what i do is i place the solder directly on top of the wire, then form the top i melt the solder onto the wire. is this good or bad
to me that sounds like the correct method of soldering. i truly could not be bothered reading the 3 pages so heres some hints:
1. always clean the tip of the iron or wires/pins you are joining, try not to handle the area you are going to solder too much.
2. always tin the iron and the contacts you are joining
3. keep a sponge nearby (most irons come with a small stand and sponge). wet the sponge and you can use it to clean the crap off that builds up from melted wires etc. i continually put a dab of solder on my iron and then wipe it off on the sponge after each solder joint, keeps the tip clean and hot
4. get a pair of "helping hands". they're a small pivoting stand with clips on it to hold your work or wires for you.
5. have a high pain tolerance
inevitably you will be burned
6. sometimes less is more, just try to work your way up from having too little to having just enough rather than from too much down to just enough. i find desoldering a lot harder than soldering
.
7. the number one mistake is probably people trying to put solder on the iron and then transfer it. you touch the solder to where you want it and then carefully heat the wire (or whatever) until the solder slowly melts onto it.
now if i can get a picture from the phone i bought today onto my pc i'll show you what i soldered a couple of days ago