@mgrass
I have been a contributor to this forum for several years and have had a certain amount of criticism but have learned to accept it and try not to exceed my knowledge. I keep away from computers, it is 40 years since I programmed one.
Most contributors are polite and knowledgible and help newcomers as best they can. The trouble is that we know nothing about the contributors capability. There is no excuse for being rude.
As for being a mutual admiration society, I think this is true, some know about circuitry, some know about fundamental principles and some can find the needle in the internet haystack.
Some give incorrect information but that is the risk you get when working on the net.
Please stay with us, we need your experience.
Trevor