Having been here for a while, I just thought I'd make some observations.

Traffic and interest seems to have fallen off in the last year.

Autocross content down, road race content up.

At one time noobies were welcomed to this forum. Sure they asked the same questions over and over but they were answered with friendly grace. Now noobies are treated like idiots, forced to use search for questions that could be answered in a few words (as few as it takes to tell them to use search).

There are fascinating, long disertations on the meaning of life and tire pressure

Our moderator seems to be immoderate in his threats of banishment or locking of threads. It is to the point that some threads get shouted down by other members with phrases like, "I am counting the seconds before this thread gets locked" Is this the purpose of the moderator? To stop all conversation that HE feels is beneath him?

I say let's relax some of our attitudes to noobies and allow everyone their threads. If you don't like them then just don't answer or read them. Pretty simple and everyone will feel welcome again.

-Alan

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 00R101 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I say let's relax some of our attitudes to noobies and allow everyone their threads. If you don't like them then just don't answer or read them. Pretty simple and everyone will feel welcome again.</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

Seems to be a trend in many forums lately..

 

SHUT UP NEW-BEE!!!



I don't know, some of the noobs' threads seriously do deserve a "you suck" response.

 

i agree. people need to relax. Don't be so quick to condescend on people. That seems to be the tone around here too often. That and people sometimes take these questions and this forum waaaaayyyy too seriously. Lighten up, we're on an internet forum.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TeamSlowdotOrg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">SHUT UP NEW-BEE!!!



I don't know, some of the noobs' threads seriously do deserve a "you suck" response. </TD></TR></TABLE>

and some of the response's to those noob's suck even more.

s

 

I was actually thinking that the tone had improved in the past few months. It used to be quite hateful around here and it has been my impression that a lot of people have mellowed a bit (and some of the more aggressive posters have shown admirable reserve by just igoring some of the newbie posts)

just my impression. we could probably be nicer, but how many times can you calmly say "check the FAQ, use the search function?" Or "learn how to drive before modifying hte car?" and "buy a race car, don't biuld one"



JMHO, YMMV, etc.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 00R101 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">At one time noobies were welcomed to this forum. Sure they asked the same questions over and over but they were answered with friendly grace. Now noobies are treated like idiots, forced to use search for questions that could be answered in a few words (as few as it takes to tell them to use search). </TD></TR></TABLE>

I think newbie still welcomed. However, I really think a reminder to use search is warranted. Some people are too lazy to do that. In the end it suck for people like me who like to learn by searching through the archive and has to weed good info from all the bad or useless or repeated ones.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Our moderator seems to be immoderate in his threats of banishment or locking of threads. It is to the point that some threads get shouted down by other members with phrases like, "I am counting the seconds before this thread gets locked" Is this the purpose of the moderator? To stop all conversation that HE feels is beneath him?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Everyone has different opinion on what should be allowed and what not. I think our moderator has done a damn good job IMHO.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I say let's relax some of our attitudes to noobies and allow everyone their threads. If you don't like them then just don't answer or read them. Pretty simple and everyone will feel welcome again.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I don't agree with allowing everyone their threads. It will clutter the board and make searching and weeding through for the good stuff much harder.

 

I agree with the OP that things have been kinda slow around here lately, but the rest of the car boards I read have been slow too. I dunno whats up with that.

H-T&gt;&gt;RR/AX still rules though. The only other one that comes close is rennlist. The funny thing is I never woulda found out about rennlist if it hadn't been for the infamous GR, and the flame-fest with him here.

btw, I think our dear Mod has been doing a fine job

 

RJ does a good job...

My beef is that the questions posed here by many of the visitors, are so vague that it amkes it difficult to answer...and we don't do a good enough job qualifying the questions before there's many responses.

This "PSI at the track" is a perfect example. What track? What kind of racing/AX/track car? Nobody asked and the info in the reponses may not be worth anything to anybody...

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=870584

just my $0.02

 

I have been around enough to know that not all newcomers to the forum are the same, and I think most of the RR/AX regulars agree. About 90% of the time, we stomp on the right people while helping the right people. When a new member shows up with a sincere, well written question they get endless quality responses. Crap in, crap out for the rest of them. Take Simon for example. He didn't even have his driver's license when he showed up here and it was his sincerity that got him his welcome rather than a stoning.

Plus, I stay in this forum for it's unique tone. If we collectively "lighten up," I'm outta here

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by travis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have been around enough to know that not all newcomers to the forum are the same, and I think most of the RR/AX regulars agree. About 90% of the time, we stomp on the right people while helping the right people. When a new member shows up with a sincere, well written question they get endless quality responses. Crap in, crap out for the rest of them. Take Simon for example. He didn't even have his driver's license when he showed up here and it was his sincerity that got him his welcome rather than a stoning.

Plus, I stay in this forum for it's unique tone. If we collectively "lighten up," I'm outta here </TD></TR></TABLE>Dubble-yew three are dee.

 

H-T should get rid of RJ.

Besides that, I feel this forum has turned into a psuedo Sport Compact Road Race forum.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Littleton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">H-T should get rid of RJ.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

not everybody is gonna know that your tongue is firmly in your cheek as you say that Larry....

 

I have to say I agree and have been guilty of some of the recent sins among the more experienced guys. I've been trying to get better. And I agree on the content thing, but then again, it's the first couple months of the season still.

I've heard that we actually have quite a reputation elsewhere on honda-tech...sort of a "Don't you dare go post in RR/AX, they'll chew you up and spit you out faster than you can say clear corners" kind of thing. Not something I'd be entirely proud of if true.

Any newbies out there lurking in this thread, I'd be interested in your thoughts. Feel free to IM me, I don't bite.

 

There was a time when not a few newbies were unmercifully ridiculed for "less than adequate" questions. The chrip modulator immediately comes to mind. Those days are gone... which, in this long-time poster's opinion, is bittersweet.

Any forum, and particularly this one, has to dance a fine line between "helping out" and retaining the ones with knowledge. IMO, there are two ways to keep knowledgeable people. One is to teach them something that they don't know... which is increasingly difficult the longer the forum is around, hence how they became knowledgeable people in the first place.

The second is to entertain them, e.g. the silly season, etc. It's unfortunate that this is the choice, but often the community has to make the decision as to **** off a few newcomers to entertain tens of regulars. And if the newcomer sorta has it coming and won't listen to anything we say anyway... it becomes hard to resist.

That said, I feel the forum has been nicer to newbies recently. Or maybe it's just me restraining myself more often. *shrug*

Andy - who's been here as long as anyone, hasn't owned a Honda in 3 years, and still learns stuff often enough to stick around...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 00R101 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Having been here for a while, I just thought I'd make some observations.

Traffic and interest seems to have fallen off in the last year.

Autocross content down, road race content up.

At one time noobies were welcomed to this forum. Sure they asked the same questions over and over but they were answered with friendly grace. Now noobies are treated like idiots, forced to use search for questions that could be answered in a few words (as few as it takes to tell them to use search).

There are fascinating, long disertations on the meaning of life and tire pressure

Our moderator seems to be immoderate in his threats of banishment or locking of threads. It is to the point that some threads get shouted down by other members with phrases like, "I am counting the seconds before this thread gets locked" Is this the purpose of the moderator? To stop all conversation that HE feels is beneath him?

I say let's relax some of our attitudes to noobies and allow everyone their threads. If you don't like them then just don't answer or read them. Pretty simple and everyone will feel welcome again.

-Alan</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree with everything Alan has written and have thought the same things. If folks are constantly in fear of being "shut down" or locked, then it's only natural to think that folks will stop posting.
... also on the idea of using the search engine. Although I agree that using the search feature is a great tool, if everyone uses the search engine because it's all been talked about before, won't this forum cease to be active (I know that's an extreme thought)... it will be just one big database with no new character or thought.

I also agree that the tone has seemed to improve a bit.

In order to keep our motorsports alive we must welcome new folks with open arms... maybe that means responding to the same questions over and over again, but it certainly doesn't bother me. Every time I see a similar question, I tend to think of different ways to respond.

Alan, thanks for raising this issue.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by maxQ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> The chrip modulator immediately comes to mind. Those days are gone... which, in this long-time poster's opinion, is bittersweet. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Now, that's a classic.
I just think there's a little less to get excited about right now. The last few years we've witnessed the birth and evolution of the HC, and a lot of guys were just starting their racing careers so everyone was pumped.

Like Travis said, if someone posts a well written question, you typically see decent replies. RJ and others have put a lot of time in the FAQ, and folks should use it.

Hard to believe it's been that long since I started coming here, but I've learned from this place, and have made some pretty good friends.

The general mood of the forum is a cycle....it happens every year.

 

I don't really post alot in this forum, since almost every question asked in here, theres probably 50 people more qualified than me to answer. I think the atmosphere in here is awesome though. Seems like everyone pretty much knows eachother from being at the track, and we have the WC guys and the EC guys. Simple threads end up being heated arguments sometimes, but it always ends up good, and I would bet the people arguing would be sharing some beers at the track after everything. I actually think that newbies in this forum are treated alot better than newbies in other forums. Sometimes the answers to their questions might come off harsh, but it's almost always for the better, especially when the questions usually involve something that could possibly be safety related.

With that said, this forum rocks. I'm heading back to my spot in the corner now.

 

Well, this has been an interesting thread. I've learned something, htings are not as bad as I made out. But hopefully I have raised a little awareness that will make some people will curb their not too social demeanor. I've learned that RJ is a nice guy who does think about these issues.

I am happy to be a member here.

 

if we all collectively lightened up, by a factor of about a million, it'd be like the vwvortex mkIV forums, and none of us want that. granted, it's an extreme possibility, in the end i'm happy that this forum has a higher intellectual standard. you can't just post whatever b.s. you feel like in this forum without being held accountable, or at least second guessed. that sheer fact has made me alot more knowledgeable about cars, the sport(s), and my peers. i mean, when i research for 30 minutes to make a 200 word post and get feedback from people who have different and valid perspectives? that's the very essence of discourse.

sure we could chill out on newb castigation, but i don't think it's that bad (plus compared to before i feel like it's gotten better). even if we're being asses, one of us always comes up with a helpful response (even if it's dipped in vitriol).

 

I like how this forum is moderated and I think RJ does a fine job.

This forum is the only reason why I am on Honda Tech, and I would be afraid of it becoming a 'free for all' sessions that the other forums are like. (i.e. EG+ Civic / Del Sol. Almost every thread there starts out like this: "HELP!", or "For Sale", "i got new Bling, y0!", or a ton of Bump BumP BumP BUmps....)

I think this forum DOES support noobs- but with some distinctions. I mean, dont you sit there and guage whether or not you reply to a NoOb thread from the quality of his/her request? (Grammar, Description, throughness, whether or not its a 'easily searchable' issue, etc..?) There's nuthin wrong with that... its your time to give, right?

Dennis- who is a Racing NooB and likes helping out other NooBs, if their request is intelligent and genuine.

...counting the seconds to the next race at Buttonwillow 'sigh'...

 

Was in the middle of another post and saw bad-monkey's observations. I agree with him; we don't want it to get out of control like so many forums get. Anyway...something that Alan said originally caught my attention...

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 00R101 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Autocross content down, road race content up.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You're right, and I have a few suggestions as to why.

1. Suspect a lot of the autocrossers are over on sccaforums.com

2. A lot of us on this board have moved from Solo 2 to track stuff.

3. A lot of our top National autocrossers just don't post here much anymore. Alan you're rarely on, Fauth is NEVER on, Neary is almost never on. Even Eric (Crosser) is a rare sight these days and I considered all of them some of the regulars.

Maybe there is new Nationals-type blood on here and I just don't know it - I'm totally out of the loop with Solo 2 at this point so all of you pls understand I don't intend to offend anyone with that statement.

4. That Honda Challenge was born here doesn't help the Solo 2 crowd.

Just some more "idle thoughts..." thanks for bringing this up Alan.

 

The only time I hammer on anyone is when there is a thread related to the question at hand-and then I am gentle about it-that has been explained repeatedly. We all have opinions and questions that need answers. I do my best to be as intelligent as I can and offer what help I can. Travis mentions Simon-a very nice young man who happens to want to learn in a very controlled way. It is people like him who truly deserve our attention and support.
I too will stay around as long as we have diverse positions that are presented in a unique way as Travis put it. Maybe we need stronger "stickies."

 

Well I will throw my two cents in being a "newbie" at least to this forum since what, the end of march? I was a veteran in the Supra emailist/forum part of the world although technically weak in many of the intricate nuts and bolts when you actually build a motor or take apart a tranny. I would love to be competent in that but I am a lawyer by trade and that means (at least in my world) that I work some pretty stupid hours (60+ a week). So I have other people work on my car. Yet I do try and learn what is is the right way to set up a particular car or various issues I car I own might develop and how to identify it. My main focus is how to set up my car for road course work and develop it to be a fast car.

As to my experience on here, I have been generally pleased with the way I have been treated. I only come to this section of honda-tech and avoid the other parts. I am the same way at supraforums. I only go to the road racing section and have been there long enough I am one of the old sage ones there and the regulars know me and many have met me at places like Road Atlanta.

The answers to the questions I have about my new toy, the B18c CRX are usually answered here not in the other sections. I try to search but sometimes for a "newbie" I don't know just how similar the different Hondas are in regards to being applicable to what I need answer. One of the bigger problems for someone new to Hondas is reading a thread and the thread starter or replier does not specify what kind of Honda they have. I just never had that problem with a mkiv tt supra. When I do a thread search (to avoid the RJ "searchthread polite admonishment" sometimes I don't know if it applies to a 1988 CRX Si or in my case a a hybrid made up of so many different Honda parts. Actually the search function is pretty good here but the sometimes the information is not on topic enough and so I post a new thread or at least in my deluded mind think I have an original question or thought to post.

No one has told me I am stupid (yet). Most have been polite and helpful or at least try to be. I have had some very informative PMs and before RJ moved my question from the RR/AX section to hybrid on ground clearance on B18cs hanging out the bottom of a CRX when putting on Koni/GC/Eibachs he was nice enough to PM and tell me what he was doing. RJ has answered some of my questions in PMs. Thanks. I think part of the response one gets is how much thought you put into the question. If you try to be specific, articulate, polite and can spell half decent, my experience has been you get some pretty good responses. All in all my experience has been positive.

Barry H.

 

don't you also notice the ammount of immaturity and personal attacks to spark flaming? Yes, it can be in good fun and humor to ridicule others but when talking about important things, there's no place for that crap.