.

That is why I have become quick to back up and abandon old hardware, especially drives, at the first sign of flakiness.

The Mac mini works perfectly other than the optical drive, and has done since I bought it new in late 2009.

Today I made a cup of tea, and while the tea bag was socking (whatever you call it) I started doing something else and forgot about it.

Again.

Like the third cup of tea in a row (over this weekend) that I've had to have lukewarm.

So the next one I made I put a timer on, and the timer sound was a clip from Portal 2, so now I really, really want to play Portal 2 (again) but still don't have the time.

[Remenition]

More

Don't know where to post this but I've been feeling so damn lonely lately. My social life has gone to **** and the only thing I can look forward to over the weekend is finding the time to go on a run and take a trip to the gym. I really hate life right now. Don't think that my social life will recover from my depression last year, I was so very cold to many of the people that loved and cared about me, and now in turn I receive the same. I seriously just want to get out of high school already. I know the real world is better than this :/

As Buffy the Vampire Slayer would say, High School is hell. I don't know if it is comforting or not, buy many of us went through a simliar thing (at least I did). For me, things got way better post-high school. Just be honest with yourself. If you feel like you did wrong with someone, apologize. Who knows maybe you will get one of those relationships back. Just try to stay positive. It will get better.

Thanks man, means a lot. I went to a summer program and met a bunch of awesome new people this summer, and it just made me realize how close-minded and cliquey my school is. The people are just truly terrible in this privileged suburban neighborhood. But I'll just use that as motivation to get into a bomb-ass college, I know that's what my sister did and she ended up in Princeton  ) Jokes on those kids.

Man your situation is really similar to one of my bestfriend's girlfriend. Shes use to live in the same location as you and she would always tell us how she was very different than her peers from high school. She liked playing video games, dancing, etc while a lot of her classmates just partied, fought, and a couple got teen pregnancies. She's then moved to California to stay with us and shes really chill and seems to be having a better social life in SoCal.
Pretty much she was just fed up of the town she lived in and the community she was apart of which overall affect her mood drastically. 

Try hard and get those good grades so you get to go to a kickass school or perhaps go to a trade school if you like in a new area away from Long Island. Hopefully that can cheer ya up.

Thanks man it means a lot I tried to convince my mom to let me go to an international school in ShangHai and live with my dad, but she just wouldn't have it. I do go to one of the best public schools in NY, so moving to a lot of schools is just a downgrade academically.
Regarding your friend's girlfriend, I can totally relate with her. While I like playing video games, playing frisbee, and obviously mechanical keyboards, etc. , I also love parties but my school is very cliquey (Long Island as a whole as a matter of fact) It's a really jappy area (jap = jewish american prince/princess), a bunch of spoiled entitled rich white kids who are considered ubiquitously popular, and you basically can't have a good time at any of the parties they throw unless you're one of them yourself. So, I feel pretty ostrasized as many of them are just horrible, despicable, mean, shallow people. It's hard finding someone who has similar interests as me in an area like this.
Honestly I'm pretty popular and outgoing in school, people seem to like me, and I have no trouble sparking up a conversation with anyone. But that's just it. I don't really fit into any friendgroups due to this gap in interests, so it's a bit tough feeling like a part of some group.
I'm sure it'll get better, I'll just have to keep working at it.
TL;DR: school sux

[fohat.digs]

Today I made a cup of tea, and while the tea bag was socking (whatever you call it) I started doing something else and forgot about it.

Again.

This, my friend, is the hard drive between your ears winding down.

At 63, it happens more and more often to me. On the other hand, I try hard to stay strong and active.
Today I un-installed an oven and a dishwasher. Installation tomorrow. For joy!

[alienman82]

removed.

[fanpeople]

I suck at photography.  Need to take a class or buy a book or something

Me too, for about a year my camera would take blurry photos. I thought the camera was broken, turns out the settings were just wrong.

[njbair]

I suck at photography.  Need to take a class or buy a book or something

Check your local community college. There should be something cheap there to help you get started.

And read http://www.kenrockwell.com/

[whmeltonjr]

I suck at photography.  Need to take a class or buy a book or something

Grab Understanding Exposure by Brian Patterson. It's a great book for someone looking to get into photography. Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera https://www.amazon.com/dp/0817439390/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_KJdlwbSKPK89R

Edit: If you check out Ken Rockwell's sight, take a lot of what he says with a grain of salt. I personally only check his site for laughs, but some people like his stuff. He makes a lot of statements just to generate traffic to his site. Nothing wrong with that, but I think there are much better resources available.

[rowdy]

Today I made a cup of tea, and while the tea bag was socking (whatever you call it) I started doing something else and forgot about it.

Again.

This, my friend, is the hard drive between your ears winding down.

At 63, it happens more and more often to me. On the other hand, I try hard to stay strong and active.
Today I un-installed an oven and a dishwasher. Installation tomorrow. For joy!

Although age does make its presence know, the main reason I keep forgetting tea preparation is because I usually have coffee, but my doctor has mildly criticised the amount of coffee I have and suggested that tea might be better, so I am trying to have more tea and less coffee.

Everything else I make up as I go along, and I have sufficient experience in most things I do that I make up the same thing each time and no-one seems to notice )

[PunksDead]

Picked up hearthstone...
Getting wrecked by glittery cards I haven't seen b4...
Either I'm a pleb whom sucks
Or
people are rich as ****

[njbair]

He makes a lot of statements just to generate traffic to his site.

Examples? I'm genuinely curious.

[trizkut]

people are rich as ****

pretty much.  It's either pay2win or prepare to lose a bunch while you slowly build up your f2p decks.

[trenzafeeds]

Noticeable increase in the amount of fighting on GH for the past couple weeks.

Every day I see a new thread decay into (passive-)aggressive insults.

The worst thing is, at least half of the rude posts are from longtime(ish) users/regular posters.

Sometimes this has been my fault, but I agree, it seems to be getting more common and it sucks.

[whmeltonjr]

He makes a lot of statements just to generate traffic to his site.

Examples? I'm genuinely curious.

Ever read any of his reviews? He absolutely hates anything that is not Nikon/Canon in terms of glass. He talks about the new Sigma Art series like it is utter garbage, when in fact it is some of the best bang for your buck glass out there. One of his Fuji reviews he did he takes about how awesome built in flash was because it was always there. While he is correct, the pictures he showed as examples were really flat from the built in flash. Every new camera that comes out is the best X camera ever. He's also pretty famous for takin out of both sides of his mouth. "Megapixels don't matter", but "you need this new camera because it has more megapixels than the last model." He doesn't get a lot of love from the online photo community, and a quick Google search will bring up numerous threads about him. He has some decent stuff if you're just getting into it I suppose, but that's about all he's good for. I wouldn't recommend him for someone looking to really improve as a photographer.

[njbair]

He makes a lot of statements just to generate traffic to his site.

Examples? I'm genuinely curious.

Ever read any of his reviews? He absolutely hates anything that is not Nikon/Canon in terms of glass. He talks about the new Sigma Art series like it is utter garbage, when in fact it is some of the best bang for your buck glass out there. One of his Fuji reviews he did he takes about how awesome built in flash was because it was always there. While he is correct, the pictures he showed as examples were really flat from the built in flash. Every new camera that comes out is the best X camera ever. He's also pretty famous for takin out of both sides of his mouth. "Megapixels don't matter", but "you need this new camera because it has more megapixels than the last model." He doesn't get a lot of love from the online photo community, and a quick Google search will bring up numerous threads about him. He has some decent stuff if you're just getting into it I suppose, but that's about all he's good for. I wouldn't recommend him for someone looking to really improve as a photographer.

As an absolute beginner I probably just don't know any better, but a lot of his advice seems very practical and helpful and it has kept me from overspending on unnecessary gear.