What makes a TBN member's advice more credible to you?

[dmccarty]

I read what someone has to say. There is a new guy on the Wild and Wooley World of Oil forum who posted some information that I thought was really good. I looked to see if he was a regular but he is/was a new guy with a low post count. He might have a low post count but when he is talking about oil his TBNC is pretty high.

I don't block people on forums. I have come close a few times but I can just page down when I see a certain name. :laughing: TBNC is low for a few people which is a statement of about the quality of people on TBN. There ain't that many people with low TBNC.

On the other hand, I have also disagreed with TBNers with high TBNC when discussing certain projects/subjects. Sometimes you just have to decide to go one way or the other. :laughing:

Later,
Dan

 

[MasseyWV]

Content and consensus mean something too.

Content is one of the most important indicators about the accuracy of any information which is given, but that's the point I was trying to make.

Consensus may seem like a good indicator, but it isn't very reliable because of many things, including what I call the "sheeple effect". Time and time again, I've seen a forum thread where people would be responding with a variety of different advice/opinions, until someone comes along and says something that changes the entire course of the thread. Suddenly, the responses all seem to be offshoots of that one response, as if everyone suddenly had the same idea, which is highly unlikely.

I agree, but you won't know that they are "Einsteins" until you have a chance to become exposed to more of their posts. Say I am asking a question about an older Ford tractor and I get two different answers. One of those answers comes from Soundguy and one comes form a member making his/her first post. Which advice do you suppose I will take and why?

That's not necessarily true. The content of someones post (first or otherwise) can speak volumes about them. Is it well written? Is it clear and easy to read? Is it full of spelling and grammar errors? Did they include enough information? Does it actually make sense?

Generally speaking, I don't like to name members specifically, but since you mentioned Soundguy, who happens to be the current top poster on TBN, I'll say that he definitely knows his stuff. However, he is the exception, rather than the rule.

I think the wealth in this site lies in its comradery as much as it does in its knowledge base.

Comradery is a good thing, but only to a certain extent. Too much comradery and you end up with Facebook. Too little comradery and the site becomes dull and uninteresting. The key is finding the right balance between the two. It's safe to say that most people come to a site like TBN looking for information, so it stands to reason that information should be more important than comradery. More wheat, less chaff.

The Quality/Quantity thing is not so clear cut in my eyes. Mind you I am not saying that I would take everything from a high post count member as gospel. Just as I would not discount somebodies advice purely due to a low post count.

I guess that I just think that there are several factors involved and no magic equation.

That's understandable, because it's very easy for post counts and membership dates to be misleading about the quality of any information provided, but content is always king.

 

[Triguy1]

I don't look at post count. I'll read every comment and find it's pretty easy to tell who knows what they are talking about and who is offering advice without any real experience, or very limited.

Saying that, there are a couple dozen, maybe more, on here who I consider their advise to be gospel. They don't post just to have something to say, and when they do say something, its dead on!!!!

In all honesty, they are the reason I'm here.

Eddie

X2. Nicely said.

 

[mostly_gas]

With me content is everything. On my first thread one off the first poster also had a link about core plugs which told me all I needed to know. It has to be more difficult for the guys who don't do much wrenching or tractor driving.

 

[mostly_gas]

I try and give everyone a listen to. Except when they are obviously confused. Like the so called members who prefer gear tractors over HST......and then of course there are the real wierdos who prefer R-1's over R-4's. I won't even get into colors.........................

Yea don't you feel sorry for the guys who don't drive blue gear tractors with R-1's

 

[radioman]

I read TBN every day, but don't post a whole lot. Basically, if someone has always posted what I might have contributed, I'll resist the "me too" post. When I post asking a question I really try to give both feedback and the end result. There are a number of folks here that have instant credibility with me, but usually it's forum specific, because I've read a number of their posts over the years and trust what they say. I have a situation ongoing in the Kioti forum currently, very reassuring that one of the responders had a similar problem some time ago and posted about it. Posting an experience can be way more important than post count, so I see that as a great way for a newbie to contribute.
We cover such a variety of topics here, not just our tractors. I feel quite comfortable coming here and asking for non tractor help because the help is usually very good. An entertaining aspect I love is when I have some off the wall discussion (non tractor) with a friend and I can cite something I just read here on TBN. Used to be, a comment would be made about the relevance about such advice coming from a tractor forum, but haven't heard those comments in awhile. Guess my friends have come to respect TBN as well.

David

I personally like the "me too's" posts. I admit I'm guilty of it, only just to show my support of said comment. I'd much rather see a bunch of me too's meaning there is real credabilities in numbers rather then taking one post with a grain of salt.

 

[orezok]

I would give the most credibility to the poster with the highest post count... Only kidding! :laughing:

There are posters who have something to say and then there are posters who just have to SAY SOMETHING!

Count doesn't matter... doesn't matter... doesn't matter... doesn't matter... doesn't matter... doesn't matter... doesn't matter... doesn't matter... doesn't matter... doesn't matter...

There, I said something! :laughing:

 

[Domush]

I give credibility to the person who provides evidence he/ she knows what they are talking about. Specifics are always a great giveaway. If someone is specific beyond the average guess, I'll likely assume they have real knowledge on the topic.

Granted, sometimes the person is wrong, but when that happens there is usually a line of posts following saying as such. And when someone says "this person is wrong and here is why.." I benefit even more.

Overall, this place has saved me thousands of dollars and allowed me to gain a fair bit of great knowledge.

Even wrong answers teach you something.. Not to listen to that person anymore

In all honesty, they are the reason I'm here.

I'm here for the free beer :thumbsup:

 

[yandeereguy]

I came on this site asking a purchase question because I had absolutely nobody else to ask.. royjackson gave me advice on an 870 and it's now sitting in my polebarn...

Hows that!! a complete stranger offered me his advice on the computer.. and I went and followed and made the purchase...

If the engine blows tommorow (not saying it's gonna, knock on wood) thats just the way the dice landed. who's to say on a used piece of equipment whats gonna happen...

Theres a WEALTH of knowledge here at this campfire and alot of knowledge to be gained

 

[JDgreen227]

Ok... OP here, we now have 48 responses to the original thread. Lots of differing viewpoints, and for the life of me, I cannot really determine what members advice here is more credible.

Do you see where I am going with this? THERE, I said something too. :laughing: