ALL MEMBERS READ!!!! Abuse of "TTT"
 

Hey guys and gals,

I'm seeing WAY WAY too much use of "TTT."

First off I'll explain for the newer members what "TTT" is. TTT means To The Top. Since this board is very popular some members think their topic is more important than everyone elses they post TTT or meaningless replies to bring their own topic back to the first page.

Anyway, the reason for this post is I can't keep up with giving everyone individual warnings because there is just tooooo many people abusing TTT lately so I'm hoping this post will stop the abuse.

I'll be honest with you... I absolutely can not stand it when people TTT a post. However, I understand there are valid times when a TTT post is warranted. BUT, 99% of the TTTs I have been seeing are not warranted. If you TTT a post after just 30 minutes or even 4 hours you are being very disrespectful to the other members of this board. What you are basically saying is YOUR topic is more important than "Joe's" topic and therefore you can justify bumping his down and putting yours first. Don't you agree that is being a bit rude? Having said that, if you are stuck somewhere and can't get your car running, THAT is when I won't mind if you keep your topic on the first page. That is about the only time I can see it being justified to abuse TTT and I've only seen people "stuck" like this less times than I can count on one hand.

This message board is read by MANY. This board is read at all hours of the day. Some people read at all times of the day and even while at work. Others read it only during certain hours. Therefore, if you must do a TTT please do so only once per day/24 hours to allow the majority of the members here to at least see your topic prior to you doing a TTT. And, just so we're clear, I'm talking about something around 24 hours since the last reply... not since the last time you did a TTT http://web.camaross.com/bb/wink.gif

Now, also ask yourself WHY you need to do a TTT. People here will in almost all cases answer your question for you if they know the answer. If you find you are not getting your questions answered, maybe your question was too vague or you didn't provide all the info you could. Sooooo, instead of just putting a TTT I would absolutely LOVE to see people posting a little more info about their problem, wording it a little different, providing some of the troubleshooting you have done since your original question... ANYTHING other than a blah and useless TTT. Help the people out who are trying to help you and you'll find you will get much better responses/answers.

If you really want to know an answer but aren't getting the responses you desire and it has only been a few hours, do what I said above and phrase your question differently, say something like "Oh by the way, here is something else which may help you help me...", or provide more info. Also, I'm no idiot so don't just post "Come on guys!!!" and try to convince me that is any different than TTT. TTT to me is ANYTHING that serves the function of only trying to put your post back up on top... whether it be TTT or a "." or a stupid statement. They are all the same to me so please don't kill me on semantics here and think it is OK to reply with "." because it isn't TTT http://web.camaross.com/bb/wink.gif

I'm sorry this is so long but this needs to be said and we need to start respecting the other members by not thinking our own topics are better than everyone elses and therefore need to be on the top all the time. All I ask is that you realize this place is very busy and it isn't the end of the world if your topic is on page 4. If the guys here who answer most of the questions are like me they will scan topics back to the time frame they were last on the board. I know of several who do this so it doesn't matter if your topic is on page 1 or page 5 because the guy is going to read it anyway http://web.camaross.com/bb/biggrin.gif

Thanks for reading this and thanks for helping me to get the TTT thing back under control.

Having said that, I'll be TTTing this post for a day or two to keep it where ALL will be able to read it http://web.camaross.com/bb/wink.gif



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Brent Franker * Main Page
94 Vortech Z28 * 96 Z28 SS #1655
4th Gen Appearance Modification Guide
F-Body Install & Fix-It Guides

Good point to be made Brent. There are a lot of posts with the creator saying TTT 3 or 4 times in a row with no additional useful information. If I am getting no responses I realize I must not be doing a good job explaining the problem, as just about EVERY problem on these cars has been handled by somebody besides me on this board before.

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Greg Russell
1997 Metallic Green Z28 M6
K&N FIPK, Hypertech 160º Thermo, BMR STB, Pro 5.0, Custom Exhaust
http://camaro.cz28.com

Just wondering if this applies to the For Sale section as well? That section FLIES and if I post at 3 pm it could be 4 or 5 pages down the line in a couple hours. I definately agree with you Brent, I was just wondering if this applies to the FS section too. Thanks bud.

Before you post you should always search...there are hundreds of threads from the past few months and there is a good chance your question will be included in a thread. If people used the search option alot of the TTT would be taken care of IMO..



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96 black Z28 A4
GTP stage II heads, GTP 226/230 cam, 11:1 CR, Pro Torque 2800 TC, Tranny cooler, 3.42, 1.6 rr, Holley 58mm TB, Hooker LT's, SLP CAI, cutout, Wolfe cage, Carrera's, 5 point belts
Performance work done @ Mattucci Motorsports
WNYFA FLFB
Im the one with the fast, shiney, good looking car ;)

I don't moderate that section and each moderator has his own style so to speak. And, to be honest with you, I may be the only moderator who gets upset when people abuse TTT... but, that's just me and my style http://web.camaross.com/bb/smile.gif Even though they may not enforce much in the For Sale section as related to this topic, I think it is just common courtesy to NOT TTT your posts excessively.

Really, just think about it... if everyone abused TTT then it would become useless in that your post would end up right back on page 5 or 6 because everyone else had a TTT post in front of you as well http://web.camaross.com/bb/smile.gif Then, instead of TTTing your post after say 4 hours you'd have to do it after just 2 hours to make it effective. It is a viscious cycle http://web.camaross.com/bb/biggrin.gif

96z brings up a good point too... USE THE SEARCH TOOL! There is nothing wrong with asking the same question again looking for more info but everyone should at least attempt searching for their answer first (unless their question is very unique).


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Brent Franker * Main Page
94 Vortech Z28 * 96 Z28 SS #1655
4th Gen Appearance Modification Guide
F-Body Install & Fix-It Guides

I totally agree with the sudden TTT outbreak. It's the abuse that causes all the problems. I don't know how many times i've seen it lately where it's been a half hour or less then someone TTT's it...

I rarely post questions or anything, but I usually wait until my post hits page 3 without a reply, or a good reply. I do this since most people only go back to page 2, and it gives ample time to have someone elses post go on and be noticed.

-Shannon

The For Sale section is a little different as far as TTTing. Meaning, you normally can't provide much more info. For example, an LT1 intake is an LT1 intake no matter how you slice it http://web.camaross.com/bb/smile.gif If you still have the part after a day or two then a simple "TTT" or "Still Available" would be good IMO. In fact, I've noticed over there that many guys do only TTT their parts for sale once a day.

Droopy, you know you are right... I should move this to The Lounge http://web.camaross.com/bb/biggrin.gif http://web.camaross.com/bb/biggrin.gif I don't think so. LOL! http://web.camaross.com/bb/smile.gif

NOMAD, I have to disagree with you about most only going back 2 pages. I know I don't pay attention to the actual page NUMBER but rather the time of the posts. If the last time I was on the board was say 6am then the next time I'm on the board I'll usually go back to AT LEAST that same time... 6am. I've talked to a few other guys who do this as well. It probably also depends on how many topics somebody answers while looking back at the other pages. When you run out of time you run out of time http://web.camaross.com/bb/smile.gif But, I still think people normally read back further than just a few pages.

TTT for ya! http://web.camaross.com/bb/biggrin.gif

Amen!!! And if you don't find the answer to your question right away, try using different terms or descriptions or something to broaden up your search and the answer might pop up right then and there.

Later! http://web.camaross.com/bb/smile.gif

TS

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99 Firebird
96 Suburban 4x4
95GRNZ

Brent very well said.
I have abused the TTT some maily in the forsale section. Thank you for clearing things up with us members. I will not TTT in LT1tech or Appearance section again.
But Is it bad if you reply to your own post 4 times a day responding to other members?
Thank you for bringing up the idea of looking back to the last time you were on.
I will try that now and hopefully it will cut down my time spent on this wonderfull site http://web.camaross.com/bb/smile.gif Thanks again~AJ

No, not at all if you are replying to somebody or thanking them for info. A little "Thank You" is always appreciated! Heck, even do that as a "stealth" TTT if you will http://web.camaross.com/bb/wink.gif You could say something like "Thanks for that info but what about xxx?" ANYTHING other than a useless TTT.

I don't want to give the impression that you should NEVER try to bring your topic back up to the forefront. If your question isn't answered it isn't answered and you haven't solved your problem. Just reminding people to be "fair" and considerate and to give everyone a equal chance at getting answers to their questions. i.e., being a little patient.

If your topic goes for a day and you still haven't got the answer you want, then sure, go ahead and reply to your own topic to bring it back up so you CAN get your question answered. But, please do what I suggested above and instead of just posting TTT try to provide a little more info. If you don't want to provide more info or don't have anything additional, I'm not going to get upset if you just do a simple TTT after waiting a day. But, if this goes on for like 7 days and you have 7 TTTs then maybe nobody knows an answer or just doesn't understand your question http://web.camaross.com/bb/wink.gif

I don't want to and don't mean to sound like a hard ass. I just want to bring this issue up since it is being abused way more than normal lately.

So, basically, I'm not asking you to NEVER do this... just try to be considerate of the other members here too.



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Brent Franker * Main Page
94 Vortech Z28 * 96 Z28 SS #1655
4th Gen Appearance Modification Guide
F-Body Install & Fix-It Guides

I have a suggestion to alleviate the "TTT" posts. Why not have a breakdown of topics such as:

ENGINE
DRIVETRAIN
SUSPENSION
BRAKES/TIRES
ALL OTHER

or something to that effect. It makes scanning through topics easier, posts don't go to page 10 after 24 hours and those with expertise in a section are more likely to answer more questions as they may "hang out" in that section.

For example, if you go to the ImpalaSSForum and see how our "94 to 96 Impala related" section is broken down. I know the impala forum is very small in comparision to camaroz28 but maybe a little more organization might relieve some of the anarchy here.

Just my 2 cents...


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Noel

"Ooooh, they have the internet on computers now"
the Internet King
aka Homer Jay Simpson
My Impala SS
My SoCal SS page

Brent, what if I post a thread. And I get an answer of two in a couple minutes. I read them... should I not reply and wait for a while, or is it cool to go ahead and reply. Becuase sometimes I post and get info back real quick, and reply with more info or questions to somebody's answer. Is that ok, I mean in the same way it makes the topic back up to the top, or are you just talking about threads that go unanswered for a few hours with TTTs in them?
Just wondering.

I think Brent is referring to the threads where guys are posting "TTT's" every hour. If someone reply's to your thread 2 minutes after you post, and you need to give more info or want to thank them, more power to ya! (thats what this board is about! http://web.camaross.com/bb/smile.gif)

If you don't need an answer asap, you can heed Brent's advice and wait/watch your post for a while, when it goes down, reply (a tasteful way to TTT your post http://web.camaross.com/bb/wink.gif).

I don't find it annoying when someone adds info to their post...info that helps clarify the question/takes out variables, but "TTTing" every hour (or whenever it goes to the second page) is annoying and frustrating...

People that abuse TTT are remembered, and I avoid their post/questions altogether (pretty harsh, eh http://web.camaross.com/bb/tongue.gif http://web.camaross.com/bb/biggrin.gif).

Netiquette http://web.camaross.com/bb/biggrin.gif.

Ryan

No, no, not saying if you post a question and then in 5 minutes you get 2 responses that you CAN'T reply back to the people who answered you... in fact, replying back to them with a "thank you" or more info which they may need is encouraged! What I'm saying is don't post your topic, wait an hour, then since nobody has replied, do a blah TTT to put it back as the first post. Kinda like what 96-speed said after your post.




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Brent Franker * Main Page
94 Vortech Z28 * 96 Z28 SS #1655
4th Gen Appearance Modification Guide
F-Body Install & Fix-It Guides

While at first thought this would seem like a good idea, I myself believe it would actually hurt things and hurt people getting their questions answered.

Just to throw out some numbers here and I hope to not offend anyone but if I had to guess, I'd say about 10% of the members here answer 90% of the more difficult questions. The members here who spend the majority of their time answering rather than asking normally scan all the topics, because, they are here more to help than to learn. Sure, by helping they are also learning and by reading they pick up stuff they didn't know, but for the most part, they are here to help the other members out. Having said that, it doesn't take very long to skim through 24 hours of topics and click on the ones you'd like to read and see if you can help out on (which is why it is important to provide good subject/topic titles!!!). Now, if the forum was broke up into several different and discrete forums a couple things are going to happen IMO. 1) The members who answer the majority of the questions will now have to skim through 5 or 6 different forums. This will make it more difficult for them and they may even "skip" a forum or two and thus maybe not answer a question they normally would have. 2) And I think this is the biggest one... many times when I look at a topic I think "I know the answer to that... I'll try to help!" and I reply. Now, I do that when skimming the topics. If you break the forum up into discrete forums I think you'll run into many cases where people won't get as many replies/opinions/whatever because their topic isn't being looked at as often because not as many people go into that forum. By having only one forum you "force" them to view ALL topics http://web.camaross.com/bb/smile.gif i.e., The benefit of having all topics in one forum is everyone at least glances at everything.

I don't consider myself a suspension guru but do know a few answers to suspension questions. If there was a separate suspension forum I may not even go into it because either I don't think I know enough or I'm not looking for info related to the suspension. By me not even going into that forum there is NO chance I'll answer a suspension related question. As it stands now, as I'm skimming the topics, I'll most likely click on a suspension related topic which I know the answer to and provide some feedback. Bottom line is, if you break up the forum into discrete forums there will be many cases (IMO) where topics which normally would be viewed by a knowledgeable member will now not be viewed. By keeping everything together I believe many questions get answered on "accident" by people browsing/skimming the topics and seeing something they can help with. Follow me?

That's just my opinion but if you think about how YOU answer questions I'm sure you are similar to myself... you reply to topics which kinda stand out to you and having all the topics together kinda helps that process (IMO) http://web.camaross.com/bb/biggrin.gif http://web.camaross.com/bb/biggrin.gif

Hmm... on a side note I once had a girlfriend who said I over analyze everything. Maybe she was correct? http://web.camaross.com/bb/biggrin.gif



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Brent Franker * Main Page
94 Vortech Z28 * 96 Z28 SS #1655
4th Gen Appearance Modification Guide
F-Body Install & Fix-It Guides