How about a mandatory noob guide?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 33
From: Chicago IL
What would you guys think about a mandatory new member guide. Something that everyone (even old timers) has to read through, and only afterward are they allowed to post. How about this:
First, research our topics to see if your question has already been answered. The site is equipped with a search function that allows you to browse past discussions. Not only might you find an answer to your question, you will also find a great archive of accumulated knowledge that you may wish to read at any time.
Be patient. The simplest questions are often answered last. Many people here have been on Internet discussion boards for quite some time and are reluctant to draft answers to questions that they may have posted several times before. We try to make sure all questions receive at least some sort of response at the end of each day.
Most importantly, be clear and objective. State the specifics of your situation, as each situation demands a different answer. List your modifications, your intended purpose for the car, and specifically what characteristics you would like to change. The more information you can give us, the better answer you will receive.
If you have a question, make sure it’s a question. Most victims of our JackAssery! post answers in the forms of questions. They have their mind made up, they are not impartial, and all too often they have not done their own research.
Discussions are sometimes better than answers. If you don’t feel as though you are 100% sure of your answer, let your uncertainty be known or don’t answer at all. You will not be flamed for posting your thoughts, theories, opinions, or even wild guesses as long as you don’t represent them as fact. You’ll have done no wrong by making an incorrect assumption as long as you remain open to its discussion and dissection. Keep in mind there is probably someone else out there that can provide a 100% answer.
* Do not try to impress us with big words. Chances are you don't really know what they mean and you have no idea how to use them in the proper context. We DO know what they mean and we will mark up your post like a 3rd grade english teacher with a beehive and a hairy mole on her chin.
* Absolute Statements are Critical Lightning Rods; use them with care, or risk grounding.
* Use the WAG label as a get out of jail free card.
* A single post in all caps will get you banned or worse. Guaranteed.
* When you ask a question, try to be as specific as you can. Rather than ask a general, sweeping question ("what suspension parts are good?"), try to narrow it down to a specific subject ("Konis vs Bilsteins for a street/open track car?"). Let us know what your intended purpose will be, make, model, and year of car (we welcome all types here), and what relevant mods (if any) you already have. Without this basic information, we can't accurately answer your question.
* Use the search function BEFORE you post a question. We don't like rehashing a subject that was discussed just last week, last month, or a even last year if nothing new is brought to the table. We like to be thorough in technical discussions, so chances are good that your question was answered if your topic has been brought up before. In addition, use wildcards in your searches. A search for tire* will find both tires and tire. Finally, don't search for a URL and expect to find out if a link to another site has been posted; that does not work.
* If you have performed multiple searches, and you still have not found the answer to your question, search again. While the possibility does exist that you, the freshest of all meat, have a tech question that has never been covered here before, it is becoming an increasingly more unlikely event with each passing day.
* If, after all that diligent effort on your part, you genuinely suspect that the question that is burning your brain with curiosity has never previously been addressed on the Corvette forum, then choose carefully where to ask your question. Rather than start a new thread, look for an existing one where your question will fit with the topic, even if that thread hasn't been touched in years. Rather than tease or harass members for adding to an older thread, we encourage it. That way we can keep all the tech in one place, rather than have to dig through 15 similar threads of varying vintage.
* Wherever you decide to post your question, list the search terms you used when you came up dry, and post links to the tangential threads you read that covered your topic without fully answering your question. This will not only help your credibility when you say "I tried searching, but...", it will also make your post even more useful down the road when it turns up in someone else's search. In some cases, it will allow other members to point out to you the flaws in your search technique.
* Go easy on the signatures. A couple of lines will do. We're more substance over style here. You're here because you want to learn more about your car. We can assume that you either have a ton of stuff done to your car, or you're going to shortly. If we want/need to know we'll ask.
* Do not start a thread asking about 'what kind of music do you guys listen to. . . .' That is considered quite gay, and you will be christened __Homo Dancing Queen.__ This is a car website, not ****ing 'Soul Train.'
* Silly usernames (Barry Mccockiner), usernames that imply useless superiority (Supastreetcarkillah), or usernames with alternating caps (tYpERfORdezZcOrt) bring little to no credibility to your posts, and will probably end up getting your dumb *** banned. Try using your own name, and say nothing you wouldn't want associated with it.
* Ghetto-tabulous language, street slang, and ebonics are all not welcome here. "sup, dog?" is not acceptable in any post at any time. Nor are the words "dope, mad, tight, hella, or da'bomb" unless they are used in the context that our friend, the dictionary, places them in.
* Use the spell check function in your word processor. Then cut and paste your posts into the BB.
* Big sigs suck. They waste space and are weak methods for getting people to be impressed by dumbasses. Here's a short rule you guys (and girls!) can live with... Short sigs on here - that's it. If you include a long sig as part of your posts, that will be altered once as an educational measure. Any use after and your user name will be deleted. If you want people to know what bolts you use to hold the LEDs on your hood and which hand you prefer for taking a ****, get a website and include a link.
First, research our topics to see if your question has already been answered. The site is equipped with a search function that allows you to browse past discussions. Not only might you find an answer to your question, you will also find a great archive of accumulated knowledge that you may wish to read at any time.
Be patient. The simplest questions are often answered last. Many people here have been on Internet discussion boards for quite some time and are reluctant to draft answers to questions that they may have posted several times before. We try to make sure all questions receive at least some sort of response at the end of each day.
Most importantly, be clear and objective. State the specifics of your situation, as each situation demands a different answer. List your modifications, your intended purpose for the car, and specifically what characteristics you would like to change. The more information you can give us, the better answer you will receive.
If you have a question, make sure it’s a question. Most victims of our JackAssery! post answers in the forms of questions. They have their mind made up, they are not impartial, and all too often they have not done their own research.
Discussions are sometimes better than answers. If you don’t feel as though you are 100% sure of your answer, let your uncertainty be known or don’t answer at all. You will not be flamed for posting your thoughts, theories, opinions, or even wild guesses as long as you don’t represent them as fact. You’ll have done no wrong by making an incorrect assumption as long as you remain open to its discussion and dissection. Keep in mind there is probably someone else out there that can provide a 100% answer.
* Do not try to impress us with big words. Chances are you don't really know what they mean and you have no idea how to use them in the proper context. We DO know what they mean and we will mark up your post like a 3rd grade english teacher with a beehive and a hairy mole on her chin.
* Absolute Statements are Critical Lightning Rods; use them with care, or risk grounding.
* Use the WAG label as a get out of jail free card.
* A single post in all caps will get you banned or worse. Guaranteed.
* When you ask a question, try to be as specific as you can. Rather than ask a general, sweeping question ("what suspension parts are good?"), try to narrow it down to a specific subject ("Konis vs Bilsteins for a street/open track car?"). Let us know what your intended purpose will be, make, model, and year of car (we welcome all types here), and what relevant mods (if any) you already have. Without this basic information, we can't accurately answer your question.
* Use the search function BEFORE you post a question. We don't like rehashing a subject that was discussed just last week, last month, or a even last year if nothing new is brought to the table. We like to be thorough in technical discussions, so chances are good that your question was answered if your topic has been brought up before. In addition, use wildcards in your searches. A search for tire* will find both tires and tire. Finally, don't search for a URL and expect to find out if a link to another site has been posted; that does not work.
* If you have performed multiple searches, and you still have not found the answer to your question, search again. While the possibility does exist that you, the freshest of all meat, have a tech question that has never been covered here before, it is becoming an increasingly more unlikely event with each passing day.
* If, after all that diligent effort on your part, you genuinely suspect that the question that is burning your brain with curiosity has never previously been addressed on the Corvette forum, then choose carefully where to ask your question. Rather than start a new thread, look for an existing one where your question will fit with the topic, even if that thread hasn't been touched in years. Rather than tease or harass members for adding to an older thread, we encourage it. That way we can keep all the tech in one place, rather than have to dig through 15 similar threads of varying vintage.
* Wherever you decide to post your question, list the search terms you used when you came up dry, and post links to the tangential threads you read that covered your topic without fully answering your question. This will not only help your credibility when you say "I tried searching, but...", it will also make your post even more useful down the road when it turns up in someone else's search. In some cases, it will allow other members to point out to you the flaws in your search technique.
* Go easy on the signatures. A couple of lines will do. We're more substance over style here. You're here because you want to learn more about your car. We can assume that you either have a ton of stuff done to your car, or you're going to shortly. If we want/need to know we'll ask.
* Do not start a thread asking about 'what kind of music do you guys listen to. . . .' That is considered quite gay, and you will be christened __Homo Dancing Queen.__ This is a car website, not ****ing 'Soul Train.'
* Silly usernames (Barry Mccockiner), usernames that imply useless superiority (Supastreetcarkillah), or usernames with alternating caps (tYpERfORdezZcOrt) bring little to no credibility to your posts, and will probably end up getting your dumb *** banned. Try using your own name, and say nothing you wouldn't want associated with it.
* Ghetto-tabulous language, street slang, and ebonics are all not welcome here. "sup, dog?" is not acceptable in any post at any time. Nor are the words "dope, mad, tight, hella, or da'bomb" unless they are used in the context that our friend, the dictionary, places them in.
* Use the spell check function in your word processor. Then cut and paste your posts into the BB.
* Big sigs suck. They waste space and are weak methods for getting people to be impressed by dumbasses. Here's a short rule you guys (and girls!) can live with... Short sigs on here - that's it. If you include a long sig as part of your posts, that will be altered once as an educational measure. Any use after and your user name will be deleted. If you want people to know what bolts you use to hold the LEDs on your hood and which hand you prefer for taking a ****, get a website and include a link.
IBTL
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 33
From: Chicago IL
