Since the inception of online communications, it's been my pleasure to read and participate on a number of online fora geared to my special interests. I have observed what seems to be an organic progress on most of them. Initial enthusiasm brings forth a wide participation of interested parties, many of whom own massive skills and knowledge. Exchanges are informative and interesting. The next phase acknowledges the repetitive nature of discussions, and rather than repeat information in new posts, newcomers begin to be dismissed with a link or an admonition to read back through previous posts. As boredom with repeated themes mounts, the "best and brightest" tend to post less frequently. Less experienced members then fill the vacuum which results increasingly with contradictions and bickering. Like sharks drawn by blood in the water, the odd mal-adjusted personality who feeds on this type of unhappiness becomes emboldened to dominate the forum - I think the catch-word is "troll". When the trolls have effectively driven off the intelligent members through rancorous exchanges and shouted down all other participation, the forum is then terminated by the organizers, or simply fades into disuse from lack of participation.

This forum is remarkable for the way it has been self-regulated, and has remained civil, pleasant, and informative through the two years since I began reading here. MHO, it is not now quite as good a source as it was when I first entered in 2016, and I'm a bit fearful it may follow the "outline of history" presented above. I sincerely hope not. Gentlemen, the future is in our hands. Best wishes to you, one and all.

An excellent analysis and consistent with my observations.

You are right on the money Rich. It would be nice if this could remain a good source for information and the exchange of ideas. There are many ways to do things, and many ways to enjoy an antique car. If someone else's way doesn't suit your taste, move along to read something else. Negative comments and personal attacks do nothing to help the hobby. And this is what this is. We are not saving the world here, just playing with old cars.

Well said Rich and polite. This is the only forum I have been active in. Being fairly new to it, I keep advice to new members to what I think I know which is very little. I was warned early on by another member that one has to sort through all advise and decide which to take. The people on this forum are very helpful to new members and make us feel welcome. The mix of personalities is what make it interesting such as life. I have tried another T forum but activity and response is low. The personal interaction here is what makes it great. The ones that stir the pot and thrive on proving they are right no matter who they offend kind of takes the fun out of it. I try to read all posts that interest me which is most because I can always learn something new. Thanks Rich for reminding us all to treat others as we want to be treated.

Absolutely right! The observations, and the current assessment. And we DO need a reminder from time to time.
This forum has not yet recovered from the brouhaha, that forced Royce and a few other good people out. Unfortunately, several other of our most learned friends also seemed to wander away about that time. Some of them still post a little bit, but not nearly so well as before. And a couple of the best researchers I can think of hardly post anymore at all. I don't believe they were involved in the ridiculous back-biting, or if that is even the main reason they have stayed away or not. But it seems their decline here coincided with the foolish childishness.

A certain amount of this sort of thing is unavoidable. It is part of the realities of the human condition. A combination of genetically wired dinosaur brain (like a chicken's pecking order, and some people never really grow up), and the natural ebb and flow of the "changing of the guard".
A lot of this stuff? If you don't like a thread? Move on to another one. And don't fan the flames just because you want the fire to go out.

Rich B, Thank you for a well written reminder.

lol.
Not all people who ragequit are good. Most of them only spat hatred toward the end, and didn't have open minds toward anything at all.

As for me I'll just keep tinkering with my car & finding methods that work, with different degrees of success, share my discoveries and let the reader decide what's best for their situation.

Here is how I see some things. Not all, but some. A person asks a question and gives some information concerning what he/she thinks is a problem. Example: I hear a knock when I am driving along. What is it? In this case the actual sound is important and also whether the engine is cold or warmed up. Whether it is pulling or coasting or driving along at a constant speed.
Now if I were there, I could listen to the knock, and experiment a bit, then make some tests and finally do some elimination work to find or fix the problem.

Now if the person had said,I just installed more shims in the rod bearings and the next time I started the engine, it had this knock.

Or I just pumped up the tires and one tire blew the first time I went for a drive. The tires are 30x3 1/2 tires. The questioner did not say he pumped them to 35 PSI. This would be correct for most modern cars but not for these tires. I know the most likely reason for the tire blowing would be it slipped on the rim and pulled out the valve stem.

So anyway, the answer to most questions requires a little more information than what is given and a little more trouble shooting before doing drastic action.

Sometimes from what information has been given and the description made, the problem could be something completely different or possibly one of several. Example, I am driving along and hear a squeaking. What could it possibly be? A loose bolt anywhere on the car, especially in the body or fenders could cause a squeaking. Or the muffler could be loose causing a squeak. Or perhaps the door latches are loose and the doors squeak. In my car, the cause is the choke rod (26) moving in the hole in the dash panel. So the answer given could be any of those offered, and none would be wrong in itself, but would not be the correct answer to the question posed by the poster.
Norm

Rich, Years ago the bickering and name calling became so intense that the forum was shut down and the PTB had to decide whether or not it was to continue.

I think we should all post our best contributions regardless. The trolls will fall away. Sometimes it is tough not to take things personally, and there has been real animosity displayed here, but I am enough of an optimist to believe that everything is of value. You can learn as much from "bad examples" as you can from "good". This is a great forum. IMHO. Cheers, Bill

Soon it will be eleven years that I've been haunting this place. In that time a lot of folks have come and gone, and a few have stayed since before I joined the party. Some have left for the worst possible reason, and I miss Ralph, John, Uncle Jack, and others who are no longer with us. There were others who descended into trollery, and their departure is a benefit. Overall, the large majority have been, as Rich says, civil, pleasant, and informative. Add to that clever, funny, and well informed, and I'm not ready to bail.

When it comes to links that provide pertinent information, I see them as a plus. Because there are always new participants, certain questions come up often. Rather than typing the same information over and over, I see it as a better use of my time to post a link to it. Sometimes I'm amused by a post that shows the writer hasn't read anything that came before, whether it was a link or not.

You guys have hit the nail squarely on the head!

Often times I come back to find info about a part # or such and think to myself is it easier to search or just post a request here again. Many times I see the same thing happen when someone fairly new asks a question that has been posted here so many times you can't count them. Is that the best use of our time. It is so easy to Goggle the subject with MTFCA and you'll find most of all the old posts.

I look here everyday and have for many years. Sometimes post on subjects I have opinions and experience about. But often find myself not posting especially if there are others that have already responded but then sometimes I just don't want to start up another offensive.

I guess this isn't fair to a newcomer but I see most questions are answered very well and quickly.

My observation over the years is that most of the conflicts arise because of those that have monetary interests to protect. There are many guys here that provide services and sell parts and are very opposed to anyone else taking away their business. The guideline about not advertising outside of the Classified section is often abused. In the past much damage was done by a few posting statements that were false.

Recently this has not happened and a benefit for us all. this is great site and easily navigated compared to some other car forums that I visit.

Thanks to our moderators again!!

Gene, I agree completely. 99% of the negativity and bashing or just trying to prove who is smarter is done by those that sell parts or services. If its not them directly its their friends that do it for them. I have lost a great deal of respect for a couple of those individuals because of this.

As an owner of a 31 model A with an eye on model T’s this site has been great with members that I have learned a lot from. I am always pleasantly surprised by the courtesy given to posters on this forum.

As i recall the shutdown many people who were not club members wanted to run the club.As i recall after the loss of a forum boss a good man Terry H steped up then was fired and the job handed over too?? That was when i left after several years of paying dues.I was a paying member of the club international for almost 25 years but after they droped their forum i quite.Off and on i pay dues here and i wonder when my mag will come.All to often when someone speaks out on a subject to only clear up a mistake they are called a troll then everyone seem's to pile on?? Often people come here to post to say what a pice of crap the model T was and the many many way's their car with their improvements is much better.Often people come here to only post of Henry"s treatment of others? Bud,in the lower part under the bridge!

The accumulated wisdom and experience of the contributors to the MTFCA Forum is priceless. All of the anecdotes of problems encountered and solved, of practical solutions for situations and concerns, all the way to really compelling engineering and science is so very refreshing. The beauty of the hobby is getting into the minds of those who designed and produced these incredible machines, and of the history discovered, and friends made along the way.

In this era of near overwhelming vulgarity, decency counts more than ever and the Forum does a great job of keeping us on track.

Why do we hurt others from behind a keyboard that we wouldn't hurt face to face. Most of us here on this forum do not have much time left. For this reason I think we should use this keyboard to advance friendship, not hurt the feelings of others. None of us are as smart as we think. Sometimes I have been dead wrong in my opinions and the other person was right!!!

Then there is the opposite, things we do not say on line that WE would say to someone in person.

Steve, if you were to bail we would be very sad as you always chime in exactly when needed! Most appreciated.

So well said Mr. Jelf I have been on this forum since 2001. I think today’ participants are the best and most respectful of any I have read.

Whenever the opportunity arises -- do not feed the troll.

I should mention that this is one of the few places online (or anywhere) that you can see an irregular plural used correctly.

The model T hobby is suppose to be fun. If it’s not then get out and annoy someone else. I’m not sure why folks argue of the most minute trivia. I remember the argument about machining by Frank in Australia and a machinist here in the USA. Most started about some minor issue and within a couple of posts both claimed the other was an ignorant fool. It was horrid. I never understood what drove either of the guys, I’m fairly sure that face to face they would have been gentlemen, but with the isolation of the keyboard, they lost all control.
Their behavior (and others like it) certainly reduces the “fun” associated with the hobby. But we MUST remember that they are generally a minute number and we should not allow these misfits to spoil our FUN.
( This was posted on vacation while sailing in Desolation Sound were WiFi is very spasmodic, so please excuse the lack of proof reading)

"I should mention that this is one of the few places online (or anywhere) that you can see an irregular plural used correctly."

Steve, I am reading a book by one of the Kellermans and just read, "...a warren of short-run streets ending in culs-de-sac." Thought immediately of your post I just quoted. I don't think I have ever given any thought to the plural of cul-de-sac, and there it was. Might have been a forum post.