Anyone agree that this site has become diluted with a lot of B.S. or am I just noticing it now?
At one time I would come to FHB and check for all the new construction info/questions etc.. but now it seems most of all the new messages are just B.S. chatting about various subjects. I no longer see this site for what it once was.
Fortunately, there are other sites that although are not as busy with posters, you can be sure when something is posted it is of relevance to construction.
Replies
Woodrow: You've expressed what I've felt for quite some time now and because of the "noise" I don't find myself frequenting the site as often as I used to - good point. There are plenty of other outlets for a lot of the "BS" being generated. - Rookie
No. It's a microcosm of life. It's a bunch of guys and gals in related work who use it as a virtual water cooler.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
nope.....BS is what brings people together from all walks of life.
The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.
—Robert Louis Stevenson
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
BS is what brings people together from all walks of life."
Andy,
Very true. I think if woody had his way, there'd be no BT fests and you never would have been able to try Sprecher Amber, and I never would have gotten that Granite and grapefruit from RW.
To Wood, this forum is not just about the exchange of building info, to the regulars it's a lot more. I could go on, but I have a plane to catch.
Jon
<<<I could go on, but I have a plane to catch.
Jon>>>>
Jon
and I'd never have met you and your brother or gotten those pics of my dungeon down bellow...lol
Plane to catch? Does that mean I'll see you again with those awesome brews you brought last time....doesn't matter....we have beer and wine here on LI too....
your visits are good enough with or without the brews.
And yeh...BS "is" what its all about.what it's always been about.
Makes things that much more colorful....one of the reasons I don't frequent the JLC site all that much.
Be well
andyThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.—Robert Louis Stevenson
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
LOL!
You obviously understand humans pretty well!You're unique! Just like everyone else! Scott Adams
I think the forum is still a great resource. People still come here and get great advice. Can you give an example of a thread where the original question was never answered?
I also think the political BS has risen up to such a point that it threatens to overshadow the construction-related stuff.
But the SYSOPs are working on that. Hopefully something will change soon which will help the situation.
Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God [William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania]
I agree. For some, it might be getting to be like an old marriage.
But the Tavern has become something else. I find it a little odd, because my jobsites and others I'm around are mostly devoid of all the political crap. (Maybe too much wine and not enough beer).
Theodore Roosevelt for President; 2008
I agree it's odd. Don't know why so many are attracted to this site.
Maybe it's because we basically ALL have houses. Not everyone gardens, sews, or does woodworking, so such a large crowd isn't attracted to those respective forums.Compost happens.
Absolutely.
I would venture to guess that more FHB readers make their living doing what the magazine focuses on. On the other hand, most readers of Fine Gardening, Fine Woodworking, etc., don't. (hope that makes sense)
Besides, builders are a passionate bunch.
I find it a little odd, because my jobsites and others I'm around are mostly devoid of all the political crap.
The reason is if this political talk here happened at a job site there would be fisty cuffs.
This place makes everyone physically equal but not mentally equal. In the real world a weak and defective mind learns to shut up or your going to get an a** whipin. Not here, so a lot more goes on.
For instance if I said Imerc,Cloud Hidden, Rez and Darcy are all sissy's.
Pretty brave, huh? But I couldn't say that if they could punch me through my monitor.
if I said Imerc,Cloud Hidden, Rez and Darcy are all sissy's.
Pretty brave, huh? But I couldn't say that if they could punch me through my monitor
LoL! I'd drive to Tulsa to watch, if Darcy was planning to make you eat those words <g> . . . Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
I never thought I should have kept my location secret.... Um... Shoot, now I gotta go back and changer all my post to say I'm in ...Cognito, ya that would be safer...
I'm in ...Cognito, ya that would be safer...
Yeah, right, like anyone would buy that <g>.
At least it's more likely than finding a town called "Thought" over in the Osarks . . . <g> Hmm, Cognito, OK or Cognito, MO--only thing worse would be how the locals pronounced it <g>.
'Course, on this side of the Red River, it'd be "Thankin, TX" . . . Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Hey now, I AM the original Sissy! I earned that title fair and square, and there ain't nobody gonna take it away from me!
Imerc, well, he's just a girly-man.
Cloud is only a nancy-boy.
And rez is merely a harvey milktoast.
We're all busy planning our Sissy Fest in Tulsa.
wanna come?
Come? Heck, can I be the poster boy? I'll furnish the beer.(bribe)
Sure! As long as it's Seirra Nevada Pale Ale.
Now get in there, don your apron, and finish those dishes, poster boy!
You pretty much sum it all up right there. And for some reason this place has attracted more then enough of those types.
But hey it's a free country, or maybe they just have more time to post here because their social skills make it to hard to find friends in the outside world.Who Dares Wins.
"Can you give an example of a thread where the original question was never answered?"
LOL!!! This is the easiest question I've ever answered on this forum.
Examples of original questions never answered:
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=49512.1
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=49400.1
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=49378.1
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=49374.1
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=49307.1
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=49289.1
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=49277.1
http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=49240.1
I know there have been a couple of times that I've started a thread with a question that was never answered.
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
Hey Rich,
Next time you don't get an answer, e-mail me direct and I'll give it my best shot. I can usually pull something out of my a$$ for a friend.<G>
Ralph,
Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
Rich, I opened everyone of those threads and I still can't come up with an answer!
blueWarning! Be cautious when taking any advice from me. Although I have a lifetime of framing experience, some of it is viewed as boogerin and not consistent with views of those who prefer to overbuild everything...including their own egos
Additionally, don't take any political advice from me. I'm just a parrot for the Republican talking points. I get all my news from Rush Limbaugh and Fox and Friends (they are funny...try them out)!
"I opened everyone of those threads and I still can't come up with an answer!"
We have that in common. LOL!
Rich Beckman
Time to take a nap.
I haven't posted much lately (too busy), and I tend--in these learning years--to ask more than answer. After, two years, I'm still more than a little in awe at the collective brainpower in construction techniques that this Forum offers up. And one of my favorite sections of the magazine are the excerpts from the Forum that end up in print.
I do see some of the same questions posted more than once, and that is the nature of the beast. A "core" of people tend to stay while other folks come in for a Q&A and depart. Some stick around for general learning (I've read old threads just because I'm fascinated by them). Others poke around in the Tavern for awhile because this is a pretty fun group.
I have noticed (I will appeal to the Fine Homebuilding Deities, here) that the archives are a little...well...scruffy and difficult to navigate. You have to develop some complex Boolean searches to find what you need unless you are a regular and speak the "lingo" and many people don't know a) what things are called or b) how to find the answer to their question in the archives. I imagine many "cruise by" or short time users find it faster and easier to just throw their question into the fray without spending the time to dig an old answer out. And what if new technology or new products have changed an answer? It's really difficult to know that.
I did a client project once where I had to create a cribsheet with diagrams of all of the technical lingo used in the client's work, as well as organize the archives so that specific "threads" could be found related to question and topic. It was for their knowledge management group. That seemed to help with their discussion boards immensely.
I do appreciate Breaktime more than anyone will ever know. It's made life a lot easier for me...whether I end up doing something on my own, knowing the best questions to ask to hire a knowledgeable specialist, or diagnosing whether I can/should tackle something or call in the pros. I have developed an even deeper respect for the knowledge and skills of these professions based upon this forum.
Did anyone ever REALLY answer the question about 19.2" black diamonds??
Mr T
I can't afford to be affordable anymore
19.2 diamonds on the tape measures? When laying out floor joist to this saves one joist in 8'. All dependant on span and subfloor materials.
Was your question rhetorical? I don't know anyone who uses this for flooring but I know my dad used it on roof framing.
The "diamonds on tape measures" question is posted here fairly frequently.
Since giving a simple answer isn't really all that fun, the regualrs here have come up with all sorts of wild answers and explanations.
Hang around until someone starts a thread like that, and you'll see what I mean...They say television is making people dumber. What do they mean by that?
Whats really dopey is how newbies never heard of a Piffin screw.who never heard of that.don't you guys use them to hold trusses together?
Be well
andyThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.—Robert Louis Stevenson
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Yuo only thought that was the answer....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
The black diamonds represent cubits.
Official definition of cubits is 8'/5. Equals 19.2" or about 19 3/16". Very convenient spacing between 16" [6 studs] and 24" [4 studs].
~Peter
Is Stan Foster's auto-gyro available for an impeding rescue attempt planned for south eastern West Virginia?
The last time I used 19.2 black diamond was to layout manufactured floor joists to the specifications.
Many - many times
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Yeah well now we got a clerical admin. DIWer who wants to know how to istall crown!!
Who is gonna tell hin that it takes 15 years of experience doing the easier stuff to know all you might need to know to be a good finish man.
Looks like he's gonna getr steered towards crown blocks!!
Yeesh.
Hard work, Practical/common sense and years of experience are what it takes.
I dunno, mebbee he can larn it all on friday so he can do it this week-end.
Promoting this type of BS is why this place + the rag are sliding down the toobs.
Mr T
I can't afford to be affordable anymore
So he picks up the tab and we go and teach him in person....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
O.K., I concede your point. There *ARE* unanswered questions.
But I think unanswered questions are the EXCEPTION, not the RULE. The vast majority get answers.
.
Why do you suppose it is that some threads get more attention than others?
I've started some that I thought would take off but they died pretty quickly. Others have taken off and quickly gotten over 100 posts.
Like the one I started about high blood pressure. I got big real quick. Or when I posted about my Son being in that purple martin thing. I had no idea so many would be so interested.
If ya figure it out, let me know...(-:There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible to live without breaking laws. [Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged]
"But I think unanswered questions are the EXCEPTION, not the RULE. The vast majority get answers."
I looked into Construction Techniques and hit Next 50. Then I hit Next 50 again and I started counting.
So I ignored the first one hundred threads, on the grounds that they might still be in play.
Of the next 300 threads in Construction Techniqes, 25 have never received a reply. I guess no one would argue that 91.67% isn't a vast majority, but I think 8.33% of threads going unanswered is a lot.
Rich Beckman
Time to take a nap.
Although there are many here who can answer those questions, do you think the questions are dropped out of sight by new postings so quickly that they are not even noticed. I find that I do not have the time to open up each folder to its max and then go for the next 50, etc., when caught up in following more active threads or threads that catch my attention
And then there are those links within the various threads that may or may not contribute to the discussion, so again, time is taken to follow those links and the unanswered questions remain unseen and, of course, unanswered.
What's the going square foot price for installing Hardie, 7 1/4", at 6" reveal?
"Although there are many here who can answer those questions, do you think the questions are dropped out of sight by new postings so quickly that they are not even noticed"
I imagine that is the case. Although I am certain that even long ago an unanswered question wasn't all that rare.
I know that I probably look at the top fifty list in both General Discussion and Constuction Techniques at least twice a day. I look for threads that I am interested in and I look for threads that I might actually be able to answer and have not yet been responded to more than a few times.
It is a rare event that I find a posted question that I am qualifed to answer (assuming I'm qualified to answer any at all...) and that has not already been well responded to.
I don't know what the solution to unanswered posts is. Maybe unanswered threads should "float" above those with more recent activity until they are blank days old.
I'm not sure that it is a problem that requires solution. I only bring it up because Boss was arguing that one of the forum's strengths was the small number of unanswered questions. I don't think that case can hold water.
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
O.K., so maybe your 91.67% estimate isn't a VAST majority. But it's still a pretty danged solid majority. (What's the margin of error on that poll?)
(-:
My original point was that questions still get answered here. That's never changed.Health care costs are outrageous. I went in for surgery and there was a two-pint minimum.
sometimes it's just the time of day.. so it drops to the bottom and disappears..
if they are new , or shy, they don't know enough to bump it up .. if it gets bumped up, it usually gets answered..
some of the examples rich listed were a lttle too vague.. or they could be answered "yes" or "no".. why bother ..
one had an attachment of xxx.doc.. i don't open those.. most of the time i only open xxx.jpg....
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Why won't we know? Is she leavin? Won't post a photo? I'll show mine if you show me yours? ( oops there goes my defective mind again,sorry)
oops, a mistake.
Jag, this is general Discussion and shouldn't be speaking this way here.
I'm going to self delete that post.
Seriously I have to say this forum is in my opinion the best I've seen. You can argue I haven't seen much but I beg to differ.
There is a lot more to this site then just business. It's community. I've developed some good friendships here.
The other sites I've been on are flat and sterile, lifeless. Sure they stay on point. But sadly they won't allow their sites to deviate from their corporate protected image.
FHB here is more intune more honest and supportive to the everyday working schmo then anyone else. They provide by this forum more help to the HO than anywhere else. And they realize our type of work is hard and stressful and at the end of the day a place like this to go for all of us here helps ease the days difficulties.
I for one appreciate Fine Homebuilding, the whole Taunton family.
(now do I get a hat Mr. Fink, sir)
I'll second everything you said.
"I will never surrender or retreat. " Col. Wm. B. Travis, The Alamo, Feb. 1835
The other sites I've been on are flat and sterile, lifeless. Sure they stay on point. But sadly they won't allow their sites to deviate from their corporate protected image.
You are absolutely correct.......the guys who bitch the loudest about the threads will be the first to leave once this place becomes homogenized........because in the real world some people are not happy unless they can bitch about something.
As any decent artist knows conflict and contrast changes a bland lifeless painting to one charged with emotion..................what are you guys afraid of? one punch of a button and you can escape back to your world of miriad shades of grey where there is a leader and fifty #### kissers to discuss the fine points of building a house...................think that jlc place is like that.
I don't agree with the name calling and infantile stuff either......but a good bare knuckle fight is FUN ............................ viva la Bush!
It all comes down to the subject of the Tavern where the resting place of non-trades talk is suppose to find residence.
Actually we all do a fairly good job of that placement. ah hum
If one were to stay out of the tavern the clarity of the trades to the front would return.
For the most part anyhow.
For straight talk on technical subjects without put downs this site is still the best. (well, there are some often joking putdowns among regulars - those are meant to be humorous, right?)
Breaktime has people welcoming newbies with non-condecending straight answers and none of the 10 replies in a row telling someone to go look up a pro in the yellow pages as compared to places like HVAC-talk, where cost discussions are prohibited and DIY queries discouraged if not outright prohibited (I can pass myself off as a HVAC pro somehow, just can't ask a really stupid question)
As others said, tavern is a whole separate issue, and is often avoided except for entertainment (Have not seen a HRC or Jeb in '08 thread yet, thank goodness).
I have been away from this board for quite awhile, about 2 years. I think I first started reading in 99 or 2000. I have just started lurking again in the last month or two. I do see a change in personalities. Not as many "camps" (that I can tell so far), fewer fights, less dynamic, fewer core discussions of techniques. I imagine there are fewer and fewer newer questions. I still find the board a valuable resource but I miss the personal attributes. I do remember these same type discussions back then also. If I remember correctly, these discussions "invigorated" a few of the more ascerbic entities to decrease some of the homogenity that was creeping in. Brings a smile thinking of some of those discussions (dogs, lunches, and name calling with an occasional Andy intervention). I have tried searching for some of the threads but the new board format does is not able to search my old userid in the archive.
I did not know Andy had left, stumbled on that a few days ago. Where are Mongo, Lisa, GeneL, Joe Fusco, etc...?
I will stay humbly in the background and chime in when I can help or my view might round out a discussion.
Hope all of you are doing well.
Masiman (formerly as ChrisT)
Edited 11/5/2004 2:04 pm ET by masiman
Good afternoon everyone.
This forum rocks! I always appreciate jumping online every morning and seeing what the gang is up to. IMO, there's one guy who seems to share a little too much, but thankfully, I don't participate in the political threads he is so fond of.
I always feel like part of the group, and you don't get that everywhere you go, online or in the real world. I look forward to posting some of my projects, now that I have a digital camera.
I think also that a few posters on the site think that this is their soapbox and the megaphone is provided. It makes me wonder if they talk to the members of their crews that way, or the other guys at the lumberyard, or their families.
I like the fact that political threads in the Tavern are tagged as such. I can pretty much figure out who is going to be there, and when I see the especially colorful ones posting an actual builiding related comment, I try to forget that they like to be the occasional jerk, and conversely, I can look at a post from another contributor and realize that they are as thoughtful and logical in both the building and political opinions.
I hope some of this makes sense to somebody. It's just that sometimes the political hollering matches make me log off of this site entirely.
You guys may not realize it, but I take a one or two of you to work with me from time to time. One new guy in my crew asked me one day when we were trying to figure something out, "Maybe you should ask Piffin what he would do?".
"Experienced people sharing their experience".
Have an awesome day. Ricky
"Maybe you should ask Piffin what he would do?".
PIFF IS GOD.......
we are not worthy,
we are not worthy,
we are not worthy.
Woodrow;
I suppose if you are only looking for specific trade information and the like, maybe the board has changed somewhat, but I happen to think it is...by far...the best of its type anywhere. I lurked here for a good while before I registered, but am registered on several more boards as well. When I come here, I can't actually put my finger on it, but it's sorta like a big, rough and rowdy but still close, family. I get a sense of "being welcome" when I come here...and I don't often get that on other boards...sorta like it is OK to ask a stupid question, because we all know we have asked them ourselves at some time or other. Does that make sense?
I happen to think this place ROCKS...even if about half of you are all wrong in your politics! :-)
masiman/ChrisT
Mongo and Lisa are around - Joe left when the board changed to this 'despairo' software, tho he has checked in a time or three - he had a fire at his house and lost posessions, but no injuries, word is he is putting it back together - can't place GeneL, tho he might be here under another name...
welcome back...
"there's enough for everyone"
Long time!
GeneL hasn't posted here in quite some time. For a few years at least. I do more skipping around the forum looking for a good thread than posting these days.
This thing has grown exponentially over the past few years with the expected dilution in content.
I do applaud Taunton for not commercializing this place with banners and over-the-top advertising for third-party outfits.
Joe has been busy rebuilding his house, he was banished a few times from here, then he broke off and started a forum on his own site. He occasionally appears under the moniker "resurrected".
There ares only two or three of the charter members remaining...
It's good to be reading again about all your techniques. Ones I will never use (but a guy can dream :). I did see a "blue eyed devil" post. That was great, still one of the most focused guys when it comes to his trade of framing.
Sorry to hear about Joe's house. He use to post some stunning pictures of his work.
Maybe I just did not read deep enough in the posts. I saw Bucksnort, Jeff Buck, Jim Blodgett. I have not seen (or remember?) the Canucks, lots of good window posts from them. I think there was an Australian too, Cadill? I can't remember if it was Mongo or Blue that lived somewhere in PA and had built a grand patio of stone and had a little boy. Very nice too as I recall. No need to respond about all of these names, just reminiscing.
We have since moved from Apex, NC to the DC area. Expensive as heck as many of you may know. We actually were able to purchase a house after renting for two years. Quite literally 3 times as expensive as what I could get in Apex. We have also added a third boy and my father in law now lives with us, bless my wife for putting up with 5 boys. I'll do all I can to try to make the next one a girl if she will go for it :). I won't retire here but the work is plentiful enough in this area for techies.
Current house project is battling a 10-15 year old Wysteria infestation (NC memories). Bought a chainsaw (orange of course!). I started felling all those I could do safely on my property. Just talked my neighbor into letting me do 3 on his property and I am culling out the greenway behind us. Life is good while deconstructing, lol. If these babies could just handle non-wood material, they would have it all over a sawzall.
Don't know if any of you are into Ultimate/No Holds Barred Fighting. I have some family involvment in the sport and show up at some of the engagements.
Again, thanks for the welcome back!
Edited 11/5/2004 11:49 pm ET by masiman
I'd hope that Gene is still around. Too bad if he changed his moniker, he always had a point-of-view regarding thermal envelopes, etc, and I'd usually make a point of reading his posts.
You probably remember FreddyL. Fred left, then returned...then left again. Again, always good info from Fred regarding envelopes, cellulose insulation, and dare I say...vented vs unvented construction. (Did the earth just shake after I wrote that?)
Canucks?
Gabby the underwater Jeep driver? He disappeared years ago.
Gabe is still here, and still providing his wisdom.
Thankfully Adrian is still around, though I don't see his name as frequently as I used to.
PatrickM was the other guy from up north. He disappeared four, maybe five years ago? His humor is missed.
The Aussie, Mark, still lingers. However, after Taunton went from WebX to the current Prospero format, there were a few self-made melt-downs here on the forum. Quite a few posters abandoned taunton and started their own forum, WebX based, called "quittin time." Mark is a player in that. He still posts here, but not as frequently as years ago.
People do come and go. Take Blue. Blue disappeared for...how long were you gone, blue? A year? Two? I just started seeing his name again a few weeks ago.
The patio was mine. I do remember that thread. I'm in CT, though. I still read a fair amount of postings...but I will also go weeks without viewing or posting. I don't post nearly as often as I used to, usually because by the time I see a thread it already has 20 replies.
To ALL: There are certainly threads that fall through the cracks, but it's not suprising, as Ralph and others have already mentioned, the volume of posts and how quickly they can fall of the page. Best bet is to co what Mike said...bump it back up to the top of the listing by replying to your own post.
Part of the problem is non-topical thread titles. It's highly unlikely that I'll open a thread called "Have you ever seen this before?" or something equally vague. Don't try to appeal to everyone when you post. Use a spot-on title and you're more likely to attract the attention of those knowledgeable about your topic.
The mindset of the forum is cyclical. At times it's a steady stream of valid construction techniques, at other time cabin fever sets in and some people seem to lose their minds when they log on to the forum. Must be the free booze in the Tavern.
Edited 11/6/2004 7:27 pm ET by Mongo
Some of the threads that go unanswered are in the vein of "what colour is the sky", or "What time does the noon train leave the depot".
When somebody posts asking a Q like, "What does concrete cost" I often refrain from answering simply because they can get more accurate answers by calling their local batch plant. If I'm bored and the q is nicely asked, I might be more proine to explain that.
But I think one of the strengths of this forum is that the percentage of posts that are patently ridiculous are few and far between. Breaktime attracts a far more intelligent and skilled crowd that bobbies villa for instance. Over there, I gues that at least a quarter of the questions asked are of that calibre and worse yet, too many of the answers found there are that bad.
I'm proud to be part of Breaktime and members like yourself.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Although relatively new to this forum, I have learned quickly the art of retaining one's opinions without having to post them or lose your cool, and also the fine art of listening, in this case reading, and really understanding what others have to say. It's a great lesson and I dare say that not everyone is able to do it.
As far as the Q&A on the technical, what's the problem? Sure there's going to be the same old questions asked time and again. I used to be an actor....do you know what it's like to do over 300 performances of the same show and keep it fresh and different every time? It's because there is a different audience every night, and likewise in here there are the same old faces but a lot of first timers too, so it's all new to them. I like the welcoming attitude of you all, I like the intelligence....there's a lot of that here (sometime not), I like the debates and the occasional fight in the Tavern. Right now there is a glut of the political posts which I'm tired of and it gets to be like a Bill O'Riley show, but in general the place suits me fine.
Did I say there is a problem on technical Q&As?
I don't mind answering same Q over again and again if it is a good Q. It is the ones that are unanswerable that often get no answers.
But overall, most folks get a lot of patience and coddling, especially first timers.
Supposing you ask "how big of a furnace do I need to heat my house?"
you probably recieve a reply that info would be needed re climate, age of house, insulation package, and size of house before an intelligent answer might come along. But occasionally, the answer couldcome from one of us wise guys - to one another - "big enough to hold all the hot air around here", or "How much hot air do you want to make?"
;)
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Actually Piffen no, you didn't say there was a problem with Q&A, it was posts previous to yours. I just clicked to your name because it was the last one on the board at the timeso I didn't really address it correctly. Anyhow....
Re:"As far as the Q&A on the technical, what's the problem? Sure there's going to be the same old questions asked time and again."
I run into this a lot.
As an electrician I try to cover that area pretty well. I take the time to answer a relatively simple question like why the neutral and ground are separate at a subpanel. I try to give complete answers. Assuming the person asking the question has little prior knowledge. I try to walk them through it in detail with an eye toward the post being read some time in the future by others. I think about the answer and try to map out a strategy.
Problem is that once I put myself into an answer I feel like I have covered the subject. At least for a time I feel I have done my part and when the same question comes up I either don't answer or try to refer people to previous threads or the search function. Sometimes a simple bump can bring the question up enough for someone with a fresh insight to answer.
Part of this is boredom with the same question being brought up repeatedly. Sometimes within days of each other. As with any skill set 80% of the issues are about 20% of the potential problems. Interesting, unique and truly new issues are rare.
Another part is to allow others a shot. I feel like if I provide a comprehensive answer to every question dealing with electricity I would shut others, possibly more knowledgeable than myself, out.
No big problem. There are a few people on this forum I would trust to wire my house. Each has a unique perspective. Some more rough and ready. Others more technical. A wide bench gives more perspective, time for any one person to rest and a pretty good error correction function. We end up checking each others posts.
I see what looks like a similar effect in other skill sets within homebuilding. There is good information and a little not so good information. Usually the less sound information is easy to spot. Other than the occasional joke responses I can't say I have ever seen a legitimate question get a wrong answer.
Good point about referral to the previous threads. I s'pose that if it's an in depth more comprehensive answer whitch most of them are, that's the best way.
I'm greatful that we have guys like you, Cliff, Bill, etc, that are not only knowledgable, but are willing to be hand-holders when guiding people through electrical questions.
People can paint and not get hurt. People can get hurt...and even more importantly, hurt family members...or even a third-party who comes to live in their house years down the road...by screwing up electrical work.
Though not licensed, I did all the electrical on my own house...from the 600' trench from the street to the house and laying the runs of conduit and pull ropes, to installing the meter box...all the way to the receptacles. While I feel I can answer residential electrical questions, and sometimes do if the thread got lost in the shuffle, I prefer to leave questions like those to guys such as yourselves.
We definitely need guys such as yourselves on this forum.
Jer, there are some questions asked that I could very well answer because they fall within the scope of my experience. Often though, I refrain from chirping in first and fast because I don't want to be the "know-it-all". Also, it gives others a chance to share their knowledge. If something goofy is being said, I'm more than willing to add an alternate view....without becoming an attack dog (Gabe likes to do this to me) and trying to belittle the person with an alternate point of view.
I have strong opinions regarding a variety of product and techniques, but I don't have an agenda....
blueWarning! Be cautious when taking any advice from me. Although I have a lifetime of framing experience, some of it is viewed as boogerin and not consistent with views of those who prefer to overbuild everything...including their own egos
Additionally, don't take any political advice from me. I'm just a parrot for the Republican talking points. I get all my news from Rush Limbaugh and Fox and Friends (they are funny...try them out)!
I often wonder why so many of the "how much does ___ cost" threads don't simply add a geographical location.
I most certainly agree with the idea that giving an answer is my prerogative...and not my obligation.
I recall someone in tha past asking something along the lines of "what is the best way to paint my house." I happened to be in a darn fine mood that night and esentially gave instructions on what brushes, prepwork, primer, oil, and latex paint would be best on myriad surfaces...interior and exterior. I even threw in the idea of how to properly clean paintbrushes, masking off, etc, etc. What a fine dog I was on that day.
Many moons later, someone posted pretty much the same question..."What's the best way to paint?" I replied with "what are you painting." The reply to me was something sarcastic like "Duh...this is the FHB forum...I'm painting a house!".
I let my fingers do the typing on other threads that night.
Everyone who has emailed me for advice has always been quite gracious when asking questions off the forum. Only once in a while do I get something akin to the previous "how do I paint" question.
I whole-heartedly agree with you...Breaktime is a fine community. Even when we "come out of the computer", as has been shown at the fests,
Wish I had spent more time with you at Rhodefest. one of my earlier memories of you was a comment/compliment you gave me a few yeaars ago, to the effect of saying, "You can come paint my house anyday" after a reply I had made to someone. We could be thinking of the same thread. Andy had one once back when he was painting his own house that turned into a pretty decent painting thread.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I agree. My visit was too short.
I got there while everyone was out on the trolley tour, so I did have a nice talk with Mike (and Mike), as well as a few games of 'shoes, while we waited for the trolleyers to return.
I pretty much spent the next few hours spreading myself a little thin, trying to bounce from table to table and conversation to conversation in an attempt to at least get a few words in with everyone.
I'm looking forward to the next 'fest, and maybe after we have a few away from New England, I'll even host one a few years down the road.
I'm looking forward to the next 'fest, and maybe after we have a few away from New England,
we need one in New Orleans.
bag... i definitely gotta meet you..
so follow up on that thoughtMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
N'awlans?
There's nothing to do in New Orleans!
<g>
Now there's an idea. I'd LOVE to have one down there. BB, you're not in N.O. or even in LA, are you? For some reason I thought you were in AL.
How have your stained floors held up? I really liked the pics you posted.
Mongo, I left when they switced from webx because this prospero stuff was so radically different and I just couldn't get used to it. That was about two years ago. After two years, I can't even remember what was so good about webx. I vaguely remember that I could create a favorites or somthing.
I still don't like this format but I don't feel so anxious/frustrated about the missing capabilities. The excessive moderating gives me pause.
Patrick by the way was still there for the Prospero switch, or left shortly before. He hasn't been gone 5 years.
I'm wondering where AJ went. I know he was getting extremely frustrated about a lot of stuff when I left.
blue Warning! Be cautious when taking any advice from me. Although I have a lifetime of framing experience, some of it is viewed as boogerin and not consistent with views of those who prefer to overbuild everything...including their own egos
Additionally, don't take any political advice from me. I'm just a parrot for the Republican talking points. I get all my news from Rush Limbaugh and Fox and Friends (they are funny...try them out)!
There was a big falling out after the prospero switch. It seems like such a long time ago. Patrick seems like much more a distant memory that two years, but inretrospect, I bet you're right.
I do wish I could have simple "one-click" access to the forum. Probably not a big deal for most, but nothing faster than dial-up is available in my area, and two minutes waiting is two minutes wasted. Especially when repeated many times.
the irony is that most of the moaning about what a mean-spirited place the forum is comes from people who are more non-construction, and they are those who spend most of their time posting in the Tavern. And the Tavern is where the chit is supposed to happen.
The forum has indeed changed. It's gone from the local Mom 'n Pop hardware store to an oversized Wal-Mart.
In some ways it's good, in others, not so good.
One good thing? It's good to see you back on the forum.
Edit: forgot to add: I was wondering if there was an attempt by Taunton to "clean up the forum" when they started posting exerpts from the forum in the magazine. I think having outtakes from the forum in the magazine defnitely drove forum traffic up...which is good for Taunton. Still, when mixing it all together, they've been great hosts.
Edited 11/7/2004 8:44 am ET by Mongo
It would seem, IMHO, that the greatest obstacle Taunton has to overcome in regards to Breaktime is keeping the present colorful and entertaining 'edge' it still holds while riding the crest of the popularity wave it is experiencing.
Look at the increased number of registered posters compared to 12-24 months ago. Many are lurkers coming forth and many are new viewers.
It can't be the same as it once was as all move over and give elbow room to the new.
Breaktime is doing it's job, but as with any operation that is forced to change when experiencing large growth the risk of wrong decisions that can cut the plant off at the stem is always there.
Lose the life and you'll lose the jazz then you'll lose the readership, if you follow my riff.
A wide viewership increases popularity that can lead to increased sales. The question is how to balance the books.
What if Breaktime suddenly hit at exponential growth unforeseen that went off the charts. This is still the wild west and Breaktime is a pioneer.
I like the place. Hope they make the right moves and hang on to it all.
Censorship in a free world is a stick of dynamite.
'I'm wondering where AJ went. I know he was getting extremely frustrated about a lot of stuff when I left."
you mean that I'm not the original aj... that sucks......
yes and no.
Adirondack Jack was the first "aj", but you're the first real aj.
good I felt cheated, almost like i had been posting as anther....
aj was all set to come to RhodeFest.. but he never showed.... so i know he's alive and wellMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
If GeneL is who I think he is, he's here under another name on a fairly regular basis. But respect for his reasons for changing nicknames precludes me posting my supposition.
I'll e- the person concerned the link to this and see what develops....
Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
yur right....
AC says he's gonna stop by and ski...
I'm aiming forSaturaday still...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Dino
IMERC just left about 15 min ago.
I guess he told you that I may be up your way back to Mt Tremblant either Xmas or Presidents week.
My daughter Jolie's been pleading with us to go again so.......we'll see.
If we do get up there be sure Ryan has some fresh ones ready lol
Be well bro
andyThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,
I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.
I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Roger that.
INCOMING!!!!Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
TH
Calling Club Tremblant today to see whats available in Feb (Presidents week).
Only reason we like(ed) Club T was because it was great for Jolie and the all day ski instructions were fun even though it gets a bit repetitive year after year.
Have fun with IMERC and tell him his retired sneakers are on their way to be bronzed in memory of his visit.
Also that I spent another hour or more with Jose' getting the powder room floor more level and went over it with 1/2" ply....mainly cause the sleepers were below that PVC drain pipe.notched out the ply around it and started with the wide plank flooring already....till my chop box conked out....I know I know DeWalt blows....funny enough my cordless 18V drill sems to be having issues as well....hmmmmm...bought them both about 6 yrs ago.
Ask him to show you how his Bosch hammer drill goes through a 8" rock (as in real rock...like the ones you throw through windows,not drywall...lol)in about one minute or less.
Be well bro and say hi to Ryan for me...
Being your NYC connection
AndyThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,
I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.
I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
They won't let me in...
Gunner must have had something to do with it...
The gave me a ration of ... over the dog and they the tools on board the truck really upset everybody...
They must have figured I was gonna take away a passel of jobs or something..
They didn't even bat an eye lid at the weapons...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
IMERC
Not to hijack this thread or nuttin' but are you in Canada now???
Yer friend
andyThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,
I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.
I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
He denied it so I have to respect that and keep my ASSumptions to myself.
I'm still alive in spite of the best efforts of our evac chief to kill us all, LOL.
What time sat? After the week I just went through I ain't gittin up early but if'n ya git here after 9 there'll be coffee on....
Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
GeneL moved to Florida a year or so back. Maybe they don't have isps there?
AndyArguing with a Breaktimer is like mud-wrestling a pig -- Sooner or later you find out the pig loves it.
Other people can talk about how to expand the destiny of mankind. I just want to talk about how to fix a motorcycle. I think that what I have to say has more lasting value. --Robert M. Pirsig
I forgot about that.
He and Fred gave me some good ideas on envelopes. Some good thoughts on the forum, but with the flame wars of old (esp w Fred), some of the more productive back-and-forths were off-line.
I saw you're back in the fray of publishing! Hope all is well.
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School mandatory 'til age 18
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were not sorry (very pol)
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The "pandemic" talk really worries me
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Bush - my god again? (POL)
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Cordless Impact Drivers
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Christmas tool exchange?
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Good thoughts for my Mom View Image
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renting from home depot.
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Let's Elevate the War Discussion (pol)
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gift for newborn
What you see above is my biggest beef with the forum. When I logged on today, these were my choices to choose from. I suppose there's a way to circumvent this page, but I haven't dug deep enough into it to see what my options are.
I'd like to have any threads from the tavern not eligible for this page. They simply are not what I'm here for.
The Tavern is neccessary to prevent blood from being shed in the construction folders...I'd just like it to be kept behind a closed door.
If I have to gripe about something, I may as well gripe about this.<g>
'Course, now I'll dig into my "preferences" to see what I can see about customizing this site to my preferences...
Well, you could have clicked on Cordless Impact Drivers, which would have brought up the Tools folder at the top of the page. I don't see why this is a problem, unless all ten of the most recently updated threads are in the Tavern.
If I understand you correctly, what you'd like is for the start page to show the ten most recently updated non-Tavern threads and for the Start Reading button to point to the most recently updated non-Tavern thread. This is certainly possible, but I can assure you that Taunton doesn't pay Prospero nearly enough to get that kind of custom programming out of them. I've seen how long it takes Prospero to make even simple changes, beneficial to a wide range of users. I suspect you'd have considerable difficulty persuading them to work on such a narrowly focused feature. Money might work, but I think you'd be surprised at how much it would take to jump your project ahead of everything that's already on their list.
Mongo,
One alternative....
Right click on the folder that you would prefer to see open (for this example I will say General Discussion). Open it in a new window.
This should give you a full window (no frames) showing a list of all of the folders with the General Discussion folder open showing the 50 most recently active threads.
Bookmark that page.
I never click on the thread, I right click and open in a new window (or background window).
Then when I want to look into one of the other folders, I simply click on it and it is moved to the top showing the 50 most recently active threads.
The only exception is the Woodshed, which opens the 50 most recently active threads but remains at the bottom of the list.
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
I used to always right click and open, but got out of that habit.
I did click on "Discussions with unread messages" for the left window, then bookmarked that window. I'll play with that for a few days and see how that updates. Thanks for the fine idea my friend!
Not quite yet -- I start the Monday after Thanksgiving. In that time I've got to finish framing a house and write something like three articles for other publications before I sign Taunton's exclusivity papers again.
AndyArguing with a Breaktimer is like mud-wrestling a pig -- Sooner or later you find out the pig loves it.
Other people can talk about how to expand the destiny of mankind. I just want to talk about how to fix a motorcycle. I think that what I have to say has more lasting value. --Robert M. Pirsig
Thank-you for posting but, seeing as this thread is not directly concerned with construction wouldn't it be better placed in either the 'Woodshed', with the other semi-random lamentations, or the 'Forum Suggestions' section where corrections to posters behaviors might be more fully aired.
I am a relative newcomer and I acknowledge that a lot goes on here that is not vital to the trade but whenever I needed help, this place provided it.
Might it be there is a slow-down in new members to ask new questions? Most of the regulars know most of the answers to the technical stuff; they're the ones posting the responses when someone else asks. So if there's no questions to answer, boredom sets in and the politcal crapola starts taking over.
Also, the US presidential campaign seems to have been a pretty heatedly debated issue (I can't imagine why...) and probably generated a larger number of political threads than would normally be the case. Now that it's (Thank Bog!!) over, maybe things will settle down a bit....
Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?