Mod Warning on Thread Content

[northcoast]

I have done some far-less-trafficked site moderating in the past, and it's not easy, to say the least. It's a tall order, so a tip of the cap to the mods.

But I have to say, the way some of these issues are handled, quite frankly, have me afraid to post.

I got crushed for gently asking about factory torques being difficult on the oil change write up thread. I remember specifically reading the original post, going thru like the first 7 pages or so, and just ended up asking the question. At that point, I figured someone could answer it a lot faster than going through the other 500 posts. Why did I need to know about factory torques? I'm a buck-75, and I can hit 245 on the bench, but that said, I'm genetically arthritic, and can't open a jar of pickles some days. So getting under the truck and wrestling with a filter that's on super tight might have me hosed. Plus, I've had a cascade of life events that has me really busy (I know, we're all busy, but the life balance here is toast lately), so I want to know if I try to change my oil at 9pm at night when I can fit it in, am I going to get into a bind by not being able to finish with my limited tool and knowledge set? But to someone on the outside, that may look like a sophomoric question from a noob, when in the end, there's a lot of layers behind it.

The point of that story? I'd be willing to bet a lot of users are not being lazy with their new posts or previously-answered questions, but there's a small cost-benefit analysis going on. Search for 20 minutes and maybe only find things that are close to what you want answered or just throw it out there?

There's a tough balance there, and I'm board with the searching first... it has helped me tremendously-- most of my questions have been answered that way. But don't forget... users that are doing the things that have been done many times before and have 4 lengthy threads on the same topic may actually want to engage in internet conversation in said covered topic. Isn't that the point of a forum? That person missed out on it 2 years ago when he or she didn't even have the truck yet. Then it becomes a no-win sometimes. Either "Search!" or, "Dude, you revived a 2 year old thread?"

The olive branch goes a long way.

I appreciate the moderators' hard work and all the write ups. Thanks to all.

 

[1engineer]

I have done some far-less-trafficked site moderating in the past, and it's not easy, to say the least. It's a tall order, so a tip of the cap to the mods.

But I have to say, the way some of these issues are handled, quite frankly, have me afraid to post.

I got crushed for gently asking about factory torques being difficult on the oil change write up thread. I remember specifically reading the original post, going thru like the first 7 pages or so, and just ended up asking the question. At that point, I figured someone could answer it a lot faster than going through the other 500 posts. Why did I need to know about factory torques? I'm a buck-75, and I can hit 245 on the bench, but that said, I'm genetically arthritic, and can't open a jar of pickles some days. So getting under the truck and wrestling with a filter that's on super tight might have me hosed. Plus, I've had a cascade of life events that has me really busy (I know, we're all busy, but the life balance here is toast lately), so I want to know if I try to change my oil at 9pm at night when I can fit it in, am I going to get into a bind by not being able to finish with my limited tool and knowledge set? But to someone on the outside, that may look like a sophomoric question from a noob, when in the end, there's a lot of layers behind it.

The point of that story? I'd be willing to bet a lot of users are not being lazy with their new posts or previously-answered questions, but there's a small cost-benefit analysis going on. Search for 20 minutes and maybe only find things that are close to what you want answered or just throw it out there?

There's a tough balance there, and I'm board with the searching first... it has helped me tremendously-- most of my questions have been answered that way. But don't forget... users that are doing the things that have been done many times before and have 4 lengthy threads on the same topic may actually want to engage in internet conversation in said covered topic. Isn't that the point of a forum? That person missed out on it 2 years ago when he or she didn't even have the truck yet. Then it becomes a no-win sometimes. Either "Search!" or, "Dude, you revived a 2 year old thread?"

The olive branch goes a long way.

I appreciate the moderators' hard work and all the write ups. Thanks to all.

Personally, I like to help people who try to help themselves. Sometimes I get it wrong, because all we see are words on a page. But, when I see a guy who has a question and has posted links and still can't find the answer? I help him.

I also help the guy who clearly shows he knows nothing and is not afraid to admit it.

I also answer questions from guys who answer questions too, because I know they have searched exhaustively first.

The guys with the attitude that the world owes him instant answers and has an attitude? A big fat nope.

The guys who tell me how busy they are and don't have time to look up an answer? Huh. I drove 1000 miles this week in my 4Runner. I went to two job sites, met our techs to oversee a machine start up and then drove to the home office and sat through endless meetings. I was hosing mud off the 4Runner one night (job site mud) at some no name car wash because I knew I would be hauling upper management around the next day. I was in three different hotels this week. Four days I had business breakfasts, lunches and dinners. I rolled in to home last night at 11 pm after driving the last 305 mile leg in rain.

Tell me how you are too busy to search and want me to answer because its my "job."

 

[northcoast]

Personally, I like to help people who try to help themselves. Sometimes I get it wrong, because all we see are words on a page. But, when I see a guy who has a question and has posted links and still can't find the answer? I help him.

I also help the guy who clearly shows he knows nothing and is not afraid to admit it.

I also answer questions from guys who answer questions too, because I know they have searched exhaustively first.

The guys with the attitude that the world owes him instant answers and has an attitude? A big fat nope.

The guys who tell me how busy they are and don't have time to look up an answer? Huh. I drove 1000 miles this week in my 4Runner. I went to two job sites, met our techs to oversee a machine start up and then drove to the home office and sat through endless meetings. I was hosing mud off the 4Runner one night (job site mud) at some no name car wash because I knew I would be hauling upper management around the next day. I was in three different hotels this week. Four days I had business breakfasts, lunches and dinners. I rolled in to home last night at 11 pm after driving the last 305 mile leg in rain.

Tell me how you are too busy to search and want me to answer because its my "job."

That's just it. I don't think it is your job per se to answer all questions. You do more than your fair share. I also know that you are solving problems users didn't know they had by keeping this site organized and helpful. I swear, I'm on your side.

As far as being busy goes...who knows, maybe you handle the load better than I do. I have a geriatric father in law 3 hours away who just lost a kidney and has kidney and bladder cancer. My dad 4 hours away is geriatric and is recovering poorly from a shattered hip. I'm still closing out my Mom's estate from her passing. I'm a rotating shift worker. Oh yeah, I have a 2 year old :/ meanwhile, zero family help on either side except for my brother who is also hours away.

My point is not to get in a pissing match about whose life is harder. Just to show that behind some mundane questions might be some stress and other complications. My post wasn't necessarily directed at you, either, but to what I call site elders. Again, your knowledge of these trucks is jealousy-inducing. I just don't want to be afraid to ask a question for fear of missing it in a search or sounding like I shouldn't go near a vehicle with a wrench.

Seriously, keep up the good work. I promise not to ever ask a wheel and tire question

Cheers.

 

[RedSled]

Personally, I like to help people who try to help themselves. Sometimes I get it wrong, because all we see are words on a page. But, when I see a guy who has a question and has posted links and still can't find the answer? I help him.

I also help the guy who clearly shows he knows nothing and is not afraid to admit it.

I also answer questions from guys who answer questions too, because I know they have searched exhaustively first.

The guys with the attitude that the world owes him instant answers and has an attitude? A big fat nope.

The guys who tell me how busy they are and don't have time to look up an answer? Huh. I drove 1000 miles this week in my 4Runner. I went to two job sites, met our techs to oversee a machine start up and then drove to the home office and sat through endless meetings. I was hosing mud off the 4Runner one night (job site mud) at some no name car wash because I knew I would be hauling upper management around the next day. I was in three different hotels this week. Four days I had business breakfasts, lunches and dinners. I rolled in to home last night at 11 pm after driving the last 305 mile leg in rain.

Tell me how you are too busy to search and want me to answer because its my "job."

I for one appreciate what you guys do, i do not ask many questions on here because for the most part i am to busy reading the write ups. There is a lot of great info. here if you just take the time to look, yeah i get frustrated some times reading through some of the endless posts, but hey sometimes it diverts me, or side tracks me to some more interesting stuff. Anyway, keep on keeping on this is a great forum, and thanks to all who donate the time to make it this way.