Geez, it really bugs me when people post a comment on someone else's photo asking for the tutorial on how they made that cake!
Is it just me? I don't know about you but when I've made a cake in the past, I usually have a drawing of the cake I want to make or envision it in my head - then just go ahead and do it. I don't write down every single step as a tutorial whilst I'm making it. Sometimes I have a book to follow and get ideas from. Usually, I have no time to sit down and retrace my steps to actually write out a tutorial for every cake I make.
Yes, I understand that people are curious and would like to know how to do certain things, which is fine as that is partly what this site is about. Yes, it is a huge compliment when somebody wants to copy your cake. You know, sometimes I just think - why not give it a try yourself, do some problem solving for yourself and don't expect everything to be served up to you on a silver platter? You might surprise yourself.
It just gets to me, don't ask me why. Anyway, this part of my rant is finished for now. Thanks for reading it if you got this far. I'm interested what others think and their views on this.
Cheers!
Apparently, it irks a lot of people.
http://cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&printertopic=1&t=603551&postdays=0&postorder=asc&&start=0
It doesn't bother me... I think that when someone asks for a tutorial on a cake you post here... if you have it or have the time to do it.... great... if you don't have the time then you politely thank the complement and inform them that unfortunately you don't have it because you don't make a to do list, or you don't write it down, or you work with what you envision in your head and go with it.... but as to irk.... I think it's a bit too much to say.... just like you said, this site is here to share and help each other, but I also know that CC"ers understand that some of us are busy with cake orders and other things and might not be able to provide the info requested...
I guess no one will ever be just happy with the comment situation, people get mad if there are no comments.. and get mad if there are negative comments, then get mad if someone thinks their work is so beautiful that they would like them to share some of the process with them...
I have a cake that I have had many requests for a tutorial on and to be honest with you... I have swamped with cake orders and haven't been able to do a pictorial on it... I advised them of this... and when I have the chance... I will do it and share it.... no one will hold it against you if you can't provide the help asked for...
to the PM's that I get asking for how-to's.... I feel great knowing that someone thinks my work is something they would like to replicate...
I say...if you can't be selective about what kind of response you want/get from your pics... next time maybe you should think about it before you post it... if it's really good work... your chances of someone asking you to help them to do the same cake are high.... so you might want to just not post the picture and avoid getting irked.....
again, this is MY opinion.... 
It doesn't bother me as much if that's not the only comment they make. If they say something like "beautiful ...great job..etc. can you PLEASE send instructions?" but when all they say is "pm me instructions" or "I need instructions a.s.a.p." that kinda ticks me off. 
I am more "confused" than "bugged" about everyone asking for tutorials for everything. I mean, my kids can't even pop popcorn in a microwave unless they know EXACTLY ..... and I mean freakin' EXACTLY ...... how many minutes/seconds to set the time for!! 
I can't imagine a world in which everyone needs a step by step for Every. Simple. Thing.
Sometimes I see these "send me the tutorial" comments and I wonder if the person is REALLY planning to make a cake like this .... or if they collect instructions in a drawer that's labeled "Someday Projects"? I'd hate to think that some very busy people take the time to write out step-by-steps just to have them thrown in a drawer for a couple of years.
I understand we live in an age of instant pictures and videos of how-to's, but I'm genuinely concerned with the lack of imagination and experimentation that seems to be running rampant anymore.
"I have not failed .... I have just found 10,000 ways that will not work." ---- Thomas Edison.
Can you imagine where we'd be if 'ole Tom, here, waited around for a tutorial on how to make a light bulb?????? 
It bugs me that I see too many instances of people needing their hand held instead of just getting the true entrepreneur spirit and just doing it.
And as the OP said, I have never ..... let me repeat in capital letters .... NEVER!!!!!!! written down instructions on how I did something. I figure out how to do it and once I've done it, then it's figured out and I don't need instructions on how to do it again.
All of us on here are happy to help with advice on a problem or an aspect of a cake design, and I'm confident I've established a good track record for sharing anytime I can. i just get frustrated at the request for "tutorials" when the person obviously hasn't even TRIED to do it. They're just quick with the "gimme" mentality.
I mean, my kids can't even pop popcorn in a microwave unless they know EXACTLY ..... and I mean freakin' EXACTLY ...... how many minutes/seconds to set the time for!!
I can't imagine a world in which everyone needs a step by step for Every. Simple. Thing.
I find this hilarious, only becuase i have some family that does this too. I just set the timer for 5-6 minutes and when there is 2 seconds between pops (you can also smell it, just like baking) then it's done.
on the tutorial topic, i don't understand it. Some of the cakes i see that people ask for tutorials on have some very basic elements, there are just a lot of them on the cake put next to each other.
Although I think my favorite one i saw was on a tiered cake with just a ribbon around the base. Really a tutorial for that? I understand there may be questions on how to do the ribbon, type of ribbon, etc.. but a tutorial? A little ingenuity and research in the forums would answer the question.
.... and when there is 2 seconds between pops (you can also smell it, just like baking) then it's done.
Exactly. My first job was in movie theaters (my mom managed the concession stand of the R and X rated drive in; I worked theater concessions from 14 to 16 ... no wonder I'm so warped! ) and the rule was "if you count to 3 between pops, it's done."
.... and when there is 2 seconds between pops (you can also smell it, just like baking) then it's done.
Exactly. My first job was in movie theaters (my mom managed the concession stand of the R and X rated drive in; I worked theater concessions from 14 to 16 ... no wonder I'm so warped!
) and the rule was "if you count to 3 between pops, it's done."
if it's just me i count to 3, but when my dh is eating with me i only go 2 but for some reason he likes the un popped kernals....
When I posted that first gelatin bow, (which some folks love and others hate BTW) I answered about 230 pm's on how to make them....and it took me a couple of weeks to do so.
I am with the idea that if you don't want folks to ask, then don't post pics!
(and I always like it when they ask nicely too mamarobin!) 
i thought of this thread as i was searching for templates and ideas for a baby shower cake coming up.
I was in the templates and someone had the template, the actual item they made from it, AND the written directions to go with both. ALL of these were posted and there were still people asking for this person to share the directions and email them the directions, but they were right at the top of the page. (and yes this was within the last couple of months after all of the information had been uploaded to the persons gallery) Just makes me wonder if anyone is really reading any of the info that is under the picture (as it stated it there)
Thank you so much everyone for your replies.
I guess there are always many different views to certain things. I believe in looking for and trying a solution, reading and finding out how to do something for myself - if I can't, then I will ask for help. Anyway, that's just me and how I learn.
Yes, I agree, manners should always be used - a Please and Thank You always goes a long way. I'm trying to instill that into my 4yr old, she's doing really well with it and sees that when she uses nice manners people are more inclined to respond positively than when she demands that she wants something.
Hahaha, you girls always bring a smile to my face and comfort. Thank you so much.
Cheers!
Leily- No, many people don't bother to read things.
One sees it all the time in threads, especially long ones. It's obvious that (at the most) the first few posts are read, and then the person posts - usually something that no longer makes much sense as the thread has moved on.
Someone with a problem who has solved it, and then the posts start "You should do this rude thing and that rude thing." Then those who actually read the thread say "The problem was fixed on page x half-way down."... and one continues to get those same posts from others who didn't bother to read more than the first posts. 
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Went into rant mode a little - sorry about that.
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CandyCU - Good for you for teaching "please" and "thank you". My kids learned those early, and people were most pleased to hear those words. Glad to hear young mothers are still doing that.
candyCU, glad to know we aren't the only ones that are teaching please, thank-you, and your welcome. Our daughter is only 15 months, but we've been using these since she was just a few months old. She can't really say them, but she is getting the idea and definitely is linking it together as she gets the syllables and some of the letters pronounced (but of course she can't say them all yet) We've had a quite a few comments that we're wasting our time now since she can't understand it. Umm if she can understand where we eat, where the bath is, what do do when we say pick-up toys, and where the laundry goes, then she is obviously picking something up.
Please and thank you and you're welcome are all terms used here regularly also. So is the "if you don't have something nice to say, then don't say anything at all" - and last but not least.....treat others as you would want to be treated! I think it is wonderful that you all are teaching your children this ~ respect for others is something that has to be taught by example....and when I meet folks it is very easy to tell those who have it. Kudos to you who take the time to do this for your children!
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