You know I was just busting your ***** Ramy ;o) I completely agree, but until something like you're proposing happens, I think the 3rd gen section is the natural place for our project update threads and theoretical debates.

With that being said, I'll have to bust your ***** and say that talking about what technologies we wish we had is of little practical technical relavance as well. It is more practical to talk about something that you have in mostly aesthetic terms than to enbark on a long discussion about technologies which will never come to fruition, atleast not from Mazda within the FD framework. This type of theoretical conversation is equally effective at clogging space and knocking off troubleshooting threads (most of which are redundant and less than exciting to read). That is not to say I didn't love the thread....

So we all post "trash: as you say. We're just looking for an appropriate receptacle to put it into so that the floor remains clean. That is not to say that your trash isn't my treasure. ;o)

 

lol, you are so blinded at the notion that it will work that you can't see its the same thing.

That was the problem of the separate section. People "assumed" it was selected threads, special people, etc. It wasn't. It was another section dedicated to non-"look at my car" threads and non-"what's the best exhaust" threads. What happened? There were no threads that really fit that category. I had the section created because forum elders like Jimlab asked for it. Even he said it didn't work and this won't work (which is the same thing).

However, the main problem is this: There is no real hard fast way to divide up the 3rd Gen (or other Gen sections) up into 'better' sections.

The problem isn't that there are useless threads. There have always been useless threads. The problem is that people are trying to turn the Generation sections into something they are not. These are not straight technical sections, never have been and never will be.

The reason people think this place "used" to be great is basically one reason: At one point, people were doing things no one else had done (or at least they thought they were). However, we are quickly running out of NEW things since the car is getting on in its age. Also, when most people first join the forum, everything is new. The information is overwhelming. However, after some time on the forum they begin to see how repetitious the forum really is. It's not the forum has changed, it just that they have gotten past the information overload and have taken in all the forum has to offer.

As I mentioned earlier, the forum doesn't 'evolve' and that's what people have been expecting. Heck, I expected that too, but that's simply not the case.

Having said that, the people looking for REAL technical information should look into the other sections of this forum which have already been established to offer this kind of chat: Rotary Performance and Race Tech.

Now, with the picture threads, I've never been a fan of the "Look at my car" threads. I used to move all those into the Interior/Exterior section unless someone was posting a picture to ask a technical question, no just a "Look at my new wing" or "What type of front bumper is this?". dgeesaman & rynberg have chosen to implement a picture thread which a lot of other forums do. That's their call. But like I said before, if you see a thread which you believe should be closed, moved, deleted or even renamed, use the REPORT function.


That doesn't solve any problems as people will put post where they think they will get visibility. If they aren't 'reported' that they should be moved, you are in the same situation as now, just with more sections to deal with.

More sections won't change human nature, and that's what the Advanced Section proved (at least one of the things it proved).

The advanced section basically proved two things:

1. There just isn't enough "Tech Talk" to warrant its own section. There are other sections on this forum for true tech talk and those looking for it stay in those sections.

2. People will post where they get the most visibility, not where the post makes sense.

I think people here in the 3rd Gen section still need to get past that 90% of the stuff they want to do isn't "3rd Gen" specific. 1st and 2nd gen'ers can really help out if they can get past that part. I can't even begin to list the things I've learned from those guys posting in the Rotary Performance and Race Tech sections.


Ramy, 9 women can't make a baby in 1 month. It's not all about manpower. The funny thing is I mentioned about the REPORT button a few days ago and since then, I believe only one person has used it. That's a lot of help from the forum.

If you want the forum management to believe people are willing to help, they at least need to demonstrate it with what the forum has currently. Its like a bum saying "I would work if you gave me a job, but I'm not going to go try to find one". i.e. you can't wait for everything to come to you....

 

I'm reading, I'm not offended.

Except Ramy, he offends me in general

Dave

 

I don't read threads unless I know the person starting it or last posting...unless the title is interesting or I'd like read/learn/help.

IE. Newb starts a thread (I recongize the question has been answer 100x before)...I see Mahjik is the last poster...I know the correct link, to the answer, has been posted. = I don't click


IE. Newb starts a thread...(I recongize the question has been answer 100x before)...I see rynberg is the last poster...I know the thread will be locked (soon) = no need to click


IE. Newb starts a thread...(I recongize the question has been answer 100x before)...I see dgeesaman is the last poster...I know sound technical advice has been given = no need to click


I think the Mods are doing a great job...BIG THANKS! for helping the newbies.


with all that said...there aren't many threads in this section that spark my interest, but I keep reading like a bad habit.

 

dubulup You are spot on man. hahaha

On that note. Ramy, I find it amazing that in 3.5 yrs you have 10,500 posts and damn near every one is 2000 words long. That is dedication my friend. I can't remember ever reading a post by you that didn't require me to scroll down.

 

Definitely SPOT ON!
Sometimes, I just read what one particular person have wrote... Not even the whole entire thread...

So True!! Thats why we love you Ramy!! non-homosexual way...

 

That is such a beautifully concise summary of we moderators that it made me laugh.

 

But he left out when another forum member points out the answer, and we mods don't have to do it. That's greatly appreciated by everyone.

Dave

 

Since everyone seems to be in "how can we improve the forum" mode, I'd like to interrupt and point out something that's been bugging me: why on earth there are now 7 stickied threads at the top of this forum?


First Names Database for 3rd Genrs
Post Some Pics of your FD! <- Pics of your car go in this thread!!
Tech Manual Directory
Registered FD #'s by state.
94 FSM's available for download
3rd Gen Registry-Information only please!
FAQ for 3rd Gen & other useful links

In my opinion, the sticky threads that are italicized above are redundant. I think we should combine and re-label some of the sticky threads:


3rd Gen FAQ - READ BEFORE POSTING!!!
3rd Gen Service Manual Downloads (add the info from wanklin's Tech Directory post)
3rd Gen Photos thread
3rd Gen Registry (reorganize to include First Names database, and Registered FD #'s per state)



It's like being the senior mechanic/machinist/engineer/salesman/whatever: if you keep a clean work area/toolbox/uniform, everyone else will do the same. They will follow your lead, even if it's not part of their job description. On the other hand, if you set a bad example from the start, things will get messy quickly.


-s-

 

my tech directory post already includes the information from the service manual downloads. I created it to consolidate the two threads into one, but instead it only replaced my previous thread.

The names database should remain separate

registered FDs by state and FD registry can be consolidated.

 

Oops, I forgot to unstick the FSM download thread.

I will clean up the thread titles and maybe rearrange the order later tonight.

Thanks for the suggestion - the same thing has been nagging at me for a while.

Dave

 

I was going to do this also, but haven't had the time to reorganize things. Man, once we open the door, now everyone's bitching about something. j/k :p

 

To better illustrate... http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-...36/cantsee.jpg

You may very well be right, and I don't discount the fact that experience changes one's perspective completely...yet b/c I don't share that experience, I'm still hopeful that it would help. Nonetheless, I think you've made your stance very clear, so I'll respect it and quit harrassing ya

See, that's EXACTLY what I think should be policed considerably. Granted, sometimes it's done on purpose by more knowledgeable/responsible members for a reason, but for the most part, I think it's plain carelessness and stubborness of members. I bet ya if ppl were warned once or twice for doing that, and say, maybe lost posting privaledges for a week on the third occassion, ppl would shape up VERY quickly. Heck, I may sound like I'm crazy, but I bet ya if you suspended new members for three days or so off the bat for not searching and posting repeated questions, you'd get a much better response. I'm a big fan of running a tight ship.

Hey, I have an excuse. I haven't had much free time as of late, esp. the last few days. But rest assured, I'll be venturing into the 3rd gen section soon enough, at which point you'll know I'm there

Dave loves me. He can't help it



I'll suffice by saying "no comment"

See that's half of it...a ton of the guys on the forum I know personally (ie I've met in person before and kicked it w/ 'em etc) so the threads always end up turning into half FD talk, and half socialization haha

 

Damn disclaimer, I was about to call you out!

 

Hey Mahjik, is it the "Report this post" button? B/c when I click on that button, under the dialogue box where you can fill in info abou the thread (actually post) you're reporting, it says:

"Note: This is ONLY to be used to report spam, advertising messages, and problematic (harassment, fighting, or rude) posts."

Lemme know if that's the function to use anyway plz.

~Ramy

 

Yep, use that one.

 

Should we use this if we would like to have one of our posts erased, or would this create too much "report button" traffic? Just a newbie thought.

 

Yes FDNewbie and Yes Edwin.



However, don't just hit the report button and say "Move it". If you think a post should be moved, you need to say where you believe it should go.

 

Duly noted


Now, what about the thread rating function? I've seen it used about twice, once when I hit it just for kicks on your thread about the ongoing rebuild and improvement, Mahjik, and once on Damien's thread on adjusting the TPS. (wait... it's on the picture thread too!) Could be very useful if everyone started using it, making more encouraging for people to search as it MAY be easier to tell what thread will be useful to them. Of course it could be abused, but what can't?

Now I'm having a pipe dream, but maybe search results ordered by rating???!!

...Or maybe I've had too much Gran Marnier chased with Corona.

Jason

 

Well part of the problem with that is a good portion of the threads in question don't have anywhere to be moved unless moving 3rd gen specific A/V type threads is acceptable? I don't think the mods understand the mayhem they may have just unleashed .

 

I didn't say it! lol

 

The "Thread Rating" has kind of lost it's purpose. Years ago, we asked people to rate threads so we would know which ones people liked so we could move them to Archive. However, people were rating stuff like picture threads really high so it just didn't work.

Keep in mind, you can report any thread you like but that doesn't mean something is going to happen to it. It's still the moderator's discretion as to what he/she would like to do with the thread.

ex: You may feel a particular thread needs to be in A/V but the moderator doesn't so nothing happens to it.

But this is at least a way that people can pitch in to start helping to make the forum "the way they want it".

 

Ya but if the way we like it isn't the way the moderators like it, what will happen? I guess it was more of a question that even if I were to report threads like that (that just sounds so mean, like the threads are bad or something ) is there any chance whatsoever that they will get moved? or is that just a waste of a click? Also, I'm not so sure i'd like to see them moved to the general lounge/AV area, it is nice having 3rd gen specific picture/project posts all in place, it's just not nice having them mixed in with the tech topics, which unfortunatly ties back into the original topic of the thread .

 

I don't know, but there is only one way to find out.

The rules I followed were to keep threads in the section if they had something other than pure exterior/interior picture content. For instance, a "Hey look at my new paint job" or "Take a look at my new seats" or "Check out this cool shift ****" would be moved to Interior/Exterior (or A/V now that we have it); while a thread of "My winter project" which consisted of pictures like a tranny being pulled, or dismantled engine, etc.. would stay.

My decisions were basically made on content. For me, that was the way I wanted to see the forum but everyone has their own view of what they would like to see. The key is being able to work with what you have... i.e. we would love to have all the technical threads in the world be in this section, where it would grow with each member as their knowledge grew. However, that is not going to happen so that's the key: being able to work with what we have.

 

Well in that regard by reporting certain topics how are we shaping the forum the way we want if nothing is done with said topics? And more to the point if there isn't a better place to send the topics we would rather not see in the tech section how is it supposed to be shaped into something we would rather visit? Just because I (and a good number of others) don't want to see certain threads in the tech section doesn't mean we feel they shouldn't be contained in a specific forum as opposed to getting thrown into the jumble of all generations.

I still don't see the issue with adding a lounge subforum in the 3rd gen specific section, it would be no different from the timeslips forum (which could be compiled into a single stickied post, IN the lounge mind you ). I still beleive it would be a useful change for the 3rd gen section, it not working in the past isn't convincing enough for me i'm sorry .