Forum Courtesy

[namyessam]

I have always been disappointed with the fighting and personel attacks on opinions and information posted in this forum. Very early on I responded to a thread stating this very problem. I stated in that thread that we were all here trying to help each other and the bickering and back stabbing is destroying the forum. People are obviously leaving and we are losing valuable experience because certain people have "attitutes". I have witnessed numerous outright verbal attacks on what is posted. Unfortunately some information posted are peoples opinions and personal experiences and not one coming from a trained professional in the field of discussion. The problem continues and is getting worse.

I am getting disappointed in some of the first time posters that ask a question and they get several answers, some requiring very detailed investigation and containing very long explanations. The OP sometimes never ever even checks for answers to their questions or replys back with a thankyou or answers if or not the information helped solved their problem.

I have been personally attacked and questioned as to my backround experience when I replied to a thread. I would venture to guess a great majority of posters are not professional tractor mechanics that practice their trade on a daily basis. I would guess the majority of us are tractor owners that have gained most of our knowledge repairing automobiles, tractors and lawn equipment.

Recently I replied to a thread where the OP stated that he had absolutely no experience in the area of his question. I responded that I did not think that his idea would work and explained why based on my personal experience and from information gained from far more experienced people on this forum. I questioned the OP on very specific details on how his equipment was built and confirmed how it operated so I could have confidence that I was giving accurate information to the best of my ability with the information the OP gave me.

In the end the OP lashed out at me saying I did not know what I was talking about, was giving out unsafe information that would get someome hurt, it was egotistical nonsense, baseless, absurd, and flat out insulting. What came out of this post is that in the end the conclusions he came up with were exactly what I was trying to get across to him but would not allow himself to try to understand what I was saying. His post started out asking questions about a specific product he was wanting to use, and any other information that would be helpfull, I did not have any experience with the product, but did have information on the system he was trying to build. He then went ahead and tore everything apart and figured out for himself what he wanted to know. I don't know still if his idea's will work and I have some other suggestions that may help but too bad for him, I'll never divulge that information. I don't know why he bothered wasting his time posting his question and then tell me I did not know what I was talking about when I was the only one to respond with usefull information. I have no idea what these people expect. I included some very basic information early in the thread not knowing the OP's backround, length of tractor ownership and experience. I even stated that I did not want to insult him but he obviously was.

I have resisted in replying to other threads since then and there are at least three other current threads asking for similar information. I have no desire to participate in this forum if thats the way people are going to react and behave. Some of you will probably say "Good Riddance" but it will be your loss, and also mine.

SEE YA
namyessam

 

[aczlan]

Sadly, there are many people on here (and in the world) who lack common courtesy and don't seem to know how to respectfully disagree with someone else who is trying to help them.
Not much that can be done about it though. If they are really nasty, report the post and let the moderators take a look at it.

Aaron Z

 

[murphy1244]

Sam I think your skills will be missed but I can't understand how you would let that yawho get under your skin. This is the internet, you can be what ever you want to be but so can them also. Stick around I need 135 people.

 

[adirondackmtnman]

I think that in this forum, we have a mix of ego, experience,knowledge, ignorance, know-it-alls, 'I Must have the last word'ers, but honestly, it's no different than anywhere else in the real world, save for the fact that we are veiled behind the internet. There are many on the prowl here who spew absolute garbage, sometimes to the point of being dangerous, and others who will try to instigate an argument just for the sake of it, and anywhere else in the world would receive a knuckle sandwich in return...My point? In short, your experience is valuable. Even if the OP, or someone else finds fault with it. I have had to develop a little thicker skin at times on here, but I can say I've had way more fun giving and receiving advice and even at times just saying dumb stuff(i.e. the infamous 'post counts not rising' thread.) Stay around. It'll be worth it. ;-)

Sent from my LGL35G using TractorByNet

 

[dragoneggs]

Hi Sam or whoever... sorry to see you go! Believe it or not this site is the most respectful of the forums I have participated in. Yes there are a few bad apples and sometimes even well meaning posts can be taken wrong. It is a difficult thing to communicate the written word. No way to tell the mood or whether it is in jest or whatever. That said, my guess is that the vast majority here are great people who mean well. Some can't express as well as others, and some have far more experience than others, but that is what makes this place what it is. Good luck to you and I am sorry you feel this way. I hope you are not basing your decision to 'leave' on one OP or thread. But you do have to have a bit of thick skin here for those who just don't get it.

Personally, I am grateful for this site and the expertise, insight, and humor of others. I hope I have contributed at least my fair share! :2cents:

 

[square1]

Believe it or not this site is the most respectful of the forums I have participated in.

:yes:

 

[brain55]

As an equipment mechanic with nearly 27 years of experience I try to refrain from answering a lot of questions that maybe too model specific. I also try to keep away from situations where the question has already been answered, even when I know the response will take the OP in the wrong direction, in order to avoid the conflict. Sometimes I have to work really hard at not thanking people for correcting me, that apparently I've been doing things wrong for the last 27 years. Personalities here and on discussion boards in general, keep me from posting more. I let the self-important have their fun while shaking my head.

Brian

 

[toppop52]

Brian, I forget your background experience, maybe I'll PM you for advice sometimes if you don't mind. I'm a backyard hack with a lot of experience(skinned knuckles), to prove it. I get into less than dignified conversations in politics and religion and I'm trying to stay away from those now. otherwise, I'm Mr. Niceguy!

 

[brain55]

Brian, I forget your background experience, maybe I'll PM you for advice sometimes if you don't mind. I'm a backyard hack with a lot of experience(skinned knuckles), to prove it. I get into less than dignified conversations in politics and religion and I'm trying to stay away from those now. otherwise, I'm Mr. Niceguy!

I started out working on German cars after I completed auto/diesel trade school. In the summer of '87 the local Kubota dealer needed a mechanic on a day I needed a job. Up to that point I had zero tractor experience. I took to it very quickly and spent the next 12+ years at that dealership and another one. Then I ventured out on my own with my own mobile equipment repair business. One of my customers ended up getting big enough that I ended up exclusively working for him for 8 years through the housing boom and collapse. Now I've been back on my own the last 5 years. Kubotas are what I know best but I have worked on a large variety of equipment and still do.

Brian

 

[crackerjack222]

"The OP sometimes never ever even checks for answers to their questions or replys back with a thankyou or answers if or not the information helped solved their problem."

I almost posted that same complaint but you did it for me.
Many replies here take a considerable amount of thought and effort. When the OP does not acknowledge the help, it discourages those who could be of great help.

Folks, please reply with an answer that tells how the problem was resolved.

Also, when asking a question, please make an effort to include a detailed description of whatever you are having a problem with. The more information you give, the better answers you will get.
To say " my AC is blowing hot air, what do I do?" or "my well is not putting out water, what do I do?" is NOT the way to ask a question that will get helpful answers.

OK, rant off.....

 

[brain55]

This is also why I don't respond to a first post. I know from experience that if the answer they wanted to hear wasn't posted in the first 5 minutes, they'll never be back. I will occasionally answer them if it can be done with 1 or 2 sentences.

The phenomenon of not enough information is not limited to discussion boards. It happens to me all of the time. Just recently I received a call from one of my regular customers about a sub-compact track-loader not starting. "We turn the key to start but nothing happens". So I head out thinking I was going to see an electrical problem. Sure enough it wouldn't crank over. What they left out though was the machine had rolled over 4 times down a hill. The reason it wouldn't crank over was that the cylinders were filled with oil. The air filters were also completely oil soaked. Since I was expecting an electrical problem I didn't bother to make sure I had filters with me.

Brian

 

[Rock knocker]

I have always been disappointed with the fighting and personel attacks on opinions and information posted in this forum. Very early on I responded to a thread stating this very problem. I stated in that thread that we were all here trying to help each other and the bickering and back stabbing is destroying the forum. People are obviously leaving and we are losing valuable experience because certain people have "attitutes". I have witnessed numerous outright verbal attacks on what is posted. Unfortunately some information posted are peoples opinions and personal experiences and not one coming from a trained professional in the field of discussion. The problem continues and is getting worse.

I am getting disappointed in some of the first time posters that ask a question and they get several answers, some requiring very detailed investigation and containing very long explanations. The OP sometimes never ever even checks for answers to their questions or replys back with a thankyou or answers if or not the information helped solved their problem.

I have been personally attacked and questioned as to my backround experience when I replied to a thread.

This is the internet, and you can't have a thin skin. It would be nice if you stayed, but if you have to go, so be it.

I think this must be the thread that has you so upset: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/hydraulics/307318-control-valve-confusion-2.html

Kind of weird on both parties part. First the OP says that he is correct about something, then you throw up your hands, proclaiming to him "this is the last you'll hear of me". Both of you seem to be drama queens, just like this post, where you are making yourself the center of attention over a non-slight by some cranky old goat.

That's life, get over it.

 

[rsallen]

This is also why I don't respond to a first post. I know from experience that if the answer they wanted to hear wasn't posted in the first 5 minutes, they'll never be back. I will occasionally answer them if it can be done with 1 or 2 sentences.

The phenomenon of not enough information is not limited to discussion boards. It happens to me all of the time. Just recently I received a call from one of my regular customers about a sub-compact track-loader not starting. "We turn the key to start but nothing happens". So I head out thinking I was going to see an electrical problem. Sure enough it wouldn't crank over. What they left out though was the machine had rolled over 4 times down a hill. The reason it wouldn't crank over was that the cylinders were filled with oil. The air filters were also completely oil soaked. Since I was expecting an electrical problem I didn't bother to make sure I had filters with me.

Brian

Too funny Brian.
I can see it now.
After quitting the shop, packing up tools and 30 or 45 minute drive..........then after arriving "oh by the way we wrecked it before the problem started."
Hahahahahahahaha!
Too funny

 

[ovrszd]

I'm not dogpiling here Sam. Just an observation. I think you should have typed the opening post in this thread, read thru it a couple times, then deleted it and moved on. I've lost track of the number of times I've done that. Tends to minimize the confrontations and hurt feelings.

When I post what I think is valuable information or answers to a problem/question I expect nothing in return. Minimizes the anxiety. Might give someone assistance that never responds, if so, that's great, if not, that's great too.

Another thing that really turns me off is when someone says "I'm out" or "I'm leaving" or "Over and out" or whatever. If a poster is done, just be done. No one needs the drama of threatening to leave. Just loses credibility for that poster.

I value every member on TBN. But I fully understand that if I vanished from this site today, I would rarely be spoken of or missed and after 6 months few would remember my name.

 

[brain55]

Too funny Brian.
I can see it now.
After quitting the shop, packing up tools and 30 or 45 minute drive..........then after arriving "oh by the way we wrecked it before the problem started."
Hahahahahahahaha!
Too funny

I didn't even get the "oh by the way" I deduced it on my own from the imprints in the side of the hill and the hydraulic oil on the ground. When I called the foreman to tell him it was fixed and let him know what happened, he told me he had just found out from his guys. Then a few days later I was in their office and the owner asked if it was fixed and what had happened. Let's just say I'm glad I wasn't the one getting that call from him.

Brian

 

[MoKelly]

Just my 2 cents.

I think it is a very good skill in life to learn to simply ignore comments on these type of forums that are not nice. Just try to be helpful and if it doesn't work out, well, just move on and try to help the next guy.

Its like I tell my sons (2 teenagers who can get bent out of shape by others comments), never let someone else's words control your life or make you do something you otherwise wouldn't do.

It is certainly easier to ignore these type of people on an internet forum than in real life.

Don't let others control what you want to enjoy or your desire to help others who may be in a bind.

MoKelly

 

[Pixguy]

Just my 2 cents.

I think it is a very good skill in life to learn to simply ignore comments on these type of forums that are not nice. Just try to be helpful and if it doesn't work out, well, just move on and try to help the next guy.

Its like I tell my sons (2 teenagers who can get bent out of shape by others comments), never let someone else's words control your life or make you do something you otherwise wouldn't do.

It is certainly easier to ignore these type of people on an internet forum than in real life.

Don't let others control what you want to enjoy or your desire to help others who may be in a bind.

MoKelly

Great advise that I tried to teach my kids as well. It's not always easy but good stuff, thanks!

 

[Rock knocker]

I don't even know why one would even care what Elder Massey says, he isn't right in the head

 

[CosperTractor]

Some forum rules and volunteer moderators are a must for any message board.
It looks like there are plenty of good guys and gals who are core members who would be happy to help out I would dare to guess.

Donald

 

[brain55]

Could you restrict your animosity to the Friendly Politics forum? Most of us are here to help, learn, or simply have a good time. Posts like this are really becoming a drag...

Agreed, there's a reason I unsubscribed from the "friendly" politics forum.

Brian