In 'General' (pun intended), I'd recommend the following high level guidance:

Posts asking for help on a 'problem'. Regardless of complexity, I'd say 'How to' or 'Know how...' stuff is technical. It deals with our having to maintain, work on these cars or choose the right parts/combos for them. Some of us are more technical than others but that makes it clear: it's technical help being requested at all levels.

General stuff would be general information (# built in a year, best color, etc., cruise in info, etc.) basically, something that doesn't require a 'How to question', 'How to', or 'Know how...' response from those with the technical experience.

 

I often get this. The front screen needs to be updated so that GENERAL does not go stright to TECH.

If it involves tools it is TECH (the how do I?). If it is a general question or request for an opinion or advice it should be GENERAL (what if I?).

 

One of the main issues with the split was that now a lot of people either spend most of their time in Tech or General.
Many tech guys hardly come over to Gen and many Gen guys hardly come over to Tech.
One of the issues with this is that for example... people posting here in tech about the mods and improvements that they made and then when they get results from those mods etc. it has to be posted in Gen and many people that followed the progress won't see it. When I posted my first track results with a all new setup, it was moved to Gen.. Some people only found the post because it was tagged "moved" in the Tech section. Well, the result wasn't associated with a specific mod but associated with a whole new setup... It would be great if such posts could stay in tech so that the results can be shared with those following the progress...

 

I agree. Such technical data, information is beneficial and more applicable to Tech.

 

Maybe there should be three discussion groups

Performance Tech - Just as you noted

General Tech - Just as you Noted

Resto and trouble shooting Tech - The other type of stuff you have listed.

 

If it has anything to do with the operation, modifying, restoring, replacing, removing, etc. of the cars systems then it should go into tech. To me personally it should not matter if the issue is complicated or non-complicated.

If it has anything to do with aesthetics, preferences, general trivia, whether you wave or not, it should go someplace else.

 

Hi from New Mexico!!!

Turtle and I were the most vocal forum members for the split. I believe it has gone pretty well and I agree with those who say Dave and George are doing an excellent job. They ARE!!! But they SHOULDN'T have to keep moving the General threads out of the Tech section.
That's NOT supposed to be their primary job on the forum.

I also agree 100% with Turtle's suggestions as well as Dave's example of the Hurst shifter. I think Turtle was being a bit tongue-in-cheek with that suggestion about junior members not being able to post in tech Then again...maybe not.
What disturbs me is the new members don't even make an EFFORT to learn the forum rules and guidelines. If you make a suggestion to post in the General section,they instantly take it as an insult and want to make a major debate over it. Yes, I posted ONE WEEKEND on about 5 threads that were inappropriate for the tech section. You'd think I had personally insulted someone's political/religious convictions with the looney comments people posted to my suggestions that they would get
more responses in the General section. And for those that think they have stopped my suggestions about moving their posts to General...WRONG. You don't see me post it on any threads any more, but I am still diligently on patrol in the tech section sending in suggestions to move the posts to General if they seem to be wrong for tech. Some are moved and some aren't. It's the mods call.
Turtle and me and a few others fought LONG AND HARD for this section and we intend to KEEP it and keep it's original intent.

Do we need more C3 forums? I don't think so. People who have questions about fiberglass work and welding and painting skills can certainly find more info on it from books or other forums. There is nothing UNIQUE about Corvette metal or paint or fiberglass that would justify it being asked in a special section. Information on painting/repairing fiberglass is readily available from better sources than the forum.

As far as making sure General posts STAY in the General section, I have two suggestions....

#1 Take away some of those pretty stars next to people's names if they post stuff in the wrong section. Nobody will admit, it but they REALLY think they are something special when they have all that junk next to their names. Start yanking some of those stars and they will pee all over themselves. I guarantee they'll be a LOT more careful about where and what they post.

#2 Suspensions...as in POST IN THE WRONG PLACE AND YOU CAN'T POST AGAIN FOR (a) a weekend, (b) a week, (c) a month, (d) 6 months. For those who scoff at loss of posting priviledges, believe me, it HURTS!!! I screwed up back in the old days and was banned for two weeks. It was my own fault and I deserved it, but it REALLY was a bummer. If taking the little stars away doesn't work, suspensions DEFINITELY will.

I have one other suggestion to ALL forum members....fer cripes sake LIGHTEN UP!! It's just a stoopid car. We aren't discussing brain surgery
or splitting the atom. Don't be so dang thin-skinned.

Dep....basking in 98 degree heat (but it's a DRY heat!!)

 

Another comment that has been bugging me.

When you prepare a title for the post it would be nice if it indicated what the post was about.

When you are in the tech section and you see:

Boy, Had a bad day today
Man, I won't do that again
Help, Big time problem

That might peek your interest but I personally like to browse for topics of interest. I think that should be a rule.

 

If you hover your mouse over the topic title it will show you the first few lines of the message.. unless you don't have the newest version of your browser (shame on you) 95% of the time the first few lines are enough to see if it's worth reading further.

-Chris

 

Making Jr members get a few posts under their belt before they post in tech will force them to learn before they jump right in and post ***** nilly.

We're taking up a collection to pay off a customs agent to disallow your return to the USA. But obviously you still have access to the internet so i guess it wont help us.

have fun

 

That's the best feature of this forum. Most forums I've seen either show nothing or maybe a few words. Saves a lot of wasted clicks.

 

Update on that front page thing:
I posted in mods corner about it needing to be updated. The first response was "People actually navigate from the front page? "
Personally, when I looked at it this week, it was the first time I'd been there in like a year or so. I always jump right to a forum.

Troy said that updating the home page is on the list. It's a pain to do right now because of the way it's tied directly into the database, or something like that. Not sure, but it's on the list to be updated.

 

DJ Dep qoute "it's just a stoopid car" I am now convinced DJ hates corvettes...................and he can't speell either

 

There was a question about HVAC control install that I posted in tech. I couldn't find the damn thing about a week later because it got moved into general.. are you telling me that something like that should be included in General section - even though you can find some of it in the Assembly manual? The way I see things as they are now.. I'd be safer posting EVERYTHING into general and have no one with technical expertise look at it because general seems to be all about cams, engines, gears, etc.

 

Have any threads actually been moved from General to Tech

 

Fiberglass repair/mods (i.e. adding flares)--> Tech
Welding/tools for special jobs--> Gen
Electrical troubleshooting--> Tech
Vacuum system problems--> Tech
General running rough/poor performance--> Tech

One thing I noticed was there were a lot more threads being moved shortly after the split. One suggestion may be to add another moderator just to ensure that the thread belongs in the tech section. There should be a few candidates willing to do it. I also believe that if an individual keeps intentionally posting in the wrong section that corrective measures should be taken as DEP said. Did I just agree with DEP?
If someone post in the tech section and it's boderline, leave it alone. Some members complain that a thread get pushed off page 1 to quickly. Part of that may be due to newer threads being started. Part of it is also that the thread may not be appealing to other members. I belong to some other forums and the trafffic is a whole bunch less than here. I seldom go to the other forums because of that. I like the fact there a lot of members here with a lot of posting activity. Do I get tired of seeing the same question being asked for the hundredth time? Sure I do. But it doesn't mean I have to read or respond to it.

 

I think you just nominated him!

 

C3 TECHNICAL/PERFORMANCE …I believe that discussion in this section should be less opinionated, strictly information based, and remain on topic (i.e. "keep it dry.") The owner of the technical thread should be responsible for providing a clear outline of their issue so respondents can give an effective reply.
This section should deal with any form of mechanical, electrical, chemical, and trouble shooting issues.

C3 GENERAL …I believe that discussion in this section should be practically unlimited, opinionated, and off the wall.
This is a good place to inquire about products, vendors, events, home workshop, ways to remove spiders, rats, snakes, dog puke, etc.
Caveat: We are a fraternity of Corvette enthusiast. We should provide support and guidance to our fellow members. None of us should encourage or tolerate any member acting like an Internet Troll.
"Define Internet Troll" - http://www.google.com/search?biw=102...=Google+Search


Remember that your posts will eventually become part of the CorvetteForum archives. Be sure to post the final project results even if it is days, weeks, or even months later.
Try to provide clear accurate information as this will be helpful for those searching the archives in years to come. Also remember that if you show your ***, it will be documented forever in the archives. If you feel that your comments to another member may be viewed as being harsh or too controversial, send it to them via PRIVATE MESSAGE.

The "CF Junior member," "CF member," and "CF Senior member" label along with the "Member Since: ****" has nothing to do with ones knowledge or the quality of their contribution to the forum. It simply indicates the number of posts they have made and sign up date. Someone with a LOT more automotive/Corvette related knowledge than you have could sign up at any time. Try to avoid burning bridges you may need in the future with the "They're just-a-NEWBIE" mentality. The more Corvette Forum members we have the more powerful this information resource gets.

 

Miker,

I agree!

 

The wife is an ex-New Mexico person and gets the monthly New Mexico magazine. A running section there is how often people hear New Mexico and think it is out of the USA. It's been one of our states for quite some time now......