So clearly from the posting about "what cameras should I choose for my home" has gotten a plethora of responses both helpful and unhelpful. My response included in the "unhelpful" category due to the annoyance I believe occurs when you have someone that is not an installer or similar, decide to become a member and post.
First, what do I find so annoying? I think its bugs me that this non-industry person has joined a group to ask the most basics of questions that he/she could have asked his local installer(s) about to educate him/herself. That's what I do when I need information about things I clearly know nothing of. For instance, I needed sprinkler repair so I called a number of business sprinkler repair folks and talked to them. They provided the information I needed AND THEN, I chose one of them to come do the repair for me. Sure, there are lots of open sprinkler repair forums out there... I visited some of them. It helped. But I would not pay money to use a forum that is geared towards the pros that install that particular item. That is probably the SECOND annoyance I find. HEY... THIS IS MY POST. I CAN STATE MY TWO CENTS.
And here is the other part of this... I have received a few calls (not many) from people just this poster asking me questions about cameras and alarm systems. I honestly do not mind talking with them and I do not try and sell them anything. I give them the best information I can possibly provide so that they can do with what they need. I also encourage them to give me a call back if they run into trouble. It's possible that IF the person has posted the question a bit differently such as "hi, I'm here to learn so please excuse my questions and I'll try not to ask a question that I should be asking my local installer".
So... how do you all feel about non-industry folks asking these specific types of questions (regarding their homes). PERSONALLY, I feel like THOSE types of questions should be best asked to the local industry guys.