Re: Parts chases - archival information

[QSHIPQ@aol.com]

In a message dated 3/3/99 9:23:33 AM Central Standard Time, dans@ans.net
writes:

> 
>  Scott,
>  
>  What is the problem with part numbers?  We're talking about 12
>  bytes of data or less?  I don't get it.

Add that up dan.  Try your archive search on a part, back up to 98.  PN's have
great use TO the guy that was looking for them.  Not many (if any) tag a PN
post and save it.  Let's make the search better, IF you are going to do them.
My suggestions are posted already.  When a part number is superceded (and in
Phils 5 years here, many are), it becomes obsolete, to the part one is
searching the archives for (then comes the post "hey I did archive ck, and
these 3 numbers came up" - now another post).  Do you purge it?  When?  It
becomes a post mortem WOB as soon as it's superceded.  TO information AND
searches.  A clutch R&R doesn't change in 10 years on a 87 5ktq.  The part
numbers supercede 5 times on a myriad of the parts to do it however.  
  
>  In a perfect world, we'd all be going out with digital cameras
>  and providing writeups of our repair jobs with pictures and
>  part numbers (and yes, that day will be coming soon).

That's not a perfect world, that exists already.  Check out the Toyota pages,
or the DSM pages.  They have been around for a really long time Dan.  Not a
perfect world, just a fantastic experience when you've btdt, then come back
here (but I still do:).  It's not an attack on you or your list.  I'm chasing
for quattro parts every day.  For a part time parts want kinda guy, Linda is
ready to sell with good prices and an 800 number.  Take that part, put it on
your car, and let the list know how it went (incl the part number), there's
archive stuff.  If you are going to allow, advocate and push for PN here,
that's fine with me.  How bout we just make the system better.  Look at Phil's
post on the subframe bushings for instance.  How do you search engine that 6
months from now.  It takes nothing to do Subj: PN <part> and Subj: RE <part>
in a post.  Somewhere down the road when The quattro list is a perfect world,
the part stuff is already sorted out for you.

>  
>  The list is becoming unwieldy at present, and I'm painfully aware of
>  that.  New members join looking to talk about their new A4 or
>  A6, and are instead barraged with 60 messages, most of them flames
>  from people who should know how to get along, and the rest flamebait
>  from some undersexed teen, and yes, replies to his flame from
>  (say it with me people) "...people who should know better..."

Two different subjects, really.  A charge of "D***" publicly, shouldn't have
been made, it's a private mail (or none at all).  However, you do make the
charge, that's a personal attack, one that swings a finger at the accuser
immediately.  In this case the accuser happens to have the most posts of
anyone on the List.  I could argue easily that the charges he pays are
significantly of his own accord.  Regardless, the rear view mirror of the guy
pointing the finger is not all that clean in regards to WOB.   Let's take the
opportunity to make this inperfect world a little better, for Phil, Listers,
and Bob.  I argue YOU can do that by blocking any attached mail sent to the
list.  I argue Phil and listers with PN's can do that by just cleaning up the
PN protocol.  I still don't agree with PN's here, thankfully me and others
don't swamp him off the list with our requests.  When does it stop?  It
doesn't have to IMO.  I just advocate that it be better than it is.  Otherwise
it has the biggest potential WOB charge against it.

>  The only recourse I have is splitting the list, which IMO will
>  lower the cameraderie and spirit we've shared.  But it looks
>  that stuff is shot to hell anyway...

Not necessary.  Read my protocol posts.  Dan, I could care less about PN's.  I
sure would like to see them not as List posts.  But given they are, how bout
giving some of us the opportunity to purge them from our mail, and others a
better way to access them from the archives.  I'm not splitting anything.  I
personally find PN's a WOB.  I've argued why.  It's your list man.  I offer
only suggestions on how PN's as a given, could work better, and permanently
avoid WOB charges alltogether.
>  
>  Again, in a perfect world, I'd have the time to monitor the list
>  more closely, and perfect the archive search.  The reality is that
>  I have a full time job, and two very difficult classes a semester,
>  along with cars that need attention, an ongoing home renovation,
>  and what else?...oh yeah, a wife.
Look at the Toyota list Dan, it's hardly monitored (tho the Talon list is).
Your archive search is what it is, btdt for 5 years here.  Given it's
imperfection, aren't my PN suggestions relevent to your life and well being?

>  
>  I'd love to quit my job and run the list full time, and I've actually
>  given it some thought.   Until then, if it ever happens, I'd
>  appreciate everyone's efforts to keep the list on topic.
>  If you have a problem with someone's post, cc me and the poster, and
>  let's work it out offline.

The charge of "D" has been resolved as far as I can tell.  How bout something
good comes out of the whole part number issue.  Many of us with readers are
amazed at Phil's devine quest to respond to ALL PN requests.  Let's save him
some time, money and reposts by cleaning up the PN function.  Then I can enjoy
more stories from across the pond and have my software delete the PN stuff.
And listers can get arhives searches done in a timely fashion.  Everyone wins.

My thoughts are not necessarily those of my workstation.


Scott Justusson
'87 5ktqw
'84 Urq
'87 4Runner