Communication is so important

Guido · Jan 8, 2012

I am going to probably get some flack for this but I have to say something. And it's with all due respect that I say this.
What is it with Matt Spencer and Hobot and their postings which read like some type of code or the speaking in tongues.

I find Hobot to be quite entertaining with his videos and such and I do glean some info from some of his posts but it can be tough to follow.
Matt's posts and reply's are so long winded and cryptic that it wears me out just reading them much less trying to figure out what he is trying to say.
I am quite sure there is real useful information in what you guy's have to say it's just that it's too damn much work having to decipher whats being said.

I belong to a VW forum and there is a guy named Mark Tucker who has the same writing style as Matt and it drives me and other members nuts whenever he posts.

So for the most part I just gloss over what you guy's have to say and after a couple of lines if I can't follow you I just go on to the next post.

Again, I mean no disrespect but I gotts to know, is there alcohol involved?

bwolfie · Jan 8, 2012

The written word is quite cryptic at times.

I have spoken to Hobot on the phone, and the conversatoin was completly normal. He's a nice guy to talk to.

As with most written internet comunication, sometimes it is difficult to fully experess ones point, and typing gets in the way of this.

For some members, this forum is the extent of their computer usage, and that may also lead to some confusion.

At least their posts are mostly positive and helpful, despite a need to decipher at times.

7000 · Jan 8, 2012

They're a couple of good guy's, like all of us, who have plenty of information to pass along, and an interesting writing style. With the abuse hobot has received in the past on this forum, I can't imagine him being offended by a little "constructive criticizm", although I look forward to reading his stuff just the way it is because it has good story content along with practical (humourous) technical solutions.

DogT · Jan 8, 2012

I find the faster I read it, the more sense it makes.

Dave
69S

beng · Jan 8, 2012

Guido said:
I am quite sure there is real useful information in what you guy's have to say

Wrong.

The internet is a very double-edged sword. While there is information there to be found, the ore it has to be extracted from is 99.9% bullshit. Even worse news than that, probably only one in a thousand individuals has the capability to extract anything useful from the pile of "ore" before them.

Take a look at the total number of postings by certain individuals and their posts per day, usually as quantity goes up, quality goes way, way, way, way down. There are one or maybe two exceptions to that rule, but that is all.

Hobot · Jan 8, 2012

Ok how do ya put this into readable text?

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqRlqldSAKw&feature=related[/video]

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiegEX0ClaA[/video]

mikegray660 · Jan 8, 2012

beng said:
Guido said:

I am quite sure there is real useful information in what you guy's have to say

Click to expand...

Wrong.

The internet is a very double-edged sword. While there is information there to be found, the ore it has to be extracted from is 99.9% bullshit. Even worse news than that, probably only one in a thousand individuals has the capability to extract anything useful from the pile of "ore" before them.

Take a look at the total number of postings by certain individuals and their posts per day, usually as quantity goes up, quality goes way, way, way, way down. There are one or maybe two exceptions to that rule, but that is all.

+1 on this Beng - couldn't said it better -

remember that most (99.9%) of information on the net/forum is worth exactly what you pay for it.... :shock:

OldBalz · Jan 8, 2012

hobot said:
Ok how do ya put this into readable text?

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqRlqldSAKw&feature=related[/video]

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiegEX0ClaA[/video]

Thanks Hobot,

That young man was quite amusing. With that kind of talent and $2.00 he could probably buy a cup of coffee just about anywhere.... :mrgreen:

FastFred · Jan 8, 2012

Re:

Guido wrote:
I am quite sure there is real useful information in what you guy's have to say

Wrong.

The internet is a very double-edged sword. While there is information there to be found, the ore it has to be extracted from is 99.9% bullshit. Even worse news than that, probably only one in a thousand individuals has the capability to extract anything useful from the pile of "ore" before them.

Take a look at the total number of postings by certain individuals and their posts per day, usually as quantity goes up, quality goes way, way, way, way down. There are one or maybe two exceptions to that rule, but that is all.:

Hmmm. I think your percentage is a little wayward but assuming you are correct please could you supply us with the other 0.1% and so spare us all the time of having to search for the seemingly simple answers on here? There shouldn't be too much to write either should there....

swooshdave · Jan 8, 2012

beng said:
Guido said:

I am quite sure there is real useful information in what you guy's have to say

Click to expand...

Wrong.

The internet is a very double-edged sword. While there is information there to be found, the ore it has to be extracted from is 99.9% bullshit. Even worse news than that, probably only one in a thousand individuals has the capability to extract anything useful from the pile of "ore" before them.

Take a look at the total number of postings by certain individuals and their posts per day, usually as quantity goes up, quality goes way, way, way, way down. There are one or maybe two exceptions to that rule, but that is all.

You guys are doing it wrong.

The advantage of the internet is not that you can gleam wisdom from a few old wizened gear heads, rather it's the ability to learn from the collective. If one old fart says he's been doing it the same way for 40 years, he could just have been doing it wrong for 40 years. If 10 people from around the world say that's how they do it, then it's probably correct.

It's really up to each person to decipher the quality of the information. But at least the information is way more accessible than it ever was.

I, for one, never post to show someone how to do it, just to show how I did it.

FastFred · Jan 8, 2012

+1 Bang on the money Swoosh

daveh · Jan 8, 2012

Hobot — great response! And the best engine impressions I've ever heard!

All — I have to admit that sometimes I skip through very long and rambling texts, especially if it the thread is about a technical matter.

But we like variety and entertainment as well...

So, maybe try to prune your prose and we will be more likely to read and digest fully what you have to say. But don't be discouraged and keep posting!

Dave

Unclviny · Jan 8, 2012

For the Airhead owners here, I tend to use Hobot for "training" so I can wade through Snowbum's info. I like the "entertaining" aspects of Hobot's posts and there are Nuggets of valuable information there.

Vince

mikegray660 · Jan 8, 2012

swooshdave said:
beng said:

Guido said:

I am quite sure there is real useful information in what you guy's have to say

Click to expand...

Wrong.

The internet is a very double-edged sword. While there is information there to be found, the ore it has to be extracted from is 99.9% bullshit. Even worse news than that, probably only one in a thousand individuals has the capability to extract anything useful from the pile of "ore" before them.

Take a look at the total number of postings by certain individuals and their posts per day, usually as quantity goes up, quality goes way, way, way, way down. There are one or maybe two exceptions to that rule, but that is all.

Click to expand...

You guys are doing it wrong.

The advantage of the internet is not that you can gleam wisdom from a few old wizened gear heads, rather it's the ability to learn from the collective. If one old fart says he's been doing it the same way for 40 years, he could just have been doing it wrong for 40 years. If 10 people from around the world say that's how they do it, then it's probably correct.

It's really up to each person to decipher the quality of the information. But at least the information is way more accessible than it ever was.

I, for one, never post to show someone how to do it, just to show how I did it.

good point(s) dave - sadly sometimes though a few select people sell themselves as experts and have nothing more than the ability to type on a keyboard ..... unfortunately there is no filter for passing on misinformation

swooshdave · Jan 8, 2012

mikegray660 said:
good point(s) dave - sadly sometimes though a few select people sell themselves as experts and have nothing more than the ability to type on a keyboard ..... unfortunately there is no filter for passing on misinformation

Yes, there is a filter. You rely on the other members to help you understand what is right or not. You just have to be willing to ask enough questions.

aceaceca · Jan 8, 2012

We had an endearing phrase we used to use down south when there was an inordinate amount of gibberish coming from someone: "YOU PUMP CANAL WATER". I have an old Texas buddy, doing 5 1/2 years under measure 11 in Oregon for bopping a hooligan over the shoulder with a Louisville Slugger, who now uses the term "BLESS YOUR LITTLE HEART". There are numerous sayings relating to this topic but that is probably another thread.

Hortons Norton · Jan 8, 2012

It was once said the only stupid question is the one not asked. I too sometimes have to read over their posts twice, and still not totally get it. But it is fun and I would never see it as a problem, The one thing I see is that we are all different and that is what makes it fun for me at least. I used to go to a fourm where a guy named BDM hung out, Yea he was a bit harsh on people sometimes but he also had a lot of info to share. He ended up getting kicked off the site for that reason but I thought he was just a bit grumpy and found his stuff fun to read. Nobody can bother me on the internet, Now in person if your bigger and stronger than me that could very well be an issue, LOL. Have a great day guys, I'm headed out on the bike to the pub to watch the ball games. 70's here. :wink:

rvich · Jan 8, 2012

Luckily for me, while not an expert on things Commando, I have made enough bad decisions during my span of working on stuff that it is easier for me to recognize BS when I see it. Not that I don't still do some bonehead stuff, but at least the percentage is dropping! So I use my experience as a filter. If you lack experience then your best bet is to get second opinions or seek corraborating evidence. It called "research".

I preffer to see an idea dropped on the floor and kicked around to see if any parts fall off before I implement it. I see it as one of the best things about having multiple views expressed. I would rely on my local Brit Bike shop or my Norton buddies that I hang out with, except my town didn't come equipped them any of that. So (sigh) I turn to this lot!

Jeepers, my mother warned me and I didn't listen!

Russ

Brithit · Jan 8, 2012

Before Al Gore invented the internet*, we still had lots of bad information to wade through. Spend more than a few minutes at a local bike shop, and you will hear all kinds of BS. One local in particular (and I kinda like this guy) is able to spout all kinds of irrelevant stuff, and bits and pieces of information on nearly every type of Brit iron out there. Most of us just quietly back away when we run into him. He is full of shite. One young pup took all kinds of advice from this guy, and built the worst over cammed over carbed mess of a TR6, and never would listen to any common sense information. He didn't take the time to filter through stuff and just glommed on to everything this "expert" spouted. Things really haven't changed as much as the audience has just expanded.

*facetious comment, please don't do a Wikipedia cut and paste on the history of the internet.

rpatton · Jan 8, 2012

Good old Polonius.

"Brevity is the soul of wit."
"Though this be madness, yet there is method in't."

Communication is so important

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