Just my thoughts again. The word shows up on posts. I don't mind if a "guest" wants to admit to being a novice as it helps with the response.

DanD has made some really well thought out responses and right under the name is the word "novice" ?? My posts show up as "Novice/Moderator" - I admit to being a novice moderator but NOT a novice Technician!!

Glad to see the site grow - change is a tough thing for many. It will get there, best to all, Tom
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston

Hi Tom,

The word novice is coming from the the forum set up. It assigns a name based on the amount of post you have as follows.

0 => New User
5 => Novice
50 => User
500 => Enthusiast
1000 => Veteran

I've changed user from 50 => to 10 post.

If you think of better title names let me know and we could see about customizing them.

Thanks.

That sounds fine - just didn't know how it was set up. I'm sure a lot of hair got pulled out just to get this up and going! Be well, Tom
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston

lol don't you know Tom. It took a little bit of sweat to set up this board. I'm looking into the idea to be able to assign a name similar to the user rating for people that are techs. This would also help other users to know if the information they are recieving is really the right track or just someones educated guess.

Any idea you or anyone else has we would listen and see what we can improve here.

I have think about how there could be a simple way to indicate a tech and it should include their strenghts. Ex:.....

Tom/Moderator
Strenghts-Older Fords Or...

John Doe/Technician
Strenghts- Electrical or General Repair or A brand of car.

Truth is we all do a lot of guessing as the info provided is frequently inadequate to know exactly what to suggest. Think about it - I once heard there were about 10,000 different makes, models, engine options etc of vehicles over a period of time sold in just the USA! Who could even name them all??

I have to rely on the priciples of how things work which has served me well.

For now I would go slow with changes as it might scare away the folks who are loging in, unless you are getting tons of complaints, or really great ideas.

Be well,
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston

I agree on the changes... we are planning to stay with this for a while. The main changes might be adding or deleting some of the boards, but besides that any thing that would change would be minor.

Such as a wave file letting you know you have a new "private message" <only logged in accounts> or private message folders so you could order them and file your private messages nicely.

One other feature I'm looking into is a karma type of rating where people could give you a + or - depending on how your advice has helped them. But for now we will see how things flow.

As far as a grading system I think that's tricky. Many posts don't have even basic info and that should be stressed.

Make, Model, Engine, Mileage help tons.

Thanks for some responses to some posts I made just to get things going for folks who are just surfing here. Back at you soon, Tom,
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston

Yeah it's going to take time since most users don't like filling in a form, but this systems signup takes less then a minute. And if you allow a cookie you could stay logged in so you really never log in just have to bookmark the main forum page and thats about it.

Even though things are crawling here I think this system will out weight our old system by far, with all the new features. I like the one where you search based on a user, so this way you could find your past post with little trouble.

Hi - I think things are going well! Users will just need to adjust and it seems like there are always more daily which is a good sign.

FYI - I still get auto-respond from the old site and suggest that it might be better to have bolder print that clearly says not to post there. Take care, Tom
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston

Thanks Tom,

We tried to disable the email reply and thought it was working. It should be stopped now. I'm looking into disabling the posting for good on the old forum as well.

Thanks for all your help.

hey you two,mind if i butt in? ya'll answered your own question there...refering to post asking how to let logers know if they are getting qualified advice or some hotshots guess. lator in this exchange one of you mentioned a rating system based on other logers experience with that persons advice. go to ebay and look at their rating system...you could have a set of thumbs to choose from angry red thumbs pointing down happy golden thumbs up... people don't want to take time to post a response to how satisfied they were with someones advice but if all they had to do was click on a smiley or frowning thumb... just a thought

Most responses are educated guesses. Techs don't have the car in front of them. It's hard for people and techs to describle every detail and things get subject to interpretation. Many posts don't have engine sizes or even the make or model of the car. That's not needed for some inquiries.

The site will go through some changes as it steadily grows. Surf around and see that it's one of the friendliest sites out there. - T
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston

Hey I’m happy the way things are and won’t complain with whatever changes are made as long as it’s not to complicated for a new member.
That brings me to another reason for this reply if people are serious with a question then I think they should have to register to post. If they have to take the time to register maybe they will take the time to check and reply to a response.
Like I’ve said in the past the main reason for me to come to this site is very selfish. I’m learning more with every post I’ve made as to how to explain things to MY customers.
I actually think that the misconception that all mechanics are rip-offs is our (Technicians) fault, with the lack of communication between the repairer and the repairee.
The more we can inform people as to how it works and what we have to go through to repair said item the more willing they are to pay for said repair. The time that bullSh!t baffles brains is over, customers are an educated group and need educated answers in layman terms.
Stepping off soapbox now, sorry.
Dan.

Canadian "EH"

I really believe most techs want to fix the cars and make customers happy. Totally agree that with some communication they/we get confidence for a repair even when some are real expensive.

It was once said at a Harvard University commencment speech that first you learn how to do something, then you do that something, and when you can explain it to another you really have it!! My Dad graduated from Harvard's School of Medicine and made a career being a surgeon - class of 1950! Explained to patients what was needed without being too graphic and put a whole lot of people at ease.

He really wanted me to become a Dr. and used to take me with him all the time - the operations and all!! Had to scrub and wear the garb just to be in that room!! I think I could do an apendectemy with a Swiss Army knife about now but I went to school and became a mechanic much to his dismay.

I'll never forget a day when his beeper/pager went off (long before cell phones) and a little girl had swallowed a key. It was stuck and we were stacking wood or something, but race off we did and he did get that key out and the child was then fine. Now probably 40 something! There were two very happy parents when he presented the key. !!!! We went back to a wood pile and he thought nothing of it! You need that kind of brass balls to do that stuff and he had it. I was devistated - that little girl almost died!!

At any rate - taking the time to talk to customers is the world. They need and want to know for the most part. If you know what you are doing you should be able to explain it in layman's terms as Dan suggested. I got in trouble for that back when but won tons of customers for the place I was working at. That time was on me. -- But the customers came back and asked for me! That was worth it! Be well - T
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston

I agree... With you all. Simple makes it easy. If Toms father was to tell a patient, that they would need to use a regular drill and hammer and re-break a bone to fix it.... people would be horrified, but when he told them that he would just need to realign a bone (It sounds much better)

As with cars people don't realize that old bolts break and sometimes you need to lift an engine just to change a spark plug or oil filter...

But either way explaining to them what needs to be done as simple as possible is best.


I Believe Albert Einstein said it best, you really don't understand something until you can explain it to your grandmother.


As with the rankings I think what we have seems to work, and most people that are going to make a repair on their own should weigh whats suggested with what they know.

Love that quote by Albert Einstien!!

Thanks for the mention of my father. He did retire about 19 years ago but will talk to anyone about med issues. He might be older but I dare anyone to find better. We carry on, - T
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston