I hope I got the attention of all of you and didn't leave out any "idiots". I put myself first, since I am probably the biggest one....

Is it just me, or are we returning to the habit of asking for help from specific individuals?

I've seen a resurgence of the number of topics posted to a specific individual. I've responded to a couple of these with the standard "disclaimer" about other people being hesitant to reply, the fact that not everyone watches the boards all the time, and that many times the people asked for by name don't have a solid answer for the question. I have seen several examples of "seasoned veteran" members learning something through reading the posts and paying attention. I know I learn things all the time, just proving that I don't have an answer for everything. Some days I feel lucky to get in my car and have it start.

I have also learned through paying attention to the posts that there probably are specific people I would contact with specific questions. If I ever had an automatic trans problem, I'd probably email GM Tech before even calling the tow truck. If I could no longer twist a wrench, I'd probably get with EdE or RB for any rebuild/custom build work. The same goes for many other systems and people. (If I left you out, don't feel slighted - this is getting long enough already.)

I actually enjoy sitting down at the end of the day and unwinding at the boards. I like to help when I can, and hope that I have something relevant to offer to help someone with a problem. But no one sees the posts 24 hours a day (except maybe for Glenn) . There are a lot of very skilled and analytical people represented here, and any number of them can offer very good advice and information -

That's why we have a message board instead of an email network!

If you have a specific question for a specific person, PLEASE use the email links on the pages and posts. If you have something of general interest, by all means use the boards. It's amazing how much you can learn and understand by reading what is happening to other owners and modifiers.

I am getting to the point where I am getting reluctant to even read the posts aimed at a specific person.

Thanks for your time.

------------------
Later,
Vader
------------------
"I'm'a do Things My Way - It's My way or the Highway."
Adobe Acrobat Reader

 

I want every "idiot" to reply to my posts ! Not that it matters to anyone since I'm crazy as hell, but I also have trouble getting motivated to read or respond to posts aimed at a specific person.

 

Idiot? ? ? .........I'm OK with that.

Well said Vader.

I'm guilty of this in the past. Its tough not to address it to someone personally when you know that person knows the answer you want.

I agree, I would hate to see someone overlook a post and miss learning something because it wasn't addressed to them.

I learn things all the time nosing around on this board.

------------------
ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

R.I.P. #3
My favorite quote about D.E. "He can see air"

[This message has been edited by Engineboy (edited March 08, 2001).]

 

amen brotha! hehe, but yea, im quite sick of seeing that too in topics.. its offending, to me at least

 

that is my #1 pet peeve with people here. if i post i want everyone that knows, or has a thought to reply. if someone ask for a member by name and if i'm in a silly mood i'll reply and say "too bad i'm not so and so, i could of answered this one". i get e mails and icq messages on occasion from people asking me directly for some help or ideas. i always try to help then out and it flatters me that people don't know what a dumbass i really am and turn to me for help with a problem.

 

24 hours???? No, I do sleep and work (occasionally). Actually, I leave just leave my computer running all the time since I have DSL; so no, I don't monitor www.thirdgen.org 24 hours a day.

I have to agree that "personalized" messages on the boards are not in anyone's best interest. First, the "poster" is severely limiting his potential "solutions". Which may be bad because the "recipient" may not know the answer or only part of the answer.

Also, as you mention, we are not on here 24 hours a day (in spite of what you may think of me). Last week, I was gone the entire week on a business trip. So anyone seeking a response from me would have been sadly disappointed.

So I agree with you suggestion that a "poster" is best to address his post to the broadest audience possible to ensure the highest possibility of geting a "solution".

 

Ahh, I wish I was an idiot...


------------------
60 Ranchero - Project ( Money Hole )
85 Sport Coupe LG4 - Daily Driver
Click here to AIM me, <a href="aim:goim?screenname=Bort62&message=..."> Bort62 </a>.
Just another Hot Rod kid, or thats what they all tell me.
Livin' the Stereotype

[This message has been edited by Bort62 (edited March 09, 2001).]

 

...and don't forget to put a liberal coat of anti-sieze on the bolts...

------------------
'87 IROC 5.7l TPI - original owner!

 

I would find it an honor to be asked by name instead of someone who doesn't know sh*t. But I somewhat agree with you.

------------------
'87 Trans Am
305 TPI:
160 Degree Theremostat
Accel 300+ 8.8 Racing Wires
Accel Super Coil
Bosch Spark Plugs
Custom Ram Air with K&N

 

I agree with jobryan. I feel honored when someone asks for me in the thread by name. But I only read threads based on the subject, so make it interesting. I cant read them all.

------------------
West Coast GM Shootout 2001!
1991 Camaro Z28
5.7L 5-Speed (originally 305)
13.25 @ 107.18 MPH
Southern California
Member: SoCal 3rd Gen F-Bodies
Webmaster: SoCal F-Bodies
-=ICON Motorsports=-

 

Vader,

I think you are absolutely correct. There a few people here I have emailed directly with specific questions, and they have all been very helpful.

I also feel, from my own experiences, that if you ask one person, and accept information from only one source, you'll often not catch the whole picture, even if the information is correct.

I have learned an incredible amount of information about these great cars in a very short time just from reading these posts and spending a little time layin' on my back under a hot, fast girl - getting dirty!!! Believe me, if I can catch on, anybody can. I've got next to zero experience with cars in general, but deisel mechanic in the military for 4 years.

The message boards are great, and should be kept as a message board.....so I agree, people should ask questions to specific members through email.

The only specific question I saw that was interesting was to ODB, asking him how he was so quick with his set up..... MY 2c

 

Sure, it may be an honor to know that someone else thinks you know that much.. But what about the people it leaves out? How should they feel about it?

I agree with Vader.. This is a public forum, not a person-to-person email system. If you want to talk to specific person, use the email links, and don't clutter up the public board.

------------------
89 iroc-z 305 tbi
k&n filtercharger, open element air filter. nuffin' else

 

I really like the ones that go: "ATTN Joe Blow, or anyone else, need help with..."

Why not just say I need help with...

------------------
Rob
'86 TA 305 TPI
Gutted MAF, Ported Plenum
TB Bypass, Home made Cold Air Intake,
Edelbrock T.E.S.

 

Hey! wait a second.. this isn't a tech question! sneaky moderators, cheating the system and posting what they normally lock.

sorry, i couldn't help it. hehe rock on vader...

 

Christos,

Oh, oh! BUSTED!

Oh, well...it's still for the betterment of the system, I think.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Perhaps "idiot" was a stronger term than necessary, but I wanted and attention-getter. Apparently, it worked.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I know I asked for that one. Just wait until I get on a bender about MAF screens, synthetic engine oils, fuel additives, and "the Club".

------------------
Later,
Vader
------------------
"I'm'a do Things My Way - It's My way or the Highway."
Adobe Acrobat Reader

 

LOL, especially MAF screens and fuel additives!!



------------------
Looking For:

87 IROC-Z 350 TPI
84 TRANS AM 305 H.O.

 

Didn't even see my name, just saw "idiots" and figured somebody was talking about me.

Being the cruel world that it is, I have actually seen people reply to such posts w/ crude responses blatently stating they are not going to help, only because they are not the person asked for.

These, and all other message boards are a resource, and the resource is made strong by the minds of many. If I have 10 years of wrench turning experience, and Vader has 10 years, and ede has 10 years, and RB has 10 years, and Glenn has 10 years, thats 50 years experience between the five of us, chances are, we will be able to help.

Yeah, I do feel honored, but I come here to help, and if you really want help, just ask the question. If you like something I did, or how Vader does a particular thing, email them. I try to respond to as many emails as I can. If I didn't respond, email me again, I don't hold grudges, just work a full time job, have a wife, a daughter, and a thirdgen that needs my unconditional love. C-Ya.

------------------
If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen


ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA

'87 Trans Am
S/D TPI retrofit including functional PassKey,
22# injectors,
Whatever chip I feel like burning,
JET AFPR, Ported Plenum,
TB Coolant Bypass, Custom Cold Air,
SSM SFC, KYB Shocks, Boxed LCAs, Wonder Bar,
8mm Accel wires,
Flowmaster Exhaust,
16" GTA rims,
Corvette Servo,
--&gt;14.97 @ 94.9 MPH&lt;--

'97 Bonneville SSE

 

you know...up until the other day i agreed completely....BUT I HAVE COME TO RELY ON CERTAIN PEOPLE. just like vader used IDIOTS(and the parenthesis) to call attention to certain people....some people know that so and so (Vader) or (GMTech) will know the answer...or wants to ensure that they read it.....what grabs your attention more....your name or 1 topic out of umpteen thousand???????

 

you know i tihnk this is the first time anyone has eve ask for me by name, and it's with 5 other people. i think i've only posted once asking for someone by name and that was because i had something i knew they'd want to read.

------------------
ICON Motorsports

1st & 3rd

 

i agreed what gmtech has said. it pays to have all those experiences behind you when you got stuck on a 3rd gen problem, especially when you are working underneath a ton and half of pure muscle car.

 

OK. The "idiots" remarked got me in here also.

I just wish the members and especially the junior members would do a quick archive search before asking the same questions over and over. I get tired of typing the same responses I've typed the week before.

As you can see there is no e-mail flag on my message. I chose not to have it listed there. It is on top of the racing forum where it belongs and anyone who is a long time user should know to look there.

I wish I could read every message posted. I too only chose topics that look interesting. If I had to read every one posted especially on this forum, I would need to be here 24 hours.

 

(Vader no disrespect to you or anyone else just making a point)

Enkil,
I must say that I understand what you are saying but! When this post was put up was my name on there? No. (and I know I'm not being refered to as an "idiot") And was your name on there? No.(And I hope you don't think you're being refered to as an "idiot") So this post should have been e-mailed to the people that it was directed to right? So why was it posted instead of e-mailed? O.K. point made. Next I have seen maybe 3 Moderators in here responding at this time and everyone else are just average joe's just like you and me voicing our opinions on something that wasn't even directed to us. This is a public post and and is intended for everyones use. I think it does get annoying seeing names posted everywhere but I think it's just a way of "Catching Attention" just like this post did us. Did it stop us from voicing our thoughts on this matter because our names wasn't on the list? No. So why should it stop us from helping someone. I love this message board and I've really come to respect many people here (Vader,Ede,GMTech,RB,Glenn,EngineBoy) for their loyal devotion to help people and me. And where I can meet new people that have same thing in common with which is love for our cars. Some like red ones some like blue ones that is part of dealing with the the public. Example: There is one person that annoys the H**l out of me because he is a Smart*** and I'm name not stating his name. But every link I go to he's there and aways saying something really rude! And if someone wants to complain about something it should be about him and kicking his *** off the board for being so inmature, rude, and disrespectfull toward everyone. But he has as much right here as I do. So who am I to say. So let's learn and help others and try to ignore these things and these "idiots"(refering to the one I stated earlier)

 

OK, since this post is getting alot more of every1's opinions, I'm going to give some too.

I agree with Vader about how alot of dudes are making posts just for certain guys, but then again I don't. Sometimes it sucks, but sometimes its good. I agree when some1 does a post like, "Vader: what should I set my TPS to," thats stupid. There are lots of guys here that can answer that, but when some1 asks a question like, "Vader and every1: what cam should I get", I think thats kinda OK. By saying it like that, u are asking for every1's opinion, but u want Vader to read it because u know he will tell u the correct 1 to get, or has really good opinions about it, and if u don't put VADER in it, he might not read it.

Heres a good example. I talked to Vader in the chat room about his opinions on how to get an L98 into the 11's-12's, and he had some good information about it. I didn't say too much, I just wanted to hear his opinions. So, I made a post on the Tech board about the AFR heads he suggested to me. https://www.thirdgen.org/messgboard/...ML/006490.html Did he reply and state some more opinions and compare to others, no, there were other topics ahead of it getting lots of answers then, but, if I put VADER in the topic, he most likely would have seen it and replied. So before u say EVERY1 shouldn't do that, u should think maybe it isn't always BS and sometimes good.

------------------
Looking For:

87 IROC-Z 350 TPI
84 TRANS AM 305 H.O.

[This message has been edited by IROCZTWENTYGR8 (edited March 10, 2001).]

 

I learn so much from just reading the posts. I'll see something and say, "my car is doing that" and check it out. I add my .02 cents when I think it will help. I agree, if you have a question for a specific person, just e-mail them the question. I guess I have learned to filter out the idiot responses and know who has the knowledge on the boards.

------------------
Rob P
89RSconvtZZ4TPI
Edelbrock Hi-Flow Intake
SLP Dual Cold Air Intake
1 5/8" Headers
Semi-Siamesed Runners
MSD6AL/relocated MAT/ AdjFPR/IROC frnt@rear swaybar/wonderbar/steeringbox/alum drvshaft/ Alston SFC/3:23posi disc rear/MAC LCA/H.Adams Panhard Rod/KYB struts/ shocks/
92Z28convt5spd
71Impala convt 402BB
BETTER DRIVING THRU SUPERIOR HORSEPOWER!

 

Another thing I find funny.....the internet is a great place for people who don't know as much as they want you to think they know......It's almost as if Vader has created a "higher" ring of "Idiots" with this email (notice the caps in Idiots).

Some people were left out of the "Idiots" ring of honor and feel just that, left out. Everybody on this board has been very helpful, and I certainly am below even the left out idiots I just find it funny what grabs people's attention, the subject of the string, or whether or not someone was included in the "Idiot's" ring.....

NO FLAME INTENDED, just a little irony.

Hey guys, look at me I'm guilty of the same thing that I find ironic about this string!!!! We all are, other wise we wouldn't be interested in helping people on this message board.

 

Gruve,

I tried to be inclusive, but couldn't list EVERYONE on the board.

We all have skills and experiences to offer. I think I understand what you are saying, and I agree that no one should be left out - that was the point of the post. Everyone should be included and not discouraged from participating.

I apologize if I might have omitted some notable names from the "idiot" list. (Man, that has to be a first...) I just wanted an attention-grabbing topic line. I know the ODB, GhoSST, Red Devil, and about 2,000 other come to mind, but the purpose was not to form classes of distinctions among the members. I've just noticed thee people getting a lot of direct posts in the past. Personally, I think we can do better by including everyone as much as possible, and use email or ICQ for the personal requests.

And after all, it was just my opinion.

------------------
Later,
Vader
------------------
"I'm'a do Things My Way - It's My way or the Highway."
Adobe Acrobat Reader

 

Vader,
Do you use those MAF screens to filter the anti-seize to make it suitable fo pancakes? LOL

I sort of disagree with you on this. I like the idea of using (for example) "Everyone and vader, My car is". The reason people do this is so that the particular person mentioned will reply. I know that I will usually read those posts anyway, just to see if I might know something that someone feels they needed to ask a certain individual about because of their experience in that area. If I can answer what they are asking about, it gives me an ego boost (we all like those!)

I think that maybe there should be some reminders to search the archives before posting. I know I don't always do this myself, but have kept from having to post by doing so. I read many of the posts on here, and remember many of the questions that are asked (like what kind of anti-seize is best on waffles! LOL)

Just for the record, I read this post because Vader posted it, and I thought he knew everything!

------------------
Working on:
'84 Z28 LG4 305 with 200,000 original miles!
Added dual elec fans.
145 MPH IROC Speedo
Building 430 HP 350 (ZZ430)
using primarily GMPP parts.
Short block sitting on a stand.

Starting to look like the Kicker poster child!

ASE Certified Master Tech

 

I think the reason why I have only a few posts compared to others is because I search and read more than I type "I can't help..." That to me doesn't make any sence and that is why I hate people that side with the guys with the most posts.
I agree with JP84Z430HP (did AOL give you that member name?lol), he makes a good point about how you want a specific person to help you. It is on a message board because everybody can reply, not like if you put a name in the subject then ONLY he can reply. It's done because we want to get the attention of a person but also want everybody to read it and learn from it. I recently posted on the Electronics board to Tim (a great guy). In my post I asked him specifically to reply with an electronics schimatic for a few things. I didn't e-mail him because I felt like it should be public knowledge if anybody else wanted to build it. That way he posts it once and it's IN the search. It saves him the time so he doesn't get 10 e-mails asking the same kind of question.
Does anybody else see it my way or am I an "idiot." Another thing PLEASE spell a lot with a space. It's not alot, that isn't a word! Another thing, it's single plane, not plain and edelbrock torker, not torquer!!! Do I make myself clear? lol

------------------
, Jon (91 RS too many mods to list)

 

I guess Im one of the 'others'

I think its more how its worded... Maybe if you titled it "Help my cars engine fell out, Vader please look" would work better from both aspects. The name is still up there to grab attention, but IMO it doesnt look directed at that person, but you would like them to see it and respond as well. The way they are all worded now its "My engine died, Vader help me" which is totally directed at one person, not all.

I think we all have .02 to offer, and thats good. Theres always another way, or a trick, or some knowledge that one person has that another doesnt. Just some know more of them than others.

 

max you bring up a good way of making the subject apply to anyone and still ask for vader to take a look.

------------------
ICON Motorsports

1st & 3rd

 

No it sould not have, it was posted to make people aware of a few things. This seems like an appropriate time to re-post this...

https://www.thirdgen.org/messgboard/...ML/005101.html

Now, I never forwarded it to Dirk, however, if anyone wants to, feel free. I think this post covered bunches.
On this topic, well, I beleive the space could be used better. Also alot of us do not even visit daily due to time constraints. If your subject is clearly defined in your title, chances are you will get quicker and better responses.

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"A lawyer with his briefcase can steal more than a hundred men with guns."

-Mario Puzo