Information

Marty very well said !!!!!!!!

Alex

Marty, that's why we'er paying you the big bucks. Thank you. 

Don

thanks for say this Marty.  I know you have said it before but it needed to be said again.  wish Rich would make it a sticky, so it would always be near the top for new people to see.

I did not direct this towards anyone.  Today we have almost every train maker re making something they may have done years before or several times.  When someone looks for assistance and does not post exactly what it is, it is hard for anyone to give accurate repair information.  I see many posts like this and we see anything from good information to someone throwing out a guess.  Almost every person seeking help is going to be asked if they reset the locomotive.  It is easier if the poster throws this out in his request.  I always like to see people help out that know what they are talking about.  I learn from several very smart people who post on help needed topics.  I hate to see someone chirp in about something he heard from someone somewhere.  Guys, if you can not offer good assistance, give it a second thought.  If I threw out a problem looking for help, I would rather hear from someone who has been there and done that. 

I have several people I follow who know what they are talking about.  I always like to learn.  Both Lionel and MTH benefit from this as someone from the OGR forum might save a locomotive from going through Customer service. 

I rate the OGR Forum as the best source of information available on the net.

I agree with your suggestions.  I try to help forum members if I have the experience to do so but I would like to see members who need help do a search of past threads BEFORE posting questions.  Most likely it has been discussed on threads in the past and the information in the archives could very well help them with their problem or question.

Steve, Lady and Tex

Makes total sense Marty. The more information available the greater chances a solution can be found.

Marty,

A BIG 10-04!

Thank you,

Ralph

Thank you,

Mike CT

Marty, this is excellent.  In so many threads asking for help, it takes a page of replies and further questions before enough information comes out to be able to respond helpfully.

The problem, of course, is that 2 weeks from now someone who has not read this will be asking for help, this thread will be no where to be found, and the cycle will repeat.

Some time ago, I asked how to insert links into my posts: I received very helpful posts from a couple other members.  Rich edited those answers and made it into a permanent thread at the top of the forums; easy for anyone to find.

I'm wondering if our moderators could do something similar with this: a thread at the top of the forums, "Information to provide when asking for help", or similar heading.  Recognizing that when asking for help sometimes the one asking does not know all the information; but to give as much as possible in the first post to get everyone on the right track.

I have followed threads where good, detailed advice was given - only to have the OP come back 2 days and 10 posts later to say, Oh, I typed in the wrong engine number, I meant something else.  Not only a waste of time but a waste of the good will of the people like Marty and others here who make an effort to help.

Well Done Marty!

In manning and running a National Service Department Call Center for many years, the techs always hated providing all of the information we wanted but in the long term it made things faster.

A tech can only hypothesize different solutions he has come across. The tech wants this to get it fixed and to more on to the next call and he just wants to play 20 questions.

By providing Model, Serial Number, Firmware Version, Optional Accessories, and the tech being at the account to try different things always makes things go much faster.

I always disliked when a Tech would call in, wasn't at the account, had not witnessed the problem that the customer call in with and wants you to provide a list of all the things he should look for when he gets there.

WRONG!

One last comment before someone starts to throw rocks at me.  I have seen very long posts where credible people weigh in and the poster looking for help never posts the outcome to his/her problem.  If someone spends time to help out, let people know your outcome as others will/might have your same issue someday.  I felt these comments had to be thrown out and again, they are not directed at anyone in particular. 

Thank you, again 

A lot mentioned, boarders on general communication skills, and behavior.  Who, what, why, where, when, and Thank you. IMO, There is a lot of value from the forum at the right price, treat it with respect.   

Mike  

Ditto Marty!

You can't have a viable problem solution list for the future and feedback and confirmation if the issue is not followed up with the current status!

Guys...as I am sure you all know....they don't come any better than Marty..and Dotty!!

Marty is always willing to help and he is "spot on" with his comments above.  Marty represents the best that this forum has to offer...  Thanks my Friend!!

Alan

Marty is a terrific asset to everyone on the Forum. His requests make perfect sense and we should all listen to them.

Marty this is mandatory reading. Thanks for putting it out. I'm not that intelligent on a lot of train stuff, but I certainly try to help when I can. It's only fair with as much as I have received from members.

This is a few of my favorites that's posted here already by members.

I would like to see members who need help do a search of past threads BEFORE posting questions.  Most likely it has been discussed on threads in the past and the information in the archives could very well help them with their problem or question.

Who, what, why, where, when, and Thank you. IMO, There is a lot of value from the forum at the right price, treat it with respect.  

spot on Marty Thanks for bringing this up

Guys, thank you for support.  I posted this not to cause trouble but to help those seeking help and those giving it.  This forum has some great resources in it's members.  I have been guilty in the past getting into conflict with persons giving advice I did not agree with.  I apologize for this but it rubs me badly when I see wrong advice given out to members looking for help.  The OGR forum has helped many members.  Whatever the problem you might have, you can bet someone has had the same and can be of some help.  Members seeking odd parts will find someone who might have what they need.  We are fortunate to have George (GGG) who has the knowledge to fix boards at a level above anyone.  I have sent him several.  The forum has many MTH and Lionel tech guys that have tech documents available only to those who have gone to the school.  These guys also have test equipment available only to the school guys.  Although this tech information can not be put on the net, it is always helpful to go to these documents to obtain information to help out a fellow forum member.  I remember a few years ago I was helping a member with a MTH GG-1 and I got a very nasty email from a member telling me I was wrong and he felt that going to a short term school does not teach anything.  He gave me a very hard time and stated he has tools and knows how to fix trains.  I have sixteen GG-1 locomotives and was correct in what I told the poster.  The poster never posted his results.  Guys, if you ask for help please let those who try to help what your end result was.  Others might be dealing with the same issue and this will be of help.  Over the past few months, I have observed several qualified people have put their time towards other things.   If you post looking for help, please respond as you might not see the same people answering your questions the next time.

thanks for the guidance. As a new person to the forum and just getting back into the hobby after 20+ years I don't always know what information is needed to reach a solution. Thanks!

As for this forum all the help I have gotten here is top notch! Great people with a huge pool of information and experience! Thanks!

Marty,  Thank you for the kind words, and all you do for this hobby!  G