Hi-Fi Plus issue 62

[Spectral Morn]

Hi Guys

Just wondered what you think about Roy Gregory's article, Playing the System about Forums and those who lurk on them and whether they can be a source of good advice or not.

I think he has a lot of good and valid points to make about some Forums(not this one for the most part if at all. I haven't read everything yet). There are certainly instances on other Forums when there are those who make mischief, or have axes to grind etc. I do feel that certainly there is not enough qualification of things that are said(written) by posters and thread starters. I made a point about this regularly on ZG when I first joined(something which was ignored by most who read them as no comments of agreement were posted for the most part).

I think that accountability is important when offering any information so in agreement with Roys comments I will from now on sign my first name after any threads or posts made by me.

Regards D S D L -----Neil

[Covenant]

I havent read the article but wonder if accountability is ever an issue on open discussion forums. Mostly it stems from people who have swapped a few boxes or cables and have an opinion about which is best.
Personally I have found the advice given has been excellent and have stopped buying any hifi magazines.

[Beechwoods]

It depends which forums

AOS at least seems to have a lot of regular posters who are always around to answer to their prior posts! When reading anything about hi-fi, partiuclarly on forums, and often elsewhere there are always conflicting viewpoints anyway. People should find the consensus which tallies with their own experiences. Mischief makers will always be around, but they don't go unnoticed for long.

[John]

I will often give my thoughts around recomendations which are based on what i heard and my personal experience. I know that my thoughts are often biased to my own perferences and limited to what I heard; however I hope they are honest and fare.
I think on the whole forums provide a opportunity to share your passion with others my biggest passion is not HIFI gear but music and can talk for hours on this.
I also seen some really nasty comments and bullying on some sites as well as people passing harsh judgements on something they have not heard due to views they have.
But what I like about forums is in the most people are happy to share there knowledge and experiences, its more interactive and often you can get a wider view point and learn something in the process

[Spectral Morn]

Hi John and Guys.

John paints A very positive picture and so far AOS falls into this camp. I visit forums for this type of interaction and to offer any carefully considered and qualified advice I can.

Regards D S D L ---- Neil

[John]

Hi Neil
I am more a glass is half full guy than half empty but there are lots of sites I stay away from

[Spectral Morn]

Hi John

IYHO can you name these, If you don't mind ? You don't need to say why.

Regards D S D L ---- Neil

[Filterlab]

LOL! Neil, I thought your name would begin with a 'D'.

[John]

Hi Neil
Sorry I am not going to name and shame

[i_should_coco]

And who holds the magazines and journalists accountable? Just because they get paid for it doesn't, IMO, make them automatically more qualified than someone on a forum. At least on a forum you can get a cross section of opinions, unlike in a magazine, where you're taking one person's, who may or may not have a vested interest that they have not disclosed.

RG certainly likes Nordost a lot. What are we to make of that? Claiming that GBP5000 spent on cables an support is better than spending it on component upgrades? Who's fooling who here?