Hey, Uncle Vernon, thanks for your posts on 'lernin.'
Not a problem, everyone is entitled to their quota of questions, and for the newbie knowing where how to look for help isn't always easy.
I don't have a problem with question until the become repetitive or demanding, everyone started knowing very little at some point.
What upsets the grumps, (and I can be as big a grump as the best of them) Is not following a few of UV's simple rules.
Don't keep asking the same question, in the same place, or to the same people. If you don't get an answer you can understand, try rephrasing your question or approaching it from a different angle. Some concepts can take a bit of work to get your head around, but approaching things the same way will generally return the same results.
Don't immediately contradict a reply to any question. Nothing infuriates us Grumps more than the "that can't be it" reply half way through offering an obvious answer.
Don't use other as a free design service. Engineering types by nature are generally helpful and enjoy sharing knowledge no matter how gruff they appear. What others are not, is a free service for project design of homework answers.
If you don't get any answers, have a look at the questions you are answering and consider rephrasing it, and remember your DIY special or study isn't the highlight of everyone else's world. Remember how a forum works and consider time zones, it's surprising how many get nasty at the lack of a 20 minute reply, despite half the planet being in bed at the time they asked the question.
Do explain the problem you have and the task you are trying to achieve along with the specific question. "Why are all my IC's catching fire and exploding?" is not easy to answer. However supplying some outline about how your connecting up, what supply you are using, and what load you are trying to drive and other details will make it possible for others to help with a solution.
Do maintain a sense of humour. Us grumps sure have one and often use it to point out what should be the bleeding obvious! It's not a personal attack. Those who get bitter and twisted usually end up joining the ignore lists.
Do look through answers given and the links and suggestions provided. There is no problem coming back and saying I've read X several times but still don't get it. And there is nothing more annoying than being asked the same question again knowing no effort has been made to take the information suggested.
I'd agree that many of the kits are an exercise to allow poor soldering to be adopted by a wider user base. Kit makers have there own set of problems and rude and idiot users have generallyforced the kit makers to dumb them down to the lowest common denominator.
i don't see things like fun-way kits being of much use or appeal for adult learning despite them being a great start point for the juniors.
The idea of becoming your own design service is a sound one. Knowing what you are not ready to take on is just as important as what you can. And before any parts are harmed it makes sense to work out what an approximate spend will be, including all the development and prototyping. I agree that there is nothing wrong with failing, provided you worked out why a particular approach or design is unfeasible. If it's just giving up then the whole exercise has been a waste of time.
Newbies should be encouraged to learn, I have no problem with that or even with those a little slow on the uptake. Despite appearing outwardly begrudging, grumps like me don't mind helping others to learn, but we are not and never will be a free service. Those who make the effort to help themselves are those who will generally get the most help and encouragement.
Go forth, enjoy and never forget the end without the cord is the hot end.