Another silly question

[iplay10us2]

I believe the topic is "Another silly question" and that is something the ones of us who actually would like to have a forum that is based on building and using teardrop and related campers should all be asking -- why? This is not the first time a post count war and private non related post have dominated the boards but is certainly one of the worst periods I have seen on the forum. Still the best way to get teardrop / camping information and questions asked if one can put up with the all the current nonsense.

I don't see anyone forcing you to read this topic, or others, you find to be nonsense.

[indycamper]

I believe the topic is "Another silly question" and that is something the ones of us who actually would like to have a forum that is based on building and using teardrop and related campers should all be asking -- why? This is not the first time a post count war and private non related post have dominated the boards but is certainly one of the worst periods I have seen on the forum. Still the best way to get teardrop / camping information and questions asked if one can put up with the all the current nonsense.

I don't see anyone forcing you to read this topic, or others, you find to be nonsense.

Thank you, Susann! My thoughts exactly.

[S. Heisley]

I believe the topic is "Another silly question" and that is something the ones of us who actually would like to have a forum that is based on building and using teardrop and related campers should all be asking -- why? This is not the first time a post count war and private non related post have dominated the boards but is certainly one of the worst periods I have seen on the forum. Still the best way to get teardrop / camping information and questions asked if one can put up with the all the current nonsense.

Let’s see…:

Not counting camping secrets, bicycles, camping recipes, DO cooking and a few others, we have the following topics for builders:

Essential Information about building teardrops
Teardrop Construction Tips & Techniques
Trailer and Chassis Secrets
Electrical Secrets
Plumbing & Propane
CAD secrets
Vintage Camping Equipment
Sketch up designs
Build Journals
Offroad Construction Secrets
Member Designs
Non-traditional Designs
Traditional Designs
Canned Hams & Bread Loaves
Cargo Trailer Conversions
Foamies
Teardrop Manufacturers
Bicycle Travel Trailers
Generic Building Plans
Tiny Houses on wheels
Teardrop Protection

Oh! Don’t forget all the Design Resources pull-down menu at the top of the screen, with:

Design Library
Generic Benroy Plans
Vintage Plans
SDTripper2’s Indes
Trailer Tutorials
Rich’s List

Then, there is the section with gathering information topics by area and the For Sale area….

And you’re complaining about a “silly” subject in the General Discussion and/or Off Topic taking up building space and wanting more building information? ...Dang!

I thank you, Gage, for your input. For people who can't get out and build right now or who have cabin fever or whatever, it's a big help.

[Vedette]

Thanks Sharon
Love it!
Glad you were the one typing all of that!
We all wanted to but were too lazy!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Vedette]

Me Too!
And I can't keep up with you Steve And Slow is so far ahead of us we will never catch up!
Good Roads
Brian

[Mary C]

Gage I had a foreign exchange student from the communist part of Germany right after the wall went down. I remember her remark about how here we were allowed to have so many different colored and exciting things and so many things that were different from another. you could buy very different things. I asked her about what she meant and she said everyone on her street had the same sofa and the same Chair upholstered in the same colors. That was all they had available to purchase. So..............we decorate because we can and build our Build to be different and to personalize in order to make it our own, otherwise everything would be the same. We are so lucky to be able to do so.

To the other discussions and comments : learn to play on the play ground, some will compete, a natural thing little boys do , someone always comes to the sand box and wants to change things , disturb the way things are done and start a new game or just be mean then there are the swings and there is argument over the length of time and who did it last. By the time we become adults we are expected to share ideas, not hog the time and to display a sharing attitude.

The general discussion area started out pretty technical ( I have read it all) and has grown to be an area to talk about many different subjects, and yes to get technical advise and sometimes vent as I did after looking for a hitch. (I got it after suggestions) You too can still get technical questions answered but I think the people here have answered your questions in various ways in other threads so read the other threads. first if you want to discuss something then put it out in a question, non threatening way (watch how you word it.) When told to read I felt rejected at first but after being here and reading I have found out the answers are here, somewhere. sometimes a thread is not for you and sometimes it evokes strong emotion. I have learned to stay off. it doesn't do you any good and the admin will take care of the problems. The people will answer almost all questions and are willing to help. I am forever grateful. In the process I hope I have made friends. There are people on here that are highly technical to laid back. You make friends just like you do in life. Remember camping and using your build is the goal not the build unless you make them and sell them. and people camp for many different reasons. I want to travel so camping along my travels is just one of my many reasons. I enjoy fishing, hiking, and above all the coming together with others and the sharing with each other food, work and learning about camping skills and experiences of the camping groups.

one more thing ..... if you have a problem or question regarding the forum or the direction the forum or thread is going take it up with the administration don't complain to the people on the forum, or thread. and remember we are guests of the originator of the forum and if we want to keep this forum and stay on it remember to play nice.

Having said all this I hope all you you lurkers and guests and newer members read, read and read some more, first and slowly meet the grands and learn from them. Share your ideas and builds, make friends and go camping!!!

Ok thanks for the use of the soapbox Ya'LL, I'm down.

Mary C.

[Oldragbaggers]

Mary C....that was a downright profound post. Very well put, and absolutely right on. I especially liked your excellent point about what comes after the build.

Yes, I would venture to guess that the majority of us came to this forum in the beginning because we wanted to learn how to build a teardrop or TTT. I did. I knew nothing about constructing a trailer before I showed up here, and the kind, generous and knowledgeable people on this forum have literally guided me step by step through the process, patiently answered hundreds of questions, they made me feel welcome, DIDN'T make me feel stupid (even when I'm sure they thought I was) and helped me to create something that is going to give me so much pride, pleasure and satisfaction. There were a few times along the way when people were harsh, but it seemed the rest of the community quickly brought them into check and made sure that it was clear that this is a friendly place to be. (If I haven't said it lately, I am grateful to you all.) That's what makes this forum unique and great, but, that's just the beginning of the journey.

Through the hundreds of "conversations" I have had on this forum I feel that I have also made friends along the way with people I genuinely hope I get to share a campfire with at some point. (And I have also sometimes learned with whom I might not.......) Not just because they know how to build a trailer, but because we have other shared interests and seemingly compatible personalities. What is the purpose of the building, unless it's also about the using, and that is where relationships with other teardroppers get much more personal. What better place to "get acquainted?"

It's been said many times (especially recently), but it bears repeating.....If there is a post on a subject you are not interested in, or you already know before you even open it that the author is someone who gets under your skin, there is no rule of membership here that states that you have to read every single post. Please feel free to ignore the ones that don't pertain to you. But please, for civility's sake, don't use the fact that you don't like a particular subject or person, or don't see the value in what is being discussed, as carte blanche to be rude or insulting. We all have differing opinions at times, but it is possible to put those differences out there without being mean spirited with others. I think some people believe this kind of behavior makes them appear intelligent, or clever or entertaining. In reality it just makes them appear rude and arrogant, and eventually THEIR posts are the ones that end up being ignored.

Sadly, I have noticed recently that a lot of the old timers, a lot of them who had been around for years when I first joined the forum a year and a half ago, are no longer posting very often, some not at all....and I wonder if the new "tone" of the forum is the reason they have drifted away? If so, that would be a great shame. The loss of their collective knowledge, wisdom and experience would make this forum a lot "less" for all of us.

Obviously this train has jumped the track a bit and become about more than just "teardrop themes." Sorry about that Gage. I got a little carried away, but I had been off the forum since early last fall and a few weeks ago when I came back I noticed a change in the tone of the forum, and not for the better. I am hoping that with time and "education" we can get back to where we used to be.

[Vedette]

To both Mary & Becky
Well said!
I have ony been on the Forum for just over 14 months and enjoy it very much!
I came to the Forum for information for our build. This led to trip planning information, which has now led to chatting with all the new friends we have made here on the Forum. Most of which we have not had the opportunity to meet face to face.
Now that Miss Piggy is almost ready to hit the road, we are very much looking forward to meeting as many of you as we can and sharing a campfire in our retirement years.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[48Rob]

Sadly, I have noticed recently that a lot of the old timers, a lot of them who had been around for years when I first joined the forum a year and a half ago, are no longer posting very often, some not at all....and I wonder if the new "tone" of the forum is the reason they have drifted away? If so, that would be a great shame. The loss of their collective knowledge, wisdom and experience would make this forum a lot "less" for all of us.

I had been off the forum since early last fall and a few weeks ago when I came back I noticed a change in the tone of the forum, and not for the better. I am hoping that with time and "education" we can get back to where we used to be.

Becky

Becky,

I'm not sure If I qualify as an old timer, but I've noticed a lot of change too.
Some good, but also a lot of bad.
I'm to the point that I no longer try to help as much as I once did, in part because so many seem to want to argue and challenge the answers.
Some of that is to be expected of course, and I'm happy to "offer proof" if the request is respectful, but otherwise, it is just obnoxious.
It seems there is a lot less moderator input too.

Not saying they aren't doing anything, but of late there have been a number of people posting in a manner I would consider trolling, to stir the pot.

Sometimes these threads are okay, if respect is shown, and there is genuine interest in learning, but they should be in the off topic section, not in the general section which is for teardrop and camping related discussion.
While perhaps a minor point, there isn’t much point in having rules if they aren’t enforced, or enforced with any regularity, and for some (me) a bit of respect is lost for the authority of those charged.

I agree that if a person doesn't like the subject, they should move on/not read it.
Perhaps it is cabin fever, as Mike recently posted, but the board seems in the midst of a change to just a big chat room.
For those that come to learn about teardrops, and or help those in need, it is perhaps a consideration in how often they visit, and participate.
I used to look forward to coming here to try to help. I would spend an hour or more a night, now, because of all the (I need attention and I'll do anything to get it) posts, It takes me 5 minutes to read through the sections and leave.
I understand that If I don't like the post, move on; and that is the point, I am moving on.

If a big switch from teardrops-to social network is what everyone wants, that’s great, but if it isn't, those in charge might take notice, as the roots of the teardrop beginning are starting to wither, as is my interest.

Rob

[S. Heisley]

I understand that If I don't like the post, move on; and that is the point, I am moving on.

Rob

All I know is that when I am going along, reading a nice topic and out of the blue, somebody slams somebody else, I feel not only blindsided but spitting mad about it! Sometimes, I just can't let it go, even if the person being slammed has slammed others. I guess I just haven't gotten angry enough times yet to "pack up and leave Dodge City". I keep hoping that it's just the 'winter weather bummers' and that everything will return to sunshine on the forum when the weather gets better....I really hope so.

[bart]

Gage, thanks for providing the opportunity for this worthwhile discussion. I have been very much a consumer of information on this forum as you can see by my small number of posts. But, The information it provided has been extremely valuable. I have gleened a tremendous amount of information from the long time board users and hope they stick around to assist others to the degree I have been helped.
Bart

[Dave S]

Ya know, methinks at times Cage and I are a lot alike. I didnt read anything either polsitive or negative about his question...........just a question. Often times I will say something like "Whatta Day !!!". People will say "whats wrong with it?" I didnt say anything was right or wrong........just whatta day. Often comments are made to stimulate thought or conversation. When I read the post, I thought....yah, why? Maybe just because its fun.......and thats why I have a Tear, and a Trailer. My trailer has a name, not a theme.........and my tear has neither. But so what. I have a bunch of dear friends who have Tears and Trailers. I chuckle at the ones with thems, and dont give any thoughts if one does not. Cage, thanks for the stimulation and generating the often thoughtful responding replies. If some got a bit flustered........lighten up a wee bit.........Dave aka "Running Mouth"

[Oldragbaggers]

If a big switch from teardrops-to social network is what everyone wants, that’s great, but if it isn't, those in charge might take notice, as the roots of the teardrop beginning are starting to wither, as is my interest.

Rob

Thanks for your insightful reply Rob, and you bring up some good points. It does make it difficult for those in the building/information seeking stages to weed through all the unrelated junk sometimes. Probably if the forum had been in its present form back when I first started, I would have found it harder to get to the information I needed. (YOU, by the way, would definitely qualify as an old-timer in my book, and one of the people I looked to for good information, and you were always there.)

I think the social side of the forum and the technical side could both be accommodated by using the sections of the forum better and educating everyone about what is appropriate to post where. (And then, by enforcing the guidelines consistently.) We have the off topic area where, by virtue of the name, you would think any topic could be discussed. An awful lot of posts that should be in "off topic" end up in other areas though and do distract from the information that most people expect to find when they go to those areas. If people don't like the term "off-topic" maybe we could just have an area called Chat Room or something to that effect and make it known consistently that members are expected to use the different discussion areas appropriately.

Rob, it saddens me to think that you are pulling away from the forum. You have been such a great source of information and encouragement, to myself and to so many others, you are a highly valued and respected member of this forum and I for one hope to see you around here for a long long time.

Thank you so much Brian and Sandi, I hope our paths cross out there too. I also am anxious to meet the people who have been such an huge part of my teardrop journey.

Dave S., I don't think the majority of this was directed at Gage. There was nothing at all wrong with his question about trailer themes. It's an interesting question, and there were some interesting answers. I think it was prompted more by some of the antagonistic answers to the question than to the question itself.

[S. Heisley]

Ya know, methinks at times Cage and I are a lot alike. I didnt read anything either polsitive or negative about his question...........just a question. Often times I will say something like "Whatta Day !!!". People will say "whats wrong with it?" I didnt say anything was right or wrong........just whatta day. Often comments are made to stimulate thought or conversation. When I read the post, I thought....yah, why? Maybe just because its fun.......and thats why I have a Tear, and a Trailer. My trailer has a name, not a theme.........and my tear has neither. But so what. I have a bunch of dear friends who have Tears and Trailers. I chuckle at the ones with thems, and dont give any thoughts if one does not. Cage, thanks for the stimulation and generating the often thoughtful responding replies. If some got a bit flustered........lighten up a wee bit.........Dave aka "Running Mouth"

Dave, we aren't upset with Gage. We're upset with a post that was slammed at him, after Gage started this thread. Gage was trying to do a good thing and he did that. I think, with all the reactions, the guy got the point. Hopefully, we'll get back to enjoying our forum and this topic now.
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Sometimes a theme is really fun. Just think about Rediver's pirate theme or Jerome's shack teardrop or the Log Cabin teardrop that was recently at the Arizona gathering(?).

Sometimes, color combinations are the theme, such as all the RED in Eunice's campsite or the bright green and blue combinations. It's entertaining! It would be really boring if everyone's trailer was just black and white or brown and brown or if everybody's trailer was built the same. ...It's true. Variety really is the spice of life!

[48Rob]

I think the social side of the forum and the technical side could both be accommodated by using the sections of the forum better and educating everyone about what is appropriate to post where. (And then, by enforcing the guidelines consistently.)

Becky,

Although some "enforcement" will always be needed for a few, most of this could easily be handled by a moderator moving a post/thread to the area it belongs.
We all goof sometimes, and post in the wrong place, it isn't something that 99.999% need to be reprimanded over, it/they simply need to be moved by whoever is in charge.
When posts are left where they land, others presume it must be okay...

On another note, the last big board in operation before Mike started this one, started heading in the same direction before it shut down.
I don't mean to presume to know all the details behind why she chose to shut it down, or to imply Mike is not fully aware of what is happening here, or is not in charge, but the tension in the air is similar.

Rob, it saddens me to think that you are pulling away from the forum. You have been such a great source of information and encouragement, to myself and to so many others, you are a high valued and respected member of this forum and I for one hope to see you around here for a long long time.

While I am beginning to pull away/spend less time here because of the reasons I stated, I do not plan to "leave".
I like the board, and the people, and certainly teardrops and trailers.
If the board goes in one direction because of popular choice, and I can't adapt or find joy in being here, then I may go, but not yet!

Rob