Join Date - how you can't judge members by it

[bunkeroo26]

Many people will look at the join date on your account,

and assume things based on this. Sure, you can get some

general information, but it is not always correct.


What does join date mean?

It doesn't mean that a person with older join date is more experienced.

It doesn't mean they are better. It doesn't even mean that they

have been at Autopia longer.



Wait!?! My older join date doesn't mean that I was here longer?

Nope. Not at all. Your join date doesn't make you superior in any way.


Why would I suggest that older date doesn't mean longer?

It is because you can't factor in lurkers.


Yes, my join date says 2006. What if does not factor, is the four

years that I was just reading and researching on the forum without

needing to sign up to post. This happens with many of our

forum members. They have been around longer than join date.



What I am suggesting, is :

Don't assume you are more veteran or better than a member.

Don't assume that you are more informed.

Don't assume that the new guy is an idiot.



We should give every member full credit here.

They did have enough sense to participate in the number one

detailing forum on the Internet. If they were smart enough to make

that decision, then we should assume that they are making other

good decisions to go along with it.


We never should cut down a members business or marketing strategy.

Just because someone does things differently doesn't mean they are wrong.

I have found that this is the most open and accepting forum. The fact that

true professionals take the time and mentor others is truly unique.

On other sites, these successful businessmen would not take the time for

teaching, interaction and learning. We must realize this, appreciate it

and not take anyone for granted.


If you assume that you are better than me without knowing anything

about me, then I assume that you have rather uncomfortable head placement.



Happy Holidays to our members.

May we all have a more accepting New Year, as we struggle to perfect our craft,

while keeping up with new products, techniques and ways to run your business.



This article is slightly satirical, but it is based in the true history of

myself as a 4 year lurker. Oh my gosh, he had lurked for 4 years.

He us obviously better than us. That isn't what I am saying......

But, I have had the pleasure of attempting Autopia standards for years.




How long did you view this forum before you joined?

I was trying to remember the thread that made me create a username

do that I could reply. If you remember yours it would make a good conversation.

 

[Jesstzn]

I have been here since 2003  but left for a couple years up until recently because a couple members posted detailing wiki as gospel then if questioned at all called you an idiot "but" instead of posting an answer would just disappear. They still do it. Prolly one of the reasons this forum went from very active to  dormant like it is now. And the mods habit of generalizing instead of addressing an issue directly. Everyone thinks the other guy is the offender.

 

[bunkeroo26]

I don't doubt that we have some "members" who have never actually signed up,


but have used this forum as an information database.  This is quite common on forums.


 


You do bring up an interesting side conversation Jess, that there could be more joint


efforts to put together a wiki database, rather than a few individuals posting their threads


as a wiki.  To me, a wiki is a complete article detailing many different sides of a topic,


along with different methods.  Sure, you have found a good method for you, but there are


other ways of skinning a cat (so to speak).


 


I am currently looking around for the one topic that caused me to register.  I just haven't


been able to find it yet.  To maintain activity, and to revitalize the forum, we need to pinpoint


the type of threads that draw activity and impart knowledge at the same time.  Then, as


members who want this forum to succeed, we should help in advertising these types of threads.


 


I am not sure if anyone other than the owners are interested in the amount of people here.


Personally, I am satisfied with a smaller but more dedicated member base who has the passion


for their hobby or job.  While numbers are better for the bottom line, I am not sure that it would


transition into a more productive forum.  I wouldn't want to lose the uniqueness that we have here.


 


That being said, I am curious what our member base looks like.  Whether it is mainly old members,


with only some new members.... or how the numbers work out.

 

[Jesstzn]

I'm not refering in the "wiki" about what works and what doesn't work but where a "gospel" statement is posted( usually cut & paste ) and the chemestry is wrong or the logic makes no sense, if you question it, the poster basically implies you have an "understanding disability" and then stops posting . Where in fact "he" could supply the logic or the source of the info.


You get the feeling there is no source or studies done to back up his made up statements and questioning it makes things look bad and answering would make them worse.

 

[Nth Degree]

I wonder if the economy has affected traffic on the forums.  I think new traffic is often driven by middle class people who buy a new car and want to take care of it right.  


 


We'll always have the pros and the enthusiasts sticking around but eventually they tend to post less as the questions and information become repetitive. 

 

[Paul Sparks]

Join date and number of post IMO are but a small fraction of what I take into consideration when reviewing a post. I look at the posters experience and type work produced. We all have various techniques and habits we use to proceed on a detail to reach our goal. I am glad that we have a large talent pool of members to share info on this forum. How one uses this info is entirely up to them to either ignore or utilize this info in their detailing process. While gaining the knowledge that these members are sharing with us , I'm sure many mistakes were experienced and they are only trying to see that info passed onto others. This drastically shortens the learning curve for many of us. So for what these members share I am thankful. 

 

[bunkeroo26]

Where a "gospel" statement is posted( usually cut & paste ) and the chemestry is wrong or the logic makes no sense, if you question it, the poster basically implies you have an "understanding disability" and then stops posting . Where in fact "he" could supply the logic or the source of the info.


You get the feeling there is no source or studies done to back up his made up statements and questioning it makes things look bad and answering would make them worse.

Many of the posts that I have seen have the sources and studies to back it up.  One of these concise posts


would be one of the Leather Care wikis.  We have some people that definitely know what they are talking about, but I do think that we need to get a more comprehensive topic coverage for a wiki.  Sure, its fine that


a sponsored business has their own wiki about their product or method.  For a topic such as polishing, we need


MUCH MUCH more information to consider something a wiki.  Just my thoughts.  Also, it is okay that there


can be conflicting information in the wiki.  This just needs to be explained that several different techniques


are being described, and for the reader to experiment and decide their optimal method. 


 

I wonder if the economy has affected traffic on the forums.  I think new traffic is often driven by middle class people who buy a new car and want to take care of it right.  


 


We'll always have the pros and the enthusiasts sticking around but eventually they tend to post less as the questions and information become repetitive. 

Nth, I often wonder if the "other" Autopia forums are hurting our traffic.  I realize that I often tell people to go check out Autopia, saying that its like Auto Utopia put together, but I always fail to point out that they need to go to .org, and not one of the other sites.  I can't sit here and say that they are copycats, I just know that this is the original, and the only site that I am interested in.


 


As for questions and information being repetitive, this just means that we need more comprehensive wikis as I was talking to Jess about in earlier replies.  Could this be a way that we lessen the stress on our professionals?


 


Perhaps, some of the duties fall onto us as users and business owners.  If I care about this forum, do I also need to be promoting the forum links at the same time that I promote my business links?  If members promoted a link to an article weekly on social media or blogs, this could drive more interested individuals, and provide the boost that is needed.  That being said, I have no idea what marketing strategy the new owners have taken, or if they even market outside of this site.  I would assume yes, but it is hard to decide strategy without knowing current steps to progress the website.

 

[bunkeroo26]

Join date and number of post IMO are but a small fraction of what I take into consideration when reviewing a post. I look at the posters experience and type work produced.

Paul, thanks for the input. I do wonder how we can convert our readers into members who will eventually contribute to the forum.  Do you have any tips to help people find the information that they need?  Does information need to be organized so that it is easier to find?  Do people need to tag posts more effectively?


 


Also, how can we judge the members experience and type of work produced if they never post this?


I personally have been a member for years, and I have never shown my work here.  This would lead someone to think that I am a novice with zero experience.  While I am constantly learning and attempting to perfect my craft, we also need to protect our members from others assuming that they know nothing.  They know at least enough to choose a great website =)  There is a large subset of Internet Visitors that just are not going to brag about their skills or quality of work. I would hate to stereotype these humble posters as inexperienced. 

 

[BigAl3]

 while this forum is generally not as active/busy as some of the others, the information (past & present) and advice on here is tops and told like it is (i can count on an honest/experienced  opinion) from many who have been doing this for a very long time. it gets respect for being OG and you'll also notice some high level detailers visit/contribute here and not on other forums. thanks to everyone ll these years who have contributed and opened my eyes and ears to old/new techniques to better my knowledge of car care. I hope everyone is doing well and have a safe & happy new year!

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

I can totally understand wanting to be seen as knowledgeable/experienced/a "go-to guy" for information but that sort of position is, whether one likes it or not, something that is earned and not simply given on an assumptive basis. A person who joined in 2006 yet has only a small number of posts, few to none of which demonstrate the work they are producing isn't likely to get the same response as a person who joins in 2013 and immediately presents an extensive portfolio of work requiring high levels of skill and knowledge to successfully complete. That's just reality -- how you present yourself dictates the response you'll get.


 


At the end of the day, this is the internet, and any information presented on it (particularly in a setting where anyone can post anything they please) is going to be questioned until credibility has been established for the source. "Join date" may not be a leading or reliable factor in determining who knows what, but if you are not willing (or able) to put yourself out there with regard to the work you do and what you are capable of, do not expect to be looked upon as an authority in discussions on this or any other site/professional community.


 


That's not just in this industry, either.... pretty much any industry will be that way when it comes to gaining access to a particular level of status. Anybody can play keyboard commando and put up lengthy threads and replies about a variety of topics, but without the ability to back that up with some level of demonstrated skill, it is difficult to have yourself taken seriously especially if your aim is to operate well outside of established/accepted conventions.

 

[bunkeroo26]

Charles, this was not a topic proposed to defend myself

or to position myself as an expert. It is not even about how I have been treated.

I can get over mistreatment.


However I did see how some "newbies" were talked to.

This treatment was why I brought this up.

We should not judge or new members by things as trivial as join date.


We also can not judge by jobs posted here. Some people are humble posters.

Not pointing fingers, or even suggesting a solution. Just a noble observation.

 

[brownbob06]

I have been here since 2003  but left for a couple years up until recently because a couple members posted detailing wiki as gospel then if questioned at all called you an idiot "but" instead of posting an answer would just disappear. They still do it.<u> Prolly one of the reasons this forum went from very active to  dormant like it is now.</u> And the mods habit of generalizing instead of addressing an issue directly. Everyone thinks the other guy is the offender.

It's the winter.... The forum is always dead in the winter....

 

[Bunky]

It is not uncommon as said that new members (low counts) may be challenged by the regulars for a variety of reasons. They may be perceived as having some agenda (like when they mention some products that people acquaint to spamming), some unusual technique / practice is just not view as the Autopian way, or a controversial area (certain sellers or detailers).  It could be the obvious reason - they have a lot wrong.


 


The one thing it can do is scare some off so some may just leave without contributing much. It is the regular posters and how they react to posts determine the tone of a forum.  This is not often always under control of the moderators.

 

[JasonC8301]

I have not washed my car in 50000 miles Throw me against the wall and stone me, lol.

 

[Nth Degree]

<span style="font-size:12px;">I often wonder if the "other" Autopia forums are hurting our traffic.  I realize that I often tell people to go check out Autopia, saying that its like Auto Utopia put together, but I always fail to point out that they need to go to .org, and not one of the other sites.  I can't sit here and say that they are copycats, I just know that this is the original, and the only site that I am interested in.

 


 


I follow a few forums, including the "other".  Each has a different feel and some great information that is sometimes exclusive to that site.  I don't look at the numbers but I can say that each of the forums are seeing lower traffic right now.  I see the same people posting on each site and not a lot of newbies, so I don't think what is being observed is due to competition.  As was stated, it is winter and it is common to see slower traffic this time of year.  


 


 

 while this forum is generally not as active/busy as some of the others, the information (past & present) and advice on here is tops and told like it is (i can count on an honest/experienced  opinion) from many who have been doing this for a very long time. it gets respect for being OG and you'll also notice some high level detailers visit/contribute here and not on other forums. thanks to everyone ll these years who have contributed and opened my eyes and ears to old/new techniques to better my knowledge of car care. I hope everyone is doing well and have a safe & happy new year!

 


 


I feel there is a tipping point where too much traffic can detract from the quality of the forums.  I like to check in and look through threads for ones that I have contributed to or am following, but it often only happens once or twice in the evenings (okay, 2:00 a.m. if you look at time stamps).  I simply don't have time to browse through hundreds of new posts every time.  Quality over quantity.  That is why I'm here.


 


 


 

I have not washed my car in 50000 miles Throw me against the wall and stone me, lol.

 


 


We don't believe in stoning people here.  We have been known to come and confiscate a vehicle and give it to someone who can't have a car of their own and will properly take care of it.  

 

[Accumulator]

JasonC8301- I'll cast the first stone at you for not visiting here for so long!  Hope all is well with you....stay safe.

 

[bunkeroo26]

I knew people got stoned on here

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

I knew people got stoned on here

 


I only know of two guys around here who get stoned on any sort of regular basis...


 

 

 

[Paul Sparks]

So the OP is the guy that owes Kevin Brown for a Rupes polisher ? What a dick. Return the machine to Kevin or pay for it ass wipe.

 

[House of Wax]

Huh?