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….hey Phil..didn’t mean to start a stompin match on ya…
When I first started posting on this board , I had just moved over from JLC, a magazine I know and love, this is a little different here, kind of like going to a Builder’s dinner, or swappin stories at the local coffee shop, except it’s open all hours, and if you’re bored or wonderin ’bout somethin you don’t have to hop in your truck and drive all over town to find someone.
Some of us are more garulous (sic.?) than others, but that’s the same way in life….you go to public meetings and some pepole just like to talk and don’t know nothin’
others like to talk and kow some of what they’re talkin’ about
and others know what is being talked about but are too shy or otherwise inhibited from participating….
Anyways, if you didn’t get the reaction you were expecting, don’t let it bother you, just put in your 2c/
(how do you make the “cents” symbol on you keyboard ? ……and another thing…..Blue…how do you write your handle in “blue” ?)
and come on back for more…..pretty soon you won’t be an FNG.
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Hey, it great to find this site and get some feedback from my peers on the questions that we all share. I can allow myself a little browsing over coffee and get some insight and answers, and then move on to work. What perplexes me is the couple of guys that have offered an opinion on every other subject line on the site. If these guys have that much time on their hands, I wonder if they have a clue or are they just that lonely. I don't think Their opinions hold up under the weight of sheer volume.
*I wouldn't want to judge someone just because they like posting. Some treat this as a hobby. Others find that it satisfies a need to teach.Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.Blue
*Hi Phillip,I'm not currently in the construction business, but I have been reading this board for a couple years. You will have to do the same and make your own decisions about the value of the various posters' opinions.My assessment is that a day's worth of culling the archives (sorry--that is like a month jail sentence!) will help you determine if a particular poster is mostly wheat, or chaff. In addition, if you post a specific question, you will get answers--from which you can cull the "right stuff." You might also consider that there are some folks who are retired, or wealthy enough to spend a lot of time online throughout the day, who still find it important to share their knowledge (interesting concept!) with others.If you lurk for a while, I think you will get a hint about those people who are just passing time here, and those who are here to share and learn--oh, and this group is full of fun, too! Personally, I find it very refreshing that you value peer review--in my line of work, I would die without it. Also, I think that "lonely" doesn't necessarily factor into your question of why certain people respond to an inordinate number of posts. Perhaps they have made their millions, and want to share. Or, perhaps they are jerks. Ya never know! Still, I think this is probably the most responsible (and responsive) board for this type of discussion. I have never been disappointed with the answers to my feeble questions :)Best wishes! (Hey, and if you like good food, drop by the Cooks Talk area)
*I agree with Blue.I've been on-line since '92, hanging out in a number of places. Most on-line communities have a few folks with wide experience and, for whatever reason, the time to share it. Other folks have wide experience but don't chip in much. And others don't have a clue but sometimes that doesn't affect their frequency of posts.Some folks like to know a lot of different things and go out and learn about them, others are more comfortable learning about a few areas.Like everything else, you evaluate their advice in areas you do know something about and draw conclusions as to the likelihood their advice is sound in areas you don't.Bob
*hmmmmm..... I wonder who has enough time on their hands to reply to something like that! I guess some people have nothing better to do than complain about how other people spend their time? I do agree that the level of conversation sometimes ends up way off topic (like this thread), and I admit I've been perplexed at times by what some people pass off as authoritative advice that in my opinion is just plain wrong, but usually I figure it has something to do with regional differences or personal preference (like the recent discussion of setback thermostats). Anyways, just because someone enjoys this sort of discussion and adds their opinion to the group whenever they can is no reason to assume they have no credibility. If we all waited for the "setback thermostat god" or whoever to weigh in on the conversation with the ultimate correct answer, this place would be rather quiet and boring, don't you think?
*wow, four posts before 10 on a saturday morning, all on a new topic! I guess we do more before 10 a.m. than most people do in a whole day, or is it the other way around?anyway, you have to decide for yourself how much credence to place on any advice given here. You could be reading from someone with 20 years of experience in varied fields, or someone who just watched Dean and Robin and needs to "help out". Free advice isn't always worth every penny.Personally, the quality of the response usually tells a lot about the reliability of it. Most posters here will say whether they do the work they are commenting on frequently, if they just heard about it, or just offering their humble opinions. I have personally offered all three types, even researching subjects for people in need. I normally give some background on where I get my information if it's not obvious, so the taker can decide whether it is relevant or trustworthy for himself. In closing, I will offer one last cliche my old boss used to use: "Opinions are like {fill in your favorite body part}; everybody has one."This is my own personal, most humble opinion, of course.
*..credability (sic.)....what you talking bout Son ? you're talkin bout me ain't ya ?we just need a little help... s'allI've begged Jim to teach me the 12 steps but no, he says there's nuttin wrong with what we're doinActually , my only complaint is I got a cable modem and a favorite site that's still runnin like a crystal set..never mind transistors and computer chips.....waitin for the server to respond is like watchin grass grow...And if you think someone is blowin smoke why don't you step up and say so b how cum that bullfrog is lurkin over there and not croakin with the rest of us ?...Kermit
*I'm not Jesse ventura , but I'll probabally step on some toes anyway. It seems that a many(not all) of builders are either heavy drinkers or very religous or both.I am now neither ( and am friends with both) so it is hard to find a way to sit and B.S with friends afterwords cause I don't go to the bars or the nightly church meetings.My wife, bless her heart is tired of hearing about rafters, tools and work accidents. So I come and talk with "friends "here. I offer advice from 1st hand knoweledge, some of it may be wrong and sometimes I get corrected, making me a better builder. At first I was skeptical of some of the people, but have learned over time that some of these people, Cazy legs, aj,Joe F., GeneL, to name a few can give great advice.Those that came here and bash a site or provide false info do not need to come here, but again it gives some something to do either write or respond. It is kind of like the people that get welfare and food stamps and don't vote dont look for work or work under the table and complain about the government and taxes.How did I do Jesse (p.s. I am not relly a fan of Jesse or his polotics)
*There goes your invitation to the Summer Get-together. Too bad, you might have enjoyed your time with the no-life brainless bunch. Best of luck
*I've always hoped that the fact I am an excellent speller would lend me some small credibility.
*I used to be a lot lonlier than I am today. This board, and the folks who post here have revitalized my interest in my profession. I definately spend more time here than I should. But this little boat I'm in, in the river of life, has no motor (I threw that motor away a few years ago) so I can't stear it anymore. I am simply hangin' on, enjoyin' the ride. For some reason though, I keep bumping into exciting and interesting things as I drift. Like this discussion. There are a lot worse things I could be doin' 2 or 3 hours a day, and I used to do a lot of them.
*Well said, Jimbo. I'm comin up on about one year here at breaktime and when I can't get to it I really miss it. I work hard (when I work), I do really nice work and I have droves of satisfied cutomers who wish I'd come back and do more. What the hell do I care about "credibility"?
*The cream always floats to the top, that goes for advice, as well as anything else in life. I consider myself a regular poster but a more frequent reader. When I do post it is about something I feel I know enough about to give an opinion. Maybe some posters just post needless comments but you can generally tell if it's honest info or just B.S. I come here to learn as well as to pass on info(I've been in the business 22 years) and have learned that you can learn something from the best craftsman as well as a newbie apprentice, and that we all are only as good as the experience and exposure we have had in life. The numerous posters here have varied experiance, some do it all, some specilize, so take the posts for what you think they are worth.In closing I just want to say that I wish I had a resource like this board when I started in the trade. It would have saved me alot of time and money! Bill Swales
*Just so you know, you spelled credibility wrong. That doesn't make you an idiot, it makes you one of us. It means that you are just like most of us here, just humble, average joes trying to help out and make a difference.Information here is plentiful. You should do what I do - read all, use what it useful to you, and move on to read some more. Not all info is correct, or is useful in every area of the country, but it is plentiful, and it comes from the heart of these guys and gals.If you think the info is wrong, say something. If I was installing drywall with 16d nails, and nobody ever said to me "hey you idiot, that's not the way you install drywall", then I'd still be using 16d nails. These people here bring years of real life experience to these boards, and I for one appreciate their time and effort. There is just way too much info in this business to be able to know everything. If you think the info here is off track, or posted by people with too much time on their hands, you ought to check out some of the other home repair and improvement sites. These are truly manned by some modern day dumb bunnies. Every DIY'er that has ever used a hammer seems to think they have become experts. Just my humble opinion...James DuHamel
*All I have to say for an explanation for your evaluation of anyone who posts here at Breaktime Mr. Kehoe:So what?How much, right or wrong have you contributed to this forumn?Jeff
*Hi guys,There were days i'd put in a new door, nail it and screw it to the house frame with too many fasteners, put in a first rate lock with solid backing at the strikes, and look my customer in the eye at the end of the day and say, "security is an illusion".Well guys if your not talking about the credibility you got at the bank, then credibility is an illusion.Like jclb i'm very comfortable with the time here, your my buds.joe d
*Ive been on this board for over 2 years but I use it more for the info as I don't feel that I have the experince to give advice or don't want to just repeat whats been said. I personaly feel lucky that there are people like Blue, crazy legs ect to help me along. I read the posts and use what I can if you can't use it dont.PS. speaking of long time users what happened to jack did he fall into his stream?
*I would just like to add that most of the people that post here are fellow tradesmen that usually give advice based on skills that they have learned over the years earning a living for themselves and their families. Some of the advice they share I'm sure was learned the hard way; but, they are still very generous in shareing their wealth of information with everyone. I for one have tried and used some of this information posted here and by doing so feel that I have improved my skills which has helped me to produce a better product for my customers. I have a great deal of respect for these people, let alone the many friendships that I have made here. As someone mentioned before, if the advice doesn't sound right you can either question it or ignore it. To sum it up in a sentence: "None of us is as smart as all of us." Mad Dog M.
*I, personally, do not have the right to pass judgement upon others. We all have our motivations. We all have our reason to hang in at Breaktime.Shopping for a boat and map to Jack's stream.L
*....hey Phil..didn't mean to start a stompin match on ya...When I first started posting on this board , I had just moved over from JLC, a magazine I know and love, this is a little different here, kind of like going to a Builder's dinner, or swappin stories at the local coffee shop, except it's open all hours, and if you're bored or wonderin 'bout somethin you don't have to hop in your truck and drive all over town to find someone.Some of us are more garulous (sic.?) than others, but that's the same way in life....you go to public meetings and some pepole just like to talk and don't know nothin'others like to talk and kow some of what they're talkin' aboutand others know what is being talked about but are too shy or otherwise inhibited from participating....Anyways, if you didn't get the reaction you were expecting, don't let it bother you, just put in your 2c/ (how do you make the "cents" symbol on you keyboard ? ......and another thing.....Blue...how do you write your handle in "blue" ?) and come on back for more.....pretty soon you won't be an FNG.
*Phillip,
Joseph FuscoView Image"Whenever, therefore, people are deceived and form opinions wide of the truth, it is clear that the error has slid into their minds through the medium of certain resemblance's to that truth." Socrates
*Mike, I use a little html trick. If you want to see how it looks, right click on this message, and select "view source". That will show you the html codes.I'm no genius about this stuff. I just have a few lines pasted in a text file. I then go and copy it and it stays on my "clipboard" for my posting sessions. Sorry if you are now more confused.Blue
*Nice Post, Jeff. My sentiments exactly.Phil, I've only been doing this for about 25 years, so I guess I just a humble carpenter. But in that 25 years of framing, concrete work, building bridges, roofing, finish work, electrical, plumbing, restoration work, painting, cabinetry, and every other conceivable project, I have picked up a few pieces of information. I don't claim to be an expert on venting, cdx vs plywood, and other things. I you know, I have been known to be (gulp!) wrong once or twice. Excuse me.Phil, can I ask what do you do for a living?
*Alt+0162 (from the numpad) = the cents sign ¢(you can find out these keystroke combos from Start->Programs->Accessories->Character Map, and choose the System font)
*Phillip, everyone before me said it all. Especially whaen Mad Dog said, "None of us is as smart as all of us." It's a collaborative effort, discussion, time away from the stress and finally, leaning and helping. "I don't think their opinions hold up under weight?" Considering that statement, I don't know about their "opinions" holding up, but I'll but there's no jock strap around that can hold up your cajoles!
*Hey Lawrence,Does that mean you went to the boat show in Portland? Are you really shopping? joe d
*Sonny: "cajoles"? :):)Phil: To say it again in a slightly different way: Lots of folks have had a wide variety of life experience. Lots of others haven't had as much variety, but have maybe had greater depth. Put that together with a willingness to let ideas stand on their own and any reader can learn something useful.It isn't until you try to teach that you truly learn.
*"It isn't until you try to teach that you truly learn."Boy, Fred, that is the truth. In every class (or exercise, or whatever) I've ever taught I always learned something from my students. Just a personal opinion, but I think students are most receptive when they think the teacher expects to learn something from them. Gives them a little heads-up self-esteem to approach a topic they may know little or nothing about with less trepidation. Even if what the teacher learns is not about the subject matter, learning is learning I say.