Friday poll: A sticky mess at 1st Gen forum

But before you answer, think about one thing - Some of the threads in the list are active enough they'll probably remain perpetually at the top of the thread list, naturally.

 

This is stemming from Lunch Table conversation.

We have 3 spots (maybe that can be adjusted) visible in the sticky section. It's very clear based on the volume of repeat questions we see, newbies either (a) don't look at "stuck" or "pinned" threads, (b) don't use Search much, (c) we don't have easy access to threads or topics that answer their common repeat thread questions.

I'm personally thinking there shouldn't be any more "stuck" or "pinned" threads than what a newbie can immediately see, because then they gloss over the damn things. The UI of XenForo isn't super-intuitive, and that's coming from someone coming from the industry. Maybe mods can expand the sticky view to include 4 or 5 threads.

But from my view, with the current 3 thread view limit, I feel like the sticky area should include (3) topics of "regular" or "critical" interest:

> Code of Conduct
> Some new "Start Here!" diagnostics thread which links to many of the threads currently sticky'd
> Maybe the pictures thread, if it's not at the top, chances are it's gonna get lost.

Curious to hear the thoughts of others.

 

Why can't there be just one "sticky" called "Links to Helpful Threads", and then link all of theses threads that are currently stickied, and others from time to time a demand dictates?

 

This, or I've seen sub-forums stickied at the top (or maybe its a function of the software?) that include only saved technical resource threads.... kind of a locked "service manual" sub-forum, so to speak.

 

One re-organized mega info dumps using spoilers with categories like my signature or is too hard Fer newbs to figure out buttons?

 

As instructed, I read your notes to preface first, then I read the options you listed. I think the two most active threads stay active without need of sticky status. And most of the others are of little value more than once when needed.

I think the most helpful idea (suggested above) would be to sticky a thread that links to others. But that thread has to be locked, or it will fill up with bullshit and no longer be valuable as a check-here-first source. Finally, Monet started one of these for us when she was a mod— then we could PM her requests when we wanted other threads linked. I’d like to see that work again, and imagine one of our current mods would agree to this (knowing what a shit show we 1st gen members can be, left to our own devices. )

Edit: I vote ‘no’ on wasting a sticky thread on Code of Conduct. Every new member, as part of the initial sign-up, is prompted to read it… and apparently, many that join fo not. I don’t think another prompt in our sub-forum will MAKE that happen.

 

Looking at these four replies, I can't help but think all of us participating so far are in the same ballpark, if not sitting in the same stand, possibly in the same row.

@Sunnier it may require someone (one of us?) having special privileges that main thread is locked to avoid it filling up with garbage - only mods are usually allowed to reply in or edit locked threads. This is how most popular forum software packages on the internet are setup, at least.

Maybe the better solution is having a locked sticky thread "NEED ADVICE OR HELP? CHECK HERE BEFORE POSTING!" and then have that thread give a simple chunk of text inside:

Our members go to great length to help others out. There's a thread forum members have compiled full of useful troubleshooting and tips. Please check that thread out before creating new posts for help: <link to thread>​

I'd be willing to do it. I guess the most important part is to ensure the 1st poster (i.e. the creator) of that diagnostics thread remains active here. But IF NOT, and, like, say I created that post and got hit by a falling helicopter next week, there's no reason (1) another active member copy/paste the 1st post from that thread into a newly created thread, then (2) mods simply update the sticky thread's <link to thread> info to point at the new thread.

Not saying this is "THE" solution, but seems like a potentially good way to make it happen.

 

What ever y'all want to do works for me. I'm ok with the usual drinking of whiskey and yelling at newbies then gauging their reaction to find out if they're cool or not.

 

We’re not gonna get special privileges. Getting a locked thread that one “special” moderator will edit for us worked well while it lasted. There’s no way to stop *some people* from adding comments. The only way it works is if there are NO comments, only links. I’ll look for that thread to post here, to illustrate.

To your helicopter caveat, mods can swap thread OP’s in such circumstances, provided it’s a rare event. For example, Marty McFly started the SoCal Shenanigans thread but, when his increasing progeny reduced his availability to facilitate the fun, he passed it to me. Still can’t do more than edit the title and set the tone.

 

I think I know which one you're talking about, the one Pinay created. I remember seeing it when I first got here, but I think Pinay got the axe just before I finally created an account (I lurked here for a long ass time before signing up)

 

Story of my life, but with beer..

 

Yes that’s the one. But it’s not locked because she left. It’s was always locked. Because that was the only way to “control” the usefulness. We may be able to hit up @Squatting Pigeon to see if he can find and resurrect that thread, retitle it any way you guys want, then make it sticky.

 

I refuse to search. Im gonna ask dumb questions forever.

but the how-to’s and info dump can be combinded into a diy sticky. Pics and lift measurements could be combo’d with the mpg and 0-60 dork measuring sticky.

 

@ColoradoTJ has been helpful as of late too. I'd say we should steam on this poll for the 7 days I set it to remain 'open', then revisit at end of next week and see where the majority of us are.

I don't want to be a moderator, I've done it too many times over the last two decades and it's a thankless, consuming job that gets you criticized for your choices and ostracized for your title. That said, I'm willing to draft up the framework for whatever the thread is (it ties into other work I do), and either handoff the content to a mod to post, or I post, or something else.

I would say, I'd love to probe about two things while we're at it though: One is whether we can expand the 'Sticky' thread area to 4 slots to make room for an 'Introduction' thread. The other is whether or not it's possible to toggle the 'new poll' option to appear in the 'New Thread' area as XenForo shows at their home site.

 

Where's the introductory video thread on how to use the search button?

Then the follow up thread with advanced search concepts.

 

I say we give it 24 hours and if some of the threads don't have 25% support then they are out. I like the idea of combining several into the info dump thread but I suspect newcomers still won't do a search.

 

FWIW, I voted for the 'Info Dump Thread', the only reason is most of the other 'technical topics' seem pretty specific.
I'm old, but not too old to use the 'search' option.
IMO, 'Code of Conduct' could be on the home page. The frame replacement thread is probably past-tense now, but no biggie.
I could get picky with some of the others that I have no interest in, but I know I'm probably in the minority, so no comment.
Overall I have zero complaints about the site and the 1st gen forum in particular, it's been invaluable to me.
If you guys need to do a little tiddying-up, I'm sure it'll be fine.
Thanks to all the mods/ administrators for all your work.
Cheers

 

Uhhh, not right off. I know we can’t search threads of deleted members. But can you? Pinay started that one.

Edit work has been busy today but I probably have it in my extremely long saved thread list so I can look later if you are not able to search her threads behind the scenes.

 

Searchable behind the scenes?

I’m asking because I have probably that many in my saved threads— too lazy to keep up deleting.

 

I just did a quick search for posts in 1st gen land by @Pinay. There's four pages of them.

The closest thing to the thread you guys are talking about is the info dump that I can find. @Outbound started that thread, and then it got locked up by @Pinay to keep out our fuckin discourse... after the thread lock, it was all pinay plugging in things that were requested to be plugged in.

Link is in my signature.

 

I thought this was the thread here: https://www.tundras.com/threads/1st-gen-tundras-info-dump.52214/

But I don't find the formatting of it to be hugely helpful. I think it would be better if the 1st post was broken down in alphabetical sections, something in the ballpark of this, I think these are the big ones we often see repeat after repeat on... :

1st time '00-'06 Tundra owner/looking to buy stuff:

• What do I need to be looking out for?: <link>
• Need opinions/Can you tell me if this is a good price?: <link>

4WD:

• Diagnostic steps to take when 4WD doesn't work: <link>
• Upgrading from 2WD to 4WD: <link>

Driveline/frame:

• Strange vibrations while driving: <link>
• Rusty frame issues/frame recall info: <link>
• Transmission leaks/fluid change info: <link>

Engine Starting/Electrical/Emissions:

• Diagnostic steps when truck dies / wont start: <link>
• Truck is stalling / limp mode / surging: <link>
• Not getting enough air/spark/fuel: <link>
• Cats, emissions, exhaust: <link>
• Can I upgrade from V6 to V8?: <link>
• Air injection/SAIS bypass ('05/'06 models): <link>

Interior/Exterior body and updgrades:

• Which seats will fit?: <link>
• Which bed cap will fit?: <link>
• Heated seats info: <link>

Lighting:

• Upgrading to LED or projector headlights: <link>
• Weird stuff happening after LED headlights, rapid flash, foglights always on: <link>
• Upgrading instrument cluster and/or interior lights: <link>

Stereo/Audio/cameras/mirrors:

• 1st Gen audio system, explained: <link>
• Not getting power to radio after upgrade: <link>
• Not getting audio after swapping factory head unit: <link>
• Which dashcam to buy?: <link>
• Upgrading mirror to auto-dim/Homelink/Compass/Temp: <link>
• Can I upgrade to the Double Cab temperature/clock overhead console?: <link>

Suspension & Tires:

• Which shocks, shackles, lift, etc.: <link>
• Which tires will fit: <link>
• OEM wheels and backspacing: <link> and <link>

Transmission:

• Shifting problems and common complaints: <link>
• General transmission questions: <link>

Vibrations and noises:

• Truck vibrates while driving down the road: <link>
• Truck is making grinding noises: <link>

Water leaks, outside to inside:

• Diagnostics and info on common or known leak sources: <link>

 

That sounds like work.

 

But, like, it's extra work now to help reduce future work later. That's the good kinda work.

 

Ugh. I try not to think about future me too often. It's no fun. Who are we nominating to do this work?

 

I volunteered. I don't mind chipping at it. Once the skeleton is there though, I think we can crowdsource filling in the <link> blanks across many of us on the forum. Honestly, if everyone active in this thread took one or two links and that's it, it'd be knocked out in no time flat.

 

I agree with this idea of one single thread full of links. As stated though this does sound like a whole lot of work but seems like it would be pretty worth while. Be easy to just post a link to that thread when someone is having an issue.

Frame recall is still active for the right model year trucks.

 

Alright, I found a minute and looked over the “info dump” thread. That’s the one I was remembering and I’m ok with it because it’s what we may realistically expect of our mods.

I say this because, for anyone that hasn’t caught on, we members yearn for organization that will allow us and others to easily find and share relevant information quickly and efficiently. But that’s not the business model of the forum— the more posts and duplicate threads, the more “traffic”, the greater value to advertisers (note the links at the bottom of each thread). I’m not grumpy about it— I made peace long ago with the irritating duplication, because I prefer it to the data mining of FB etc. (Bob dropped Tapatalk years ago because they mine members’ data, and earned my devotion).

That said, this is why I… and many other long-time members… spend less time on here. I’ve read a half dozen variations of every post, I’ve answered the same questions dozens of times. I still check in several times each day but seldom post because, well, a search would reveal whatever I have to say, 12 times over. So the forum holds a bit less allure than it used to, for me. That said, I love that it’s here, I like the fairly strict boundaries regarding politics. And… for those willing to search,,, there’s invaluable information here that’s essentially free to us. And if I take the perspective of forum owner(s), I’m no longer the demographic they’re seeking… my trucks are built… really. I was a huge spender for a while, but now I’m not. So… if we can talk Holden into resurrecting the old “info dump thread”, and making it a sticky, we’ll be well ahead.

Shifty, if you want to make an organizational outline for him or another mod to organize, that’ll be even better!