I've been a member of this fine group for 10 or more years and am very grateful for Para and the folks up here. I read a lot of the posts and responses and I am happy to offer help for possible solutions of the things I know something about. I have certainly received help for questions that I have posted and am constantly amazed at the range of knowledge available here. However if I was in a certain profession or trade and was frequently being "paged" for probably free advice, I would think it would get old quick. If I spent 8-10 hours a day working in, say auto mechanics, I think I would not like to spend my spare time troubleshooting other people's cars over the net. I am not trying to be critical of anyone requesting help. I am merely suggesting that it might be worth thinking about. Running a successful business these days is probably very challenging and perhaps people who do this and are members of this forum don't want to sign in then get to deal with the same problems they deal with all day long. It ought to be their choice whether or not to participate.

No one is holding a gun to heads of those that post. Some of these posts can be very entertaining, I would hate to see them go away. I love trying to figure out if the people answering actually know what they are talking about or if they are just repeating what they have read. Some times I am certain that people just make stuff up and post it. It does seem that the correct answer shows up eventually in most threads, the fun is trying to figure out which one it is.

Don’t you agree that those of us who respond to some of those threads can do so or not as we chose?

I've spent many hours responding to inquiries about topics I have some experience in, legal, real estate, investments, etc. For the most part, I’ve enjoyed doing so, and bask in the happy glow, hopefully justified, of feeling that I have helped some, much like others have generously helped me on questions on topics I don’t know mich, or enough about, guns, computers, mechanical devices of all kinds, women and other mysteries.

If a thread comes along and I’m not up to responding for whatever reason, I don‘t have to.

I’m much more alarmed by those who do respond who really don’t know what they are talking about. They just want to be helpful, be included, but aren’t. Bless their hearts.

The most important benefit of the Internet is the unmatched opportunity to share what you know, learn what you don’t.

Perhaps I didn't say it clearly. My point was maybe we shouldn't call on a specific member in the post title to respond to our problem. I agree that discussions on problems are interesting and informative but perhaps people sholdn't be singled out to respond. Certainly anyone who wishes to respond and can be helpful should do so.

Paging darthfuster. Please pick up the batphone.......is this thing working? testing 1,2,3.

It seems presumptuous to me, but it's the target's choice to answer the page or not.

I think I might've paged our resident safe expert, once. Wasn't for help with a repair or anything, but for lock advice, IIRC.

I see your point. A question for Appliance Brad is rarely off the first page.

I am personally happy to respond to these, or private e-mails sent me. But it should be used judiciously and never be taken for granted. In the case of Brad, only he knows, but all those posts "paging" him were, IMO, getting into the "taken for granted" territory.

quote:

Originally posted by Keystoner:
I see your point. A question for Appliance Brad is rarely off the first page.

I'd had the same thought, in particular regarding Brad. IMO better to not personally page one and only one person except under special circumstances.

Paging specific people when it becomes an everyday or more request is asking a little much.
As per Para's recent request to give a clear description in the title of our posts, asking for technical help is otherwise fine. Then it's up to the receiver to decide what they do with that feedback.

quote:

Originally posted by Keystoner:
I see your point. A question for Appliance Brad is rarely off the first page.

I wonder if Brad, as generous as he has been with those who've sought his advice, is bothered by the number of petitions at times.

take me , for instance,
I know everything , but I don't answer 2/3 of the questions that people ask.

I do understand your concern,
sometimes I ask stuff , because I need to no what verbiage to use on Google.