All though I have not been posting here very long, I have been a frequent visitor to the sight for a long time, In the time that I have been here it has become obvious that some people live to belittle others, put down anything they haven't seen or done themselves, or just make others feel bad or stupid. Sure a question may have been asked a thousand times over, but to the person who asked, it is a new question. Each of us has posted a question that has been asked of some one at least a few times before. The beating that people take for not searching first is not necessary, If anyone else pays attention to the people dishing out the abuse it is obvious that it is the younger crowd. They seem to forget that they do not know everything, and have not witnessed nor done everything. Newbies should be embraced and welcomed not belittled and abused. There have been several thats first post that have been an honest question/plea for help, there have been multple replies, but no answer to the question. just abuse for asking. We were all the annoying person at some point in time in our lives. Everyone here has asked for information that has been posted a thousand times over. the point is maybe someone has found a new or better way to mod or repair an issue. If the question is not re-asked, no one knows. if the "what if's" where never thought about or re asked we would still be walking around in loin cloths throwing rocks at animals and eating berries picked from a bush. Its the "what ifs" and the "how do I"'s that have progressed our lives and hobbies to were they are. just because you've read a book, does not mean you are an expert in a field. remember books used to say the world was flat and the sun revolved around the earth. But some one said "what if". All travel was done by horse, Some one said "what if" now we have the gs ........ Imagine what would have happened if it was asked on this board and met with a "dumb ass" reply!!!!!!!!!! LIGHTEN UP..........................This is supposed to be fun for every one!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree there are a few people here that remind me of the "comic book guy" from the Simpsons.
I asked some really dumb questions and somes still do.
I even give some dumb answers. Many that I am embarassed for having asked (and answered).
I'll continue to ask dumb questions from time to time.
And I agree with you on this thread, Ktrim.
I agree also. Kind of like a poster I saw one time at a coffee shop:
"It may be the 100th cup of coffee you served to him (the customer) today, but to him..it's his first of the morning".
Same idea. If you don't like serving coffee, find a different job. If you don't like helping people and talking about the GS, don't come on a GS forum where people....ask for help and talk about the GS. Heh.
Well said K :thumb:
All in all this is still one of the most helpful communities I've ever seen. Don't know what post brought this up, but I would say we would be hard pressed to find a board this helpful anywhere else in the e-motorcycle world.
Quote from: JCHAll in all this is still one of the most helpful communities I've ever seen. Don't know what post brought this up, but I would say we would be hard pressed to find a board this helpful anywhere else in the e-motorcycle world.
I agree. When I first joined the board, I read old posts for several months before I made my first post... I didn't get flamed.
I think of this board as a community, and it should be give and take... not just a "give me my answer now" type board.
heh Lay it out for them! :cheers:
Stephen makes a very good counter point.
I didn't wait very long to fire off my first noob question, but I should have.
A lot of the flames I've seen lately have been pretty demanding, and have provided little back ground information. Stuff like: "My bike is running crappy. Help me now!" And then when nobody helps, they bump it. That should earn you a flame, in my book. So it is a two way street sometimes.
Quote from: Jake DSo it is a two way street sometimes.
Yep, indeedy.
And I'm holding back from a lot of :guns: on grammar and spelling, too. :P
There is no dumb question, only the one you don't ask, that would be dumb, so feel free, go ahead ask.
Maybe just a tiny little search first would help sometimes.
Quote from: Stephen072774I agree. When I first joined the board, I read old posts for several months before I made my first post... I didn't get flamed.
I think of this board as a community, and it should be give and take... not just a "give me my answer now" type board.
i've done the samething...it took me a couple weeks to read every single posts on this forum and i don't think i even owned a gs then. then, i've started posting and eventually got a gs.
but yea, no such a thing as a stupid question...
Everyone should remember the old saying: "If you haven't got something nice to say, don't say anything". Being a jerk doesn't help anyone.
I agree that there are no stupid questions, but if you have to answer the same non-stupid question for the upteenth time... I'm a mod on two other fora, and repeats of common questions due to lack of a quick search really decreases signal/noise and dilutes the info for those who are trying to do it the right way (by searching).
Quote from: BUZZINEveryone should remember the old saying: "If you haven't got something nice to say, don't say anything". Being a jerk doesn't help anyone.
ah...shut up! :bs:
jk... :mrgreen:
Quote from: JetSwingQuote from: BUZZINEveryone should remember the old saying: "If you haven't got something nice to say, don't say anything". Being a jerk doesn't help anyone.
ah...shut up! :bs: [/size]
jk... :mrgreen:
You're the kind of jerk we were just discussing! You just demonstrated your ignorance to everyone on this message board.
Quote from: BUZZINQuote from: JetSwingQuote from: BUZZINEveryone should remember the old saying: "If you haven't got something nice to say, don't say anything". Being a jerk doesn't help anyone.
ah...shut up! :bs: [/size]
jk... :mrgreen:
You're the kind of jerk we were just discussing! You just demonstrated your ignorance to everyone on this message board.
you called me a jerk... :(
This is the forum with the least amount of egos, jerks, or annoying posts on the entire internet. If someone can't handle a little Joke from, say, a notorious joker like Davipu, then perhaps it is that poster's ego that bruises a bit too easily. The GS500 teaches you nothing if not how to take a joke from other motorcyclists and how to be ignored by cars and motorcyclists alike.
Even 50cc scooter forums have more pretentious a-holes.
The only time I saw a thread lose focus, as in other forums, was when people were trying to come up with names for a GS gang. "God's Twin" came up, someone doing a search on google for their rock bands name found it and tried to promote their band on this site, and a heated exchange ensued.
Quote from: JetSwingQuote from: BUZZINQuote from: JetSwingQuote from: BUZZINEveryone should remember the old saying: "If you haven't got something nice to say, don't say anything". Being a jerk doesn't help anyone.
ah...shut up! :bs: [/size]
jk... :mrgreen:
You're the kind of jerk we were just discussing! You just demonstrated your ignorance to everyone on this message board.
you called me a jerk... :(
Jetswing was kidding. Duh. And he has proven time and time again he isn't a jerk and he isn't ignorant. I think that you may have demonstrated something here today, too. . . Keep in mind that if somebody has been around this board for a long time, there are going to be a lot of people that are "friends" with them and loyal to them. So be mindful of who you flame.
KTRIM, YOU ROCK!
sorry, please dont jump down my throat for the caps lock. im trying to work on it. :thumb:
Wow.... good job on that lower case... looking good :thumb:
Baby steps, RTUB. Baby steps.
Ease into man. You don't want to cramp those little pinkies. Pressing shift is a dangerous activity. Work your way up to it. Baby steps.
Quote from: RoadstergalI agree that there are no stupid questions, but if you have to answer the same non-stupid question for the upteenth time....
Don't get me wrong..I agree with you! However, who says you have to answer it?? If someone asks the same question for the 100th time, a good moderator or a knowledgable user usually pipes up and says "Use the search.." or provides a link to a thread that already contains the answer.
No one HAS to answer anything ;) It's a choice.
Quote from: PhaedrusQuote from: RoadstergalI agree that there are no stupid questions, but if you have to answer the same non-stupid question for the upteenth time....
Don't get me wrong..I agree with you! However, who says you have to answer it?? If someone asks the same question for the 100th time, a good moderator or a knowledgable user usually pipes up and says "Use the search.." or provides a link to a thread that already contains the answer.
No one HAS to answer anything ;) It's a choice.
it becomes a waste of time and bandwidth. IMO it is very aggravating when a VERY common question is asked.. and asked... and asked..
n00b's should search (and more importantly:) look through the FAQ, general questions, pantablo's site, and kerry's site. That would eliminate 80+% of the pointless threads
Hi. Welcome to the internet...
If you are quick to get offended by some person you have never met who lives miles and miles away, then leave... OR learn to get over it. This is an online community with all types from all walks of life.
This board has a good balance of trouble makers and peace makers. And I think most people are treated with respect even when asking "those" questions.
But sometimes it feels like the older guys are doing the younger kid's homework. It would be nice to see posts like:
I have been having trouble with a the motor stuttering, especially when I ______. I suspected _______ but after trying________ and __________ I still have the problem. Where else should I be looking?
Instead of: My bike is stuttering- what should I do?
Show some initiative and you're less likely to get flamed. And if you do get flamed- get over it. It's the internet. But at the same time- you've joined OUR community- try to fit in.
Anyways
what happens when there is a repost, the search function becomes more and more useless.... it you have a million posts with one answer, then you have to look through all of them, if a newb asks a redundant question, inform them of the search button and then link to the best answer.
Quote from: cheesyQuote from: PhaedrusQuote from: RoadstergalI agree that there are no stupid questions, but if you have to answer the same non-stupid question for the upteenth time....
Don't get me wrong..I agree with you! However, who says you have to answer it?? If someone asks the same question for the 100th time, a good moderator or a knowledgable user usually pipes up and says "Use the search.." or provides a link to a thread that already contains the answer.
No one HAS to answer anything ;) It's a choice.
it becomes a waste of time and bandwidth. IMO it is very aggravating when a VERY common question is asked.. and asked... and asked..
n00b's should search (and more importantly:) look through the FAQ, general questions, pantablo's site, and kerry's site. That would eliminate 80+% of the pointless threads
How do they know these resources exist if they dont ask?????
Search and find this thread :guns:
:mrgreen: sorry i had to :nana:
Quote from: ktrimQuote from: cheesyQuote from: PhaedrusQuote from: RoadstergalI agree that there are no stupid questions, but if you have to answer the same non-stupid question for the upteenth time....
Don't get me wrong..I agree with you! However, who says you have to answer it?? If someone asks the same question for the 100th time, a good moderator or a knowledgable user usually pipes up and says "Use the search.." or provides a link to a thread that already contains the answer.
No one HAS to answer anything ;) It's a choice.
it becomes a waste of time and bandwidth. IMO it is very aggravating when a VERY common question is asked.. and asked... and asked..
n00b's should search (and more importantly:) look through the FAQ, general questions, pantablo's site, and kerry's site. That would eliminate 80+% of the pointless threads
How do they know these resources exist if they dont ask?????
Before you click on "General Discussion" you will see the FAQ page. most n00b questions are contained/covered in there.
This is a forum. I've never seen an internet forum that didn't have a search feature. I've never been to a car/bike forum where people didn't get pissed off when someone doesn't search. It's faster to search than it is to post and wait for 8-9 answers.
almost every forum i've been to has a sticky or something like it saying read this first. forum rules and FAQs are also givens. you dont need to ask to see these resources. they are right under your nose. the mother site has a link to peoples personal webpages as well.
i'm sorry, this train of thought has already been discussed ad nauseam.
and to prove the point about dilution of knowledge, etc (and to show off my cleverness) i will now suggest that you all use the forum search to look for "search" and then look through 27 pages of posts...
Thank you. I felt better after reading this.
everyone is a newb in the begining. alot of us dont mind helping, but very often most of these questions asked are less simple answered BECAUSE the person is new. while not all the time, Often we have to figure out WHAT is being asked, once deciphered, instruct what is and what isnt, and try to diagnose what the acctual issue is to give an answer, then teach HOW to use the info which is often answered in a step by step method. now yes, searches are handy, to someone who has alittle more then Basic understanding of Whats what.
Now enter the person who is totaly new, first bike, just learned where Fuel goes and if lucky how to check thier oil. search feature doesnt Do squat for these poor souls as its a new language, one that must be learned over time.
Also, like Knowledge, Newbs arnt born with Patients, while often blocked by frustration this too must be learned over time.
New folks need also to understand. We Geezers may have vast knowledge, but fingers have a limit in typing, our brains also have to RE think in Newb terms, Every Time, and it gets difficult to think that way time and time again for the same issue's specialy if it seems to be a epidemic for alot of newbs at once
perhaps what GStwin.com needs is a mild restructuring of the lay out. im not sure how per say. the How too write ups are very handy, even more so with pictures and Video. im getting closer and closer to be able to do such things and have a Engine ready for alot of How too's, but need 2nd pair of hands for that when time comes. perhaps a new FAQ lay out? an "ABC's of the GS500" in newb terms. then sub section Maint howtoo's by difficulty?
I wasn't necessarily speaking of newbie questions, just general attitude of some people when responding to any post! Yes, the search function is a little dificult to use, but if you are in desperate need of help you can usually find the answer you need if you put in the time.. I have found more usefull information on this sight then anyother sight I have been on. I have friends that frequently use the information here to solve problems on non-gs bikes. The people here go above and beyond in an effort to help others. This is great!!! What I was speaking of is the constant belittling and abuse that some people dish out to everyone. I'm sure some of it is done in good fun, but some of it appears to be an attack on the persons intellect. If some one asks for info that has already been posted, it takes the same amount of time to "Buddha Loves You" at them as it does to show them how to find it. Personally, I'd rather direct them to the answer then "Buddha Loves You" about it being asked. I know I have not been here long enough to know everyones personalitys, If I offended anyone I'm truly sorry. I was just making an observation. Now, How do I check my float levels :) :)
One thing I wish people would include in their requests for assistance is what year their bike is and a location would be nice. It does make a difference which model it is, as there are 3 different GS500's. Area is nice since altitude and climate may be playing a role.
Yeah I get frustrated seeing a post a day after the exact same thing has been posted. Not trying to be smart about it, I may just copy the link to the previous post as a reply.
We all have be new to bikes (or anything else) once. Being patient is tough at times but necessary to help continue our love for motorcycling.
This thread reminds me of a flame warrior thread (http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16643) that john started.
A couple of thoughts. Some people are jackasses. This is life, on the internet and off but I imagine that everyone knows that one already.
Internet searching in general is a good skill to learn in general (like searching for (gs500,gs500e,gs500f,gs 500) on ebay so that you don't have to search more than once), but difficult until you sit down and learn it.
I don't answer as many questions as he does, but dgvyer said pretty much what I was going to say.
Quote from: dgvyerYeah I get frustrated seeing a post a day after the exact same thing has been posted. Not trying to be smart about it, I may just copy the link to the previous post as a reply.
We all have be new to bikes (or anything else) once. Being patient is tough at times but necessary to help continue our love for motorcycling.
This is something that has been discussed on the board and off between moderators.
One thing I always want to see is noobs asking questions and getting help. Yes the same questions have been answered many times over, but it seems that many people who drop in are not forum savvy and also new to cycling. So it's not unexpected to have the same questions asked perpetually. Why not help them and make them feel welcomed. When I get email questions I always forward them to the forum to ask it here.
We should always try to help new people and not be condescending. Now once they have 50 or 100 posts under their belt.... let the flames begin ;) :lol:
Seriously, I shake my head when I see some replies to newbies questions. Like YOU were never a noob yourself. I'm not expecting the members here to hold hands and sing cumbaya together, but I do expect to see a little tiny bit of respect.
Quote from: johnI'm not expecting the members here to hold hands and sing cumbaya together
john, you just stomped on my dream :(
That's what he does. He stomps on dreams.
Quote from: crashQuote from: johnI'm not expecting the members here to hold hands and sing cumbya together
john, you just stomped on my dream :(
A dream about cumbya? Is that a wet dream? ;)
I know cycling is a new language, but when I started, I read all I could find FAQ-wise on online sites, and I sat down and read the manual cover to cover. That got me up to speed on the basic stuff. Quite frankly, the latter is something everyone should do when they get any vehicle, period, and takes care of a lot of the upteenth-asked questions. IMO.
I agree with reading the manual. I have read mine a couple times and refer to it once in a while. What about if someone bought their bike used and it didn't come with a manual?
I work as a professional computer technician for a state agency. All day long, I see some of the BRIGHTEST people ask and do some of the DUMBEST things regarding their computer. They also ask me SIMPLE questions, that to me, should just be "common sense".
But guess what? It isn't. And luckily everyone has thier own niche. If everyone was a computer EXPERT, I'd be out of a job right? And if no one come on the site with their thoughts, questions, etc....it would be pretty dead on here wouldn't it? :)
Think about it that way.
Quote from: PhaedrusI agree with reading the manual. I have read mine a couple times and refer to it once in a while. What about if someone bought their bike used and it didn't come with a manual?
I work as a professional computer technician for a state agency. All day long, I see some of the BRIGHTEST people ask and do some of the DUMBEST things regarding their computer. They also ask me SIMPLE questions, that to me, should just be "common sense".
But guess what? It isn't. And luckily everyone has thier own niche. If everyone was a computer EXPERT, I'd be out of a job right? And if no one come on the site with their thoughts, questions, etc....it would be pretty dead on here wouldn't it? :)
Think about it that way.
Thank you for bostering my point.
Quote from: JCHAll in all this is still one of the most helpful communities I've ever seen. Don't know what post brought this up, but I would say we would be hard pressed to find a board this helpful anywhere else in the e-motorcycle world.
well there is another one, all be it over the water, you could say its the sister site, many of us migrate over to this site now and again
and i totally agree with what is said. Good on ya for bringing that up, i have noticed a lot of that compared to hardly any on the http://www,gs500e.co.uk site, infact none at all that i am aware of, like you said, its there first time on, and all they want is help, not abuse, there is to much shaZam! like that in this miserable world, thats why we come to forums like this, so we can meet people, and have a wider circle of friends :thumb: :cheers: