Why do we bother rant

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I apologize in advance if this offends anyone.

Its ungracious, impolite and ignorant to not respond when someone takes the time to answer your questions. This is particularly irritating when someone asks very basic questions like “where is my water heater” or “do I have a diesel engine” which indicates the questioner can’t even be bothered to look around.
If anyone is still reading, please have the sense to thank people for helping you.

and for those who can’t be bothered doing simple research on how to operate everything on your boat, good luck. You‘ll need it.

 

[dlochner]

It does seem that some folks are in way over their heads. Yes it is frustrating to take time to off suggestions and to never hear back. One would think that using forums and the internet has matured enough that people would have some basic social skills.

 

[dLj]

Well, since this thread is labeled as a rant - I've less compunction to bite my tongue. First, I completely agree with @Don S/V ILLusion in what he wrote. And I will up the rant with folks who have worked hard, have a hard problem that can take pages and many folk chiming in then never letting us know the outcome is another area that has always bothered me.

Now to be fair, it seems this has been improving in the last year or so, at least in this forum. While getting better, it could definitely improve.

dj

 

[arf145]

Hear! Hear! I'm in no position to judge the value of anyone's question, having asked some fairly dumb ones myself, but it is just plain rude to ask a question of a forum and then disappear. I've seen some that were quite involved with many members offering suggestions and then the OP just ghosts. On the practical side, not reporting back makes the whole exercise less useful for future users with the same question.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Thx, Don. 'bout time.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Hear! Hear! I'm in no position to judge the value of anyone's question, having asked some fairly dumb ones myself, but it is just plain rude to ask a question of a forum and then disappear. I've seen some that were quite involved with many members offering suggestions and then the OP just ghosts. On the practical side, not reporting back makes the whole exercise less useful for future users with the same question.

another consequence of people being unresponsive is those of you with knowledge to impart won’t bother making the effort making all of us less informed.

 

[jon hansen]

now, i do so like those that ask for help, work through their issue,s. report back on how things are now and then .................... share a photo of them enjoying their vessel with family and friends.

we do like photos

 

[MikeHoncho]

or they respond back to the reply and doubt or disprove (in error) the reply because it wasn't what they wanted to hear. I think that is worse than not responding at all.

 

[dlochner]

or they respond back to the reply and doubt or disprove (in error) the reply because it wasn't what they wanted to hear. I think that is worse than not responding at all.

Yeah, I love the guys that will argue with the advice they are given. I think some of them are trolls just looking to stir things up. Once in a while I'll go along with them until they go over the line and the bots take care of them. But that hasn't happened in a while.

 

[dLj]

now, i do so like those that ask for help, work through their issue,s. report back on how things are now and then .................... share a photo of them enjoying their vessel with family and friends.

we do like photos

Can only drop one like on this one - needs many more...

dj

 

[dLj]

Yeah, I love the guys that will argue with the advice they are given. I think some of them are trolls just looking to stir things up. Once in a while I'll go along with them until they go over the line and the bots take care of them. But that hasn't happened in a while.

I think I've given up on this - with the exception of when someone is simply dead wrong on something and keeps putting drivel out there. Doesn't happen here, that I recall. But I do find it in other forums.

Here seems more the person asking a question has their own opinion and will argue how everyone is wrong... So why did they ask???

dj

 

[Benny17441]

I find looking up and doing things for myself is the best way of learning and attaining self sufficiency. It is ok to ask when you reach a dead end and the steps you have taken will help to understand and appreciate the help better. No one here knows everything, but collectively as a community we know a lot. At one time or another we all have had to ask questions for things we could not figure out or find ourselves. I'm always learning to develop my self sufficiency but just in case I also keep tow insurance.

 

[john6206]

It's an interesting perspective.

I've been wondering about the culture of this forum in terms of the snark that you get if you ask a question.

For example, I asked a question about the Mercury 5 hp Sail-pro outboard, no one answered the question, but 5 people pointed out that the motor was made by Tohatsu, and someone told me that it's dangerous to transport propane in my car.

I recently mentioned that if I were to sail to the Lake Erie islands, I'd probably trailer to somewhere between Toledo and Cedar Point because 38 miles out in Lake Erie in my 18' boat is probably more than I want to take on, and someone responded that I should get an RV since I clearly don't like sailing. "Sailing, you see, is more about the trip than the destination."

Sure - Ok - I've been sailing for 20+ years, and I know that my boat is a lot more comfortable in bays than in the open Great Lakes, but thank you - I'll keep that in mind . . . more about the trip than the destination.

 

[dLj]

It's an interesting perspective.

I've been wondering about the culture of this forum in terms of the snark that you get if you ask a question.

For example, I asked a question about the Mercury 5 hp Sail-pro outboard, no one answered the question, but 5 people pointed out that the motor was made by Tohatsu, and someone told me that it's dangerous to transport propane in my car.

I personally strongly dislike snarky answers.

I don't recall seeing you post on the Merc - but have to say - if transporting propane in my car is dangerous - I've been living my whole life dangerously... How do you get a propane tank filled and brought back to where it's used? Mule team???? don't happen to have one anymore...

I recently mentioned that if I were to sail to the Lake Erie islands, I'd probably trailer to somewhere between Toledo and Cedar Point because 38 miles out in Lake Erie in my 18' boat is probably more than I want to take on, and someone responded that I should get an RV since I clearly don't like sailing. "Sailing, you see, is more about the trip than the destination."

Sure - Ok - I've been sailing for 20+ years, and I know that my boat is a lot more comfortable in bays than in the open Great Lakes, but thank you - I'll keep that in mind . . . more about the trip than the destination.

I do recall seeing this thread and did not say anything as I don't know the area well enough. I did see the comment on "get an RV" and felt like someone was having a bad day. Seemed totally out of place to me... I don't think I'd want to be 38 miles out on Lake Erie in a 18' boat either, and I certainly consider myself pretty entrenched in sailing...

FWIW....

dj

 

[Siamese]

I keep my expectations low.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I have a little bit different perspective. To be sure, I don't have a lot of respect for etiquette or protocol. We're not robots or computer programs, we are human beings with all our frailty and faults. I don't take offense to any questions or responses. It's an internet forum and nobody is paying me to be here. I join for good will. If I can extend it, there are no strings attached. I don't always extend good will, but that's on me.

 

[OS2Dude]

I usually only respond if the post is helpful. If several posts are, then I'll respond to the forum, if only a single one is then I usually reply to the poster. I never (positively) respond to people who disparage me for asking a question. I don't respond to people's suggestions when I've already said I've done that or why I could not do that since they don't seem to have bothered to read the whole original post. If I find the answer myself or on another site, I may not recall all the places I may have asked the original question. Sometimes the OP's response is buried back a page or more because others continue to post. Once I have a solution and posted my thanks, I usually don't revisit the thread again.

I am more interested in seeing a resolution posting if I have the same or similar issue. For questions I've responded to it would be nice to see what they ended up doing and how it worked out, but I don't lose any sleep over it.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

At the risk of plageriazing @Stu Jackson

Thx, Don. 'bout time.

Allow me to present exhibit A from this very morning:

How is the GPS Antenna by the portside helm attached?

This person has put no effort (so far) into providing pictures, details or any other relevant information about his problem.
"Everybody get out there and solve my problem while I pour myself another gin and tonic."

And of course, everybody knows that every H-49 ever made is identical to each other. Same as the Ford Edsel.

Thanks again @Don S/V ILLusion , this is long overdue.

 

[mermike]

I contribute because it helps ME learn. I figure I'd better know what I'm talking about so I don't give someone incorrect information. I'll research further until I'm sure of the answer. I usually learn something new along the way. The OP's response or lack thereof isn't much of a factor in my participation here.

 

[bigLakeSailor]

I function under the rule that what is simple for some can be complex for others. Everyone starts somewhere and the learning process can be a long one. There is absolutely no reason for being short or impolite because you think someone's question is stupid or basic. Just remember, it doesn't matter how much YOU know, someone else knows more. So be polite.