# List of common errors newbies make

Recently, I have noticed that there are many new users, especially those with reputation 1 or 101, making the same errors over and over again. Could we provide a simple guide for them and perhaps a few simple guides?

The most common errors I have seen are LaTeX formatting

• a / b should be $\frac{a}{b}$
• using mu, sigma instead of $\mu$ or $\sigma$
• not putting \$to open & close an equation eg. x^2 instead of$x^2$Also, some of them do not know how to view the math ML. Perhaps we could simply say like "left-click on equation", navigate to "View in TeX" format. Also, common errors of newbies like • Not posting own proposed solution What other errors do newbies make? • I don't feel that not up-voting a more popular answer is an error on the neophyte's part. – Rustyn Mar 7 '13 at 8:26 • -1 In addition to agreeing with Rustyn, I also don't see the point of have such a list. Who is the list for? Do you want higher rep users to go check every single first posts against this list? Do you want every new user to come here and read this list? Why isn't leaving a comment on the "offending" post enough? – Willie Wong Mar 7 '13 at 8:32 • Personally, I think$a\over b$should be$a/b\$. I also think OP is unaware that some of us use Apple computers that have no left-click. – Gerry Myerson Mar 7 '13 at 11:52
• Did you mean "right-click"? Normally the primary button for a mouse is on the left side, and Apple pointing devices send the primary button for all clicks by default. Apple users can right-click, (Mighty mouse or Magic mouse) ctrl-click (really old Apple mice or trackpads), or two-finger click (multi-touch track pads) depending on their hardware and settings. – Todd Wilcox Mar 7 '13 at 19:47