Survey:

[willwren]

Based on my recent experiences on another Forum (non-GM), I'd like to pose a few questions. I would appreciate as many replies as possible.

1. If you are a recently new member (last 2 years), do you find it helpful that our Gearheads are clearly identified by RANK? Does that make a difference when you read their replies?

2. If you are a more veteran member, do you think the Gearhead rank is being properly used here?

3. If you had to pick 5 people from our membership to work on your car, how many of those 5 would be Gearhead-ranked members?

4. Have you ever experienced a Forum where a new member cannot identify knowledgeable members?

5. Did you know that our Gearheads now have total control of our Techinfo section?

6. Did you know that our Gearheads have their own hidden section of the Forum where they actually discuss amongst themselves the more complicated and difficult problems our members post?


And any comments you'd like to add.

[00Beast]

2.) For the most part, yes.
3.) 3
4.) Yes.
5.) I didn't know that was a new development
6.) Yes.

I think the Gearhead rank is well utilized, and all of our Gearheads are amazing members who aim to help our members via posting in the main forum as well as assembling Techinfo articles that help all who visit this site with common issues and repairs that these vehicles have.

Let's not forget they do all of this for free, donating their time for the greater good.

[PRD2BDF]

1. Been a member for a long time here but when I first joined, yes, I could identify and some of the gearheads took me under their wings to tone me down.

2. For the most part yes, there is a certain Gearhead that I feel that should be removed of the title. I think this person gives a bad rap to the forum.

3. Four that I can think off the top of my head

4. Oh my god, yes.

5. I would have expected that a long time ago especially if they were Gearheads

6. Yes, I did know about this.

[petraman]

2. If you are a more veteran member, do you think the Gearhead rank is being properly used here?
I was never really a fan of the gearhead title as it didn't really make sense to me. People should be able to give recommendations from their own experiences, and a lot of times they're from people who aren't gearheads. I mean, if someone's wrong, there would be enough people who know he's wrong (again, not always gearheads) to correct him.

3. If you had to pick 5 people from our membership to work on your car, how many of those 5 would be Gearhead-ranked members?
Well one's an admin, three are mods and one would be a gearhead.

4. Have you ever experienced a Forum where a new member cannot identify knowledgeable members?
Yeah, the Fiesta forum, they aren't that knowledgeable sometimes

5. Did you know that our Gearheads now have total control of our Techinfo section?
O rly?

6. Did you know that our Gearheads have their own hidden section of the Forum where they actually discuss amongst themselves the more complicated and difficult problems our members post?
Yup, and that's stupid because all of that should be out in the open so we know their thought processes.

Let me just say that I appreciate all of the gearheads out their and they all bring their own unique experiences and skills to this forum. I just think that we shouldn't limit diagnoses and fixes to them.

[swampthing]

1. When I was new I recognized this as a sign of knowledge and acted accordingly when reading posts

2.mostly yes, sometimes certain gearheads can come off dogmatic sometimes but that's also hard to ascertain on an online forum where you can't see the other person

3. Three gearheads one moderator and one admin

4. I have seen that on here and other forums where new people are ignorant of the wealth of advice they are given from gearheads/other staff

5. I thought they did already or did Don still have it

6. Yes I did, I wish I could see into it

I think most of our gearheads do a great job of providing not only Bonneville specific advice but also good mechanical practices in general. I feel it is important to explain proper procedures to people instead of just telling them to do things that may get inexperienced people into trouble.

[wake]

2. Yes

3. 3 of them

4. Yes

5. thats good to know

6. i kinda thought that was the case but i think folks like that need that kinda of special section

ive never really had much of a problem negatively with the gear heads on Pontiac Bonneville Club generally any conversation that takes place between me and a gearhead ends in positive results

[repinS]

1. If you are a recently new member (last 2 years), do you find it helpful that our Gearheads are clearly identified by RANK? Does that make a difference when you read their replies? N/A

2. If you are a more veteran member, do you think the Gearhead rank is being properly used here? Absolutely.

3. If you had to pick 5 people from our membership to work on your car, how many of those 5 would be Gearhead-ranked members? 1 - but this is a misleading answer. The remaining 4 are other staff members who would definitely be gearheads if not for their other roles on the club.

4. Have you ever experienced a Forum where a new member cannot identify knowledgeable members? Yes.

5. Did you know that our Gearheads now have total control of our Techinfo section? not too sure... so I'm gonna say no on this one.

6. Did you know that our Gearheads have their own hidden section of the Forum where they actually discuss amongst themselves the more complicated and difficult problems our members post?Yes.

[GoldenBullet]

2. If you are a more veteran member, do you think the Gearhead rank is being properly used here?

Yeah, every gearhead is qualified IMO and they seem to know what they are talking about.

3. If you had to pick 5 people from our membership to work on your car, how many of those 5 would be Gearhead-ranked members?

A couple, there are some pretty knowledgable and skilled non gearheads here as well.

4. Have you ever experienced a Forum where a new member cannot identify knowledgeable members?

Not really. Unless they were really dense.

5. Did you know that our Gearheads now have total control of our Techinfo section?

That's a good idea.

6. Did you know that our Gearheads have their own hidden section of the Forum where they actually discuss amongst themselves the more complicated and difficult problems our members post?


Yup.

And any comments you'd like to add.
The only thing I have noticed is that some comments made by non gearheads can be overlooked or not taken seriously even when it is the correct answer. But when a gearhead comes in and confirms it then people will actually listen to it. Not sure if that is a good or bad thing, just an observation.

[BonneMe]

2. If you are a more veteran member, do you think the Gearhead rank is being properly used here?
Somewhat, I would love to see some identifying of what people are skilled in, or sections they focus on. ASE type credentials being displayed wouldn't hurt. Gearhead numbers could be higher as well. Seems like there are a lot of people who should be on there, who aren't.

3. If you had to pick 5 people from our membership to work on your car, how many of those 5 would be Gearhead-ranked members?
1 Gearhead, and 1 moderator who currently isn't, but should be included on any list of gearheads (Andrew). Gearheads traditionally don't post much about themselves/their cars, and different stars on a profile doesn't make me trust them more than the next guy.

4. Have you ever experienced a Forum where a new member cannot identify knowledgeable members?
Not really. Been doing this type of thing for nearly 15 years...

5. Did you know that our Gearheads now have total control of our Techinfo section?
Thought they already did. I would like to see an official way/form for other users to submit articles for inclusion. Part of my problem with this, is that it could be directed a bit too much by a couple people who are too like (or narrow) minded.

6. Did you know that our Gearheads have their own hidden section of the Forum where they actually discuss amongst themselves the more complicated and difficult problems our members post?
Yes. However this is no different than PM'ing staff/ususals with mechanical issues. Alternatively, just because someone doesn't have the gearhead credentials, doesn't mean they aren't qualified to join in any serious discussion.

Comments:
Staff shouldn't be putting in opinions on this thread if you want real results. They should discuss it in their hidden staff forums. Conflict of interest x1000.

[tpulliam79]

2: yes, haven't ran in to one who didn't know their stuff.
3: If going by experience all 5 would be gearheads, but if going by who i enjoy working under a hood with the most it would be 2 or 3 gearheads and a couple ex gear heads or moderators.
4: yes, some sites supposedly "knowledgeable" members don"t know a whole lot
5: Yes , I like the fact that techinfo is always a safe place to get great information that is tried and true from a trustworthy source
6: Yes, I think it's a great thing for them to be able to communicate without having to weed through other answers and comments, and I'm sure if they couldn't figure something out they would start a public thread.


comments:
This is by far my favorite forum i am currently or ever was a member of. I have learned more from this forum about my cars than anywhere else. I think the staff members of this forum take their positions seriously and are properly appointed. There are a lot of very knowledgeable members of this forum gearheads and not, but i think its nice to be able to know who to trust especially for newer members.

[RJolly87]

1. N/A
2. Honestly, I don't pay attention much anymore, as I have been around long enough to know who is pumping BS and who knows what they are talking about. Gearhead badge gets no special treatment.
3. Haven't thought about this, but I would for sure go with 1 admin, 1 retired admin, and 1 moderator, not sure how much experience Haro has on Series 1 though.
4. Not that I recall
5. It's about time! Didn't realize they didn't.
6. Yup


In all honesty, I try and treat everyone with respect and dignity, unless I have reason not to. The Gearheads typically reply in a civil and well worded manner, despite most circumstances. If I have an issue, I throw it down right there in the open, I don't go running and crying to teacher unless it is really bad.

[Bing]

1. If you are a recently new member (last 2 years), do you find it helpful that our Gearheads are clearly identified by RANK? Does that make a difference when you read their replies?

At first yes. But as time went on and the knowledge I have gained I tend to take it all in and decide which way to go with it.

2. If you are a more veteran member, do you think the Gearhead rank is being properly used here?

N/A

3. If you had to pick 5 people from our membership to work on your car, how many of those 5 would be Gearhead-ranked members?

(3), I tend to judge by the answers and advise given to myself and other members.

4. Have you ever experienced a Forum where a new member cannot identify knowledgeable members?

No, this is the only forum I frequent with my time.

5. Did you know that our Gearheads now have total control of our Techinfo section?

No

6. Did you know that our Gearheads have their own hidden section of the Forum where they actually discuss amongst themselves the more complicated and difficult problems our members post?

Yes




This is a very neat and organized site that I have obtained a wealth of knowledge about my car. I like the fact that there are no ad's to avoid or take away from the overall cleanliness of the site. I have looked at other ones but all the frick'n ads drive me NUT'S. A big thank you to all of you guys that make this site possible and the work you put into it everyday.

[94SilverSSEi]

1.I have been on here for probably 4-5 years. When I see the Gearhead notation, I put a little more influence on the response but usually I just take a consensus or listen to what the majority of people.

2. Sure

3. I wouldn't say specifically gearhead but of the staff, I could easily pick 5 people that I would want working on my car.

4. Maybe, I was on Cadillac forum and it is HUGE over 100,000 members. (although I wasn't on there a ton) It seemed like there were always different people saying different things. Where on hear it seems smaller so you can tell who knows there stuff and who is just spouting off BS but kinda .

5. No

6. No

[gonzo4191]

2. I think it is, but at the same time, there are more members with specified knowledge that aren't gearheads....

3. it would depend on the work thats needed....

4. Yea,this this forum is much like the diesel forum for my ford, but they have a reputation icon as well....

5. no but they should as thats what they do
6. no but thats a good thing to have,more brains equal a better repair

[dayton.reed]

1. If you are a recently new member (last 2 years), do you find it helpful that our Gearheads are clearly identified by RANK? Does that make a difference when you read their replies?
I'm not going to lie, it does make me biased toward heeding their advice over others'.

3. If you had to pick 5 people from our membership to work on your car, how many of those 5 would be Gearhead-ranked members? I really don't know. Sorry. I don't know too many folks here.

4. Have you ever experienced a Forum where a new member cannot identify knowledgeable members?
Nope.

5. Did you know that our Gearheads now have total control of our Techinfo section?
No.

6. Did you know that our Gearheads have their own hidden section of the Forum where they actually discuss amongst themselves the more complicated and difficult problems our members post?
Seriously? I had no clue. Now I feel paranoid. Do they ever make fun of dumb members like me? Are they going to make fun of me for being paranoid now? If they say that they don't, is it true?


And any comments you'd like to add.
I am really grateful for the amazing service this club provides.

[38kronik00]

1. Yes I do find it helpfull that they can be identified easily. I pay attention to any and all feedback buy do tend to accept or look further into the gearheads replies more.

2. N/A

3. 3

4. Yes

5. Yes

6. Nope

[ga93sle]

1. N/a

2. I think everyone that is a gearhead definitely deserves it, but I feel like the members of the staff with other titles who are more knowledgeable should have some kind of gearhead title along with their other title...

3. Probably 3

4. Yes

5. I kinda figured they always did...

6. I didn't but that's a good idea...

[Sl1ck]

1. Yes but i dont pink who i ask by there rank i feel there all equally smart and can all answer my questions.

3. Umm depends on what i was having done. But yea i would pick 5 of these guys.

4. No i have not.

5. No, but doesn't matter to me not my forum to run.

6. No, but once again dosent bother me and im glad to know they do means i know that my answers are honest and reliable.

[anwisdom]

2. Yes,. In the four years I have been a member, I can not think of a time that I was steered wrong by one of you guys.

3. 4 off the top of my head, but probably 5 (I'm drawing a blank)

4. No real experiance with other forums

5. Yes and I like having an area the seperates the necessary from the "fluff"

6. No (trying not to sound too entitled, I am very gratefull for all the work this forum does as a whole) Does this information ever become avalible us "normals"? At the least, it would be interesting to read, maybe a locked section like techinfo.

All in all I love this site and the gearheads/admin/moderators play major roles in keeping my cars going strong.

[Roadtech195]

Based on my recent experiences on another Forum (non-GM), I'd like to pose a few questions. I would appreciate as many replies as possible.

1. If you are a recently new member (last 2 years), do you find it helpful that our Gearheads are clearly identified by RANK? Does that make a difference when you read their replies?
N/A
2. If you are a more veteran member, do you think the Gearhead rank is being properly used here?
Yes Indeed

3. If you had to pick 5 people from our membership to work on your car, how many of those 5 would be Gearhead-ranked members?
Well I find that most of the people have more than just a gearhead roll on this forum. at least 3 non gearheads that actually are. and two that have that rank.

4. Have you ever experienced a Forum where a new member cannot identify knowledgeable members?
Yes

5. Did you know that our Gearheads now have total control of our Techinfo section?
Seems logical

6. Did you know that our Gearheads have their own hidden section of the Forum where they actually discuss amongst themselves the more complicated and difficult problems our members post?
No but its nice that they communicate to solve issues