Should we be charging for advice?
Discussion
JQ said:
I'm not sure if it's just me, but there seems to be quite a big increase in the number of first time posters asking quite technical questions on Pistonheads. Is PH becoming famous on the internet for it's free advice?
Maybe I'm a grump, but in such circumstances I tend not to offer a view - it's a community where you should get out what you put in and I suspect once the newbie get's their answer they'll never been seen again. I dread to think what Breadvan's total fee would be for the free advice he's given on here over the years.
Just in case.Maybe I'm a grump, but in such circumstances I tend not to offer a view - it's a community where you should get out what you put in and I suspect once the newbie get's their answer they'll never been seen again. I dread to think what Breadvan's total fee would be for the free advice he's given on here over the years.
On PH? Well, assuming you're serious....probably not! Although I kinda get where you're coming from...
On other, more focused forums, here's what I have done:
A couple of years ago, I decided to jack in my current career, and re-train as a Paramedic. After a bit of digging on the net, it turns out that it's not as simple as I first thought. You don't just 're-train as a Paramedic...' there are a huge number of specific skills, experiences, attitudes and qualifications that you need, before you can even apply to do the University course. Without help from people who have made the journey, you would probably fail.
Hence, I signed up to a few specialist medical websites, and pleaded and whinged like a newbie for people to help me! Amazingly (and, I might add, devoid of some of the roll-eyed cynicysm that I see on here) many well-qualified people took the trouble to write to me, both on the forum and via PM's, despite probably being asked the same old questions, time and time again. I even had an email from an A&E Consultant of 20 years standing, providing me with his mobile number, and telling me to call him anytime with any queries
Now that's something you don't get every day?
The experienced people who helped me, told me that they were all in my situation at one point, and were grateful for the help that they recieved, and so were happy to pass on that help from now on.
And so, as someone who was fortunate enough to get on the ladder, and staring my final year of training in the face, I now too offer my help and advice via those same forums, to any of the newbies who are in the place I was several years ago.
I think 'what goes around, comes around' and that the old-time posters on here should try to be a wee bit chilled, and remember what it was like years ago as a wide-eyed noob, and calmly help and provide advice freely - because there was probably a time when they were in the same situation, no?
And anyway, I like helping people, don't you? I don't want prizes or money for doing so - the mere fact that I have helped the world 'move on' in a small way is recompense enough for me?!
On other, more focused forums, here's what I have done:
A couple of years ago, I decided to jack in my current career, and re-train as a Paramedic. After a bit of digging on the net, it turns out that it's not as simple as I first thought. You don't just 're-train as a Paramedic...' there are a huge number of specific skills, experiences, attitudes and qualifications that you need, before you can even apply to do the University course. Without help from people who have made the journey, you would probably fail.
Hence, I signed up to a few specialist medical websites, and pleaded and whinged like a newbie for people to help me! Amazingly (and, I might add, devoid of some of the roll-eyed cynicysm that I see on here) many well-qualified people took the trouble to write to me, both on the forum and via PM's, despite probably being asked the same old questions, time and time again. I even had an email from an A&E Consultant of 20 years standing, providing me with his mobile number, and telling me to call him anytime with any queries
Now that's something you don't get every day?The experienced people who helped me, told me that they were all in my situation at one point, and were grateful for the help that they recieved, and so were happy to pass on that help from now on.
And so, as someone who was fortunate enough to get on the ladder, and staring my final year of training in the face, I now too offer my help and advice via those same forums, to any of the newbies who are in the place I was several years ago.
I think 'what goes around, comes around' and that the old-time posters on here should try to be a wee bit chilled, and remember what it was like years ago as a wide-eyed noob, and calmly help and provide advice freely - because there was probably a time when they were in the same situation, no?
And anyway, I like helping people, don't you? I don't want prizes or money for doing so - the mere fact that I have helped the world 'move on' in a small way is recompense enough for me?!
Studio117 said:
haha, I remember giving you some second hand advice ray. Glad it was some help! 
Shame my email forgot your email address! Hope all is well!
Ah did you? I have been lucky enough to have had lots of great help and advice from lots of online folk! Shame my email forgot your email address! Hope all is well!It's funny but...we often hear about how bad 'the internet' has become....loads of rubbish, all porn, the degradation of standards of posters and posting etc?
But I am pleased to say that, when it comes to medical forums and people in medicine....it's just not true. There are still many good, decent, helpful people on the net....just gotta know where to look for them I guess!
Anyway, thanks again!
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Studio117 said:
haha, I remember giving you some second hand advice ray. Glad it was some help! Shame my email forgot your email address! Hope all is well!
Ah did you? I have been lucky enough to have had lots of great help and advice from lots of online folk! Shame my email forgot your email address! Hope all is well!It's funny but...we often hear about how bad 'the internet' has become....loads of rubbish, all porn, the degradation of standards of posters and posting etc?
But I am pleased to say that, when it comes to medical forums and people in medicine....it's just not true. There are still many good, decent, helpful people on the net....just gotta know where to look for them I guess!
Anyway, thanks again!
Or is my memory completely broken?
cheers
tom
Edited by Studio117 on Thursday 21st August 21:25
Studio117 said:
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Studio117 said:
haha, I remember giving you some second hand advice ray. Glad it was some help! Shame my email forgot your email address! Hope all is well!
Ah did you? I have been lucky enough to have had lots of great help and advice from lots of online folk! Shame my email forgot your email address! Hope all is well!It's funny but...we often hear about how bad 'the internet' has become....loads of rubbish, all porn, the degradation of standards of posters and posting etc?
But I am pleased to say that, when it comes to medical forums and people in medicine....it's just not true. There are still many good, decent, helpful people on the net....just gotta know where to look for them I guess!
Anyway, thanks again!
Or is my memory completely broken?
cheers
tom
Edited by Studio117 on Thursday 21st August 21:25
Studio117 said:
no worries! My only recognition of the emails was your first name which started with E.
Or is my memory completely broken?
cheers
tom
You gave a paramedic advice?Or is my memory completely broken?
cheers
tom
Edited by Studio117 on Thursday 21st August 21:25
I'm well within my rights to now say that if so, the NHS system will be completely broken.
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Studio117 said:
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Studio117 said:
haha, I remember giving you some second hand advice ray. Glad it was some help! Shame my email forgot your email address! Hope all is well!
Ah did you? I have been lucky enough to have had lots of great help and advice from lots of online folk! Shame my email forgot your email address! Hope all is well!It's funny but...we often hear about how bad 'the internet' has become....loads of rubbish, all porn, the degradation of standards of posters and posting etc?
But I am pleased to say that, when it comes to medical forums and people in medicine....it's just not true. There are still many good, decent, helpful people on the net....just gotta know where to look for them I guess!
Anyway, thanks again!
Or is my memory completely broken?
cheers
tom
Edited by Studio117 on Thursday 21st August 21:25
Studio117 said:
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Studio117 said:
Ray Luxury-Yacht said:
Studio117 said:
haha, I remember giving you some second hand advice ray. Glad it was some help! Shame my email forgot your email address! Hope all is well!
Ah did you? I have been lucky enough to have had lots of great help and advice from lots of online folk! Shame my email forgot your email address! Hope all is well!It's funny but...we often hear about how bad 'the internet' has become....loads of rubbish, all porn, the degradation of standards of posters and posting etc?
But I am pleased to say that, when it comes to medical forums and people in medicine....it's just not true. There are still many good, decent, helpful people on the net....just gotta know where to look for them I guess!
Anyway, thanks again!
Or is my memory completely broken?
cheers
tom
Edited by Studio117 on Thursday 21st August 21:25
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