Originally posted by slim_jimmy:
I by and large agree with Stazi, but before yaâ??ll jump on the band wagon, maybe think about these few points:

(1) Just because someone has single digit post numbers does NOT always mean that they are â??newbiesâ? to the car platform, modifying vehicles in general or internet forumsâ?¦ in fact, the guys behind some guys â??alter egosâ? may not even be new to the forumâ?¦

(2) The search nazi thing is contagious. I donâ??t know how many posts Iâ??ve seen where someone asks a question and gets a serious, if not helpful, try â??searching for [blank]â? response from a vet who may be genuinely interested in helping him, only to have the mob slam him again with a dozen â??ya search [censored]â? type replies. Why not leave it alone if you have nothing productive to add?

(3) Having taken a recent look at some of the FAQs and mod instructions I have to say that they are (a) either really confusing (b) inadequate or (c) just plain wrong. It may seem clear to some who have done it before, or who remembers a post talking about it from 1999, but guess whatâ?¦ it isnâ??t to most guys. Sure it would be ideal if a newbie would say â??hi guys, I read [blank] and searched [blank] and have a specific question about [blank]â? but that isnâ??t how it always happen even though they may have read and searched. They are the â??newbiesâ? you are the â??vetsâ? maybe you should be the â??bigger personâ? and give them the benefit of the doubt.

(4) â?¦ plus some guys arenâ??t always serious and enjoy #$%ing with you high strung prima donnas



I think you're missing the point.

I don't think there is necessarily such a thing as a stupid question, but there are definitely some really crappy and selfish attitudes that deserve to get shat upon.

Consider these possible "newb" posts and tell me which one you'd poop on:

1. "Hey guys, I'm trying to optimize my throttle body. I checked the How-to, but I'm confused about step 5, and the picture is blurry."

2. "Hey guys, I don't feel like searching because I have a life. Somebody want to step me through this throttle body optimization?"

3. "Hey guys, what is an "optimized TB," and where do I get one?"

4. "I've heard about optimized throttle bodies. I tried searching Duratec Maintenance but I couldn't find anything. Any ideas on where to find the info?"

To me, 1 and 4 are fine. 3 deserves some gentle steering to the search function, the How To, and a quick definition of what "TB" stands for. Number 2 deserves to be pooped on and left by the side of the road.

Function before fashion. '96 Contour SE "Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998