FAQs and good searches

[Dionikes]

Hay guys I am new to the forum and have already asked my no0b question. Thing is with tech forums certain topics generally seem to have buzz words for questions that are frequently asked. So what am I asking from you smart people is some good search topics. Things that people always seem to ask questions about that do not know any better. Who knows maybe this can get stickied for other no0bs in the future as a good starting point. So far one that I know of: "mobil G50"

One bad one that I know of is anything with "'87" in it... it pings everything posted by someone with an '87 in their siggy.

Sorry, I am just trying to become unigorant as fast as possible. I know there is some really good info and tips out there...just not sure how to find it.

[qcwang]

Good question, but hard to answer. your list of topics will be endless.

My advice is to invest in 101 projects, and also read the technical articles that interest you in Pelican Parts. That way you can become familiar with common terms people talk about.

Then when you use search, I usually limit the search to "search titles only" and limit it to the "911 technical forum", then it will most likely be a topic limited to what you are looking for.

If you look up "turbo tie rod install" without limiting the serach, you will get everything under the sun. If limited to titles and 911 technical forum, results more useful. That's what I do, hope it helps.

[qcwang]

Originally posted by Dionikes
I am just trying to become unigorant as fast as possible.

I don't think this is possible.... at least for me. I feel like I get dumb and dumber the older i get!!

[Jack Olsen]

Here's a good place to start.

[Axis11]

I was thinking about starting a thread which merely collected links to often asked questions.

Members could contribute links to threads that have helped them in the past and you could orqanize them in the first part of the post in catagories. It would aid the search feature because not everyone uses the same search term and often have varied results.

The tech articles here are great, but the people articles are gold.
Just think of the knowledge of Grady, John Walker and countless others linked in one thread.

The information here is the property of Pelican BBS, so I'm not suggesting Pdf files in downloadable packets to peruse when you are unable to connect, but it would help all of us in one way or another, and that is one of the things this place is about.

Feel the power. Create a central repository for it.

But I could be wrong....

_Tim

[Brother]

don't be afraid to ask noob questions. Only some of the people are buttheads when it comes to answering them. Bringing more people on board is what this whole things about. From the looks of the pictures, you could probably teach us a thing or two about detailing a car.

[randywebb]

a thread which merely collected links to often asked questions.

- of course, someone would then have to search to find that thread...

- I like the idea of compilation threads -- editing and compiling previous posts on a particular topic. Maybe we are thinking along the same lines... your topic might be:
- What should I do when I first buy a car?

[Grady Clay]

I lurked here for almost two years but have been posting for only 15 months. Of the stuff I post I have several sources other than writing original material every time.

1) I have several MS Word files where I copy links to. They are organized by subject with a few-word description. About half are Pelican links, many Rennlist and other.

2) Everything I type is in chronological MS Word documents. Each gets to about 7-900 pages before I start another. I’m on number eight now with 184 pages. I can use the Find function to locate most anything. I simply copy & paste to the thread.

3) Wayne’s Search Function works pretty well and I use it regularly.

4) Goggle and MSM search engines are very worthwhile.

5) If all else fails, I e-mail friends. Over the past 15 months on Pelican, many have e-mailed me with questions. Some have turned into serious projects. Most get posted on the Forum so everyone benefits.


I think the beauty of this technology is that each thread can be a miniature published work, edited by linking to the reference sources and having added original input. I like to see a thread that has many contributors, links to original sources and relevant other threads, and lots of original material. One of the best features is the Forum is self-correcting. I really appreciate being corrected for an error so it doesn’t get perpetuated as fact.

For someone new to the Forum, the Search function is critical. I would like to see some more extensive instructions and hints on how to use Search so beginners can get up to speed sooner. The Forum moves so fast no one can keep up (3-8 pages per day.) The Search function is the only answer.

I only read about 20% of the threads and post on less than a quarter of those. I try to not “Me too” unless it is to add something useful. On the other hand when I find one that I can make a serious contribution to, I’ll keep after it for many days and resurrect it occasionally. When I loose contact with a thread (when it goes 5-10-20+ pages down), I use Search.

Best,
Grady

[Dionikes]

Thanks guys. I am surprised how many responses that I got.

Personally I like to lurk and get my answers from other people's question but in this case I just don't have time to sort through all the info. The Army may be movig me again shortly so I have to get the lady seaworthy as fast possible.

I must say of all the forums I have been a member of (BMW-forums, e46 fanatics, DDL, UGLI...to name a few)this is the fastest moving I have seen. You guys go through a page of threads in a day...that is incredible.

Now when weakness in my question is that I did not specify for you to assume that I have the Bentley manual, Perf Handbook, 101 porjects etc. The things that forum is good for is product tests more or less. What brand of engine oil seem to work the best for these aluminum engines when they have a lot of miles? What kind of brake pads usually give the best performance for the amount money? This kind of stuff is not really in the manuals. And searching on "engine oil" or "brake pads" brings up one thousand billion results.

Then once the goats (guys that have been on this forever) come up with a list of good searches and links to threads of interest for no0bs. Have Wayne sticky it and it stays on top of the forum. Not to mention people can constantly update it. From experience search topics work better than thread links because threads do eventually go to the graveyard and disappear.

EDIT: As far as detailing goes I can give you guys some great links. I learned most of what I know on e46 Fanatics. www.autopia.com has a great forum and products. I can answer questions over PM or if you post a question just email me to make aware of it...I am busy so I may not get to it before it drops of the front page. ;-)

[randywebb]

Grady is obsessed... OTOH he is a pro with different needs than most

If you want a less developed scheme you might do what I do. If a thread is interesting (like something I plan to do later on and might want to refer to), I bookmark it into a folder on the browser.

Next step is to just copy the thread's URL into an Email to myself -- and maybe some text if I want to make sure I can find it later when the bbs is down or something.

Next step is to copy and edit that Email (which may have grown with items from Rennlist &/or 911S list) into a Word doc in a subdir on the car. I sometimes add dowloaded diagrams to the Word doc, and may put cites to pages in Bentley, Bill Verberg's brake page, etc. etc. there too.


Another thing I do is to put a little code for how reliable the information is -- I use the name of the poster if it is someone I think knows something. If a comment is there w/o a name then I assume it is a "hypothesis" to be tested. For example, I'll put in names like Steve W., Tyson, Bill V., Sherwood, Warren, Grady, Lubemaster Mike, Jim Sims, etc. etc. Wil Ferch and other engineers often have interesting queries even if it is a topic that they don't know the details on, and for some things it is a good idea to have the questions raised about a particular modification as well as how to do it.


So this is a way to grow into something close to Grady's technique with less initial effort.

NOTE WELL: Both Grady's technique and most of mine assume that this resource will be here in the future... think what a complete crash would do....

[RoninLB]

what about using pelican search to find 2 or 3 word combos without getting a million hits of the indivudal words ?

I read here that finding a pic is inserting img or*img* in subject.

I think there is non disclosed methods of efficency in using our search ?

[Grady Clay]

Randy,

Thanks. You are correct; I’m trying to disseminate Porsche technical info while I can. The needs of a recipient are slightly different. The good news, and fun for me, is I learn much every day.

I think it would be worthwhile for someone who is skilled in training and internet searches to give Wayne a simple concise technical article on searching with an advanced version available. It could include PP and the net in general. Perhaps the PP Search function could benefit also.

Wayne is a true Porsche hero. This Forum has turned into something truly amazing. I’m confident Wayne has sufficient backup and archives. If there ever were a long term problem, I’m sure he would let us know.

BTW, are you going to be in the Bay Area April 7-19?

Best,
Grady

[randywebb]

Grady - no plans - I just went down to Death Valley so that was my vacation. Thanks for what you are doing. I think Wayne should a. get a grant from Google to organize all the world's Porsche information (and set up a non-profit to do this if need be), and b. establish some buttons with FAQs for people when they first register for the bbs.

Ron - "non disclosed methods"?? Not sure what you mean...

[Steve87-911]

Originally posted by Grady Clay
...I think it would be worthwhile for someone who is skilled in training and internet searches to give Wayne a simple concise technical article on searching with an advanced version available. It could include PP and the net in general. Perhaps the PP Search function could benefit also...

When I'm not poking around here I make a living as an instructional designer. I write techincal training courseware for software applications. So I may be able to help if someone should ask me to.

[Grady Clay]

Steve,

WOW, Johnny (Steve) on the spot. I spent my career training my mechanics and owners how to take care of 911s but I’m not an expert in communicating that to a wide audience.

I regularly see on this Form and others someone’s frustration with unsuccessful searches. That shouldn’t happen. The Search function should be almost intuitive. If someone can’t use it, there should be alternatives. The final resource is posting a question on one of the forums – this one being the best I’ve seen. The point is that someone should come here armed with a lot of published information without a frustrating experience to get it.

There are two sides to this issue. First is education for users as to how to do searches. This is where you can have a great impact on the Porsche Community with your training expertise. I suspect there are others who can contribute also. I’m willing.

The other is how to make the Search Engines even more user friendly and effective. I absolutely won’t claim I know how to accomplish this. I can recognize the differences and appreciate the good ones. The Pelican Search is pretty good. I can see areas for improvement. Perhaps we can help Wayne and give something for all he is doing for us.



Randy, I’m going to be in the Bay Area those days. I’m just trying to find when we can meet face-to-face.

Yes, wouldn’t it be profitable for PCNA to sponsor such a project. I think all the manufacturers (for many reasons) would like to have the “old cars” off their backs. This way they could support the heritage at minimal cost and be perceived as “The Good Guys.”

There are really only two issues. Free access to all the historical information; design, parts, service, history, and more. Open access for continued production of replacement parts. Perhaps they will open their eyes to the concept rather than Pi$$ing off their support base. The reason Cayennes and others sell is because of that historic support.

Best,
Grady

[HarryD]

Originally posted by Grady Clay
-- SNIP --
Yes, wouldn’t it be profitable for PCNA to sponsor such a project. I think all the manufacturers (for many reasons) would like to have the “old cars” off their backs. This way they could support the heritage at minimal cost and be perceived as “The Good Guys.”

There are really only two issues. Free access to all the historical information; design, parts, service, history, and more. Open access for continued production of replacement parts. Perhaps they will open their eyes to the concept rather than Pi$$ing off their support base. The reason Cayennes and others sell is because of that historic support.

Best,
Grady

The shame is that for an MGB and other old british cars, I can buy complete bodies and then move my running gear from the old hulk to a new body and stay on the road. The reason is that the aftermarket folks have the dies to stamp out the parts.

How did Gary get the inventory he has/had for Parts Obsolete? It is my understanding that he went around when PAG/PCNA was obsoleting dealer inventory and he bought it by the truck load. Where is this stuff going now?

If PAG/PCNA is going to abandon support for the older cars, they **SHOULD** release the tooling, plans and specs to allow some enterprising third party to continue making the parts. The cost will be higher but at least the parts are available. You can see some if this at places like Restoration Design. But the range of parts will need to expand if PAG abandons their historic support.

Part of what enables me to keep my '73 on the road is that parts are readily available. Once this ends, I will need to think long and hard on what my next move will be.

[randywebb]

Grady - How about the Emory gathering? I plan to be there at least - I'll probably be kicked out of ouR-gruppe if I'm not.

I think a lot of their inventory is being retained for use on project cars - but that's just a guess.

I agree - in several years we will be in the same straits as the 356 people are now...

[Steve87-911]

Originally posted by Grady Clay
Steve, WOW, Johnny (Steve) on the spot. I spent my career training my mechanics and owners how to take care of 911s but I’m not an expert in communicating that to a wide audience...

Hey Grady,
Just let me/us know if there is some consensus to do this and I'll make some time for it. Shouldn't take too much effort I think.

[Dionikes]

Wow that would be a great resource. And it would help bring a lot of the archival information of this forum to bear.

[masraum]

On the miata board that I visit occasionally they have a separate forum of saved threads for just this reason. That would probably be the easiest way to compile them.