Forum etiquette

[looknlearn]

You've been getting lots of good suggestions, BUT,

As for the unspoken rules on this forum - we can't talk about them..........

I wondered when I started this thread if anybody would say that.:laughing:

I have also have seen that if you start a thread on a project, it is good to show some pictures. Like the "no pix, it never happened" idea.

At least for me it helps a lot. Someone can explain to me something and often I won't get it unless I see pictures.

 

[jimmyj]

You guys have covered most of the stuff but one thing I find a bit frustrating is if a respondent posts a negative opinion with no other context. Things like "I disagree with that".

If you disagree, fine, and hopefully I can learn from why you disagree but please explain. If it's just a difference of opinion, what's the added value?

 

[jgrreed]

Hi Guys,

I'm guilty of a few of these, so for that, I'm sorry. Please let me share a few thoughts.

Double-Posts and response to Newbies:

My first post on here was before I even owned my machine. I was asking about how easy it was to add options. I had no idea how a forum worked, or how TBN worked. I made the mistake of "double posting" in both the JD forum and the Customization forum, as I didn't know where it belonged, or if it would be seen by those that could help me. I was scolded, quite quickly, by someone with several thousand posts.

It's a pretty intimidating place at first. It's like a young punk trying plop himself down at a table full of seasoned, salt and pepper, wise old guys at the local coffee shop in the middle of a conversation about who made the bearing for a tensioner on a 542 Cockshutt!!

Double posts are a pain, but be gentle about "correcting", especially a newbie.

"Long Winded Posts":

If someone has taken the time to type out 100 lines on a topic to help another, it should be commended, not discouraged. Some answers can be articulated in 1 line, some need 50.

"ALL CAPS":

I don't see anything wrong with this, when used appropriately. It represents excited, animated speech.

Now, if you don't know how to take your caps lock off, please consult a more tech-savvy friend so you're not yelling at us ALL OF THE TIME!!!

"Bringing up old posts":

Weellllllll..... How do you want it? Do you want old posts to stay dead, or do you want people to search previous threads to avoid repeat Q's???

I agree that if you're ranting about, let's say, Alan Jackson's house (as i did 2 weeks ago), months after the last shot was taken, don't do it.

Repeat Questions on common problems:

Searching is tough at times. TBN's search doesn't have a "did you mean" algorithm like google does, so if you can't remember the exact alphanumeric string you read 4 months ago, you're screwed.

Some threads are HUUUUGGGE!!! Anyone wanna talk flail mowers?? Or tell me about your towing rigs and trailers?? Good luck finding what Darin said about the tongue weight on his 20' flatdeck in feb of '09.

Muhammed, how about a separate section of TBN for "expert summaries" on common topics. These could be commented on and suggestions made from others, but would still be as short and concise as possible to help those with specific Q's. There are many, many threads on worklights, many on adding hydro circuits, and apparently many on "it won't start".

I put up a "How to think about adding a hydraulic circuit" thread a few days ago, asked/begged for input, and got next to nothing. (thanks Ken). I also suggested a "how to think about worklights" and "how to think about a high flow PTO driven hydro project". Again, no response.

TBN is a community, a big, and nice, community. In any community those that are apathetic, shouldn't complain.

Swearing and PC-ness:

I personally am not in agreeance with the current TBN stance on this, but this isn't "my" site!! I sometimes used profanity to get my point across. I also use sarcasm and pop-culture references. Some laugh at it, and a few take offense. I hope the former got a chuckle and a smile, and for the latter, I'm sorry......well, not really.

I doubt anyone here would stand up and say that being racist, sexist, or otherwise, is OK on TBN, or anywhere. Although i do recall a heated discussion on whether or not it's ok to have some/many drinks and then drive.....

We have to live within the owners wishes and rules, and until one of us less-PC people steps up, purchases the site, and administrates it, we have to conform.

I do have a real problem with the possibilty of posts that are justifiably negative toward a TBN sponsor being removed. This allows poor business practices to be masked with cash. That's not cool. It's just my opinion, but it's still not cool.



Please remember that most are here to help, to share, and to make friends. Those of you that aren't, please change, or go elsewhere.

Sorry for the long winded post. I hope it wasn't a repeat!!!

-Jer.

 

[Bird]

Naturally, everyone should try to follow the forum rules, but if you have a post removed and/or you get "scolded" as some say, don't take it personally or worry about it. Even some of us moderators (yep, myself included) have had posts removed, and of course they should have been.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

Sooo.....if you reply to a post that gets deleted do you lose the count for those.
and then if you start one that gets deleted do you get all the responses subtracted from your score

 

[jgrreed]

Naturally, everyone should try to follow the forum rules, but if you have a post removed and/or you get "scolded" as some say, don't take it personally or worry about it. Even some of us moderators (yep, myself included) have had posts removed, and of course they should have been.

Bird, not sure if you were responding to me or not, but if you were.....

Being 'scolded' for profanity I can understand, and I don't take personally, well at least after I'm done my 10 deep breaths....

My point was to try and remember what it was like being on the 'outside' of this large, knowledgeable, and very intimidating forum - and make new members as welcome as possible. It's the same as walking into a welding shop and asking them if they can make you up 'one of those thingies, you know, the thingy....' or a hanger full of old bush pilots and asking 'is this where I come to learn how to fly'.

You're a friendly guy, so this doesn't apply to you, but there are some on here that offer tremendous wisdsom, but it feels like it's coming along with a stern stare over someone's reading glasses because you've bothered them during their afternoon coffee.

-Jer.

 

[arrow]

I find it irritating when someone feels they need to answer a post with incredulity such as "why would you care about such a thing" or "So?". First off I do not think anyone is helped by what someone else thinks as unimportant and because everyone does not ponder on things the same way, I do not think it is in the least bit of etiquette domain to regard someone else's post as unimportant with your own thought process. If you feel that way then don't address the post instead of pinning it with your self righteous indignation or ridicule of how a person could have the audacity to ask such a thing.

 

[LostInTheWoods]

You're a friendly guy, so this doesn't apply to you, but there are some on here that offer tremendous wisdsom, but it feels like it's coming along with a stern stare over someone's reading glasses because you've bothered them during their afternoon coffee.

-Jer.

Tone can be difficult to convey with the written word, but you're on to something. Often, you'll see some poster (usually a new poster) ask a question about, oh, let's say flail mowers.

There are some that immediately jump on the poor guy..."Here we go again", "this has been covered ad nauseum", "if you'd just use the **** search button", etc. You could simply try to direct him to the right place. Especially if he's new, how does he know how many times this has been covered? Is he even tech-savvy? Does he even realize there is a way to search the forums?

A simple "Hey, so-and-so, this is a subject you can probably find a lot of info on by using the 'search' function. If you're still having trouble, try posting a question under the 'XYZ' forum" is sufficient.

I'm still pretty new, but I use the search function and often still don't get the clarification I'm looking for. Not too long ago, I had an issue with the throttle on my tractor and found out I needed to adjust the "throttle lever friction adjustment". OOO-Kay. Not being mechanical, I posted what I had found out after searching but needed further clarification.

For all the mechanicl engeniers, mechanics, and fourth-generation farmers on TBN, I suppose it can get monotonus answering the same questions time after time. But having active discussions for us neophytes is nice. And you get a very big "Thank you" from me.

If you feel too put-out to answer the guy's question civily, then like Mom always said, "if you don't have anything nice to say..."

 

[mostly_gas]

Sooo.....if you reply to a post that gets deleted do you lose the count for those.
and then if you start one that gets deleted do you get all the responses subtracted from your score

No you post count stays the same.

 

[jgrreed]

If you feel too put-out to answer the guy's question civily, then like Mom always said, "if you don't have anything nice to say..."

Well said.

It's interesting, because as in face-to-face life, once you pass the "you're alright kid" test, they're you're lifelong friends and the best resource you could ever ask for!!

I wonder if I'll become one of those intimidating old guys??? Maybe I already am.....???!! Na, I've got the grumpy down, just don't know enough yet.

-Jer.