A Letter to the site

[kcsilveradoss]

As we all know, site participation is declining. This is due to a number of reasons: The number of 1 owner trucks is dropping, the trucks are now ten years old, there is no future promise of a suitable replacement for the Silverado SS, etc. We, the moderating staff, also believe it is because a strong majority of the current active members of the site cannot play nice with others.

 

A lot of you have been on the site for several years, have veteran status, and are quite knowledgeable when it comes to these trucks, and vehicle modification in general. Please remember that many of the newer members to the site have come here seeking knowledge, and they are not as well versed as you veterans. It is important to also note that even though many veterans have very fast trucks, that doesn't make us better than the ones that just bought theirs last week. We all have to start somewhere. We have gotten away from the helpful site we once were, and have now gravitated towards making those "newbies" feel ignorant, and more importantly, unwelcome. In order for the site to remain trafficked, it is imperative that we treat these new folks with respect.

 

We aren't born with all of the answers, and helping others can only help the future of this site. The moderating team is no different than the rest of you, but instead of being on here for enjoyment, now we spend most of our time stopping useless bickering between members. We are in no way saying that everyone has to agree, and USEFUL discussion on difference of opinion is encouraged.

 

Note to the newbies: Before you post a thread, ask a question, etc. take the time to read the sticky info at the top of the main page. 99% of the questions you have can be answered by using the search button. There are no stupid questions, however, the repetitive ones can get very annoying. Older members answering the same question 10x gets old. The how to section is amazing. It is a place where you can get step by step info on how to do things. It is NOT a place to ask how to do things. Try the search button first, and if you don't find the answer, there isn't much that cannot be answered by our veteran members. There are some STUPID fast trucks on here, if going fast is what you seek, you have definitely come to the right place. Disagreeing (technical info) with a veteran is not discouraged either, but be prepared to justify it with FACTS. There aren't many worse insults than asking for help only to do/say the opposite.

 

Profanity also has become commonplace on the site again. If you cannot express yourself without using foul language, don't post. Continuing to do so will be met with disciplinary action. Many of our members have young children that may stumble upon and read said content. Sexual content outside gasoline alley will be treated with equal punishment.

 

Lastly, when it comes to appearance there are no rights or wrongs, there are only opinions. Unless someone asks specifically for criticism on their latest mod, be it a new set of curb feelers, 100 spoke wheels, a mermaid airbrushed on the tailgate, etc....keep your negativity to yourself. Everyone has a different budget as well as a different opinion on what looks good.

 

With that said, can we all agree to participate in a such a way that will keep this site going, and more importantly, growing for years to come?

 

 

Best Regards,

 

The Silveradoss.com Moderating team

[cb2big4u]

What you didn't lock this?!

 

QFT BTW.

 

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

 

[kcsilveradoss]

No, it shouldn't need to be locked. As always, constructive criticism is welcome.

[Muggs]

Yes sir, you hit on some good points.

[diggerdan11]

Shaun I agree with you a lot. This site has been going down hill for a while now, and I really dont want to see that happen. I have been on this site every day for 7 years now. I consider people on here my friends, and even though I dont have and SS anymore I still have plenty of knowledge to share, and I still would like to continue visiting this site for years to come.

 

Regarding the Newbies asking the same old questions over and over: I am a member of upwards of 20 forums, and this is an issue at all of them. I understand that these questions can get annoying, but something I hate more than newbies asking the same questions over and over again, is when veteran members just reply to their question with: "Use the Search Button." To me it can be very rude. One thing I have noticed about this site is that compared to other sites the veterans don't seem to be as rude, and they are usually willing to answer the question instead of just saying: "Search Button."

 

There is lots and lots of great information, but it is scattered all over the place. The search function does not always work the best to answer your question, and sometimes the person with the knowledge does not see the post, so the question does not get answered.

 

A suggestion I have that might help with the asking the same questions over and over again issue would be to create more sticky threads. We need to look at what questions seems to be asked the most, find a thread that answers that question and make it a sticky. For Example I have seen ones like: "what does this code mean and how to fix it", "common mods list", etc.... Basically we need a Frequently Asked Questions Section, where we can have answers to all of these questions that keep getting asked over and over again. Some of the topics in the FAQ Section may include: Just bought and SS, what mods should I do, What cam should I choose, what does this code mean, HID Guide, Differences in SS Model years, Etc......

 

One of the biggest questions that seems to get asked over and over again on this site is: " what mods should I do, and how much?" Maybe someone could create a thread that we can make a sticky that can be updated, that lists common modifications and approximately how much it might cost. I would be willing to start a topic like this, but I can only answer so much.

 

I really think we need to convince the owners to add a FAQ section so we can start creating these sticky threads. I would be willing to start some of these topics, but I am not all knowing, and too answer these questions fully I would need some help. I think theses topics would not only help with the Newbie issue, but it might also get some older members back being involved with creating these FAQ topics.

 

These are just my thoughts, take them or leave them.

Edited August 26, 2013 by diggerdan11 (see edit history)

[jsm110]

Shaun I agree with you a lot. This site has been going down hill for a while now, and I really dont want to see that happen.

 

Regarding the Newbies asking the same old questions over and over: I am a member of upwards of 20 forums, and this is an issue at all of them. I understand that these questions can get annoying, but something I hate more than newbies asking the same questions over and over again, is when veteran members just reply to their question with: "Use the Search Button." To me it can be very rude. One thing I have noticed about this site is that compared to other sites the veterans don't seem to be as rude, and they are usually willing to answer the question instead of just saying: "Search Button."

 

There is lots and lots of great information, but it is scattered all over the place. The search function does not always work the best to answer your question, and sometimes the person with the knowledge does not see the post, so the question does not get answered.

 

A suggestion I have that might help with the asking the same questions over and over again issue would be to create more sticky threads. We need to look at what questions seems to be asked the most, find a thread that answers that question and make it a sticky. For Example I have seen ones like: "what does this code mean and how to fix it", "common mods list", etc.... Basically we need a Frequently Asked Questions Section, where we can have answers to all of these questions that keep getting asked over and over again. Some of the topics in the FAQ Section may include: Just bought and SS, what mods should I do, What cam should I choose, what does this code mean, HID Guide, Differences in SS Model years, Etc......

 

One of the biggest questions that seems to get asked over and over again on this site is: " what mods should I do, and how much?" Maybe someone could create a thread that we can make a sticky that can be updated, that lists common modifications and approximately how much it might cost. I would be willing to start a topic like this, but I can only answer so much.

 

I really think we need to convince the owners to add a FAQ section so we can start creating these sticky threads. I would be willing to start some of these topics, but I am not all knowing, and too answer these questions fully I would need some help. I think theses topics would not only help with the Newbie issue, but it might also get some older members back being involved with creating these FAQ topics.

 

These are just my thoughts, take them or leave them.

As someone who is newer to site I think a FAQ section would be very useful. I always use search first but i agree sometimes it can be hard to find what you are looking for. I think part of the issue with newbs is that they join site to ask a question then dont come back. I can see how that would get annoying to veterans and would make them less likely to answer. Maybe a faq section would help solve that and would help differentiate who the newbs are that plan on staying and participating.

[kcsilveradoss]

Shaun I agree with you a lot. This site has been going down hill for a while now, and I really dont want to see that happen.

 

Regarding the Newbies asking the same old questions over and over: I am a member of upwards of 20 forums, and this is an issue at all of them. I understand that these questions can get annoying, but something I hate more than newbies asking the same questions over and over again, is when veteran members just reply to their question with: "Use the Search Button." To me it can be very rude. One thing I have noticed about this site is that compared to other sites the veterans don't seem to be as rude, and they are usually willing to answer the question instead of just saying: "Search Button."

 

There is lots and lots of great information, but it is scattered all over the place. The search function does not always work the best to answer your question, and sometimes the person with the knowledge does not see the post, so the question does not get answered.

 

A suggestion I have that might help with the asking the same questions over and over again issue would be to create more sticky threads. We need to look at what questions seems to be asked the most, find a thread that answers that question and make it a sticky. For Example I have seen ones like: "what does this code mean and how to fix it", "common mods list", etc.... Basically we need a Frequently Asked Questions Section, where we can have answers to all of these questions that keep getting asked over and over again. Some of the topics in the FAQ Section may include: Just bought and SS, what mods should I do, What cam should I choose, what does this code mean, HID Guide, Differences in SS Model years, Etc......

 

One of the biggest questions that seems to get asked over and over again on this site is: " what mods should I do, and how much?" Maybe someone could create a thread that we can make a sticky that can be updated, that lists common modifications and approximately how much it might cost. I would be willing to start a topic like this, but I can only answer so much.

 

I really think we need to convince the owners to add a FAQ section so we can start creating these sticky threads. I would be willing to start some of these topics, but I am not all knowing, and too answer these questions fully I would need some help. I think theses topics would not only help with the Newbie issue, but it might also get some older members back being involved with creating these FAQ topics.

 

These are just my thoughts, take them or leave them.

 

 

I'm sure a senior mod will be reading these comments, and we will be taking all comments into consideration. Playing devils advocate here, but do you think a "newbie" will read through the FAQ section instead of just taking the easy way out and just asking? By the way, I don't mind answering the repetitive questions at all, I was just covering some of the complaints I get from veterans re: newer guys on the site.

 

 

.

Edited August 26, 2013 by kcsilveradoss (see edit history)

[diggerdan11]

As someone who is newer to site I think a FAQ section would be very useful. I always use search first but i agree sometimes it can be hard to find what you are looking for. I think part of the issue with newbs is that they join site to ask a question then dont come back. I can see how that would get annoying to veterans and would make them less likely to answer. Maybe a faq section would help solve that and would help differentiate who the newbs are that plan on staying and participating.

 

Yep thats what I was thinking. I would have loved a FAQ section when I started, It took me years to learn what I needed to buy going through topics, and I also asked a lot of the same questions.

 

I'm sure a senior mod will be reading these comments, and we will be taking all comments into consideration. Playing devils advocate here, but do you think a "newbie" will read through the FAQ section instead of just taking the easy way out and just asking? By the way, I don't mind answering the repetitive questions at all, I was just covering some of the complaints I get from veterans re: newer guys on the site.

 

 

.

 

They may or may not, I guess it just depends on the person. I think if there was an actual section of FAQ's quite a few people would stop by there first, but you are never going to completely get rid of the newbie issue.

[silverado777]

I agree with both sides. There is nothing worse than joining a forum and being scolded because your post count isn't high enough and to be labeled as a "newb". We're all here for one reason and that's because we love these trucks. Can't we all just get along?

[Hankg42]

I joined this site after successfully searching for an answer to an issue that I had (the famous steering "clunk"). This was the first Internet forum I ever joined, and had no experience with forum "etiquette". My rule of thumb was just to use what I would consider common courtesy. If I didn't have something constructive to add, I didn't post. I have to admit that I started doing that after I was "ripped a new one" by a veteran member after responding to a "freebie" post. (Not good for a newbie, I guess. ) We all have opinions and our own ways of doing things. All we have to do is respect the other guy's. We can disagree without being rude or offensive. Just think before you post.

[kcsilveradoss]

I joined this site after successfully searching for an answer to an issue that I had (the famous steering "clunk"). This was the first Internet forum I ever joined, and had no experience with forum "etiquette". My rule of thumb was just to use what I would consider common courtesy. If I didn't have something constructive to add, I didn't post. I have to admit that I started doing that after I was "ripped a new one" by a veteran member after responding to a "freebie" post. (Not good for a newbie, I guess. ) We all have opinions and our own ways of doing things. All we have to do is respect the other guy's. We can disagree without being rude or offensive. Just think before you post.

 

simple as that. good post hank

[desrtrat]

This was the first Internet forum I ever joined, and had no experience with forum "etiquette". My rule of thumb was just to use what I would consider common courtesy. If I didn't have something constructive to add, I didn't post. I have to admit that I started doing that after I was "ripped a new one" by a veteran member after responding to a "freebie" post. (Not good for a newbie, I guess. ) We all have opinions and our own ways of doing things. All we have to do is respect the other guy's. We can disagree without being rude or offensive. Just think before you post.

i agree 100%..been here 10 years

[SeannyCash]

Great post brother...Just keep the party for everyone strong. Our trucks are awesome and we need to help the world understand why, including the "new" kids and help them with questions. I am personally happy when someone joins, and love to see others helping. POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE! Get that PMA!

[Harbor_SS'n-it]

I am the second owner of an SS. Back in 2003-2004 I was still in high school and these trucks cost about what my parents made in a year, so It took me almost 10 years to get the truck i've always wanted. The first thing I did when I brought my baby home was jump on the internet and did some research. This website has been very informative for me and I have learned a lot from just spending time and going through the pages and threads on here. I may be one of the few who doesn't as many questions because at the moment I have no major mods planned to my truck and the few mods I do want to do there is already plenty of info out there.

 

I see both sides of the story as a newbie here on the SS forums and a 7 year member on low rider forums. The same repetitive questions do get annoying but then again from issues like that great ideas like a FAQ section arrive. Maybe send a note to new members that they need to introduce themselves and to spend some time reading before they post. Pinning popular subjects is a great Idea and patience on the veterans parts plays a big role also. This forum has been a great learning experience for me again without me posting much because most of you guys have been doing this for years.

 

I agree with a FAQ section or just pinning popular issues or questions in their respective areas for all to see when they first enter that topic.

[SSenvy]

This site has been Incredible for me. I joined Around 2 years ago, for the same reasons a lot of others joined im sure. I was in the market for a SS and had some Q's. Just Last week I admittedly had a stupid question.... I didn't even know which belt had broke on my truck lol. But, I had some VERY helpfully responses, not only telling me how to fix it without ripping the hide off my knuckles, but with Part #'s if I have X or Y and so forth. Very Cool.

 

The time I think Post count or Activity Matters most is when it comes to Selling stuff on the forum. It makes a diff buying stuff with confidence from a guy who has alteast 200 + posts vs a guy who has 10.

 

I like what Hank said also....Its real easy to come off Harsh over the Internet, things can be taken out of context real easy. So like he said, think before you post and even read back over it real quick. Hell, many of us cruise this site in the morning before work with our coffee, lets face it, not everyone is super peachy and cheery in the morning, if that's the case, maybe wait till later before you decide to rip a newbie a new 1 for not using that search button.

 

I hope this site continues to go on and be constructive and fun for many many years to come. If we all do our best like mentioned already in being helpful and respectful, there's no doubt it will be here for a long time.