Posting questions on different forums.

[Itoldyouso]

I would guess that most of us on here are also members of other forums, I know I am. From time to time a member of a forum will post a question on one forum, then post the same question on one or more additional forums. I'm talking about a QUESTION, not something like pictures of a car show, or of his build.

My question is, how do you feel when you see this?

1) It doesn't really bother me at all, let them get as many opinions as they can.

or,

2) It kinda turns me off. Makes me feel they are not confident in the answers they will get on one forum and therefore are seeking confirmation elsewhere.

As for me, it doesn't really bother me most times, but I only respond on one of the forums because it seems dumb to keep posting the same answer I have given on the first forum. But every once in a while it makes me wonder why the poster had to ask it in so many other places.

Just curious how you feel about this.

Don

[hotroddaddy]

Sometimes it rubs me the wrong way too Don, i dont know why though. I am kinda biased in where i post certain questions. I can only assume that some guys just need all the imput they can get, so they want to hear from all sides.

[HOTRODPAINT]

I've been known to do that!.....and my reasoning was to try to gain as much info as possible. For example, I was looking for a painter/artist in another area, and didn't know which group might have the person who could offer the info I needed. I call it my "shotgun method" of problem solving. :-)

I don't expect everyone to respond though....and like you, I don't post if I have nothing to add to an earlier answer.

[Mike P]

It sometimes hits me wrong too especially when it comes to technical questions.

Normally from what I''ve see it's usually someone who is either new to the hobby and/or just looking for the answer he wants to hear.

By far this site is the one that I have seen the best (most correct answers) on due to the real experience of a lot of the old timers here.

Personally I often post projects on at least 2 and sometimes 3 sites (here, my project journal at Hotrodders.com, and sometimes a vehilce specific site like fe.com, MOPARTs, forward look etc) depending on what the project is. I try to keep the same login name on each site if at all possible so people I do know from other sites know who is posting if they have seen my posts before.

That being said, I did post my question about my garage setup on here and MOPARTS........and got a couple of unique thoughts from each site that will be incorporated into the new shop.

[Bob Parmenter]

I'm not sure I see any problem with it in general, though I have caught myself being somewhat annoyed when I've seen a good or correct answer given on one site then the question gets asked again elsewhere.......fits in with the "looking for the answer you want....." idea. Other times, when multiple answers can be "correct", I think there's value in different perspectives. I'm more peeved by the "why does my car run rough......?" type of question and people (however well intentioned they may be) on multiple sites do the guessing game rather than try to zero the questioner down with more diagnostic info first.

Then to use Jay's example, you end up giving the same response on two sites because other folks at either have "spin off" questions that prompt the repetitive response.

[sgo70]

Hey Don I am sooo guilty of doing that. Usually I'm right in the middle of something and need an answer quick. I will come here first and put up the question to see if anyone is on line because I kinda know who I'm talking to and trust the input I get here. I've also got some good info on RRR site but I'll usually wait for you guys if it's a major dilemma. Now if I'm really desperate I'll check the high traffic site Hotrodders knowing that I'll get about 5 quick responses but then I have to filter through them and make a decision. Problem there is the only name I have recognized is Tech and he helps me here anyways .(edit:Mike I didn't realize that was you over there)

Don't take it wrong I am not comparing the answers I get here to the response I get somewhere else. I work for an airline so when I'm home I try to get as much done as possible and I hate getting stumped on something dumb like "lifting my Engine", but I don't mind waiting for something important like steering geometry from the people that know what they're talking about.

Like Hotroddaddy says sometimes I just like to see different ideas, with my limited knowledge there is a lot of stuff I've never even heard about. My rear suspension is a good example. I went from hairpins, to four bar, to triangulated four link before I decided on one.

I used to hang out at a chopper site that had a live chat function that was great, if someone was on line you could talk to them right now so that was the only site I ever needed. I hope you guys understand I have no doubts with the answers I get here, sometimes ya just have to dumb them down a bit for me .

Sean

[Matt167]

I see it all the time.. if I see the same question on a diffrent site I'm a member of, I usually just post to check my answer on the other site.. usually if you check the time stamps and last activity, they have not read your answers b4 posting on another forum. it does bother me when I know the answer to the question and they ignore your answer because it's not what they want to hear, and post elsewhere

[pat mccarthy]

i try not to let it get to me been at it for a very long time and i know what works i done it in the real world and make a living doing it. i get on here to help and blow off steam so i do not get paid for the pleasure .but it is a new game at my shop were i just do not like guys taking to so many guys and telling me how someone else thinks. but not him so then there no trust and no work from me and at times i do that here some times then i just do not post or help that guy any more

[Itoldyouso]

No, I didn't intend to point any fingers or chastise anyone for doing it, just wondered how it hit other members when this occurs. If anyone in the world is guilty of posting the same stuff on a few forums, it is me. If I sneeze I post it everywhere!

I agree with all of the comments made so far that a lot depends on the question and if the person just seems to be looking for the answer he/she wants to hear. I think the ones that annoy me the most is where someone is being cautioned not to do something, so they keep putting the same question up elsewhere, hoping someone will say "sure, go ahead and do it, you won't get hurt."

Don

[FFR428]

I see it all the time. Pretty common really. I think this being the "faceless" internet people are just looking for the majority of answers to compare and apply to their situation. Limited responce might be part of it too. Doesn't bother me at all. And sometimes refreshing to see others views on the situation. And with this internet info not being hands on it's sometimes hard to diagnose as there can be other contributing factors involved. Where in person you can see and eliminate certain factors. If some take it personally they shouldn't. As most times these are just the average hobbiests looking for the best possible solution. Once you spend some time on forums you learn more about the people there. And there then becomes a more trusting bond among them. Some just don't take the time for this social bonding and to understand the knowledge of those involved. They are just looking for that quick fix best answer and to move on. Just my simple thoughts....

[Dave Severson]

I'm with Bob... I think most of the time it's somebody waiting to hear the answer they want to hear..... Prime example is the sbc cam and heads questions...somebody wants to run a lot of race only parts, 210 runners and 300 duration cam in their street engine and folks here will tell them what a slug they're going to have, so they just keep searching around till someone agrees with them that it will make a gazillion horse and run in the 9's...

Big difference is CHR has a lot of guys with been there done that experience vs. a lot of sites that have folks specializing in "theory" and knowledge gained by what they've read on the 'net....

The one's who get under my skin are those who post a question, then argue about what ever answer is given....eventually I hope they all wind up on the same site!!!!! the other thing is the "experts" who have all the answers, but just never seem to get around to building anything themselves....and Lord help you if you question their answers, you'll become the worst person in the world if you question their responses.

As to posting the same question all over the net...... Has much to do with the reason for the postings.. If it's in search of as much input as possible to help a guy make a decision on his own, no problem...

[flh4speed]

theres other forums out there???????

[Don Dalton]

When I was building the 34 I would use the Search method to find a quick answer.If I wasn't satisfied with the answers I got on the different forums I'm registered on,I would post a new thread,usually CHR.

Sometimes it is a pain on the Search method ,because it dosen't always point to the right subject matter or problem you are looking to get an answer for.

I have always went on the theory that several heads are better than one,even though that is a problem for some individuals.JMO

[Ken Thurm]

I only date one girl at a time

[Mike52]

I only date one girl at a time

You better hope the wife doesn't find out.......ouch!!