I completely agree with flitcroft with this sticky...I'm new to the site and just put in a whole new audio system. I would not have been able to DIY without Darknights pics of running the wires, NFRS2000NYC helping with the right amp for my speaker set up, box designs (saved me $$) and all the other well posted, very informational posts on this site. When reading I could tell who knew what they were talking about and who was blowing smoke. I now can say I know a ton more then before I started(my friends want me to install for them) but I still wouldn't post an answer I wasn't completely sure of because I know that could cost someone time and money. So in conclusion I would like to thank all of you for your direct or indirect help with my system and I look forward to meeting some of you at meets in the future. Thanks, Brian

 

i'm also quite tired of answering the same questions over and over and over....
i'm on here now less because a while ago i had to prioritize some things in life... and answering what amp? what headunit? what speakers? do i really need an amp? do i really need to replace the HU? what sub should i choose? will these speakers fit? (and dozens more... ) well, i didn't have the time to do it.
correction, i didn't want to make the time to do it anymore... i was catching a bit of flak at work about internet time, and was spending hours at home answering those same questions instead of spending it w/ my kids...


the funniest thing? we get asked over and over for these opinions... we post the same answers each time... and THEN we get hammered by some for doing it... like we're PUSHERS for the brand or whatever... when in reality? it is just the brand we know and trust... the 'pushing' comes from answering the same questions over and over and over and over...


do i think the EJ badge should be earned? yes. just having a fondness for your palm pilot shouldn't make you an EJ. do i want this to become some sort of caste/club thing that excludes others? no. never. at the same time however, people should know WHO they can trust for the right info...


and in reality? don't we already have a library of sorts?? isn't that what the FAQ was supposed to be? perhaps we should revisit it... clean up a ton of the miscellaneous responses, and then compile new information to enhance it.

*edit*
continued thought... b-man clearly isnt' around much anymore. maybe the current FAQ should be retired/renamed w/ a link to a new FAQ that is directly moderator controlled and a closed topic. no info goes into it except via John or Jim...

just a thought.

 

I agree with everything you said, Phil. Still on the fence about earning a button maybe (who gives it out? how? why? test? revokable?) We'd need bylaws...

As far as the FAQ: I agree. The FAQ needs to be more current and more updatable. A moderator should not start any new thread though because they can already edit any thread (so a non-mod adds one more editor, in essence).

 

The mods will hand out the badges. It will be something you have to earn or have already earned.

I talked to Eric yesterday about this and I have a few things I'm working on to help clean this mess up.

 

dk are you talking about adding an additional badge or "button" to designate a long term trusted EJ with a demonstrated knowledge of the subject or tightening up who can get the current EJ badge?

Maybe a standard EJ badge that could be worn to show an interest in the subject for those who are interested in having it and a different badge that is earned in the community.

 

while a good point driveit -- i'm not sure that the current badge system would allow for both....

perhaps it could. honestly, that would be the best solution, imo.

and clearly, if anyone has to grant it, it should be a mod given thing. i think John and Jim and knowledgeable enough to know who knows, and who's blowing smoke.


perhaps an EJE badge? (Electronics Junkie Expert)

 

Phil has some excellent points.

I haven't been hanging around much either because it's a LOT of the same questions OVER and OVER and OVER again.

No one seems to read the FAQ. Some improvements may not make people read the FAQ, but at least it would be there and people could be directed to it.

An external library gets to a new level of complexity that I feel is not needed.

 

the Faqs might need some tweaking but all the essentials are there.

The badge is a good idea, it seems that the current one gets handed out at will..

DK, can it be a Flash Badge? I'm starting to loooove flash. let me know.

-bill

 

It can be flash but it has to be small... Bill can you work something up?

Yeah I think I'm going to rehab the FAQ's threads and link them together, and just clean them up so we have one full place to look for info. I would also like to see more How-To's in there as well. I can only do so many

 

Currently, the badge represents an interest or the fact that you have upgraded your system. I like the idea of having a separate badge for those that have earned the "trusted seal of approval". I think Willie might already be working on it.

I like the idea of redoing the FAQ thread, that way we can clean up all the stickies at the top of the page. I was thinking that it would be good if we could get different owner to write reviews on their equipment. Like someone could do a write up on the Alpine CDA 9835. That way when someone is looking for a headunit they can see the different choices and do some reading on it. The only problem with that is it would need updated over time.