cdru
Go Colts
Premium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
| reply to Jodokast96
Re: [OT] When To Stop Giving Advice?
said by Jodokast96  :As to SandShark 's original point, I think that a forum with good, knowledgeable regulars know just where the line is, as shown in the link above. As every situation is a bit different, what may be ok in one may not be ok in a near identical case, but I have a pretty good feeling that most of you (good, knowledgeable, regulars that is) know a bad one when you see it, and will say enough is enough. Agreed. Our resident subject matter experts know when enough is enough and usually say so. For the non resident experts, when bad advice is given they are usually called on it.
I much prefer it this way then in several other forums I've been too over the years where they provide essentially zero help to the average DIYer/non-industry individual even for things that are trivial, don't require formal education/training, and are relatively safe. |
|
JTC
Always Mount A Scratch Monkey
join:2002-01-09
USA
 ·Comcast Workplace
 ·Integra Telecom
| reply to SandShark
One other thing I think needs to be noted regarding the thread that was closed (BTW, good call on that Dennis), is the forum we are in.
This is "Home Repair & Improvement". Not to belittle the OP of the thread, but that was a question about a commercial install. The chances of a home owner ever putting that kind of install in a residential setting as slim, if not outright against residential code.
I am all for trying to help a fellow homeowner wanting to fix something at their house, but that was severely above and beyond anything that should asked about in a home improvement forum, IMO.
--
All hardware sucks, all software sucks, some just suck more than others |
|
ctceo
Premium
join:2001-04-26
South Bend, IN
clubs: | reply to wilbilt
Gotta Love it.
"Privacy, Whats that?" - US Patriot Act |
|
wilbilt
Pronto Resurrected
Premium
join:2004-01-11
Oroville, CA
| reply to ninjatutle
said by ninjatutle :I hope DSLR doesn't sell us out if they subpoena any one of us. There should be a blanket clause on here stating they can't sue us even in the event of a death. DSLR wouldn't have to sell us out. Our ISPs are already under orders to provide traffic history and monitoring to the feds on demand.
--
We were taking a vote when the ground came up and hit us. |
|
ctceo
Premium
join:2001-04-26
South Bend, IN
clubs:
 ·magicjack.com
 ·AT&T U-Verse
·Comcast
·AT&T Midwest
 ·HughesNet Satellit..
4 edits | reply to sailor
Here in Indiana a person can be held responsible for actions taken by a person who is following the advice of that person.
Not sure about other states.
I agree that a small disclaimer should be posted, including that "actions taken by readers based on suggestions on the website, Private messages or e-mails derivative thereof are not the responsibility of Broadbandreports.com, it's employees or it's members", but know that even disclaimers are not always legally binding and in some cases automatically overruled by law.
edit:
Just Post a clickthrough before a person can post with an "I agree" button:
»/terms.html
--
YOUR ISP MAY BE CAPPING OR GETTING READY TO DO SO BY EARLY NEXT YEAR. LETS PUT A STOP TO THEM. »www.ipetitions.com/petition/PMDBI/ |
|
Greg_Z
Premium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL
·Comcast
| reply to Dennis
I like this one better:
Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury or death. DIYChatroom.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any home improvement task!"http://www.diychatroom.com/showthread.php?t=33537 |
|
HRM
God Bless America
Premium,MVM
join:2002-02-03
Darien, CT
clubs:  | reply to SandShark
Anyone who listens to me gets exactly what they paid for and worth every penny. |
|
jaa
Premium,MVM
join:2000-06-13 | reply to SandShark
...on second thought, I've decided to stop giving advice.  |
|
CtrlAltDel
WORSE. THAN. CARTER.
Arbitrary Text
join:2001-12-30
Backyard
 ·1and1
·Verizon Online DSL
·Comcast
| reply to SandShark
I am reminded of this thread, »Having our Kitchen Redone!!, where Ken questioned the OP about permits and inspections. Later in the thread I gave the OP the actual rules to follow when renovating a home in the City of Philadelphia because I was afraid that if the job was done in a shoddy manner and he had an electric fire and I was his neighbor, my house could catch fire.
Building permits and building inspections are mandatory for most work done in a large city and the posters should be reminded often the importance of such. |
|
Warzau
Premium
join:2000-10-26
Naperville, IL
clubs:
| reply to Dennis
said by Dennis :said by Warzau :That's great, but honestly perhaps it should be everytime, especially when you get Anon coming here. Anon's get it every single time... Gotcha! |
|
ninjatutle
Premium
join:2006-01-02
San Ramon, CA | reply to SandShark
Maybe we should just keep this forum for registered members. I've noticed this forum has picked up a lot of anons daily seeking help. This is a broadband site, not a DIY home fix it type of place. |
|
Dennis
Premium,Mod
join:2001-01-26
Algonquin, IL
·AT&T Yahoo
Host:
Chicago
Users Find Hot Deals
Users find Hot Dea..
Requests for Hot D..
Home Repair & Impr..
| reply to Warzau
said by Warzau :That's great, but honestly perhaps it should be everytime, especially when you get Anon coming here. Anon's get it every single time... |
|
sailor
Merry Whatever ..R.I.P. dadkins
Premium
join:2003-10-21
Long Island
2 edits | reply to SandShark
said by SandShark :If someone we gave advice to was injured or killed because they were doing something home repair related, are we prepared to take some of the responsibility for that happening? Could there be legal ramifications? If there are limits to the advice we should be offering, are there specific and definable limits or is it on a case-by-case basis. Should there be some kind of disclaimer associated with each post when advice is given that might involve potentially dangerous situations? What say you? No, no and no is my opinion.
Making suggestions to someone or advice or whatever we want to label it is just that..Advice and suggestions. No way should anyone be held liable for anything beyond that. Like tire recommendations..You will find them in the automotive forum here as well as all over the internet...If I ask for tire recommendations and you suggest Firestone sTvS's cause you are happy with them and then I go buy them and then immediately have a blow-out which causes me to have a wreck no way could you or anyone else be held accountable for your 'suggestion'. Like most everything on the internet, suggestions and opinions should be taken for what they are...someones opinion...
Now, as for where the line gets drawn it would have to be where someone asks for help and to use your example with an electrical problem. The line would be crossed where someone here gives advice but states that it is illegal and dangerous but they will come to the persons house and do it anyway for them for a fee. Now that is crossing the line..Offering to do something for someone that one knows is illegal or against code...But I have never seen that situation arise here and I am sure if it did the forums mods would make that thread vanish immediately.
The reply that Dennis made above... »Re: [OT] When To Stop Giving Advice?
covers what anyone who is new to posting here needs to know.
Suggestions, advice and opinions on the internet...all should be weighed carefully by the person asking for advice.
If individuals were held liable for their suggestions then we wouldn't see medical sites that reply to questions about health issues as they all will tell you they are nothing but opinions. |
|
Warzau
Premium
join:2000-10-26
Naperville, IL
clubs: | reply to Dennis
That's great, but honestly perhaps it should be everytime, especially when you get Anon coming here. |
|
Dennis
Premium,Mod
join:2001-01-26
Algonquin, IL
·AT&T Yahoo
Host:
Chicago
Users Find Hot Deals
Users find Hot Dea..
Requests for Hot D..
Home Repair & Impr..
| reply to Warzau
When you post for the first time in this forum you do get the following text:
quote:
When posting for advice, please understand that the information provided is not guaranteed in any way, shape or form by dslreports.com or it's members.
Make sure you read the FAQ:
»Home Repair Forum FAQ
Please consider all of your options before pulling a Tim Allen and trying to clean out a drain clog with a V8 engine powered drain snake. Making sure you understand everything first is always recommended.
--
My Blog. Because I desperately need the acknowledgement of others.
Visit the Judd Family website to see my kids! |
|
Warzau
Premium
join:2000-10-26
Naperville, IL
clubs:
| reply to Jodokast96
said by Jodokast96 :Not even a lurker myself, but just an occasinal drive by reader, that line in the FAQ really should preceed the starting of a new topic just as a CYA. I and many others know enough to realize that, but there's always some idiot out there. Exactly like IIRC in Security or Broadband Tweaks, have the FAQ shown when starting a new topic. |
|
Jodokast96
R.I.P Bassman442
Premium
join:2005-11-23
Erial, NJ
·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to dandelion
Not even a lurker myself, but just an occasinal drive by reader, that line in the FAQ really should preceed the starting of a new topic just as a CYA. I and many others know enough to realize that, but there's always some idiot out there.
As to SandShark 's original point, I think that a forum with good, knowledgeable regulars know just where the line is, as shown in the link above. As every situation is a bit different, what may be ok in one may not be ok in a near identical case, but I have a pretty good feeling that most of you (good, knowledgeable, regulars that is) know a bad one when you see it, and will say enough is enough. |
|
robbin
Premium,MVM
join:2000-09-21
Leander, TX | reply to dandelion
I imagine the thread referred to is this one
»noob question about wire/fuse size on a transformer
Not exactly a home improvement question! |
|
dandelion
Premium,MVM
join:2003-04-29
Germantown, TN
clubs:
·Comcast
| reply to SandShark
Being mainly a lurker, I would say the FAQ covers a lot, and not seeing the thread that was locked...the mod covered the rest 
»Home Repair Forum FAQ
"Information here is provided "as is" and it not guaranteed by either the poster or dslreports.com"
--
Spare computer cycles can help find answers
Find A Cure!
|
|
ArthurS
Watch Those Blinking Lights
Premium
join:2000-10-28
Hamilton, ON
| reply to SandShark
What troubles me the most is when people here reply to topics that are clearly out of their league, especially when it comes to code requirements and safety. But I guess you'll get that with any public forum, free advice, take it for what it's worth. There are some very smart people who participate here, and if the question is in an area that I'm not qualified to answer, I'll defer to those who know better. |
|
