BITOG isn't what it used to be

[Klutch9]

Does anyone else agree? In my honest opinion, it seemed that for a long period of time, BITOG was, generally, very informative and interesting. There were thought-provoking threads on a daily basis, and I was always learning something new. Legitimate discussions were had about oil properties, oil theory, etc. But it seems that lately, BITOG is full of threads asking silly questions that have been answered 1000 times, new members spewing opinion as if it were gospel, and more threads about mixing oils than I can count. And no, the 5w30 hasn't blown up my Focus' engine yet, nor is it affecting fuel economy (I'm surprised I haven't been asked this yet).

True, this IS the internet, so you'll always have stuff like that. And since I've joined this forum, I've learned so much about motor oil, to the point that I know pretty much all I desire to know. So maybe I'm not as interested anymore, who knows. I still frequent the site though, at least daily usually, and I have always made it a point to post/look in lots of forums, not just the PCMO section.

But I've gotta tell ya', it just seems that BITOG isn't what it used to be. If I had to pick one word describing what BITOG lacks lately, it's substance. Anyone else share my opinion?

 

[Oregoonian]

Fully agree on all your points.....that BITOG isn't what it use to be.

I also have learned much about oils.... to the point where I know as much as I need.... and want to know. I've pretty much settled on couple of oils (PP & Mobil 1 0w20) that work well with my vehicle.... and the need to use a FSC every 5K or so. I also use MMO,(3oz./to 10gal.)of fuel....and appreciate the info folks provide on sales and rebates....but I'm not a hoarder, and keep around enough oil and filters for one or two additional changes.

It seem to me that there are so many BITOG's who are absolutely obsessive in these areas....when these is so much more to life than cars and oil.

 

[d00df00d]

 

[SteveHarper]

There definitely seem to be many people who are debating (and getting into arguments over) insignificant details.

 

[hardcore302]

When websites become popular, some of this will happen.

 

[Artem]

What so you expect when we've already discussed all there is to discuss. Tested every oil and theory. We've all graduated the Oil University, if you will and since there's pretty much nothing new to experiment with, the same thing gets repeated over and over as new people join the forum and ask the same questions we already know the answers too...

I still enjoy the forum and search out the interesting threads.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: Artem
What so you expect when we've already discussed all there is to discuss. Tested every oil and theory. We've all graduated the Oil University, if you will and since there's pretty much nothing new to experiment with,

As a member of Dyson's weblog, I can assure you that this isn't remotely true.

 

[Lead Shoes]

It has been a long time since I started coming to this site daily, I also agree that the site has mostly become full of regurgitated info and biased opinions, the thought provoking in depth threads about lubrication are far and few in between the same questions I see asked daily.

But these things tend to happen as the site grows....

 

[Pablo]

Quote:

Registered: 01/07/09


?????

I'm thinking people posted the same thing in 2009.

 

[wrcsixeight]

I have not been a member long enough to agree, or disagree if this Forum, is not what it used to be.

I have learned a great deal here, but rarely, if ever, attempt to jump on the bandwagon, or feel I know enough to make recommendations about oil or how to best clean varnished or sludged engines, and other such topics. I almost find it comical when I see newer members making recommendations to others on the same questions they asked just a few months previously. While I find this comical, those longtime and knowledgeable members have to be rolling their eyes, shaking their heads, and wondering about the future of humanity to an even greater degree.

What's even more comical is when a newer member contradicts and attempts to ridicule a respected and knowledgeable longtime member. Well, perhaps comical is an inaccurate word. It's a shame that this just leads to the knowledgeable deciding to not bother spreading their knowledge in the face of such ignorant, self important egos.

I truly appreciate when I receive answers to my questions from respected longtime knowledgeable members, or just reading well written responses to other's questions by Molakule or Doug Hillary, or Jim Allen, among several others, who have forgotten more about lubrication than the rest of us will ever know.

While I do feel some of the rules and censorship are a little too strict, who am I to complain? I am glad Helen decided not to ban me for some foolish and insulting words I typed when I first joined.

There is a huge knowledge base here, and it is not hard to decipher which members and responses are not worthy of consideration or reply. While I am not a member of the spelling and grammar police, it is not easy to take seriously words written by those whose first language is English, yet whose grammar and spelling make the deciphering of their response a task in and of itself.

I thoroughly enjoy many of the off topic threads, and just reading responses by those with at least somewhat similar interests to me has sent me off an tangents online seeking more information about other interesting topics and given me conversational topics when actually interacting in person instead of from behind a keyboard.

So, to many many of you, thanks for sharing/contributing, and to the dingleberries who come here simply to confront, argue and try to have your ego stroked, well just know that you are likely ignored, and wasting your time, and bandwidth.

 

[95busa]

I like the "my car loves (Pennzoil conventional, Valvoline conventional, whatever)" with no data to back it up...and talking about the same GRADE of oil. How many times do you see that?

 

[crinkles]

winge winge winge.

 

[wrcsixeight]

Originally Posted By: crinkles
winge winge winge.


Few Americans will understand this Aussie slang, as few bothered to travel cause we were trained to consume and spend at home.

 

[pbm]

The rehashing of info doesn't bother me in the least.
(I can choose to ignore posts that I find silly).

I've been here for years and I get a kick how opinions change. I remember when Valvoline was thought to be inferior because of it's '[censored] additive package'. I remember when Havoline was a 'killer' oil and Quaker State Conventional was 'weak'.

If these topics weren't constantly rehashed we wouldn't change our minds occasionally.

Maybe if the SEARCH function worked better people wouldn't rehash so much.

 

[levi]

"I can't complain but sometimes I still do.
Life's been good to me so far."

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: wrcsixeight
Originally Posted By: crinkles
winge winge winge.


Few Americans will understand this Aussie slang, as few bothered to travel cause we were trained to consume and spend at home.



That seems an odd thing to write. US is #1/#2 spender on international tourism and that's not just popping over the border to Canada or Mexico. yada-yada-yada

Maybe some of us aren't suckers for consuming all things labeled aussie or kiwi!

 

[Slick17601]

I absolutely agree. I started on this board after reading much of the information Bob posted on the Edmunds boards. The quality of this site has gone down in the past few years, especailly when members like Terry Dyson, Tooslick and Johnny stopped posting. Be that as it may, this site is still way better than any other automotive message board out there.

 

[Shannow]

Originally Posted By: Pablo
Originally Posted By: wrcsixeight
Originally Posted By: crinkles
winge winge winge.


Few Americans will understand this Aussie slang, as few bothered to travel cause we were trained to consume and spend at home.



That seems an odd thing to write. US is #1/#2 spender on international tourism and that's not just popping over the border to Canada or Mexico. yada-yada-yada

Maybe some of us aren't suckers for consuming all things labeled aussie or kiwi!


Is that per capita, or in total ?

Doesn't really matter, as there's nothing worse than being at breakfast, and hearing the rubbish "that's not how bacon is supposed to be cooked", "the coffee is so much better back home", "where is the syrup", and later on "why are there so many vegetables".

And to label "outback steak house", and Aussie BBQs as anything remotely Aussie is ludicrous.

Anyway, whinge has an "h".

And losing Terry was big.

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: Shannow

Is that per capita, or in total ?

Doesn't really matter, as there's nothing worse than being at breakfast, and hearing the rubbish "that's not how bacon is supposed to be cooked", "the coffee is so much better back home", "where is the syrup", and later on "why are there so many vegetables".

And to label "outback steak house", and Aussie BBQs as anything remotely Aussie is ludicrous.

Anyway, whinge has an "h".

And losing Terry was big.


Total, I think. But the idea that USA'ers just sit at home is a stereotype.

I agree. Some people from NY/LA big cities are just gripers no matter where they are.

We've had the fake aussie accent discussion before. You would choke on your frosted wheetabix if you heard some of your mates on our radio ads. Maybe aussie with no teeth and mouth full of marbles.

I thought there was an "h" but I was allowing for an aussie gone kiwi.

Losing terry was HUGE.

 

[skate1968]

Originally Posted By: Klutch9
...But it seems that lately, BITOG is full of threads asking silly questions that have been answered 1000 times, new members spewing opinion as if it were gospel, and more threads about mixing oils than I can count.


If you see the same question being been asked and answered over 1000 times then you might consider asking one of the Mods to address it in a sticky topic. If they haven't already done that. Or create a FAQ sticky -- something like that.

Then consider kindly suggesting that those asking the same questions should utilize that sticky/FAQ section. Direct people towards it.

Other forums, like mine, would LOVE to have as many new members joining. Again, the numbers in the "Who's Online" window are very healthy.

On other forums one might spend a lot of time writing up a good post. Then come back one week later and see that it got no responses and no feedback -- there will be cobwebs growing on your post. Other forums lack interested participants.

I truly admire this place.

Originally Posted By: Klutch9
BITOG isn't what it used to be.
Does anyone else agree? In my honest opinion, it seemed that for a long period of time, BITOG was, generally, very informative and interesting.

But I've gotta tell ya', it just seems that BITOG isn't what it used to be. If I had to pick one word describing what BITOG lacks lately, it's substance.


I came and learned about oil, sludge removal and what not. And i've since found several other topics which i have informative found interesting. Lots of substance, imo.

If anything, i've found that it's gotten better.

But again, to be fair, i'll mention that i'm coming from a website that's dealing with virus damage, a change in ownership, etc.