This is one of those things where my Moderator hat will get all tangled with my personal opinion. As a disclaimer, what is about to be expressed is not the position of Sigforum. This won't become a written or unwritten rule. But as a professional, I have some issues with people posting about which things they don't have a full understanding.

We all know a member whose expertise was and often is still sought specifically. Why he isn't around, isn't just because people went to him for professional advice constantly. That would be an oversimplification.

We have a variety of professionals on the board.

We often have members asking questions, where the best information will be gathered from experienced professionals.

It is natural to want to help another member, and to offer information. In the best interest of that member, if the question doesn't pertain to your professional knowledge, at least wait a few minutes before wading in with your opinion, or what you googled. If you have direct experience, please share it in detail if it is relevant.

My expertise is in metalworking and light construction. Have you seen me posting in threads asking for legal advise? I would often echo a yearly thread about cleaning dryer vents due to overlap in experience, and I do have opinions on a variety of appliances and other fixtures.. but I know what I know and what I don't know.

I'm not telling anyone to not post in threads where members ask for help, and they aren't a professional in that field. What I'd like to see, is people just hang back a bit, and let the folks who deal with X topic on the daily, have a crack at it.

This will expedite the member who is asking for help having to wade through any misconceptions they may have, or that are raised by posts.

I want to help, and I know you do to. Please let me help where I'm best, and I'll let you.

That's not my mod hat, that's my Me hat. take it as you will.

Well said. Thanks for all that you do keeping this the best forum on the internet.

The last thing that I need to comment on here would be automotive advice. Seems like automotive repair has thirty answers from a crowd of ten. Sure, I have 100+ factory shop manuals for all kinds of cars and trucks (F150, Allante', Neon, Ram, Sunbird, Viper), but I don't need the hassle. I will buy a Glock and am in it for the cat pictures.

By the same token, There is no need for me to comment on a Beretta as I've never shot one.

Thanks for posting this.

like, agree.

Well stated, message received.

I try to practice this tenet daily on this forum.

I’m a chemist in a paint lab, but I hate painting.
I can tell you the raw materials needed and their appropriate ratios to produce a batch of paint, but I hate to paint.
I can diagnose most problems with paint, but did I mention that I hate to paint?

I very rarely post in threads concerning paints and coatings, just to prevent coming off as a ‘holier than thou’ type, and don’t want to promote one brand over another to avoid any conflict of interest situation. Different people have different tastes, and brand loyalty is important to different people differently.

What keeps me coming back: I like Darned Tough socks, Wiha and Milwaukee tools, older muscle cars, Pro-Tech autos, cat pictures and pretty much any firearm I’ve ever shot.

i have been helped a S-ton over the years with questions on a miriad of topics. I have no idea who is an expert in the field or just a regular Joe or Jane who has had some exposure. It is up to me to sort out the info given and act accordingly if I choose to.
It has been a very rare occasion when I get some asshaterie and I mean very rare.

This is another reason why I love and respect being a tiny part here.

I am not an expert on anything. So I am a guilty party.

I admit that I have taken a "break" from this forum once or twice due to this issue. I found myself a little too upset over this issue. That was, and is...MY PROBLEM. At times, especially back in my twenties, I've taken the internet a bit too seriously. "Gasp" right? Well, perhaps it is the very plethora of real experience here, that made me care so much to throw in my own 4 cents when I had personal and often professional advice to give. It felt like a way to give back. It's taken me a few years of maturity to not have to give advice. Perhaps the cost of professional liability insurance has driven some of that maturity also...

I find myself fortunate that I've made friends offline, or in other social media circles with some of the people who don't hang out here as often anymore. Some of the people who greatly influenced my twenties and thirties, and starting to be my fourties....have been wise members of this forum. Some of them have passed on. RIP. Many are still here. It's the members that make this place great. The mods (& creators obviously) keep it that way.

Thank you.

I’m glad you posted this

Well said. Which is largely why I have such a low post count after being here so long. I just don't know much outside of my field.

Well said. Seems a few select members chime in on every thread and seem to be an expert on everything.

The way the message is delivered offense conveys a lot also!

I can immediately think of where I'm guilty of this.
As it turned out, I was the only one to reply and I have no idea of how it turned out.
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...0601935/m/3260094954

Very well stated. Thanks, Arc.

Thanks Arc. I have something to say on a few very narrow topics, but I am always dismayed at how many people tend to chime in who are not experts.

Well said.

As a (retired) attorney, I rarely even weigh in on legal threads because the question is not in my area of practice.

A lot of the “advice” on legal threads makes for entertaining reading because of how outlandishly wrong it is. Luckily, one of our resident jurists quickly salvages things before things really go south.

Of course, as you indicated, the person asking the question is better served without such fallacious advice.

quote:

Originally posted by CoolRich59:
Well said.

As a (retired) attorney, I rarely even weigh in on legal threads because the question is not in my area of practice.

A lot of the “advice” on legal threads makes for entertaining reading because of how outlandishly wrong it is. Luckily, one of our resident jurists quickly salvages things before things really go south.

Of course, as you indicated, the person asking the question is better served without such fallacious advice.

+1. It used to be amusing to watch people disagree with my legal analysis in areas where I practice every day, where I have some expertise, and where case law is fully developed. Now, more often than not, I read and laugh at some of the ridiculousness regarding a wide variety of legal topics. Anyone who seriously considers legal advice obtained from any board needs a check up from the neck up. Some advice, on the other hand, primarily from the better known forum lawyers, is superb. Knowing the difference is the issue.

Most of the non-lawyer posts asserted with vigor and enthusiasm are just plain wrong and are more likely to be what the poster wants the law to be rather than what it actually is.

lol. That's why I have such a low post count. I defer to those with actual experience of the situation. When I can help I will offer how I handled the problem.

you NEVER know who knows what on the internet

ever

take any response with several grains of salt. frauds are everywhere - in 'real life' and of course on forums

plus always remember 'medical errors' from TRAINED health care practitioners kill thousands every year. fact

i enjoy this forum for discussion - not to make major life / death decisions

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I thought, perhaps, this thread was going to go in direction of limiting requests for help. And immediately I thought of appliance brad. Absolutely one of the most generous folks on all the internets.

So what you’re trying to say is not to be the second post stating, “I don’t know, but”...seen it many times.