Bad information in a thread

[_brian_]

As we all know, forums like this end up in search engines very quickly and will easily appear in results for related content. In my searches for information, I have seen threads with bad information. Bad may refer to simply incorrect information or possibly information that is outdated.

My question is how should, if at all, this should be handled? For example, I just read a thread where it states that all impact sockets, no matter the manufacturer is chrome moly. None of the replies make an attempt to counter that statement. I would hate for someone to read a thread from a quality source such as this and leave with bad information.

One suggestion I have it to mark threads as archived, with notes on the statement that content of the thread may be out of date and incorrect at the time of reading. Non archived threads, I am unsure. People here seem to be fussy about resurrecting old threads, but I would believe that posts should be made to correct data. What are your thoughts on this?

 

[APEowner]

If you see a thread that you can contribute to then do so regardless of age. Just say something like "I just ran across this old thread and thought I add that so and so makes impact sockets made out of ...

 

[turbowoodworker]

I think that if you or anyone else is going to take on a topic and debunk specific points, you should add a footnote or reference to specific hard data. Otherwise, it is only your opinion and would be regarded as such.

For instance, if I were to make a statement that a safe door can be made of thin aluminum, and you then debunked it and said a safe door needs to be at least 3/16” steel, a reference would be more helpful. Even if it is that obvious.

 

[_brian_]

Thanks for the opinions

 

[pi_guy]

Many of the hints and tips are personal experiences. Often they focus on the cheaper method of doing something to achieve the result an example being PVC airlines.
Frequently you get a pro explaining how to do a process and you get a non pro saying but I skipped this and that and it worked for me.
The problem is not always right or wrong is not always black and white or have an instant failure.

But from time to time you will find a pro throwing up his hands and stop posting when somebody comes and announces he can do the same job for a quarter of the prices and skip a few steps at the same time.

 

[PFSard]

As far as I'm concerned, smart money would be corroborating relatively major decisions with other sources before acting on information from forums like this.

Personally, I use the suggestions offered as a brainstorming exercise. Then, double check elsewhere.

 

[Outlander]

I've learned to read and re-read the answers here remembering my mileage is likely to vary. Understanding who is answering, prior bad acts or known experience also helps.

I'm clearly an office guy (I don't hide it, nor pretend to be something else)...don't believe the management comments I make well you might be missing a gem but advice is free to take or leave!

 

[_brian_]

I understand the cautions mentioned and agree. In the thread I refer to specifically, the user stated that all impact sockets are CR-MO regardless of who makes them. This is a false statement. I personally have impact sockets stamped CR-V back from the early 2000s and there are numerous manufacturers today that stamp and advertise their sockets as CR-V.

I do not believe the user intends to make a dishonest statement, but I think it is maybe as the above responses have suggested, maybe it is based on what that user has seen or the geographical area that user is in. My intent would not be to post "this user is wrong" type of a thing, but to add that there was a statement made " .... " but these manufacturers state their products are in fact CR-V and impact grade.

 

[measuredtwice]

There's a lot of bad information on the internet.

 

[driftpin]

Just consider where you got the info. For me, the 'be-all, end-all' of referenced accurate information is Wikipedia. They can't put it in-there, unless it's true.

If I need quality information about dealing with a financial matter, a serious relationship issue, divorce, or legal issues addressed, you can't do-better than the WWW. Words to live-by.

 

[welder4956]

Where did you hear that?
The Internet.
And you believed it?
Yeah. They can't put anything on the Internet that isn't true.
Where did you hear that?
The Internet.
Oh Look, here comes my date. I met him on the internet. He's a french model.
Bonjour.

 

[_brian_]

I understand very well what you are saying. At the same time, if no one made an effort for quality control, the internet will just continue to become swamped with bad info. I think that any reputable forum is capable of doing some internal review and moderation on the data posted within. Most everything unless cited needs to be assumed as opinion.

Having said that, if this forum knowingly allows bad information, what is the point? I consider the internet to be a good source of information. Common sense is also required though. Above, Wikipedia was mentioned. As I edit there, I can say they have good quality controls and the information can normally be considered reasonably accurate. You can also review the information history which paints a good picture of what specific pieces of information might be in question. Over the years, I have collected a large number of sites that I found to provide solid information. One place that handles this fairly well is Stack Exchange. No one can be perfect, it is unreasonable to try.

 

[larry_g]

When I find something in error Then I disagree with the fact presented, not the person presenting it. In the past I've said, OP, confirm what poster1 said. I disagree with poster1 and have experienced something different. Quote poster1 and then cite a qualified link to correct or different information. I'm not here to prove YOU a *******, just the information you have presented. I'm not getting into a pissin contest over what is just opinion. Opinions are just that, opinions.

As for your example, do YOU have the chemical makeup of all these sockets to confirm that even the CR-V ones do not have some molybdenum in them? Read the thread about advertising words.

Or at times I have been corrected, and thank the corrector for pointing it out.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[ddawg16]

The current 'news climate' and proliferation of fake news....and fake tool facts has actually been a good thing.

It's getting people to question what they see instead of taking it for blind faith.

By all means question something if you think it's wrong. But as noted above, back it up with credible references. And be nice about it. It's best to avoid the "Hey dip ****, you're wrong" approach.

So....a response will be one of two things....."In my experience"....or "According to xxxx"

Or, it can be both.

Good example? PVC airlines. A lot of people have experience using PVC who have not had any issues. But there are also a few who have experienced the negatives of PVC when it lets go.

One thing we ALL agree on.....

"It's never big enough"

 

[_brian_]

Agree with both of you. There is no need to insult the poster of the information.

As for the steel makeup, I guess no one can ever be 100% sure they know. If a product is stamped "CR-V", I can only assume that it is a proper indicator of the tool. If it were able to be branded as CR-MO, I would assume they would do so as it is generally considered a better metal for impact sockets. Although assuming is a poor concept, I would be unsure why someone would advertise and mark their product to be a lesser quality than it actually is. CR-MO impact sockets also typically come with a higher price tag on them.

To address the actual makeup of the metals, CR-V includes carbon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, chromium, and vanadium. So a metal that is CR-V in composition contains no molybdenum. CR-MO is a whole different class of steel as is generally considered ideal/best for high torque impact use. Should an alloy with vanadium also contain molybdenum, it would be marked as Cr-Mo-V.

 

[Stuey]

Peer review.

When challenging/correcting inaccurate facts or contested opinions, evidence - either experiential or 3rd party source - should be used as support.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Information on the internet is like buying something, caveat emptor.


Sorry, there is no man behind the curtain that vets and disseminates everything posted on Garage Journal.

 

[ddawg16]

Sorry, there is no man behind the curtain that vets and disseminates everything posted on Garage Journal.

There isn't?

 

[PugetDude]

There isn't?

Well, there is but he hasn't posted in a while.

 

[DenisG]

Deciding what is right and wrong should be the responsibility of the reader. The underlying assumption of this thread is that everyone needs to be treated like a child and not an adult.

 

[pi_guy]

Peer review.

When challenging/correcting inaccurate facts or contested opinions, evidence - either experiential or 3rd party source - should be used as support.

Often it comes down to money.

Should I mention cigarettes and how companies and individuals claimed it was safe for how long?

 

[_brian_]

Yeah, I sort of settled on this and am not posting anything in reply. The bad part is 2 minutes of educated research can prove the statement wrong, yet it is posted as fact here. I understand the reasoning presented here, but I guess the credibility I was told of is false.

Deciding what is right and wrong should be the responsibility of the reader. The underlying assumption of this thread is that everyone needs to be treated like a child and not an adult.