Since I've been here the biggest problem by far that I've seen is that people are quick to give answers and are totally wrong.

People read this forum to glean information from other members so that hopefully they will make a wise decision. When members spread misinformation to other members, especially in instances which could mean a loss of money, time, or their engine, it does a disservice to everyone and diminishes the credibility of this forum.

I am requesting that more policing occurs and that members are held accountable for posting misinformation. While I understand that people make mistakes as do I at times, repeat offenders should pay some consequences.

It's one thing to answer a question or make a statement by stating that you believe that what your communicating is correct. It's something totally different to propagate something knowing that you don't have a clue.

 

I think this is a rediculous request and will never happen.

EX: 80% of EvoM will say Warrtalon is full of it and needs to shut up, and that he has no idea what he is talking about; while in all reality Warr always shoots out 100% helpful facts.

Not to mention all the "grey" area in between right and wrong answers, and how different people interpret them.

 

This one sentence shows me how you don't get it.

The people who don't have a clue don't know that. They think they're helping out. They're just accidentally spreading a rumor or misstatement.

Outside of the karma systems some boards have, there's no policing and punishing for it. And I don't see us trying to do that system. Sorry.

 

And, karma or reputation systems on 99% of sites that use them are horribly inaccurate becuase friends of the members will rep each other for anything under the sun.

Quite simply... this site is a great resource to help YOU form your OWN opinion about whatever. If you rely on the imformation on this site to make critical desicision about your car adnd or modifications thereto, then you shouldn't be involved modifing it, and should leave it to PROFESSIONALS.

 

This is why I never mention to anyone that I am a member of this forum because it is constantly used as a laughing stock for my friends. They are regularly emailing me with a link to something that someone has posted here and laughing about it.

To quote another forums rules: "No Guessing - if you don't know the answer for sure, don't reply - we don't need you spreading misinformation. If your reply contains phrases like "I think", or "I've heard", or "everyone else does it", or "my brother's uncle's friend did it and had no problems" - it is not useful. Only post a reply if YOU know the answer from YOUR own first-hand experience. Instead of replying with a guess, post a link to a thread where the answer can be found, or the same discussion already took place.

My own forum, which I admin, and other forums which I moderate on require that all members follow this simple rule. If you are found to be guessing or otherwise the moderation team warns the person about the infraction and if necessary bans the individual. After moderating in this fashion only a few times when this occurs the amount of reoccurance is VERY slim.

It doesn't take gimmicks and "karma" points to get the point across. All that is necessary is to let people know it won't be tolerated and to enforce it. Once the moderation team takes a hardline to enforce it in the beginning you'll find that the members will soon follow and start policing themselves.

 

Everyone has to start somewhere and this is the starting point for a lot of people to learn about their cars. Having a forum that spreads misinformation doesn't help anyone do anything, especially not form an opinion that would be worth salt.

 

Apparentlly, not everyone is as "elitist" as you.

I'm sorry you have a problem with our gross negligence and sespool of misinformation.

We are such an embarassment. Thank you for forming such an awesome opinion after spending 3 months here.

 

If there is such intense peer pressure by simply admitting that you are a member here, there is a real quick and final remedy available to you, if that's what you want. Seems to me most issues tend to work themselves out here; some with the help of the mods, some among the members.

You can just leave and concentrate on your other fourms. While some will miss you, the rest will get over it, I'm sure.

 

Its not about spreading wrong info. If someone gives bad bussiness to someone people should know about it! Then owners should make sure they give good bussiness to everyone! If they dont then its there falt and people will be warned about there work. And I am sorry to say but free of speach sucks sometimes.

 

Those forum rules are the stupidest thing i have ever heard of. So many things wouldn't be known in the Evo community if you couldn't say what you heard or what everyone else does; i think without these Evos would be FAR behind where they are today.

 

Misinformation is a big part of using the internet. Plain and simple. It's everywhere.

And it usually gets corrected on its own. Someone will start a thread asking some technical question, someone will point them in the completely wrong direction, and then somewhere along the line a third person who's knowledgable on the subject will come along and let them know they're wrong, tell them why, and then point the thread starter in the right direction.

Yes, there are a lot of people on this site that don't know what they're talking about. But there are too many that do to let misinformation spread like some kind of epidemic. If you look at most threads, this is what happens. It gets corrected on its own without some kind of forum rule against "guessing". If someone starts a thread asking an important question, and only looks at the first 5 posts before making their decision, shame on them.

 

TEC - I can definitely understand the utopia you're trying to achieve here and most that are at least somewhat informed would wish the same. The unfortunate or fortunate part is that any forum is just a cross-section of society. As with society you'll get a little bit of every part of the melting pot. I've rather enjoyed using some common sense through my DSM years to filter out the worthless/incorrect information to develop my knowledge. It is rather rewarding to reach even a basic understanding of these cars (or any hobby on any forum) given the mentioned obstacles. Once the point of personal experience in a given situation where you can be of assistance is reached, having the opportunity to share it with those that are appreciative is some of the most rewarding work you can do in our hobby. My $.02.

Tom

 

If you dont know what your talking about, then you shouldn't post! Its plain and simple, no need to spread misinformation.

 

If I were an elistist I wouldn't waste my time trying to help people here and I sure wouldn't have mentioned anything that would have helped to try to "raise the bar" on information around here.

Your totally welcome.

 

Someone that get's it.

Thank you.