I know Larry and I haven't been using the conference room much, but with just the two of us, there hasn't been much need. Now that there's three, I think it's about time to make sure we all know the Conference Room exists, and that we're checking here every now and then for mod specific conversations.
First things first... Larry, meet Dan. Dan, meet Larry. I'm very glad to have both of you helping with keeping the forums organized and clean! Dan, let me take this opportunity to thank you for volunteering your time and effort to help make TechLore an informative, and awesome place to be. Larry... you're the greatest, and I'll keep saying that every day to everyone I know.
So first things first, how about the two of you share a little bit about yourselves so we can all get know each other.
Matt, Larry,
This has been an interesting adventure so far. I have managed to help a few and meet a few that have helped me as well. My main experience has and is in the area of Audio systems. Over the years I have provided repair services for a number of music stores and electronics stores. I have worked on all brands. Along with CDs, DVDs, cassettes and receivers, I have also repaired numerous camcorders. WHile I have also done digital cameras, I try to avoid them. (Usually all you can do is provide bad news to the customer as the replacement parts cost often exceeds the initial cost.) All of this has been a part time (8PM-1AM) endeavor...
Full time (until about 3 years ago), I worked as a software maintainer and trainer. In other words, the development engineers would write the code and send it out and my collegues and I would actually get the code to do what it was supposed to.
I hope that I can be of assistance to the general populace as that usually translates into direct customers down the line.
Matt,Dan
Very nice to finally get to see something about you Dan. I have been in consumer electronic's for the past 36 years. I started on the old round tube RCA TV sets. I have repaired just about anything you can think of. I have specialized on several. I worked for a firm in Queens NY, where they were authorized for everybody and everyone. I did audio, video, projection TVs-front and rear, Tube TV's, laser disc, musical amps. sound systems, speakers, old radio and TV restorations and so on and so forth. I always kept records of dog repairs so I have a vast list of repairs and fixes. I still do some nowadays, but I am limited as to what I can do, because of a rollover accident I had a few years back. I really messed up my knees ao i cant walk any great distance with out my cane. I am presently enrolled at Baker College here in Cadillac Michigan, and I am going for my associates degree in Autocad/Engineering and Design. Have only one and a quarter year to go, then hopefully get a desk job doing design and drawing. Dan, if you have any questions or storys leave me a message here or at [email protected].
Larry,
Nice to hear of you as well. Just so you know how far back I go in some things... THe first version of Autocad I used was Release 3 back in the 80s. I still use it today for commercial playground design. Fun stuff. Good luck with the degree.
Wow that is old stuff. We just upgrades to 2006 and solidworks 2006 as well. You want release 14. I dont know if I can zip it but If you want I could try.
I am currently using Release 14 for commercial playground design drawings.
As far as the site goes... I haev an idea that I'd like to get your feedback on. I'd like to create a few numbered topics that are read only that would contain the "standard" responses or questions that we often have to repeat in multiple postings. For example, I have described the method for cleaning CD/DVD lenses at least twice. It would be nice and less repetative to refer individuals to a specific topic that describes the whole procedure. Perhaps a "sticky" topic of just this type of generic thing would suffice? Again, this topic or area should be read only for the users to prevent any sidetracks.
What do you think?
(We could also post an info form as a guide to what info to include in any post as well.)
Great Idea. As a matter of fact I was thinking the exact same thing after telling another peep that they have a convergence problem, and that the service mode will not help them untill they fix the convergence IC's. I must have repaeating that a hundred times if not more. or for the ones that think they can learn to fix thier TV set if I tell them a stepo by step instructions, without any test equipment of tools. I also must have explained the lens cleaning several times as well. You have any ideas on how to format the thread or topics? Maybe something they(techlore can set up, as before a new thread can be posted, the user may be told to do a search first for a problem and the search results would not only cover the threads, but a list of problems and answers.
What might be the easiest thing to do is to set up a "research center" where there is a simple table of problem/solutions. Unfortunately, my only access at this point is via 56K modem. Matt: Can you put all of the thread adn discussion text onto a CD and send it to me? I would be happy to process the info into a lookup table.
Once the table is created, it should be a locked thread (no additions other than by moderators). We can add to the table as needed. Also, it should be rather simple to cross reference simple problems and model numbers for specific issues.
In order to make the table easy to access, we should perhaps catagorize the info. TVs, Audio, CD/DVD, other.
Comments?
Dan
I look up table sound good but is it going to be feasable? I will gladly lend a hand cutting and pasting info to the right areas.
There are a couple of possibilities here. One would be to have a summary table with a link to a more detailed explanation. For example:
Sony TV Dead with blinking lights. Solution: Count the blinks and follow the following link (...)
This is probably be the easiest. One line per problem. Once I get the existing info, it may take a few tries to find the optimum format. It may also be possible to have this info in a "database" that is accessible through the website such that only pertinant info is displayed. In otherwords, provide a "mini" search based upon model number or brand with the problem. This option will take a little more time to create, but will most likely be more useful in the long run. The current thread structure is diffuculty to follow sometimes because we are responding to multiple posts in the same thread relating to multiple problems.
If we can construct a diagnosis tree with guidelines and solutions to common problems that is easy to navigate, we may eliminate duplicate postings of both problems and solutions.
Awwww I see where your going with this. Matt will this take up alot of bandwith you think. Or do you think it would be an inexpensive thing to great?
Larry, This shouldn't take up much bandwidth. I think if we go with the diag tree, any processing would be on the server not transfers. If we use a table, then you would have to display the table (more transfer of data). I can play with this locally before we inplement it. It also depends upon how detailed we want or need to be as well as the amount of info available.
Now that you mention it that is so true the server could handle a diag tree. A nice flow chart to get peeps to the right link
I think MotvGuy wants to join the team of moderators. I asked him and he said sure. here at techlore.
Let's give a big TechLore welcome to our newest moderator, MOtvGuy! Glad to have you on board!
Welcome MOtvGUY!!! Glad to have you here.